In September 2004, Governor Tim Pawlenty signed Executive Order 04-10 which states that state vehicles use less petroluem based fuels and look for alternatives. Under this order, the SmartFleet Committee was formed, consisting of representatives designated by the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency, Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce among others to ensure effective and efficient state participation …
DF Cast: Ethanol, Biodiesel Industries Welcome RFS-2
It’s been a long time in the making, but the Environmental Protection Agency has finally released the new Renewable Fuels Standard … better known as RFS-2. The standard requires that biofuels will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace and grow in production from last year’s 11.1 billion gallons to 36 billion …
Ethanol Report on RFS2 Rules
Industry reaction to the Environmental Protection Agency announcement today of much-delayed rules for the second phase of the Renewable Fuel Standard has come quickly and is mostly positive. In this edition of “The Ethanol Report” podcast, Matt Hartwig with the Renewable Fuels Association talks about their reaction and what the rule means for the industry. You can subscribe to this …
EPA Rules Confirm Ethanol’s Environmental Advantages
The ethanol and agriculture industry have a few things to celebrate today, one of which is EPA’s acknowledgment that ethanol, including corn-based ethanol, has greenhouse gas emission advantages over conventional gasoline. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its new released regulations for the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) which in part outlines the country’s move to 36 …
RFS2 Rules Released – Industry Reponds
After a two-month delay, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finally announced the final rule for the implementation of the second phase of the Renewable Fuel Standard, aka RFS2. As part of the rules, the EPA will both set the national mandatory blend levels as well as monitor compliance through its new reporting system. The monitoring system will also track …
Biofueling Iowa’s Economy
Renewable fuels are the backbone of Iowa’s economy, according to a report released last week by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). According to the report, “Contribution of the Biofuels Industry to the Economy of Iowa,” ethanol and biodiesel producers are part of a manufacturing sector that adds substantial value to agricultural commodities produced in Iowa and makes a significant …
Tennessee Cellulosic Ethanol Demo Plant Opens
Leaders from DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE), University of Tennessee and Genera Energy gathered on Friday in Vonore, Tennessee to cut the ribbon on a new cellulosic ethanol demonstration facility. The 74,000-square-foot plant has now started producing ethanol from agricultural residue and bioenergy crops, including corncobs and switchgrass. During the grand opening celebration, Kelly Tiller, CEO of Genera Energy and …
US Gas Consumption Down, Biofuels Replacing Oil
Three years ago, petroleum-based gasoline consumption was the highest the U.S. had ever seen. But thanks in part to biofuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, the amount of gas we use has actually gone down since the peak of 2007. This article in the Kansas City Star says that while the recession and the increased popularity of smaller, more fuel efficient …