Just as the EPA started its 30-day comment period on a waiver request for the Renewable Fuel Standard, the National Corn Growers Association is asking for more time for comments. NCGA President Garry Niemeyer sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson requesting an additional 30-day extension, citing harvest and the uncertainty of this year’s corn crop: “Across the nation …
Former Ag Secretary Would Say No to RFS Waiver
A former Secretary of Agriculture says he would advise against waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Clayton Yeutter, who served as agriculture secretary under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991, says he believes the markets will resolve the current situation. “Markets work,” he said during an appearance at the 2012 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. “We’re seeing …
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 …
Romney Energy Plan Includes Renewables
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is rolling out his energy plan with the goal to “achieve North American energy independence by 2020 and establish America as an energy superpower in the 21st century.” With a strong emphasis on opening up and developing more domestic sources for petroleum, the Romney plan does include a small mention of renewable sources and one line …
Poultry, Govs Make Case for RFS Waiver; RFA Refutes
Poultry producers are getting some help from several governors in their call for the EPA to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), but officials with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) say the RFS is working, and no waiver is needed. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has joined Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe and North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue in asking for the …
EPA Requests Comment Period for RFS
The Environmental Protection Agency has officially requested a comment period to start the process toward consideration of a waiver for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EPA issued the request for comments in response to petitions from the Governors of Arkansas and North Carolina last week seeking a waiver of the volume requirements for corn ethanol under the RFS. The request …
Ethanol Safety Seminar Offered by RFA
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), along with Norfolk Southern Corp., CN Railway and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) will co-host an Ethanol Safety Seminar on August 22nd in Decatur, IL. The free seminar will give first responders, hazmat personnel, safety teams and the general public in-depth information on proper training techniques needed to effectively respond to an ethanol-related emergency. “Ethanol …
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 …
Western New York Energy Buys ICM Milling Technology
A New York ethanol producer has bought a milling system purported to increase plant efficiency while maintaining throughput. This news release says Western New York Energy bought ICM’s Selective Milling Technology (SMT)™, including the license fee, equipment and installation of ICM’s platform technology. Mike Sawyer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of WNYE stated, “As a locally-owned company, we …
Appeals Court Upholds E15
The U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit has sided with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and upheld its partial waiver approval for E15 ethanol fuel for model year 2001 and newer light duty vehicles and all flex fuel vehicles. “Today the U.S. Court of Appeals appropriately rejected multiple legal challenges to the introduction of E15 into the …