Ethanol advocates from around the country are marching on Capitol Hill this week with the message that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is working. It’s the 6th annual Biofuels Beltway March organized by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). “We have more than 80 people registered to attend, which is our highest attendance yet,” said Director of Strategic Projects Shannon …
Iowa RFA’s Shaw Has Ag Support for Congress
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw is one of several Republican candidates vying to replace the retiring Tom Latham as Iowa’s representative in the Third Congressional District, but he may have more grassroots agricultural support than most of them. Shaw has just announced the formation of his Iowa Agriculture Team, which includes key ag leaders from across the …
Ethanol Industry Takes LCFS Fight to High Court
The nation’s ethanol industry has decided to take its fight against the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) to United States Supreme Court. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy today filed a joint petition with the U.S. Supreme Court for “certiorari to make a final determination relating to the constitutionally flawed LCFS.” The action follows a decision by …
UNICA Pleased With CARB Proposal
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 …