The Auto Channel has been a proponent of ethanol for quite some time and has given favorable coverage to the fuel. This week, Executive Vice President and Co-Publisher, Marc J Rauch, took it up a notch in defense of ethanol. In his piece, “The Auto Channel Fights for the Truth about Ethanol Versus Gasoline,” Rauch writes, “Bob [Gordon] and I …
He Said, She Said – The Debate on Ethanol Tariffs
The debate rages on between the Renewable Fuels Association and the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) over whose fuel is better for America. Ultimately, UNICA wants in and RFA wants them out. Earlier this week, UNICA planned a pump promotion in Washington D.C. at two gas stations where for a limited time, drivers would receive 54 cents off per gallon …
RFA: Green Jobs Should Include Ethanol Tax Incentive
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is urging Congress to “include an extension of the expiring tax incentives for ethanol in any legislative package designed to promote green job growth and economic revitalization.” In a letter sent to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, RFA encouraged the lawmakers to adopt the provisions of the Renewable …
Making Distillers Grains More Valuable
Increasing the value of the ethanol by-product distillers dried grains (DDGs) was a topic at last week’s Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. Alltech has a product called Allzyme® SSF that can maximize nutrient release in DDGs to make it more nutritious. According to the comany, “the complex works synergistically to break down the different substrates. As a result, …
Brazil Ethanol Gas Discount Promo Canceled
The Brazilian ethanol industry’s planned promotional event in Washington D.C. has been abruptly canceled, according to a news release. One week after approving the event and less than 24 hours after allowing promotional banners to be hung on its property, Capitol Petroleum Group canceled plans by the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) to offer Washington-area residents a discount of 54 …
Iowa Corn and Chevy Promote Ethanol
Iowa corn growers have teamed up with two Chevy dealerships to promote ethanol and the vehicles that it fuels. Holmes Chevrolet in Norwalk and Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny are partnering with the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) to promote flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and the use of E85 in Iowa. Consumers who purchase a FFV at either dealership between now …
State Ag Directors Support Ethanol Tax Incentives
Eight state departments of agriculture are asking Congress to extend the ethanol tax incentive set to expire at the end of the year. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today joined seven of his colleagues in requesting congressional leaders to act quickly to extend the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), which expires at the end of the year. Legislation …
ILUC – One Consideration Too Many in Biofuel Regulation
In a recent article, “Indirect Land Use: One Consideration Too Many in Biofuel Regulation,” authors David Zilberman, a professor in UC Berkeley’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and assistant researcher Gal Hochman, along with Deepak Rajagopal, argue that indirect land use effects (ILUEs) should not be considered in current California and federal biofuels polices. The authors write, “…we will …
Ethanol Pump Opening Celebrations
The grand openings of new ethanol pumps are being celebrated Friday in two different states – one big on corn ethanol, the other not so much. Illinois legislative officials and corn ethanol representatives will be opening the first blender pump in southern Illinois. The pump in Sullivan is the first of 20 such pumps planned in the state in a …
Novozymes and Ceres Partner on Biofuel Crops
Mixing enzyme cocktails and customized biofuel crops to make cellulosic ethanol a reality is the goal of a new industry partnership. Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. and enzyme provider Novozymes have announced a research collaboration to co-develop customized plant varieties and enzyme cocktails to improve the efficiency of converting biomass to fuel. “According to the Billion Ton Study by the …