In Iowa, presidential Republican candidates Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz are leading the polls, but the two are running close. One heated area of debate: renewable fuels. With Iowa the leading state for all things biofuels, voters want a president who will continue to support clean, renewable energy and rural economic development, something Trump as been a supporter and …
Grain Growers, Biofuelers to Meet at Export Exchange
Two industries that go hand-in-glove will meet next fall in Detroit. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) says it is joining with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) for Export Exchange 2016, scheduled for Oct. 24–27, 2016. “We are expecting more than 200 international buyers of coarse grains, co-products and ethanol to attend Export Exchange 2016 along with an estimated 300 producers …
New Officers Elected for Iowa RFA
The 2016 Board of Directors, Officer and Executive Committee have been elected for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The votes took place during their annual meeting on December 10, 2015. Each producer member has a seat on the Board and votes on officers. New officers will serve a one-year term during the 2016 calendar year. Iowa is the leading …
USDA Gives $70 Mil Loan Guarantee for Biofuel Plant
A cellulosic biofuel plant in Georgia will get built, thanks in part to a $70 million U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan guarantee. This news release from USDA says the money is being made available through the agency’s Biorefinery Assistance Program. “There is a clear consumer demand for clean, American-made, renewable fuels, which our rural communities stand ready to meet,” …
Global Groups Call on COP21 to Support Biofuels
Biofuels organizations representing multiple nations may have their differences but they have come together in a call for world leaders attending the COP21 in Paris to set a goal for increasing use of biofuels for transportation. The call for a global commitment to replace at least 15 percent of the world’s total oil use in transport with sustainable biofuels by …
Novozymes CEO at COP21: Biofuels Only Alternative
Biofuels are the only alternatives to fossil fuels… that was the message the head of Novozymes told attendees at COP21 in Paris. “Solutions exist for many of the problems we face – it’s about the political courage and long-term vision to implement them,” says CEO Peder Holk Nielsen, who is leading Novozymes’ delegation at COP21, in Paris. “We urgently need …
RFA: Revise RVP Rules to Level Playing Field
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling for more higher-level ethanol blends to enter the U.S. fuel supply. In a letter the ethanol organization called on Christopher Grundler, director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality for the Environmental Protection Agency, to update regulations to allow EPA to grant a 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure waiver for other ethanol blends …
Prez Hopefuls Learn About Biofuels
The countdown to the Iowa caucuses brings us less than two months to voting day and 15 out of 16 Presidential nominee hopefuls have either visited a biofuels plant or met with America’s Renewable Future (ARF). Who is missing? Ted Cruz, who is under fire from ARF for his wishy-washy position on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Cruz’s political team …
Hybrid Yeast to Give Rise to Better Biofuel Production
Researchers in Wisconsin, a state already known for its good use of yeast for the brewing of beer, are developing yeast hybrids that would also help in biofuels production. This article from the University of Wisconsin says the scientists at the school continue to find more strains suited for the green fuel making. “We can achieve hybrids at rates of …
Call for Renewable Fuel Marketing Award Nominations
It’s time to nominate an Iowa fuel retailer for their support of renewable fuels. Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey is encouraging Iowa fuel retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for the Secretary’s Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards. These recognize fuel retailers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to sell renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel with …