As the political frenzy heats up leading into the Democratic and Republican Conventions, the ethanol industry’s campaign to stop a waiver to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) is heating up as well. This week, several ethanol organizations have sent out letters to key legislatures including governors explaining why there is no need for a waiver. The governors who are advocating for a …
Ethanol Industry Seeks Obama’s Support
The newly formed Biofuels Producers Coordinating Council sent a letter this week to President Obama in an effort to stress the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Many organizations have been calling for a waiver of the RFS due to severe drought conditions this summer but the ethanol industry says that the RFS was developed to allow flexibility for …
Export Exchange 2012 Heads to Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota is the home of the Export Exchange 2012 on October 22-24, 2012. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Grain Council and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), past events have attracted nearly 400 people from more than 30 countries ranging from domestic industry leaders to international buyers. There will be many topics of discussion including a big picture overview of key …
“Ethanol Rocks” Farm Progress Show
The annual Farm Progress Show is heading back to Iowa this week and Boone, Iowa will be swarming with thousands of attendees checking out the latest and greatest in agricultural and energy technologies and products. One group who will be showcasing its work is the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), a state affiliate of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). …
Nebraska Corn Growers Funding Blender Pumps
Nebraska corn growers are on a mission to get more blender pumps installed in their state, especially in the larger cities. Kim Clark, director of biofuels development for the Nebraska Corn Board, gave an update at the American Coalition for Ethanol conference on what they are doing to help get more blender pumps out in the state. “The corn board …
New Study to Assess GHG Impact of Ethanol
A new study will come out this fall that found that supplementing cattle feed with corn stover decreases the amount of greenhouse gases created during corn ethanol production. The research was designed to assess the impact on the carbon intensity level of a corn ethanol pathway when factoring in the replacement portion of corn grain for feed with corn stover. …
Ethanol Biorefining Innovations
There are many biorefining innovations taking place in the ethanol industry. During the 25th Annual Ethanol Conference, three company representatives discussed the research and technologies they were implementing or studying to increase the value of the ethanol production process. Steve McNinch with Western Plains Energy said his company is looking at how to move into the advanced biofuels category of …
Refiners to Try Syngenta’s Bio-Engineered Ethanol Corn
Two ethanol makers will be trying Syngenta’s Enogen® grain… corn that is bio-engineered to allow ethanol production to be more efficient, cost effective and better for the environment. This Syngenta news release says Golden Grain Energy (GGE) of Iowa and Siouxland Ethanol of Nebraska agreed to run three-month trials. Enogen grain is the first genetically engineered output trait in corn …
RFA: Reports Show Waiver Won’t Lower Corn Prices
The folks from the Renewable Fuels Association are pointing to two university studies as proof any waiving of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) would not significantly lower corn prices. The issue came to the forefront in the last few weeks as the drought pushed corn prices to record levels, and livestock groups look to the RFS waiver as relief from …
RFS Waiver Would Not Immediately Impact Corn Prices
While a new report shows that a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard could drop corn prices, the impact would not be felt this year and could vary. The Purdue University report, entiled Potential Impacts of a Partial Waiver of the Ethanol Blending Rules, was authored by the school’s Wally Tyner, Farzad Taheripour and Christopher Hurt and presented today in …