According to a new analysis from Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to reduce the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending requirements is unwarranted and economically irrational. “Feasibility and Cost of Increasing US Ethanol Consumption Beyond E10,” demonstrates that the 2014 statutory RFS requirements could be easily met with no …
Consumer Attitude About Renewable Energy Rebounds
According to a new consumer survey from Navigant Research, favorable attitudes toward a number of clean and renewable energy concepts, particularly solar energy, wind energy, hybrid vehicles and electric cars, have rebounded significantly from their 2012 levels. The survey finds the average favorability rating for 10 concepts, which fall under the categories of clean energy, clean transportation, smart grid, and …
IA Senate Candiate Mark Jacobs Fights for RFS
Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Mark Jacobs has submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The EPA has proposed to reduce the amount of renewable fuels used in the U.S. transportation fuel supply for 2014. Jacobs wrote: Dear President Obama and EPA Administrator McCarthy: I am deeply concerned that the …
Iowa leads Ethanol Production in 2013
During 2013, 42 ethanol plants in Iowa produced 3.7 billion gallons matching 2011 and 2012. This was reported by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) who also notes that Iowa continues to be the number one ethanol producing state and is estimated to account for nearly 28 percent of national ethanol production for the year. IRFA points out that the …
Gevo Applauds UL Biobutanol Decision
Gevo, Inc. has applauded Underwriter Laboratories (UL) decision to approve the generic use of up to 16 percent isobutanol (biobutanol) in UL 871A pumps manufactured by any company that meets ASTM specifications. If a retail gasoline station currently has these pumps, then no changes need to be made to offer consumers isobutanol. Gevo has been working with UL for several …
IL State Rep Moffit: Ethanol is Still Exciting
Illinois State Representative Donald Moffitt knows agriculture. He grew up on a family farm, on which his son still farms (and Don occasionally helps). This has been a huge asset for him in his role because agriculture is the number one industry in both the 74th District as well as the state of Illinois. Rep Moffitt was serving in this …
UL Approves Biobutanol Use for Storage & Dispensing
Butamax Advanced Biofuels, LLC, has announced that a joint research program with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) has determined that gasoline fuel storage and dispensing equipment meeting latest UL standards can safely and successfully use blends of up to 16 percent biobutanol. This is the first time that UL has made such a determination. Butamax’s Fuel Product Manager, James Baustian, said, “UL …
GTL & QTI Partner to Develop NextGen FracTM
GTL Resources USA, Inc. (GTL), owner of Illinois River Energy, LLC (IRE), and Quality Technology International, Inc. (QTI), through its subsidiary, QTI-AMG LLC, have formed a partnership to collaborate on a new, transformative hybrid fractionation technology for corn, dubbed “NextGen FracTM”. According to the companies, this technology solves the serious starch loss and co-product purity problems of current standalone dry …
Ag, Biofuel Industries Dealt a Blow From EPA
The agriculture and biofuel industry has been dealt a blow according to Adam Nielsen, director of legislation and policy development for the Illinois Farm Bureau. Nielsen, who spends a significant amount of time promoting the agricultural industry in Washington, D.C., said the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 2014 reduction of the amount of corn ethanol blended as part of the …
Renewable Fuels Topic at Senate Primary Forum
On the sixth anniversary of the signing of the expanded federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) into law, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) hosted a renewable fuels forum for Iowa’s leading Republican candidates seeking the GOP nomination to run for U.S. Senate in 2014. The seat is currently held by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin who is retiring after this term. …