The U.S. Department of Agriculture has shaved another 64 million bushels off projections for this year’s corn crop, but added 208 million bushels to beginning corn stocks for 2011/12. Corn production is now forecast at 12.4 billion bushels, down 1 percent from the September forecast and down slightly from the 2010 production estimate, but still expected to be the fourth …
Coalition for E85 Urges Retention of Ethanol Tax Credit
A coalition of retailers, producers, equipment manufacturers have formed the Coalition for E85 with the stated purpose of protecting consumer access to 85% ethanol blends. According to the coalition, if the current tax credit for ethanol expires at the end of the year and is not renewed, Flex Fuel vehicle (FFV) drivers could end up paying up to 38 cents …
International Groups Urge Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Two international organizations are recommending reform of fossil-fuel subsidies to improve the economy and the environment. An analysis by the International Energy Agency (IED) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that governments and taxpayers spent about half a trillion dollars last year supporting the production and consumption of fossil fuels and that removing such subsidies would …
Proposed Farm Bill Includes Advanced Biofuels
Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R, IN-3rd) have introduced a farm bill that they say would save $40 billion and includes provisions that support the development of advanced biofuels. “We offer our bill as a thoughtful option for consideration by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, as well as the Congressional Deficit Reduction ‘Super’ Committee charged with …
Navy Exchange Offers E85 to Pensacola Drivers
The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has partnered with Protec Fuel to provide more 85 percent ethanol fuel to flex fuel vehicle (FFV) drivers in Pensacola, Florida. NEXCOM opened its sixth E85 station on a U.S. Navy base at Naval Air Station Pensacola this week. This facility will provide access to E85 fuel for the Navy’s fleet of FFVs as …
Farm and Ethanol Groups Warn Against RFS Changes
A coalition of seven agricultural and biofuels organizations sent a letter this week to two members of Congress who have introduced legislation to modify the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2), warning that it is unnecessary and could lead to higher prices at the pump. The organizations were reacting to a bill introduced by Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Jim Costa (D-CA) …
RFA Announces 2012 Leadership
All officers of the Renewable Fuels Association were re-elected to serve another term at the ethanol organization’s annual membership meeting held this week in Washington DC. Chuck Woodside of KAAPA Ethanol in Minden, Nebraska was re-elected as Chairman of the Board. Also re-elected were Vice Chairman Neill McKinstray, Ethanol Division Vice President and General Manager, The Andersons, Inc.; Treasurer Randall …
Corn and Cattle Groups Disagree Over Changing RFS
Corn growers and cattle producers are at odds over new legislation introduced in the House that would change the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). The bill, sponsored by Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Jim Costa (D-CA), would allow Congress to reduce the RFS requirement for ethanol whenever corn stocks are tight. Speaking on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) …
Ag Secretary Criticizes Report on Biofuels
The U.S. Department of Agriculture was one of the government agencies that sponsored a report on biofuels released yesterday by the National Research Council, but the secretary of agriculture is critical of the findings. “I think they’re basing conclusions on old information that’s not as accurate as it once was,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack during a press conference on …
Ethanol Industry Reacts to NAS Report
The ethanol industry is challenging a new report from the National Academies of Science that questions the ability of the biofuels industry to meet current goals under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) and the ability of biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the report, production of conventional biofuels and biomass-based diesel fuel will be adequate to meet the …