The Brazilian sugarcane ethanol industry is pleased with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposal last week to revise Indirect Land Use Change (iLUC) numbers for biofuels. Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association UNICA applauded CARB for “once again declaring that sugarcane ethanol is one of the most environmentally friendly biofuels supplying today’s market.” UNICA North America Representative Leticia Phillips notes that …
Analysis: Despite EPA Issues, Ethanol Profitable
While most of the news around ethanol seems to focus on its issues with the government, a new analysis shows that the green fuel is in one of its longest profitability runs ever. This analysis from the University of Illinois shows that despite more recent news about troubles with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its proposal to cut the …
Rail Problems Impacting Ethanol Supplies
One impact of the long, cold winter across the nation has been weather-related rail disruptions that are taking a toll on ethanol supplies and production. The record winter weather patterns that have caused repeated snowstorms have resulted in stalled trains, frozen controls and increased demand for rail cars. All that has made it difficult to move ethanol to the Northeast. …
New Budget Would Roll Back Oil Subsidies
The recently proposed Obama administration Fiscal Year 2015 Budget includes $4 billion a year in cuts to oil industry subsidies, notes Americans United for Change (AUFC), which calls that “a big win for taxpayers and consumers.” Under the Department of Energy section, the budget calls for elimination of “Unnecessary Fossil Fuel Subsidies” stating that as “the Nation continues to pursue …
Editorial from Father of Ethanol
The man who is known as the “Father of Ethanol” in the United States is still busy advocating for the industry at the well-seasoned age of 93. Merle Anderson, one of the founding members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), just recently penned an excellent editorial for the Grand Forks Herald about his favorite subject and his observations are …
CARB Stresses ILUC Update is Preliminary
California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff spent four hours on Tuesday afternoon detailing reviews made of Indirect Land Use Change (iLUC) models and analysis for the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), strongly stressing that their results are preliminary. “This is a work in progress,” said Air Resources Engineer Anil Prabhu as he began his power point presentation detailing the …
Ethanol Exports Start 2014 Higher
Exports of U.S. ethanol started 2014 at the highest level seen in over two years. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, ethanol exports in January totaled 86 million gallons, which is the highest monthly volume since December 2011. “Exports were up a third from December 2013, while imports remained sparse, meaning the United States was a net ethanol exporter by …
POET-DSM Joins Advanced Ethanol Council
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels is the newest member to join the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC). “As cellulosic ethanol becomes a growing force in fulfilling biofuel requirements in the U.S., it’s important for POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels to work with other industry leaders to help shape policies that ensure consumer understanding of – and access to – its environmental, economic and energy-security benefits,” …
CARB Considers Small ILUC Change for Ethanol
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today is proposing potential changes to indirect land use change (iLUC) penalties under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) which some scientists and the ethanol industry say are a start, but don’t go far enough. Based on a review of materials made available by CARB prior to the workshop, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President …
Analysis: Export Market a Bright Spot for US Ethanol
Ethanol producers might be fretting about the government’s proposal to lower the amount of the green fuel to be mixed into the Nation’s fuel supply. But this analysis from the University of Illinois points out that those Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) numbers don’t matter when it comes to ethanol going over the border and to foreign shores, a bright spot …