The Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change recently released a white paper recommending 20 steps the Department of Energy (DOE) should take in carrying out the President’s Climate Action Plan. The recommendations include strengthening specific energy efficiency standards, accelerating the development and deployment of low-carbon energy technologies, expanding the use of energy savings performance contracts to save energy at federal …
DF Cast: Agencies Work Together on Biofuels Targets
On August 6, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule for the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) based on analysis provided by, the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which revised downward its cellulosic biofuel forecast for 2013 to 4 million gallons (or 6 million ethanol-equivalent gallons) target for cellulosic biofuels use in 2013, less than half what was …
Senators Call for Big Oil Investigation
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) called on the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate possible anticompetitive practices by oil companies that limit consumers access to homegrown renewable fuels such as ethanol. In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, Klobuchar, the Chair of the Antitrust Subcommittee, and Grassley, …
Iowa E85 Sales Jump 43% in 2nd Quarter
Sales of E85 have increased 43 percent over the first quarter of 2013. Iowans purchased more than 2.62 million gallons of E85 in the second quarter of 2013, up from the 1.83 million gallons of E85 purchased in the first quarter of 2013, according to Iowa Department of Revenue data. “E85 sales were down at the end of 2012 and …
How the Make the RFS Attainable
According to Purdue University energy policy specialist Wally Tyner, the U.S. can likely produce federally mandated levels of biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2014 if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduces its requirements by 2.3 billion gallons. The RFS requires a minimum amount of biofuels to be blended into transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel. For …
Ethanol Industry Celebrates Patriot’s 5th Anniversary
The ethanol industry is helping Patriot Renewable Fuels celebrate it’s 5th Anniversary this month with congratulations and well wishes for another successful five years and beyond. In addition, Patriot is thanking several of its partners including CHS, a farmer-owned cooperative that has enabled Patriot to connect to global distiller grain (DDGS) markets. Each year, the ethanol plant produces 320,000 tons …
I’ll Take Some Free Fuel Please
From Washington to Texas to New Jersey to Florida, motorcycle enthusiasts from around the country stopped by the Buffalo Chip Campgrounds during Sturgis to get some free 93 octane ethanol blended fuel. Riders familiar with the fuel were “stoked” to get a few gallons of free, premium ethanol fuel while those less knowledgeable were excited to try out the ethanol …
Free Fuel Happy Hour at Sturgis
During this year’s Sturgis event in Sturgis, South Dakota, bikers from across the country who were staying at the Buffalo Chip Campgrounds were treated to free ethanol-blended fuel compliments of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The “Free Fuel Happy Hours” promotion enabled motorcyclists to fill their tank, free of charge, with 93 octane E10 (10 percent ethanol). This high octane …
Government Lowers Cellulosic Biofuels Targets
In the wake of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issuing its final rule for the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the government revised down targets for cellulosic biofuel use this year. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports the new rule sets a 6 million gallon target for cellulosic biofuels use in 2013, less than half what was proposed just six …
In Center Ring: Biofuels Versus Big Oil
The National Conference of State Legislators kicked off in Atlanta, Georgia yesterday and today the group has invited Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) along with Patrick Kelly of the American Petroleum Institute (API) to debate the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). According to Cooper, the invitation was extended because state legislators want to learn more about the program …