Keynote speakers at the 17th Annual National Ethanol Conference will offer “Insider Perspectives on Election 2012 – The Presidency and Congress.” Karl Rove will speak from the Republican perspective. Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000–2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004–2007. He is known as “The Architect” of President Bush’s 2000 and 2004 …
Advanced Ethanol Wants Energy in Farm Bill
Advanced ethanol companies are urging Congressional leaders to include an energy title in any new farm legislation that is developed. In a letter to Senate and House ag leaders this week, the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) urged them to include important rural energy initiatives currently being administered by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in . Specifically, AEC would like to …
2012 Export Exchange Set
Get out your 2012 calendars and mark the date for just under a year from now to attend the next global event to help increase exports of ethanol co-products for livestock feed. Once again, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) are teaming up for the Export Exchange 2012, an international trade conference focused on the …
Jury Rules in Favor of Novozymes in Patent Dispute
The jury has ruled but the judgement is still out on the lawsuit between Novozymes and Danisco over a patent for enzymes used in biofuels production. A jury in the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin determined that Novozymes patent is valid and ordered Danisco to pay damages of more than $18 million for infringement. The jury …
Ag Secretary Wants Biofuels Support in Farm Bill
Outlining his priorities for farm policy this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stressed the need for continued support of renewable fuels in the next farm bill. “Rural America has done a great job of helping to develop the domestically-produced renewable energy and fuel. That job must continue because when we create those opportunities, we create jobs, we reduce our reliance …
FlexFuel Vehicle Education Project Announced
A new public education project to reach drivers of FlexFuel Vehicles (FFVs) by working with state Motor Vehicle Administrations (MVA) was announced today by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Clean Fuels Foundation. As a part of the national FFV Awareness Campaign, the “FlexFuel Vehicle/Motor Vehicle Administration” project will work with MVAs in six states on outreach opportunities such …
Congressmen Promote Open Fuel Standard
Members of the Open Fuel Standard Coalition joined with Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY) and John Shimkus (R-IL) to call for consumer choice at the pump during an Energy Security Roundtable and media event in Washington DC on Tuesday The two congressmen, pictured here with former National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane, outlined their Open Fuel Standard Act (HR 1687) which would …
Dividing Corn Stover Could Help Cellulosic Ethanol Production
Purdue University researchers have found that dividing up corn stalks may be the way to conquer in the quest for cellulosic ethanol efficiency. A research team discovered that when corn stover is processed to make ethanol, three distinct parts of it – the rind, pith and leaves – break down in different ways. Cellulosic ethanol is created by using enzymes …
ZeaChem Grows To Commercialize Advanced Biofuels
Colorado-based ZeaChem has expanded its board of directors and raises new capitol to move closer to commercial production of advanced biofuels and chemicals. ZeaChem has raised $19 million in Series C financing, led by Birchmere Ventures, and partner Sean D.S. Sebastian has joined the ZeaChem board of directors. “As an industry leader in the advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals industries, …
USDA Report Shows Value of Ethanol Co-Product
A new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report finds that the ethanol co-product known as distillers grains or DDGS is replacing even more corn and soybean meal in livestock and poultry feed rations than previously thought. According to the report by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), “We found that, on average, for the past 5 crop years (2006/07-2010/11), 1 mt …