U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (NY-D) visited New York’s only commercial biodiesel producer last month to assure them of his support for the federal tax incentive for biodiesel. “The dollar tax incentive assures us that we are competitive with regular diesel fuel right now. The federal government subsidizes the petroleum industry as well, so if we lose our incentive, we lose …
Acres for Biodiesel, Ethanol Feedstocks to be Big
If the biodiesel makers ever get the $1-a-gallon federal tax credit back, the industry could have plenty of feedstock for the green fuel come fall. This Bloomberg article posted in the Wichita (KS) Eagle says U.S. farmers are expected to plant their largest soybean crop this year: Soybean plantings will rise 2.1 percent to 79.111 million acres from a record …
DF Cast: Ethanol & Biodiesel Talk of Commodity Classic
Since it was the biggest gathering of the year for corn and soybean growers, it’s only natural that Commodity Classic was also a good place to talk about the state of the ethanol and biodiesel industries, especially when you consider the two grains are still the biggest feedstocks for the biofuels. In this edition, we listen in on the conversation …
Ethanol Producer Emerges From Bankruptcy
Aventine Renewable Energy officials expressed optimism about the future for ethanol this week as they emerged triumphant from bankruptcy. The Pekin, Illinois-based ethanol producer announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 restructuring on March 15, naming Thomas Manuel as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer. “Emerging from bankruptcy with good liquidity, modest debt and lower overhead …
Ethanol Tax Incentive Loss Would Mean Lost Jobs
According to a report out today from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), failure to extend the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) would reduce U.S. ethanol production capacity by 38% and eliminate 112,000 jobs in rural communities already hemorrhaging employment opportunities. “Ethanol has provided an unparalleled, value-added opportunity for agriculture and rural America,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “Supporting nearly …
RFA to Release Report on Cost of Ethanol Blenders Incentive Loss
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is set to release a new report today warning about the economic ramifications of allowing the tax incentive for ethanol blending to expire at the end of the year. In a preview obtained by Domestic Fuel, allowing the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) to expire would cost the country more than 100,000 jobs and …
Canadian Government Invests in GreenField Ethanol
According to a recent article in Ethanol Producer Magazine, Canada’s largest ethanol company, GreenField Ethanol located in Varennes, Quebec, will be receiving up to $79.75 million from the Canadian government. The funds are being distributed as part of the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program. The funds will be used to help the plant engage in future research and invest in additional …
Sorghum Poised for Bigger Role in Ethanol Production
Today, about 1/3 of the sorghum crop goes into ethanol production. An interesting little piece of information I picked up when I spoke with Gerald Simonsen, the Chairman of the National Sorghum Producers during Commodity Classic. Sorghum is a good feedstock for ethanol production for several reasons. First, it uses half the amount of water used in corn production and …
“Baby Girl” Wins Cutest Kid Photo Contest
The winner for the Renewable Fuels Association’s (RFA) E85 Flex-Fuel Challenge Cutest Kid Photo Contest is in – Latisha Martinex of Virgina Beach. Ms. Martinex will receive free ethanol for one year and her photo was selected by the judges based on creativity and quality. More than 1,000 photos were submitted and of those, “Amira and her Snow Love,” submitted …
Actress Daryl Hannah Speaks Out for Ethanol Blends
Daryl Hannah has changed her hat, per se, and along with the promotion of biodiesel, she is now promoting higher blends of ethanol. On Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Hannah’s ’79 Pontiac Trans-Am, that was featured in the movie “Kill Bill,” will be featured in the TV show EcoReview. The Topic is The Greening of the Auto Industry: from Paint to …