With the presidential elections only a few weeks away, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has unveiled a new web page that highlights the stances of President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney regarding their positions on renewable fuels. As the campaign progresses, additional information will be added. “Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of both ethanol and biodiesel, …
EU Ethanol Dumping Allegations Dropped
Reuters is reporting that the European Union is no longer investigating allegations that the United States illegally subsidized and dumped ethanol on the European Market. The European Commission, which is the executive body of the European Union, conducted an 11-month investigation. During that time, the Commission says it found no evidence that such action had been taken by the U.S. …
Global Biofuels Market Forecast to Grow
According to a new Global Biofuels Market Report, the global biofuels market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.7 percent between 2011-2015. A key factor is the expected increase in government funding and subsidies. The report looks at growth in the Americas, the EMEA And APAC regions and includes discussions about key companies operating in the market such …
FAPRI Study Weighs Impact of RFS Waiver
A new report has been issued by FAPRI-MU regarding the impacts of various RFS waiver options to inform decision makers who will determine if and how a wavier should be issued to adjust biofuel mandates for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). The request came from various sources in response to the 2012 drought that still continues. “Renewable Fuel Standard Waiver Options …
Renewable Energy in the Debate
Increasing America’s energy independence came up quickly in the presidential debate last night and it showed some similarities and some clear differences between the candidates. “I think it’s important for us to develop new sources of energy here in America,” President Obama said in his opening remarks. Governor Romney followed up by putting energy first in his five part plan …
Major Auto Companies Endorse E15
In response to strong sales of E15 in areas where the ethanol blend is offered, Ford Motor Company and General Motors (GM) announced their recommendations for use of E15 in their new vehicles. GM added the recommendation of E15 for its 2012 and newer vehicles, while Ford recommends E15 for its 2013 and newer vehicles. In response, Iowa Renewable Fuels …
And the Survey Says…
With the legislative races in the home stretch, the American Coalition for Ethanol has released survey responses covering key Congressional and Senate races across the country. The two major party candidates in races including the Indiana Senate, Iowa Congressional Districts 03 and 04, Minnesota Congressional District 07, Missouri Senate, North Dakota Senate, and the South Dakota At-Large Congressional District responded …
RFA Announces New Board Members
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) held its annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska this week and during the event, members elected new Officers of the Board of Directors. The new Chairman of the RFA Board of Directors is Neill McKinstray, President of the Ethanol Division, The Andersons, Inc. as Chairman of the RFA Board of Directors. McKinstray previously served as the Vice …
Gevo To Refine Biobutanol Plant
In May of 2012, Gevo, Inc. announced the start-up of its bio-isobutanol plant in Luverne, Minnesota. Since then, the company says it has both produced and shipped commercial quality product in railcars for customers. One thing the company has learned is what works well and what needs to be tweaked. So the company has switched the plant to ethanol production …
Butamax Patent Portfolio Expands
Butamax Advanced Biofuels has been granted another patent 8,273,558 (‘558 patent). The company is focused on developing commercial technology for the production of biobutanol, with a focus on the fuel market. One aspect the company has been working on is capitalizing on sugar conversion via the enzymes paired with yeast. Yeast only expresses certain enzymes in small compartments of a cell …