Is the American Petroleum Institute (API) changing its RFS tune? In a recent interview with POLITICO Pro Energy’s Morning Energy, API President and CEO Jack Gerard said his organization was pivoting its strategy toward reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rather than continuing to call for an outright repeal. A change of tune for sure but whether it’s on key …
Poll Show Iowans Support RFS
According to a new poll from the Des Moines Register, 71 percent of Iowans favor the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), 21 percent oppose it and eight percent are unsure. The issue was a hot button for candidates leading up to the Iowa Caucus where Sen. Ted Cruz received the state’s nomination, despite voters being unsure as to what his stance …
Federal Activities Report on Bioeconomy Released
USDA has released a new report, “Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy.” According to Dr. Catherine Woteki, the report was developed to create awareness of federal agency activities that are helping to develop and support the bioeconomy. The “bioeconomy” is an emerging part of the U.S. economy, says Woteki, that utilizes renewable biological resources to produce fuels, power and biobased …
Research Looks Into Gas Prices
As I pulled into a gas station in Fairfield Glade, Tennessee last week I couldn’t believe the price per gallon of fuel with ethanol. After nearly $5.00 per gallon of gas a few years ago in states such as California, I never thought I’d see prices drop below $2.00. But they have and continue to stay. While this is great …
API Continues to Lambaste #RFS
The American Petroleum Institute (API) continues to lambaste the Renewable Fuel Standard (#RFS) as the energy policy draws criticism from all sides. Cited as the most effective energy policy ever enacted in the U.S. by supporters, API remains steadfast in its efforts to get the legislation repealed. Shortly before a Senate committee oversight hearing on Wednesday, API’s Downstream Group Director …
Senate Holds #RFS Oversight Hearing
The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held an oversight hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard (#RFS). The legislation has been under fire for several years and there are currently several lawsuits surrounding the program: the biofuels industry is suing because the required volumes (RVOs) for 2014, 2015 and 2016 are below what the legislation requires, and Big …
Panelists Discuss E15 Revolution, Global Markets
Panelists discussed the “E15 Revolution” during the Growth Energy Leadership Conference held in Orlando this week. The retailer discussion focused on their efforts to help grow the consumer availability of E15 across the country. Panelists included Jim Pirolli, VP Fuels for Kum-N-Go; Mike Lorenz, Executive VP of Petroleum Supply; and Todd Garner, CEO of Protec Fuels. When discussing the changing …
$3.50 May Be New ‘Corn Norm’
The impact of corn prices varies between producers in different divisions of agriculture, with some producers benefiting from higher prices, and some benefiting from lower prices. Many factors seem to demonstrate that the new long-term “normal” for corn prices may be $3.50 per bushel, and Cody Heller, CEO of Central Wisconsin Ag Services (CWAS), has offered his insight into the …
Tom Buis Delivers the “CEO Report”
Growth Energy Co-Chair Tom Buis delivered his “CEO Report” yesterday during the Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. During his remarks, Buis said, “Last year was an interesting year, we increased exports, had another great corn crop and defeated every single attempt to repeal or reform the RFS.” Buis segued into how the ethanol industry stepped up to the plate to …
DOC Partners With NEC to Increase Ethanol Exports
Despite low crude oil prices, 2015 was still a robust export year for the ethanol industry according to Kenneth Hyatt, deputy under secretary for International Trade with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). The DOC partnered with the Renewable Fuels Association, the host of the 21st Annual National Ethanol Conference (#RFANEC) where delegates from several countries were on hand to …