New Study on Food Prices and the RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

ABF Economics released a new, detailed analysis showing no direct correlation between the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the overall increase in food prices. The study, commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association, specifically examined “the relationship between the RFS and recent changes in consumer food prices. Specifically this includes an examination of the relationship between corn prices and consumer food …

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Food prices, RFA, RFS

All the World’s A Stage

Joanna Schroeder

With debate on Capitol Hill on the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and pressure from oil companies to lower cellulosic fuel mandates as part of the legislation, BBI realized that the time was right to feature a panel discussing the progress to commercialization of several major renewable fuels players to bring advanced biofuels to market. All the World’s …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, FEW

Association Roundtable: Mid-Year Ethanol Policy Update

Joanna Schroeder

This year’s general session during the Fuel Ethanol Workshop diverged from past years. Rather than have a keynote speaker, the three leaders of the country’s largest ethanol associations came together on one stage to discuss current U.S. ethanol policy. The Association Roundtable: Mid-Year U.S. Ethanol Policy Update, panel was moderated by Tom Bryan, president of BBI International and featured Bob …

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, FEW, Growth Energy, RFA

Ethanol Fuels Promotion in Minnesota

Joanna Schroeder

Friday, June 14, 2013, drivers of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can fill up for less at the Short Stop Quick Mart at 4725 Quail Road NE, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. FFVs drivers can use any blend of ethanol from E10 to E85, 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline. The promotion will take place from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and there is …

biofuels, E85, Ethanol, Promotion

Mike Bryan’s Call to Arms

Joanna Schroeder

Mike Bryan, CEO of BBI International kicked off the 29th International Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) with a call for action for not only the biofuel associations, but for every single person who attended the event. He began by asking the standing room only crowd if they were getting angry, frustrated and a little nervous over the bashing from some legislators …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, FEW

Senate Passes Farm Bill with Energy Funding

Cindy Zimmerman

By a vote of 66 to 27 on Monday evening, the full Senate passed its version of a 2013 Farm Bill which includes mandatory funding for renewable energy programs. “Specifically, the $900 million in mandatory funding to critical rural energy programs will help provide the certainty investors and businesses need to keep making renewable fuels from diverse feedstocks, from corn …

ACE, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA

RFA Releases Rail Transportation Information

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has released the “Guidelines for Hinged and Bolted Manway Assembly” in conjunction with the start of the 2013 Fuel Ethanol Workshop. The publication is a powerful resource for ethanol shippers to ensure the safe transport of ethanol through the rail system. The guidelines explain in detail the correct assembly of a manway, the proper steps …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, transportation

RFA Offers Communications Training Webinar

Joanna Schroeder

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) will host a free Communications Training webinar on Wednesday, June 19 at 1 p.m. CT. The training session is open to all RFA member companies and anyone interested in helping local ethanol plants promote the value of ethanol is encouraged to participate. The webinar will focus on different methods of community engagement: Website and Newsletter …

biofuels, communications, Ethanol, RFA

USTR Nominee Answers EU Ethanol Export Question

Cindy Zimmerman

The issue of the European Union’s treatment of ethanol imports from the United States came up during a Senate Finance Committee nomination hearing Thursday for U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) nominee Michael Froman. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) noted that he and a number of other senators sent a letter in April to the Acting USTR asking for an investigation into the …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Government

ICM Gen 1.5 Improves Ethanol Output, Oil Recovery

John Davis

Kansas-based ICM Inc. announces a new process that promises to enhance yields and oil recovery for ethanol plant, while expecting to also produce the higher value Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for the fuel that comes from those plants. In an interview with Joanna in advance of next week’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop in St. Louis, Mo., Kurt Dieker, ICM’s Director of …

Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, RINS