Pssst…I have the secret recipe for renewable fuel. Want to know where I found this recipe that will take down big oil? In the novel, “The Year God Forgot Us,” by Dennis Nau. Ok, so I don’t really have some super duper secret renewable fuel recipe, but this week’s book was a fictional look at 1936, during the Great Depression, …
AAA Holds Fast to E15 Position
The American Automobile Association (AAA) has taken a position against the use of E15 for all motorists despite the fact that E15 is the most tested fuel in American history. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the use of E15 for cars and light duty trucks manufactured in 2001 or later. In addition, the EPA has put safeguards in place …
Farm Bill Extension Without Energy Funding is Job Killer
With the 112th Congress unable to come to terms and pass a new Farm Bill, the current bill was extended for nine months while the 113th Congress works to pass a 2013 Farm Bill. Although the bill is extended as part of the American Taxpayer Relief of 2012, it was extended without energy title funding that includes programs such as …
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to Speak at IRFA Summit
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will address the 7th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and Trade Show on January 30, 2013 being held at The Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. “Governor Branstad’s continued leadership has helped Iowa remain the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production,” said IRFA President Rick Schwarck. “Under Branstad, the state is at the forefront of proactive …
2013 & 2014 Outlook for Ethanol RINS
According to a policy brief authored by Bruce Babcock with the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), the U.S. ethanol industry will face lower profit margins in 2013 due to increased corn prices caused by the drought. With a saturated ethanol market, ethanol mandates that will be implemented in 2013 and 2014 can possibly be met only if ethanol …
Second E15 Station Opens in Iowa
The Fredericksburg Coop in Fredericksburg, Iowa is now offering E15. The station is the second in Iowa to offer consumers E15. Fredericksburg Coop is located in Northeast Iowa on Highway 18 West. “I believe retailers see great value in offering a less expensive, cleaner, more American-made fuel option like E15 to their consumers,” said Fredericksburg Coop Petroleum Manager Steve Neuendorf. …
Thorntons Wins Paul Dana Excellence in Bioenergy
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture honored Thorntons Inc. as the recipient of the Paul Dana Excellence in Bioenergy Leadership Award. The honor was given during the Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition Holiday Reception by Indiana’s Ag Director Joseph Kelsay. The Paul Dana Award was established by Governor Mitch Daniels and Lt. Governor Becky Skillman in 2006 after Indy Racing League driver …
Biofuels – Bringing Sexy Back?
I was recently forwarded an opinion piece on how to promote biofuels and it struck a cord with me. In June 2011, I published an article in Industrial Biotechnology called “Back to basics: Redefining the biotechnology message.” In it, I said the current messages weren’t working – especially when tied to climate change where public opinion is slipping. The opinion …
New Plant-Based Cellulase Enzyme
Infinite Enzymes has launched IE-CBHI, a single activity, plant-based cellulase enzyme. The enzyme is available for research and development projects through Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. The global industrial enzymes market is projected to reach 3.74 billion by 2015, not including many emerging applications in advanced biofuels and biobased products. Enzymes are a critical role in converting cellulose and hemicellulose in biomass to sugars, which becomes …
What Do People Think About Biofuels?
What do people in the Southeast think about biofuels? Do they support biofuel ventures? Who will grow the biomass? Will those in established industries fight against it? These are just a few of the questions researchers from the University of Georgia and the U.S. Forest Service are asking as part of studies in locations throughout the Southeast suited for biomass …