Some Texas farmers believe that if Brazil can produce ethanol from sugarcane, they can too. Jasper County, Texas is located in the southeast part of the state, north of Houston and not too far west of Louisiana. The North Jasper County Renewable Fuel Farmers Cooperative Society is planning to build a 300,000 gallon per year ethanol production plant, using sugarcane …
USDA Reduces Forecast for Corn Ethanol Use
The U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered the forecast for corn expected to be used for ethanol this marketing year in the latest report out on Friday. Corn for ethanol use in 2008-2009 was lowered by 100 million bushels in USDA’s July World Agricultural Supply and Demand report, to 3.65 billion – which is still up more than 600 million bushels …
Senate Ag to Hold Climate Bill Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled a hearing for later this month on the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in Global Warming Legislation that is expected to discuss even more safeguards for farming and biofuels in the Senate’s version of a climate change bill. Senate Ag Committee Chair Tom Harkin told Energy & Environment News in an article published in …
USPS to Receive Alt Fuel Vehicles
Since 2006, the USPS has inceased their alternative fuel use 41 percent.Over the next five years they plan to reduce the use another 20 percent over the next five years. Replacing aging vehicles with more fuel-efficient and alternative fuel-capable vehicles is key to reaching that goal. “This is a unique opportunity for the Postal Service to continue work on our …
Updated ‘Changes in Gasoline Manual’ Now Available
American drivers across the country have more access to biofuels than ever before. This increased availability is changing the composition of the fuels offered to drivers. With this in mind, the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) has released its updated resource on gasoline quality for auto mechanics. “Changes in Gasoline Manual IV,” in its fourth update has become the most used …
Ethanol Emergency Response Training Available
The Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) has compiled and released the Complete Training Guide for Ethanol Emergency Response to help prepare ethanol producers, transporters and first responders for ethanol-related emergencies. This complete training package includes two videos, an instructor’s guide, interactive workshops and seven modules and PowerPoint presentations, each focusing on a specific and important aspect of ethanol response. Guidelines …
RFA Launches “Choose Ethanol” Website
The Renewable Fuels Association has launched a new online destination for ethanol information called Choose Ethanol. The new website features a section dedicated exclusively to E85, plus a news center and quick facts, as well as links to follow RFA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. The site also invites visitors to sign up to “stay informed, share your stories …
Climate Bill Debate Begins in Senate
The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee began debate on the so-called climate bill Tuesday with testimony from four top members of the Obama administration – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson. Secretary Vilsack testified discussed the importance of engaging farmers and ranchers in crafting …
Celebrate Energy Independence
As Americans celebrate Independence Day this weekend, it is a good time to reflect on our need to increase our energy independence. The good news is, we are becoming less dependent on foreign sources of oil for our transportation fuel needs. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), ethanol displaced almost 322 million barrels of oil in 2008. The Renewable …
YouTube Videos Provide Ethanol Answers
Will corn crop meet demand of both food and fuel? Even before the USDA planted acreage report was released this week, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) had the answer to that question posted on YouTube. In one of three recent videos posted by the ethanol organization, RFA Vice President of Research Geoff Cooper says the 2009 corn crop is going …