In this Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen provides his naughty and nice list for Santa, talks about a new progress report on cellulosic biofuels, and promises 2013 will bring one of the biggest fights for the future of energy policy. Dinneen says those who deserve coal include industries that have continued to relentlessly attack …
Car Clinic Host Baffled by AAA Ethanol Attitude
Automotive service expert Bobby Likis nearly blew a gasket when he saw today that the AAA is calling for the sale of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) to be suspended “to protect motorists” from damaging their engines. “To state that ethanol damages engines is a disservice to consumers…specifically to AAA members,” said Likis, who is the host of the syndicated …
The Business Case for E15
While the roll-out of E15 has been a bit slow out of the gate, the ethanol blend is now being legally sold in four states: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. “While progress has been slow, it is progress,” said Robert White, director of market development for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) during an interview with Cindy Zimmerman on site …
Ft. Dodge Terminal Great for GROWMARK Energy
GROWMARK has made several changes since purchasing the Fort Dodge Fuel Terminal in Duncombe, Iowa two years ago – and the cooperative company continues to grow the facility which was originally built more than 40 years ago. “GROWMARK has made a lot of improvements to get a good quality system where customers can depend on it to come and get …
Restaurant Owners Join Fight Against RFS
The National Council of Chain Restaurants today joined the fight against the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with the release of a new report on its impact on the chain restaurant industry, commodity prices and the food supply chain. The study, which was conducted by PwC, “concluded that the RFS mandate could cost chain restaurants up to $3.2 billion annually, with …
Grassley: Wind Tax Credit Could Be Part of Deal
The extension of the wind energy tax credit could come this year, but it might be part of a bigger deal of tax reform. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who holds positions on the Senate’s Budget, Finance and Ag Committees, says it will be a fight. “I think now the argument ought to be, ‘Why would you sort wind out of …
Census of Ag to Ask About Renewable Energy, Biomass
The USDA’s 2012 Census of Agriculture forms soon will be going out to farmers and ranchers across the country, and this year, the survey will be asking asking about renewable energy and biomass. “We’re asking for more details on whether farmers are using solar, wind… what type of energy, and some of the crops they’re growing to produce biomass,” says …
DF Cast: Biodiesel Helps Livestock Producers
We’ve known for quite a while that biodiesel is helping the bottom lines of feedstock producers, in particular, the nation’s soybean growers. But a new study from the National Biodiesel Board says livestock producers are also sticking more green in their pockets thanks to the green fuel. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we hear from the NBB’s …
Using White Rot Fungus for Corn Stover Ethanol
There’s new scientific evidence that a certain fungus could help speed up the production of ethanol from corn stover. A study on using the fungus to break down the tough cellulose and related material in this so-called “corn stover” to free up sugars for ethanol fermentation appears in the journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research “Treating corn stover with the …
RFA Reacts to RFS Decision
The president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) says they are very pleased with the decision today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject a request to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In an interview immediately after the announcement was made by EPA, Bob Dinneen said he gave the agency credit for sticking to the science …