A Washington University computer scientist may have cracked a new code to improve biofuel production. Michael Brent, the Henry Edwin Sever Professor of Engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, has learned how to coax cells to do natural things under unnatural circumstances. The key was an algorithm Brent developed called NetSurgeon. The program recommends genes that can …
EPA Announces #RFS Point of Obligation Decision
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed denying a petition to change the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Under the current rule, oil refiners and importers are the entities obligated to blend more renewable fuel into the transportation fuel supply under the RFS, but they were seeking to change that obligation to entities that own gasoline …
ACE Annual Fly-In Set for March 2017
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has set the dates for its annual Washington, DC fly-in: March 23-23 2017. The ethanol industry will gather at Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill prior to hitting the pavement. “ACE’s 2017 fly-in occurs during the first 100 days of the Trump presidency, a time when President-elect Trump will begin to prioritize his campaign promises …
Sleepy Eye Students Learn about Minnesota #Ethanol
Students from Sleepy Eye High School recently learned about ethanol when they toured the nearby Highwater Ethanol located in Lamberton, Minn. During the tour, the 23 students learned about ethanol production – specifically how Highwater Ethanol produced nearly 60 million gallons of ethanol in 2015. “The opportunity to host Sleepy High School for this tour was a great opportunity for …
#Ethanol Groups Support Trump’s Election
**Updated Donald Trump has been elected as 45th President of the United States. In response to the news, several ethanol groups, on behalf of the industry, are sending out their congratulations. “The president-elect repeatedly expressed strong support for ethanol, generally, and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), specifically, on the campaign trail,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “He …
With Trump Taking America’s Helm, How Will #Biofuels Fare?
In what many are calling an unexpected win for Donald Trump for the next presidency, the renewable energy industry is already asking what will this mean for them. As Democrats tend to be known for greater environmental action and with a Republican in office for the first time in eight years, a concern could bloom as to the the safety, …
Sandra’s Quick Shop To Host Pump Promo in Garnett, KS
Sandra’s Quick Stop in Garnett, Kansas is celebrating the addition of several blender pumps that will offer consumers the choice to fill up with higher ethanol blends with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback as a guest of honor. The retail station, located at the junction of Highway 169 and Highway 59, is hosting a pump promotion on Thursday, November 10, 2016 …
Novozymes Debuts Biological Foam Control for Sugarcane #Ethanol
Novozymes has launched the first ever biological foam control for sugcarcane ethanol called Fermax™. The enzyme protease replaces chemicals in the sugarcane ethanol production and prevents foam development during the fermentation process. According to Novozymes, ethanol plants that trialed Fermax experienced improved control as well as a cost reduction of up to 20 percent as compared to using chemicals. “This …
New Blender Pumps Open In Holstein, Iowa
Holstein Travel Center has added four blender pumps and to celebrate the retail station is hosting a pump promotion November 11-12, 2016. The station is located on Indorf Avenue in Holstein, Iowa. The station will be receiving its ethanol from Quad County Corn Processors based in Galva, Iowa. A portion of the costs, $50,00, was awarded to the station under …
Paris Agreement in Force, GRFA Stresses #Biofuels Role
On November 4, 2016 the Paris Agreement, reached during COP21 and signed by nearly 200 countries, went into force. This is the first enforceable accord setting targets to curb global carbon emissions with the goal of limiting global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. With the agreement now ‘official,’ the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) …