There may be some issues with the Renewable Fuel Standard that need to be addressed, but they could be done at the administrative level, rather than repealing the entire law or having Congress make changes. That according to a Senior Scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists Clean Vehicles Program. Dr. Jeremy Martin testified at a House Energy subcommittee hearing …
Algae Biomass Summit: A Must Attend
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) will be hosting its 7th annual Algae Biomass Summit this fall, September 30-October 3, 2013 in Orlando, Florida. To get an overview of key speakers and topics, I turned to ABO Executive Director Mary Rosenthal. To date, Rosenthal said that have nearly 100 speakers confirmed along with a huge poster presentation and more than 60 …
Biodiesel Board CEO Tells Congress RFS is Working
As lawmakers debated the value of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), the CEO of the National Biodiesel Board made the case on CSPAN that his group’s green fuel is delivering on those RFS promises. “First, under the RFS, the advanced biofuel and biomass-based diesel categories programs are working. And second, with the help of the RFS, biodiesel is reducing consumer …
Lawmakers Seek Compromise on RFS
Some lawmakers during a House Energy subcommittee hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) attempted to work toward getting some compromise between the two sides of the debate. One side, represented by the oil industry, wants to see the RFS completely repealed. The other side, represented by the biofuels industry, would prefer no change to the law. Congressman John Shimkus …
Vilsack Says Congress Only Works During Crisis
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Ames, Iowa this week and while there gave remarks during the Iowa Farm Bureau’s (#IFBF13) 2013 Economic Summit. The standing room only crowd wanted to hear what Vilsack would say regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the Farm Bill. Vilsack was not complementary of the current Congress saying that they …
Fuels America Announces New Ad Campaign
Fuels America coalition members today announced the launch of a new ad campaign with the theme of choice when it comes to our energy future. The campaign is targeted to policy makers in Washington DC and focused on supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which is under continued attack by the oil and food industries. “We’re talking about the fundamental …
Solar on the Farm
“Making Sustainability Work” was the theme of the 2013 Southern Peanut Growers Conference this past week and one of the sessions was devoted to energy efficiency, including the use of solar on the farm. Peter Marte with Hannah Solar of Atlanta, Georgia says solar energy is getting to be more popular for farming operations because costs have come down. “It’s …
DF Cast: Geothermal Potential Just Below Surface
Geothermal energy is seen as one of the cleanest and most efficient in the world, ranking right up there with the likes of wind energy. But growth in the energy source has been slow but steady. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we hear from Executive Director of the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) Karl Gawell who believes the …
Corn Growers Talking RFS in DC
Members of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) from across the country are in Washington this week to discuss policy issues and visit with lawmakers about a number of topics, including the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The question our members are asking the legislators is ‘Do you support the RFS in its form, yes or no?’ and we want an …
Oil Industry Blames RFS for Gas Prices
With gas prices on the rise again, the Senate Energy Committee held a timely hearing today on domestic oil production and fuel prices, and representatives of the oil industry used it as an opportunity to blame the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for volatile prices. Valero Energy CEO Bill Klesse noted in his testimony that his company supports ethanol production and …