The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the intent to issue a funding opportunity announcement called, “Integrated Biorefinery Optimization.” The funding will support R&D to increase biorefinery efficiencies that result in a continuous operation and production of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower at competitive prices to fossil-based products. Suggested methods for accomplishing …
Queensland RFA: Gas Prices Intact With #Ethanol
The Queensland Renewable Fuels Association (Queensland RFA) has come out in support of ethanol after various statements from organizations claim that blending ethanol in the fuel supply will increase the price of gas. This, says Queensland RFA, is not true. The debate was heightened recently when the State of Government’s ethanol mandate passed along with a report from the Australian …
When Price is Right FFV Drivers Choose #Ethanol
When fuel prices are competitive, drivers of flex fuel vehicles (FFV) will fill up with high-ethanol blends such as E85 according to a new article published in Energy Policy. Authors Sébastien Pouliot and, Bruce A. Babcock also found that the recently finalized RFS requirement for 2017 for 15 gallons of conventional biofuels is in fact achievable with current infrastructure and …
US Government Challenging Abengoa Bankruptcy Plan
KSCB News is reporting that Shell has been outbid for the cellulosic ethanol biorefinery owned by Spain-based Abengoa Bioenergy in Hugoton, Kansas. Synata Bio Inc, who owns the cellulosic ethanol technology formerly owned by Coskata, bid $48.5 million for the shuttered ethanol plant as part of Abengoa’s bankruptcy. In October, Shell put in a bid for $26 million and according …
#ExEx16 Helps Create $460 Million in Sales
The 2016 Export Exchange was successful in achieving its goal of increasing exports of U.S. grain and ethanol co-products, according to officials with the U.S. Grains Council and Renewable Fuels Association. Buyers and end-users who attended the conference reported sales of approximately 2.6 million metric tons of grains and co-products worth $460 million traded in connection with the event, held …
Hearing Addresses #RFS Management
The Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing yesterday examining two reports by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) released this week. The hearing included testimony from Frank Rusco, GAO Director Natural Resources and Environment and Janet McCabe, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation …
#Ethanol Industry to EPA: Deny Point of Obligation Change
A letter was sent to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator McCarthy yesterday from the ethanol industry, along with some unlikely allies, calling on the EPA to deny the request for a change to the point of obligation for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance. The letter was signed by Growth Energy, API, RFA, PMAA, Advanced Biofuels Association, NACS, NATSO and …
Growth Energy, Retailers Pink Out Program Raises $40K
This past October Growth Energy partnered with several retailers who sell E15 for a Pink Out campaign to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. When a consumer purchased E15 during the month, each retailer donated 2 cents per gallon with the campaign raising $40,465.64 Participating retailers included Sheetz, Minnoco, Protec Fuel and Murphy USA. “We are thrilled to have …
RFA Analysis Finds 80% Cars Warrantied for #E15
A new analysis of warranty statements and owner’s manuals conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) finds that more than 80 percent of vehicles model year 2017 are approved for the use of E15 by the manufacturer. This is an increase of 10 percent from model year 2016. Model Year 2017 is the first for Hyundai Motor Company and Kia …
New Engineered Bacteria Aids #Ethanol
University of Wisconsin-Madison professor James Steele has engineered and patented a new bacteria that aids in ethanol production. The Winder Bascom professor of food science specializes in food, beverage and biofuel fermentation and as such seen first hand how during the fermentation process beer and wine can often be contaminated with lactic acid bacteria. When this occurs lactic acid is …