According to a new study commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), a pending shift in the fuels carried in pipeline to Iowa will likely increase the cost of non-ethanol blended gasoline forcing retailers to choose between offering a relatively high priced traditional E0 (100 percent gasoline) and a lower-cost E15 (a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 …
Senate Ag Committee Approves USDA Nominees
The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee this week unanimously approved the nominations of Krysta Harden to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture and Robert Bonnie to serve as under secretary for natural resources and the environment. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) congratulated Harden on her confirmation. “Krysta Harden is the right person for the job,” said Bob Dinneen, President …
Refuel Colorado Fleets
Refuel Colorado Fleets, a pilot project to boost the use of alternative fuel vehicles in public and private sector fleets, has announced a new pilot program for several Colorado communities. The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant to the Colorado Energy Office. Counties selected for the year-long pilot are Routt, Larimer, Boulder, Jefferson, Adams, Garfield, Mesa, …
POET Plants to Add Liquefied Carbon Dioxide
Two POET biorefineries in Ohio are installing liquefied carbon dioxide facilities on site. POET Biorefining – Marion and POET Biorefining – Fostoria will be operating in the Greater Ohio Valley liquid carbon dioxide marketplace. The plants will be able to serve the traditional food freezing and beverage carbonation markets as well as secure new carbon dioxide customers. “One of our …
EWG Has No Love for Corn Ethanol
During the recent Subcommittee on Energy and Power’s hearing to review the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as well as during a recent RFS briefing sponsored by the Advanced Biofuels Association last week in D.C., the Environmental Working Group (EWG) made it very clear that they have no love for corn-based ethanol. Scott Faber, EWG senior vice president for government affairs …
NASCAR Driver Dillion Visits POET Plant
NASCAR® driver Austin Dillon visited POET-Biorefining – Portland (Ind.) as part of his American Ethanol Heartland Tour. Dillon toured the biorefinery, signed autographs and took part in a Q&A with POET team members and farmers. Dillon’s Midwest tour takes him from Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Along the way, he is making a number …
N.C. Biofuels Center To Shutter Its Windows
According to an article in the Triangle Business Journal, the N.C. Biofuels Center will close down “within weeks” as lawmakers moved to vote on a state budget that cuts off its $2 million in annual state funding. The facility is focused on conducting research on transportation fuels derived from cellulosic grasses and other non-food crops. In addition to state funding, …
EPA Can Fix RFS Problems
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 …
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 …