A huge turnout is expected Thursday at a public hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations for 2014. Literally busloads of stakeholders, both opposed to and in favor of cutting the requirements, are attending the hearing at the Hyatt in Crystal City, Virginia. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will be attending with several Iowa livestock producers, …
Rep. Cheri Bustos Loves Ethanol
Did you know that Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) loves ethanol? Those in attendance at Patriot Renewable Fuels roundtable and RFS rally learned this when hearing from Rep. Bustos about her support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). A little over two weeks ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposed renewable fuel volumes for the 2014 RFS. However much …
Patriot – The Little Biofuels Plant That Did
Remember when you were growing up the story your mom or dad read to you called, “The Little Engine that Could“? It was a motivational story about a little train engine that overcame doubt and adversity to save the day. Patriot Renewable Fuels based in Annawan, Illinois is the little biofuels plant that could in part by mading a recent …
Argentina Helps Biodiesel by Upping Blend
Argentina will be using more biodiesel in its power generation and vehicles. In a move to help its biodiesel industry hit by European sanctions, Biofuels International reports the South American country will require a 10 percent biodiesel blend in fuel burned for power generation and will step up vehicle blends to 10 percent starting next month. Biodiesel producers have been …
Biodiesel Production Still at Record Pace; Imports Up
The latest numbers from the government show that biodiesel production is still on a record pace for the year. Meanwhile, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says America is importing more of the green fuel while exporting less of it to other countries. September’s figures put biodiesel production at 127 million gallons in September 2013, down just slightly fromm August’s …
EPA RFS Proposal: A Slap in the Face of Vets
Darrell Rakestraw joined the military in 1982. A local boy who grew up on a centennial farm near Annawan, Illinois, he served his country in the army for nearly 20 years before retiring and moving back home with his family. During the time he was stationed in Germany, he came home on leave and heard everyone talking about how America …
Nominate A Great Fuel Retailer Today
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging Iowa fuel retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for the Secretary’s Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards, which recognize fuel retailers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to sell renewable fuels. Awards are presented for both the marketing of ethanol and biodiesel. “Fuel retailers continue to take steps to make …
Neste Renewable Diesel is Sustainably Certified
Renewable diesel from European company Neste Oil has been certified sustainable. This company news release says it’s the world’s first company to be awarded an RSPO-RED Supply Chain certificate under the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil’s (RSPO) new certification system, covering the production of NExBTL renewable diesel: The RSPO’s new RSPO-RED overall certification system calculates greenhouse gas emissions released over …
EPA Opens Comment Period for RFS
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially published the proposed 2014 renewable fuel standard in the Federal Register that starts a 60-day public comment period that runs until January 28, 2014. EPA’s proposal significantly lowers the levels of ethanol and biodiesel that must be blended in the nation’s fuel supply. “It is unfortunate that the Obama administration has caved in …
Biodiesel Feedstock’s Proteins Mapped
Researchers in Europe and South America have mapped the protein of a biodiesel feedstock, castor beans, in hopes of reducing the poisons in the leftover pulp. This article from The Almagest says researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and hope to be able to get more out of the bean. Countries like Brazil and India grow large quantities of …