U.S. ethanol exports rebounded in September after a drop in August, with shipments expanding 20% to 60.3 million gallons (mg), according to Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) analysis of government data released this week. RFA Research Analyst Ann Lewis reports that Canada remained the top market for U.S. ethanol, with 44% of expors. “Meanwhile, India imported 14.3 mg (24%), its highest …
All Auto Owners Can Choose Premium E30
Back in September I brought you a story about Orrie Swayze, an active ethanol advocate, who wants all drivers to use E30 in their cars. At the time, there was a special order in front of the South Dakota Farmers Union and this has since passed in a resolution meeting and Swayze believes the resolution will unanimously pass at their …
Biofuels Groups Blast House Hearing on RFS
Biofuels backers say a U.S. House Science Committee had very little to do with science in regards to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Congressional committee met on the 10th anniversary of the RFS, and Tom Buis, co-chair of Growth Energy, said the committee has a history of misrepresenting biofuels, relying on misinformation and outright lies to cast a negative …
Cellulosic Biofuels Celebrated at DuPont Plant Opening
Nevada, Iowa is officially home to the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol biorefinery with the official plant commissioning. When the DuPont facility is at full production, in about a year, it will produce 30 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues such as corn stover. The celebration was kicked off with the National Anthem sung by music legend Simon Estes …
EPA Submits Final RFS Rules to OMB for Review
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has transmitted its Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rules to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review as one of the final steps before publishing the final 2014, 2015 and 2016 final RFS rules for renewable volume obligations (RVOs). While the details are not public, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is …
Vertimass Gets US Gov’t OK for Biofuel Tech
A California company received U.S. government approval for its technology that will be able to blend more biofuels with gasoline, diesel and jet fuels. This news release from Vertimass says the technology validation allows the company to get a new award of $2 million by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technology Office. Vertimass technology was originated at Oak Ridge …
Ethanol Producer Green Plains to Buy Texas Refinery
Nebraska-based ethanol producer Green Plains says it will buy an ethanol refinery in Texas owned by fuel retailer Murphy USA. This news release from Green Plains says it will pay Hereford Renewable Energy, LLC approximately $93.8 million, including $78.5 million for the ethanol production facility with the balance for working capital. The facility is a Lurgi-designed, ICM-modified ethanol plant with …
CBC to EPA: Commit to the RFS
Sixteen members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today calling on the agency to get back on track with the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and strengthen the biofuels volume requirements. The rules are due to be finalized on November 30, 2015 and the biofuels industry is calling on the EPA …
Santorum Visits Quad County Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum visited the site of the first commercial cellulosic ethanol production in the state of Iowa at Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) Friday. “One of the things that’s helped rural small towns and farmers, particularly in Iowa, is the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Santorum, who met with met with plant representatives, including …
American Ethanol Helps Celebrate Higher Blends
The American Ethanol No. 3 NASCAR display provided the perfect backdrop last week in Florida for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership announcement that means 5,000 new higher blend ethanol pumps in 21 states. Growth Energy co-chairman Tom Buis says the American Ethanol NASCAR racing sponsorship has proven the performance of 15 percent ethanol blends over the past five years. “Almost eight …