Groups React to FAO Biofuels Study

Joanna Schroeder

Emotions are mixed regarding the findings in a recent report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that was released in Rome during a meeting with ambassadors. The report found that biofuel from crops has a significant and direct impact on food prices and food availability. In response, ActionAid said the report shows how Europe’s biofuel targets are driving …

Agribusiness, biofuels, corn, food and fuel, Indirect Land Use

Biofuels & Iowa Pork – A Swinetiffic Relationship

Joanna Schroeder

Today is Iowa Swine Day (June 27) and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is taking a time to show how renewable fuels production is boosting the profitability of raising hogs in Iowa. “On Iowa Swine Day, it’s important to remember that a strong renewable fuels industry means a strong hog industry here in Iowa,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte …

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, biofuels, Iowa RFA

Consumer Opinion Poll On Gas Prices

Joanna Schroeder

Summer driving season is in full swing and with it comes grumbling over fluctuating gas prices. A new poll commissioned by Fuels America asked consumers their thoughts on gas prices and renewable fuels. The survey, conducted by Research Now, identifies specific budget items families give up when they are faced with high gas prices, and their attitudes around oil, renewable …

advanced biofuels, biofuels, Environment, Oil, RFS

CFS Releases New Biofuels Studies

Joanna Schroeder

Several new studies have been released on biofuels and investment needs of small-scale farmers released by the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). Report no. 5: Biofuels and Food Security finds that world biofuel production increased five-fold in the decade between 2001-2011. As a result, the report attempts to identify the impacts …

Agribusiness, biofuels, food and fuel

DuPont Exec Talks Food and Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

Food security was the topic for an address last week to the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) World Forum by DuPont Executive Vice President Jim Borel. “We need a new generation of food visionaries who can see the tremendous opportunity made possible by the simple fact that people have to eat,” Borel told the group of more than …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, Audio, biofuels, Cellulosic

Overcoming the Summer Gas Price Rise Blues

John Davis

As we have now officially landed in the summer season (of course, the real summer travel season really started Memorial Day weekend), the question that seems to come up every year remains “Why do gas prices go up during the summer?” Andrew Holland, Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate with the American Security Project, a non-profit, non-partisan public policy and …

Audio, biofuels

For Summer Fun, Rent an Alt Vehicle

Joanna Schroeder

This summer, Disneyland is promoting energy efficiency to those coming to their famous theme park. MPG Car Rental gives California visitors a chance to try out some alternative energy cars including the Prius, the Volkswagen TDi and the fully electric Tesla Model S, winner of the 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year award. The tie-in to green cars and …

Alternative Vehicles, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Opinion

API Denied Hearing on E15

Joanna Schroeder

The Supreme Court has issued a decision to not hear the American Petroleum Institute (API) and other ethanol opponents’ challenges to E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, that has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in cars and light duty trucks manufactured in 2001 or newer. “Today is a true …

ACE, biofuels, E15, Growth Energy, RFA

Management & Planning Key to Biofuels Profitability

John Davis

How you manage and plan your biofuels operation is just as important to ensuring its profitability as the price of the inputs that go into making the green fuels. “The biofuels industry is like any other company,” explains John Christianson, partner and founding member of Christianson & Associates, a Minnesota firm that specializes in working with farmers and rural businesses, …

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, News

ACT Expo to Kick off in Washington, D.C.

Joanna Schroeder

The 2013 Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo kicks off at the Washington Convention Center today and during the three-day show, new technology diesel advancements in both heavy-duty trucks and light-duty passenger vehicles will be showcased by the Diesel Technology Forum. According ACT, their Expo is North America’s largest alternative fuel and clean vehicle technology conference and expo – representing electric, …

Alternative Vehicles, biofuels, Hydrogen, Natural Gas, Propane