Federal investigators are looking into why seven ethanol tanker cars derailed in South Dakota over the weekend. No one was injured in the derailment that occurred early Saturday morning, but at least one of the cars caught fire in the accident involving a 98-car Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad train. Senate Transportation Committee chairman John Thune (R-SD) is watching the …
Prez Candidates Recommit RFS Support
Several presidential candidates have reiterated their support for the continuation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). (Click here to read articles relating to the candidates stand on energy issues). Sen. Santorum reaffirmed his support at a forum hosted by Heritage Action in South Carolina on Friday, at Iowa’s Faith and Freedom Presidential Forum on Saturday, and at the taping of …
Biofuels Capacity to Grow to 61B Gallons by 2018
According to new research, global biofuels capacity will grow to 61 billion gallons per year (BGY0 by 2018. Ethanol and biodiesel will continue to dominate with 96 percent of the capacity in 2018, but novel fuels and novel feedstocks will be major drivers of capacity growth, according to Lux Research. The study finds that novel fuels and novel feedstocks will …
Novozymes Launches Liquozyme LpH for Ethanol
Novozymes has launched a new enzyme for ethanol producers who want to reduce their use of chemicals without sacrificing yield. Liquozyme LpH is an alpha-amylase effective at low pH that thins the mash by breaking down starch into shorter dextrin chains. A more fluid mash ensures more efficient operational performance for ethanol producers running their production at low pH. According …
Companies Support Cali’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
A group of major companies have come out in support of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Thirty-six companies sent a letter to California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chairman Mary Nichols expressing their support for the re-adoption of the program. They cited the standard’s positive influence on the development of cleaner transportation fuels. “BICEP companies support a strong LCFS because …
New Holland Focus on Clean Energy at Expo Milano
The centerpiece outside the New Holland Agriculture Sustainable Farm Pavilion at Expo Milano is a prototype methane-powered tractor that the company is developing to help farmers run their equipment on self-generated energy. “We are a clean energy leader company,” said New Holland Agriculture Brand president Carlo Lambro. “Methane is really close to zero emission.” In addition, Lambro says methane is …
Growth’s Kelly Manning Shares ‘All Things Ethanol’
Growth Energy’s Kelly Manning, vice president of development, shared all things ethanol with me during the #FarmProgressShow in Decatur, Illinois and it was great to catch up after a year of the organization fighting the good fight with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) going forward. But this was not the focal point of …
E15 Offered in Iowa, Again
E15 is being sold to consumers across Iowa who drive vehicles newer than 2001, again. The ethanol blend, that was still sold to flex-fuel vehicle drivers during the summer months, is not allowed to be sold in the state June 1-September 15, an issue that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has been working to eliminate. “E15 is the lowest-cost …
Prez Candidate Bernie Sanders Gives RFS Support
During a recent Roske on Politics show with host Brent Roske, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont (Dem) gave his support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Last month he was in Des Moines, IA for the Iowa State Fair and spoke on the Soapbox but did not mention biofuels or the RFS. However, this visit he was asked directly …
RFA: Oregon Treating Biofuels Unfairly
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has offered a proposal to include indirect land use change (ILUC) emissions when calculating the carbon intensity of biofuels regulated under the state’s Clean Fuels Program (CFP). The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has expressed disappointment in the proposal that is to take effect on January 1, 2016 and aims for a 10 percent …