DuPont celebrated the opening of its cellulosic biofuel facility in Nevada, Iowa on Friday with a ceremony including industry representatives and many dignitaries. The biorefinery is now officially the world’s largest commercial cellulosic ethanol plant, with the capacity to produce 30 million gallons per year from corn stover – the stalks, leaves and cobs left in a field after harvest. …
BIP Announcement Welcome News by Ethanol Industry
This week Big Oil launched yet another anti-RFS campaign and has also been calling for an end to programs that support the development of biofuel infrastructure. As such, it was welcomed news this week when USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced while at a Protec Fuel station in Florida, $100 million in funding to increase retail pumps for higher ethanol blends …
What Ben Carson Said About Ethanol in Debate
During Wednesday night’s CNBC Republican presidential candidates debate, Dr. Ben Carson was asked about a comment he made to the Des Moines Register earlier this year that he would “probably be in favor” of using oil subsidies to increase pumps for ethanol blends. The question posed by the CNBC moderator was “Isn’t that just swapping one subsidy for another?” Carson …
USDA Announces Biofuels Infrastructure Funds
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was at a Citgo station in Kissimmee, Florida today to announce a USDA partnership to increase fueling pumps for biofuels in 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). The investment will nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. “The Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership is one more example of …
API Launches Another Anti-RFS Campaign
American Petroleum Institute’s Downstream Group Director Bob Greco told reporters this morning in a press call that they are launching another multi-faceted ad campaign targeted at the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in anticipation for Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rules set to be announced by November 30th. “Our ads focus on the negative consequences that higher ethanol mandates EPA is …
Bachelor Chris Soules’ Delivers Pro RFS Message
The end of this week mark’s the final countdown to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 required volumes for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). To continue to gain support for the renewable energy legislation, Iowa-based America’s Renewable Future (ARF), has tapped in to Bachelor Chris Soules’ fame, who is an Iowa farmer, to …
Growth Supports Next Energy Generation
The next generation of renewable energy, and by extension agricultural experts, are in college and now have an opportunity for some financial support. Growth Energy is providing $90,000 in scholarships over the next three years to students majoring in agricultural education. The “Upper Division” scholarships will be awarded by the National Association of Agricultural Education and given to students during …
Novozymes Intros Avantec Amp Ethanol Enzyme
The ethanol industry has a new enzyme with the introduction of Avantec Amp. Developed by Novozymes, the company says the enzyme improves yield and throughput in corn ethanol production while also increasing corn oil extraction. The product also reduces the need for several harsh chemicals used in production. According to Novozymes, by switching from standard technology to Avantec Amp, a …
RFA & RFF to Offer NEC Scholarships
The Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) is partnering with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) once again to offer scholarships to students who are interested in attending the National Ethanol Conference (NEC). The annual ethanol event will take place February 15-17, 2016 in New Orleans. “The NEC is the premier event for the ethanol industry, and it offers students a one-of-a-kind opportunity …
Green Plains Acquires Ethanol Plant in Virgina
Green Plains Inc. has acquired Vireol Bio Energy an ethanol facility owned by Future Fuels located in Hopewell, Virginia. The dry mill ethanol plant will increase the company’s annual production capacity by nearly 60 million gallons to nearly 1.1 billion gallon per year. The ethanol plant ceased production in September of this year due to low gas prices and at …