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 …
More Corn Stocks Positive for Ethanol
More corn stocks than expected showed up in the latest report out from USDA on Friday, which was a pleasant surprise for the ethanol industry. Despite the fact that corn stocks are reported to be 34% lower than a year ago, it was expected to be much worse, even just a few weeks prior to the Friday Grain Stocks report. …
Ethanol to be Focus of NPR Program Tuesday
A popular syndicated National Public Radio program Tuesday will focus on the perceived decline in political support for America’s ethanol industry and where the industry will go from here. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen will be featured on The Diane Rehm Show, which is carried live on NPR stations and originates at WAMU 88.5 in Washington, DC. …
Indiana Corn Growers Offer Ethanol Blender Pump Grants
Hoosier consumers will soon be seeing new flex fuel pumps at fuel retailers across the state thanks to a new program launched by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC). The Flex Fuel Pump Program, unveiled during the Indiana Ethanol Forum in Indianapolis earlier this summer, awarded cost-share dollars to Indiana fuel retailers looking to install flex fuel pumps. Recipients of …
Global Biofuels Group Calls Qatar Comments “Self-Serving”
The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) is calling comments made this week by a Qatari government advisor about biofuels contributing to world hunger “self-serving.” At a global grains summit in Turkey on Monday, Quatari food security program advisor Mahendra Shah was quoted as saying, “Biofuels will trigger an increase in agricultural prices. Biofuels will result in another 120 million people …
USDA Approves Payments for Advanced Biofuels
USDA will make payments to more than 160 energy producers in 41 states “to support and ensure the production and expansion of advanced biofuels.” “Renewable energy production will create tens of thousands of direct, American jobs; thousands more indirect jobs, and clean electricity to power millions of homes. The payments I am announcing today represent the continuing commitment of the …
Bill Would Promote Fuel Choice
Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Dick Lugar (R-IN) have introduced a bill that would ensure most new vehicles in the United States are capable of running on a range of domestically produced alternative fuels starting in 2015. By introducing competition among fuels, the Open Fuels Standard (OFS) Act aims to bring about significant reductions in fuel prices paid by U.S. …
Joint Deal to Improve First Generation Ethanol
Two companies have signed a joint agreement to develop an improved first generation ethanol process with enhanced performance economics. The agreement between Codexis and Raizen Energia S.A. announced today focuses on a range of targets, including improving performance of yeasts now used in ethanol production. Codexis is an industrial biotechnology company and Raizen is Brazil’s largest sugar and ethanol producer. …