Researchers at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) recently announced the successful production of ethanol from the cellulosic portion of the corn kernel. “This research is demonstrated proof of the viability of ‘generation 2.0 ethanol,’” NCERC Director John Caupert said. “By utilizing existing technologies readily available in the commercial marketplace, the Center was able to produce a biofuel that builds …
Subcommittee Hears Support for Energy Programs
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry was urged to reauthorize Farm Bill energy programs and provide them with mandatory funding during a hearing on “Formulation of the 2012 Farm Bill: Energy and Forestry Programs” on Friday. “American agriculture is the key to the successful development and commercialization of clean, abundant, renewable, domestic energy and biobased products in …
DOE Questions Petroleum Funded E15 Study
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today challenged test results released by the American Petroleum Institute claiming that 15% ethanol-blended gasoline (E15) can harm vehicle engines. In a post on the Energy.gov blog, DOE Vehicle Technologies Program Manager Patrick Davis said the study done by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) failed on a number of counts. “We believe the study …
ISU Professor Explains Ethanol/Gas Price Study
The Iowa State University professor who co-authored a new study on ethanol and gasoline prices released this week says the impact of the growing use of the domestically-produced fuel is significant. The new analysis from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), an update to a 2009 peer-reviewed paper published in Energy Policy by professors Dermot Hayes of ISU …
Report Shows Ethanol Kept Gas Prices Lower in 2011
An update to a 2009 report from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) on the impact of ethanol on domestic gasoline prices was released today, showing that ethanol reduced wholesale gasoline prices by $1.09 per gallon nationally last year. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen says this peer-reviewed study shows how ethanol is keeping gas prices …
Congressmen Defend Ethanol
Members of Congress are exchanging dueling fact sheets about corn ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) sent an email last month to members of the House Commerce, and Agriculture and Energy Committees calling the RFS “a de facto mandate for corn ethanol” and urging members of the House Commerce, and Agriculture and Energy Committees to …
Flex Fuel Fishermen Can Land E85 Savings
Anglers heading to the 2012 Fishing Opener this weekend in Coon Rapids, Minnesota can catch a deal Friday afternoon on 85% ethanol (E85). The new Holiday station off Highway 10 near Hanson Blvd. in Coon Rapids is kicking off the weekend by offering E85 for an 85¢ per gallon discount on Friday, May 11 from 3-5 p.m. Those lucky enough …
Ethanol Report Analyzes USDA Corn Numbers
The first guess of corn production for the new year in USDA’s May 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report is even higher than many in the industry expected. “By all accounts, it could be a monster,” says Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper who did an analysis of the numbers that came …
USDA Offers Optimistic Outlook for Corn Crop
The first U.S. Department of Agriculture outlook for this year’s corn crop is calling for record yields and record production, while corn use for ethanol is expected to remain the same. The May 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report projects U.S. feed grain supplies for 2012/13 at a record 416.3 million tons, up 16 percent from 2011/12 at …
Domestic Energy Tax Credits on Congress “To Do” List
President Obama made up a “to-do list” for Congress during a stop in Albany, New York yesterday that includes renewing tax incentives for the development of new domestic energy sources. At a speech to students at the State University of New York, the president said if Congress fails to act soon, clean energy companies will see their taxes go up …