Study Shows Ethanol Reducing Footprint

Cindy Zimmerman

A new study indicates that ethanol production is continuing to reduce its energy and environmental footprint. The study, entitled “2012 Corn Ethanol: Emerging Plant Energy and Environmental Technologies”, found that recent innovations in corn ethanol production have resulted in increased yield per bushel even as less energy is required for production. Thermal energy use at a typical dry mill ethanol …

Audio, Energy, Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

American Ethanol Helps NASCAR Go Green

Cindy Zimmerman

In honor of Earth Day, racing is shifting gears this month to focus attention on environmental awareness with the NASCAR RACE TO GREEN™ campaign and American Ethanol is part of the effort. The campaign is hosting a National Tree Planting initiative this month encouraging racing teams, tracks, drivers, partners and fans to pledge to plant some trees today – Earth …

American Ethanol, corn, E15, Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NASCAR, NCGA

USDA Increases Corn for Ethanol Use

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate released this week increased 2012-13 year-ending corn stocks and corn use for ethanol. Domestic corn use for 2012/13 is projected 100 million bushels lower as a 50-million-bushel increase in corn used to produce ethanol partly offsets the lower projection for feed and residual disappearance. Larger-than-expected March 1 corn supplies, lower corn prices, …

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

Around the World on E15 – Twice

Cindy Zimmerman

In the past month, residents of Baxter, Iowa have driven the equivalent of more than two trips around the world on 15% ethanol fuel (E15). The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today reported that statistic since Baxter fuel retailer Kountry Korner began offering E15 as a registered fuel for 2001 and newer vehicles on March 8, 2013. “Since offering E15 …

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

Industry Supports Reconsidering Cellulosic Target

Cindy Zimmerman

A coalition of biofuel producer organizations the reconsideration of the 2011 cellulosic obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In January 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider the 2012 Renewable Fuel Standard obligation for cellulosic biofuels. EPA has implemented the Court’s order and is now voluntarily reconsidering the …

ACE, advanced biofuels, BIO, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA

Partnership for Sustainable Cellulosic Feedstock Harvesting

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA has announced a new collaboration with DuPont to promote sustainable harvesting of bio-based feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol. The joint agreement between USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and DuPont aims to set voluntary standards for the sustainable harvesting of agricultural residues for renewable fuel, and supports rural job creation, additional income for farmers, bio-based energy development, and the safeguarding …

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, feedstocks, USDA

Florida House Committee Passes FL RFS Repeal Bill

Chuck Zimmerman

Yesterday I traveled to Tallahassee, Florida to testify at a hearing of the Florida House of Representatives Regulatory Affairs Committee on HB 4001 which is a bill to repeal the Florida Renewable Fuel Standard. This hearing was actually an extension of one held previously that ran out of time to conclude. You can watch the session here. The portion on …

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

Florida Bill Would Repeal Ethanol Requirement

Cindy Zimmerman

A bill has been introduced in the Florida legislature that would repeal the state’s Renewable Fuel Standard Act. Currently, the Florida law requires that all gasoline sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender or wholesaler in Florida contain 9-10 percent ethanol, or other alternative fuel, by volume. Legislation to repeal that requirement was considered by the …

Audio, automotive, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

Economist Says E85 Will Solve RINS Price Issue

Cindy Zimmerman

A highly respected oil economist believes the solution to the current Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) price issue is more sales of E85 (85% ethanol). Economist Phil Verleger has weighed in on the RINS situation in the latest edition of Notes at the Margin, his weekly email report about news impacting the petroleum industry. “The obvious solution to the RIN price …

Audio, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Oil, RINS

Senate Spending Bill Keeps Military Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Senate yesterday passed a continuing budget resolution that would keep the federal government operating through the end of the fiscal year on September 30th and keep funding for advanced biofuels testing in the military. By a vote of 40-59, the Senate rejected an amendment from Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA) that would have transferred $60 million in funding for …

advanced biofuels, biofuels, biojet fuel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, military