With the Senate poised to confirm Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Iowa has a message for him – Don’t Mess with the RFS. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and other state organizations urged Pruitt to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by rejecting a petition to change the program’s point of obligation, which …
Program Improving Sorghum for Food and Fuel
A plant breeding program to improve sorghum varieties for biofuel production could now help meet growing food demands in Africa. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has announced a three-year $6.1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand and accelerate the development and deployment of advanced sorghum phenotyping and breeding technologies in support of improved varieties …
Biofuels and China Impact Crop Outlook
Dr. Pat Westhoff of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri brought attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show last week an outlook for the 2017-2018 crop demand. Overall, he says, look for 2017 to follow a similar trend of 2016, with prices continuing to be below average. …
Minnesota Grows Cleaner Fuel Choices in 2016
Minnesota drivers have more fuel choices then they did a year ago. According to the American Lung Association in Minnesota, 35 new E85 stations opened throughout Minnesota last year, bringing the total number in the state to more than 325, which is more than any other state, and Minnesota flex fuel vehicle drivers used an average of more than a …
Iowa Energy Plan Unveiled
Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds today unveiled the Iowa Energy Plan, which “assesses current and future energy supply and demand, examines energy policies and programs and identifies emerging challenges and opportunities.” “Iowa is a leader in biofuels and renewable energy,” said Lt. Governor Reynolds. “That leadership was achieved because of thoughtful planning. Creating a statewide energy plan will keep Iowa …
Iowa RFA Announces New Communications Director
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has announced Cassidy Riley as Communications Director for the organization. Riley most recently worked as the Central Iowa Field Director for Senator Chuck Grassley’s 2016 reelection campaign. Prior to the campaign she clerked in the Iowa House of Representatives for Rep. Tom Moore. “I’m thrilled to join the IRFA team because I get to …
Enogen Provides Benefits for #Ethanol Growers
Duane Martin manages the Agrisure portfolio for Syngenta corn and soybeans. “We’re very proud of the technology we’ve brought to the corn and soybean market over the last several years- launching more new technology, more new traits, to especially the corn business one the last five years than any other company in the industry.” The Enogen corn technology is expanding, …
Iowa RFA Announces 2017 Officers
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) this week announced new board members and officers for 2017, elected at last week’s annual meeting. 2017 IRFA Board of Directors Officers President Eamonn Byrne, Lakeview Plymouth Energy Vice President Steve Bleyl, Green Plains Treasurer Bill Howell, POET Biorefining – Coon Rapids Secretary Derek Winkel, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. Executive Dir. Monte Shaw (non-voting) …
Trump Team Filling Up with Oil Interests
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, the man who sought a waiver for his state from the Renewable Fuel Standard and was consistently ranked as bad for the ethanol industry during his two presidential bids, has been tapped by President-Elect Donald Trump to be Secretary of Energy. With ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson picked as Secretary of State and Oklahoma AG Scott …
RFA’s Dinneen to Keynote 2017 @IowaFuel Summit
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen will keynote the 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. His theme: Making Ethanol Great Again. The annual event is taking place January 31, 2017 at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. Registration is open and it’s free to attend. “The inauguration of a new President always creates the potential for …