The ethanol industry will help Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kick off his second term in the Obama administration when he visits the 18th Annual National Ethanol Conference of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) next month in Las Vegas. Vilsack was also the keynote speaker at the 2012 ethanol conference. “We congratulate Secretary Vilsack as he begins his second term. He …
Appeals Court Denies Challenge to 15% Ethanol
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today denied petitions for rehearing in the case of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, et al. v. EPA, which challenges the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to allowing commercial sales of 15% ethanol (E15). “Today’s order leaves in place an earlier decision by the Court denying challenges to the …
USDA Invests in Bioenergy Research Projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited a state-of-the-art bioindustrial facility in Pennsylvania on Friday, where he announced $25 million to fund research and development of next-generation renewable energy and high-value biobased products from a variety of biomass sources. “USDA’s continuing investments in research and development are proving a critical piece of President Obama’s strategy to spur innovation of clean bioenergy right …
Sweetwater and Ace to Produce Cellulosic Ethanol
A cellulosic sugar producer in New York has signed a deal with an ethanol plant in Wisconsin to begin commercial production of cellulosic ethanol. Sweetwater Energy signed a long-term commercial agreement with Ace Ethanol to generate cellulosic ethanol at the ACE corn ethanol facility for up to 16 years. According to Sweetwater officials, the company’s “patented, decentralized process will convert …
RFA Pleased with Cellulosic Ethanol Credit Extension
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 passed by Congress on New Year’s Day includes the extension of three key ethanol related tax credits, which starts the new year off well for the ethanol industry. “The one year extension of the cellulosic producer tax credit and accelerated depreciation provides some measure of certainty to ensure that 2013 will be a …
Ag Secretary Reacts to EPA Administrator Resignation
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has had a good working relationship with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on various issues important to farmers, ranchers and renewable energy and he is sorry to hear about her resignation from the Obama cabinet. “Lisa Jackson has served our country well as she balanced improving the environment and the health of the American people – while …
Ethanol Year in Review – 2012
In this Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen provides his naughty and nice list for Santa, talks about a new progress report on cellulosic biofuels, and promises 2013 will bring one of the biggest fights for the future of energy policy. Dinneen says those who deserve coal include industries that have continued to relentlessly attack …
Cellulosic Biofuels Progress Report
The Advanced Ethanol Council has just released a detailed look at the progress made towards the commercial deployment of advanced cellulosic biofuels. The Cellulosic Biofuels Industry Progress Report profiles production facilities and projects across the country and producing nations around the world. According to the report, all countries that were profiled are working toward developing production capacity in the U.S. …
World Corn Supply and Demand
USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) out this week left corn stocks unchanged but lowered the season average price estimate by 20 cents to $7.40 per bushel. USDA maintained corn ending stocks in the U.S. for the marketing year at a tight 647 million bushels, which is about three weeks worth of supply. Globally, USDA slightly lowered the …
Just the Ethanol Facts
The National Corn Growers Association has created a simple website that offers just the facts about ethanol. The website EthanolFacts.com offers information about E15, food versus fuel, energy security, jobs in rural America and more. There is a lot of discussion about ethanol these days, and plenty of need for a look at the facts. That’s why the National Corn …