Mike Bryan’s Call to Arms

Joanna Schroeder

Mike Bryan, CEO of BBI International kicked off the 29th International Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) with a call for action for not only the biofuel associations, but for every single person who attended the event. He began by asking the standing room only crowd if they were getting angry, frustrated and a little nervous over the bashing from some legislators …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, FEW

Biodiesel Tour de Force

Joanna Schroeder

This week, six Iowa biodiesel producers, a soybean farmer and several Iowa Biodiesel Board staff will be visiting Capitol Hill to urge Iowa’s Congressional delegation to continue fighting for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The group joins more than 100 other biodiesel advocates from two dozen states in lobbying for Congressional support. “Oil interests have this policy in their …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Education, NBB

NBB Unveils New TV Ad Campaign

Joanna Schroeder

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has unveiled a new television advertising campaign to make the point that consumers and taxpayers are better protected by a diverse supply of transportation fuels. The 30-second commercial is airing on national TV networks and on Washington, D.C. broadcast and cable news outlets. “Biofuels are helping to diversify America’s transportation fuels, which protects consumers by …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Education, NBB, Video

RFS Hearing – Study in Hyprocrisy

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements held a hearing to discuss the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),”Up Against the Blend Wall: Examining EPA’s Role in the Renewable Fuel Standard.” While many were on the witness list, none actually worked in the biofuels industry. The ethanol industry was quick to …

advanced biofuels, biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

EPA’s 411 on RINs & RVOs

Joanna Schroeder

A recent “Today in Energy” brief published by the U.S. Energy and Information Administration takes a look at how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) and Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RVOs are the targets for each refiner or importer of petroleum-based gasoline or diesel fuel, while RINS allow …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, RINS

Biofuels, Farm Groups Applaud Pentagon’s Move

John Davis

Groups representing biofuels and farm interests are praising the Pentagon’s action to develop cheaper, drop-in biofuels. Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, says the $16 million awarded under the Defense Production Act is a significant step in supporting efforts to build commercial drop in fuels facilities: “Biofuels offer outstanding performance and environmental sustainability, while also providing a diversity …

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, biofuels, Government

PacificAg Created Through Merger

Joanna Schroeder

Sister companies Pacific Ag Solutions and Pacific PowerStock have merged to become PacificAg. According to the company, the merger creates the largest agricultural residue and hay harvesting business in the U.S. with operations in seven states and the largest fleet of biomass harvesting equipment in the country. “We have always served two important markets: demand for forage crops for livestock …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, biomass, feedstocks

Ethanol Improving While Oil Gets Worse

Joanna Schroeder

The House and Energy Commerce Committee has released its third white paper on the Renewable Fuel Standard, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Impacts.” Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Brian Jennings, responded with written comments that included but were not limited to feedback on the RFS role on the environment, agricultural sustainability and tailpipe emissions. “…petroleum …

ACE, advanced biofuels, biofuels, Ethanol, RFA, RFS

EPA Proposes RFS Amendments

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) amendments and clarifications, which include new pathway determinations for advanced biofuels such as isobutanol and ethanol from crop residues. The EPA proposal also includes “various changes to the E15 misfueling mitigation regulations (E15 MMR) which are minor technical corrections and amendments to sections dealing with labeling, E15 surveys, product …

advanced biofuels, BIO, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA, RFS

Foreign Fuels Reduction Act – Good for Biofuels?

Joanna Schroeder

A fancy title does not good biofuels policy make. Mixed emotions are emanating from the introduction of the “Foreign Fuels Reduction Act,” introduced by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn). The legislation would allow only domestically-sourced fuels to be used to meet the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “It is time for America to create …

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Legislation, RFA, RFS