The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling for more higher-level ethanol blends to enter the U.S. fuel supply. In a letter the ethanol organization called on Christopher Grundler, director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality for the Environmental Protection Agency, to update regulations to allow EPA to grant a 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure waiver for other ethanol blends …
Iowa Corn Receives Bio-Based Process Patent
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) has received a U.S. patent (U.S. 2015/0329449) for a production method using corn in the industrial manufacturing of a raw material called monoethylene glycol (MEG). The product can be used as a replacement of fossil-fuel-based chemicals used in products such as plastics and helps the product to biodegrade. “Patenting this research will lead to …
Prez Hopefuls Learn About Biofuels
The countdown to the Iowa caucuses brings us less than two months to voting day and 15 out of 16 Presidential nominee hopefuls have either visited a biofuels plant or met with America’s Renewable Future (ARF). Who is missing? Ted Cruz, who is under fire from ARF for his wishy-washy position on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Cruz’s political team …
RINs’ Rise Shows Ethanol-Biodiesel Relationship
Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) prices jumped sharply after tge Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final numbers for the amount of biodiesel and ethanol to be blended into the nation’s fuel supply. This analysis from University of Illinois’ Scott Irwin and Darrel Good says not only were the EPA numbers a shock and reflected in the RINs’ prices, but it …
POM Wonderful Extends Partnership w/Greenbelt
POM Wonderful, the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the U.S., has extended its feedstock testing contract with Greenbelt Resources Corporation. Earlier this year, Greenbelt announced its confidential testing program, and the company has now released the news that POM Wonderful was one of its first clients. Using Greenbelt’s technology, the initial tests have successfully …
Hybrid Yeast to Give Rise to Better Biofuel Production
Researchers in Wisconsin, a state already known for its good use of yeast for the brewing of beer, are developing yeast hybrids that would also help in biofuels production. This article from the University of Wisconsin says the scientists at the school continue to find more strains suited for the green fuel making. “We can achieve hybrids at rates of …
China Top Customer for US Ethanol Exports
China is America’s best customer when it comes to buying ethanol exports. Government numbers show October ethanol exports totaled 70.1 million gallons (mg), up 16 percent from September levels, making China for the first time ever the biggest importer of U.S. ethanol. This analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association’s Ann Lewis says Canada was the second-leading destination in October, but …
Call for Renewable Fuel Marketing Award Nominations
It’s time to nominate an Iowa fuel retailer for their support of renewable fuels. Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey is encouraging Iowa fuel retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for the Secretary’s Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards. These recognize fuel retailers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to sell renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel with …
Cruz Asks ARF to Pull Down Ads
This week America’s Renewable Future (ARF) launched an ad campaign targeted at presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz, who they say is against the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The #RFS has been under fire for several years and on Monday, after reviewing more than 270,000 public comments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final volumes for 2014, 2015 and 2016. …
Global RFA Urges COP21 to Support Biofuels
As world leaders continue to meet in Paris for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) is asking them to signal their support for biofuels as one of the tools to fight climate change. “This conference is a real opportunity for world leaders to recognize the role that renewable fuels have played, and …