Pacific Ethanol is reporting they have signed a technology license and purchase agreement with Whitefox Technologies. According to the agreement, Pacific Ethanol will be adopting Whitefox’s clean fuel membrane system that will separate water from ethanol during the plant’s distillation process. The ethanol plant expects commercial operations using the new technology in the third quarter of 2016. Neil Koehler, Pacific …
Ensyn Corp Receives CARB Approval
Ensyn Corporation has receive regulatory approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the use of Renewable Fuel Oil (RFO) as a feedstock for refineries in California for the production of renewable gasoline and renewable diesel. The approvals come as part of the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). RFO is a collaboration between Ensyn, Tesoro Corporation and Chevron. …
Energy in the Budget Proposal
As promised, energy was a focus of President Obama’s 2017 budget proposal, officially unveiled on Tuesday, with a promise to “move our economy away from energy sources that fuel climate change.” The budget provides for $7.7 billion in discretionary funding for clean energy research and development across 12 agencies, including $106 million for USDA to “support development of biobased energy …
December Ethanol Exports Surge
According to a blog from Geoff Cooper, senior vice president for the Renewable Fuel Association (RFA), U.S. ethanol exports did well in December 2015 with 81.7 million gallons (mg) of product exported, 39 percent higher than November 2015. Canada was the top destination receiving 21.3 mg followed by Oman (13.4 mg), China (10.6 mg), the Philippines (8.8 mg), and the …
South Dakota Gets Grant to Increase Ethanol Use
The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation has given a $1.5 million grant to the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) to increase the state’s use of ethanol. The program receiving the funds is the state’s Ethanol Infrastructure Program that helps fuel retailers install blender pumps to sell mid-level and high-level ethanol blends such as E15 and E85. With the …
Ethanol Plays Key Role in Iowa Campaigning
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) won the Republican ticket in Iowa last night with Donald Trump coming in second despite Cruz’s ambiguity on ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). However, compared to the campaigning four years ago, ethanol has gained a significant amount of positive ground according to a press conference held by Growth Energy. The Iowa Caucus kicks off …
RFA: Cruz In But Ethanol Not Out
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) may have won in Iowa last night, but according to the Renewable Fuel Association (RFS), ethanol is not out. RFS President and CEO Bob Dinneen said that his win has created a narrative that presidential candidates campaigning in the state no longer have to voice support for ethanol or the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Dinneen said …
Trestle Energy Receives CARB Pathway Approval
California-based Trestle Energy has received its pathway approval for the production of ethanol from California Air Resources Board (CARB) under the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Back in 2014, the company received approval by British Columbia. “We are pleased California has joined BC in approving our fuel pathways,” said James Rhodes, co-founder and president of Trestle Energy. “These pathways …
Growing Beyond the RFS to Drive Demand for Ethanol
After years of uncertainty, the final volumes for the amount of corn ethanol were announced late last year, and corn ethanol is essentially at its limit under the RFS, according to Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) executive director. Durante gave a recap of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and what it means for the ethanol industry during a …
Reynolds, Naig Highlight Fueling Our Future 100
During the 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, along with Mike Naig, deputy secretary of agriculture, highlighted the new “Fueling Our Future 100” program. In round one, the program has allocated $2.49 million dollars to help Iowa gas retailers install 107 blender pumps and 8 underground storage tanks to store high blends of ethanol. Naig …