Novozymes has announced a partnership with Shengquan Group, a Shandong-based company specializing in furan resin and polymers, to start commercial-scale production of cellulosic ethanol for solvents in June 2012 using Novozymes’ technology. “Shengquan is a global first mover in this industry, which is on the verge of materializing right now,” says Poul Ruben Andersen, Vice President for Bioenergy at Novozymes. …
Energy Title Funding Restored to Farm Bill
In the Senate Agriculture Committee markup of the 2012 Farm Bill on Thursday, an amendment was added to reauthorize mandatory funding for several national renewable energy programs. Renewable fuel organizations praised the action. “There is no more urgent need in this country today than creating new jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The programs reauthorized and streamlined today …
UNICA Announces Interim CEO
The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) today announced the appointment of an interim CEO to replace Marcos Jank, who announced his resignation on March 27th. UNICA’s Board of Directors has named the organization’s Technical Director, Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, to serve as interim CEO during the selection process, now underway, for a new chief executive. A member of the executive …
Florida Ag Commissioner Pleased with Energy Law
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is pleased with the new energy bill for the state that was allowed to become law last week when Governor Rick Scott declined to either sign or veto it. “Rooted in common sense, this bill was developed to expand energy production in Florida and create much-needed jobs for Floridians. It garnered bipartisan support from an …
Setback in Ethanol Case Against California LCFS
The ethanol industry has been handed a setback in its case against the California Air Resources Board Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) that was ruled unconstitutional by a judge in December. From a Growth Energy statement: Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit issued an order expediting briefing in the California Air Resources Board’s appeal of a …
Governors Want E85 Called Alternative Fuel
The Governors’ Biofuels Coalition is urging the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees to include E85 in the definition of the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit and recommending that the provision be extended as part of the pending “Extenders Bill.” In a letter sent to the leadership of both committees last week, the governors noted that E85 was considered …
E15 Fuel Survey Satisfies Final EPA Requirement
The final federal hurdle to getting 15% ethanol at the pump has officially been satisfied with the funding of a nationwide fuel survey required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The ethanol industry reports that a total of 99 ethanol producers are funding the survey to meet the requirement under the partial waiver approved by EPA. “Despite owning just a …
Energy Coalition Disappointed in Farm Bill Draft
A coalition of trade groups and organizations representing renewable energy, energy efficiency, farm and environmental interests is disappointed in a 2012 Farm Bill draft out of the Senate Agriculture Committee that they say provides “no real funding for energy programs.” “The Committee draft bill moves the process forward, thankfully, and we support getting a bill done this year,” said Ag …
America Can Achieve Energy Victory
If the United States puts its mind to it, energy victory can be achieved. How? Energy expert Dr. Robert Zubrin, author of Energy Victory has the formula for success. Zubrin recently spoke at the Indiana Ethanol Forum, and fellow journalist Meghan Grebner of Brownfield Ag News interviewed him after his presentation asking him what the most important thing people should …
RFA Forms Renewable Fuels PAC
A Political Action Committee (PAC) has been formed by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Referred to as the Renewable Fuels PAC, it will be used by RFA members to support federal office candidates that are believed to be pro-biofuels and support domestically produced renewable energy, such as ethanol. RFA submitted its statement of organization on April 5, 2012 to the Federal …