At today’s U.S. Custom Harvesters luncheon, sponsored by New Holland, retired General Wesley Clark, co-chairman of Growth Energy, took the stage. The organization is holding their 30th annual convention which is co-located with the 2013 AG CONNECT Expo in Kansas City, MO. Gen. Clark says his passion was the military and now his passion is national energy security and the …
U.S. Ethanol Prices & Production Lower Than 2011
According to a 2012 Brief released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. ethanol prices and production are lower compared to 2011. Spot prices for U.S. fuel ethanol were lower throughout most of 2012 compared to 2011. Prices were relatively stable during the first half of 2012, but they rose at mid-year as severe drought and high temperatures reduced …
USDA Undersecretary Optimistic About Biofuels
USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager is optimistic about the future of biofuels. “When faced with an economic challenge, rural Americans came up with an economic solution and developed a biofuels industry,” Tonsager said in an interview after speaking to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. “My belief is, as time goes along and we’re faced with challenging circumstances again, …
Growth Energy CEO at Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit
Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis told attendees at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit this week that the biofuels industry needs to meet the challenges ahead and keep moving forward. “We have our challenges, but we have our opportunities,” Buis said in an interview after his speech, noting that the industry can expect continued attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). …
IRFA Renewable Fuels Summit Smashing Success
A bit of bad weather couldn’t keep people away from the 7th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s (IRFA) Renewable Fuels Summit. The event kicked off with remarks from Executive Director Monte Shaw who said that the renewable fuels industry was ready to fight for the future. The organization, on behalf of its members, said Shaw will fight for the Renewable …
Study: Biodiesel Boosts Revenue for Iowa’s Farmers
A new study released today during the 7th Annual Renewable Fuels Summit quantifies how biodiesel production boosts revenue for Iowa’s crop and livestock farmers. The study’s results demonstrate that when Iowa farmers use biodiesel, they not only positively impact Iowa’s economy, they boost their own bottom line. The study was conducted by John Urbanchuk, an economist with Cardno Entrix and …
Ethanol Industry Responds to API E15 Study
The American Petroleum Institute (API), released a new E15 study today and representatives of all the major ethanol industry associations issued statements. In addition, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) held a media conference to discuss why the study oil-funded study was “flawed” and “misleading”. Ethanol experts Kristy Moore, Vice President for Technical Services for RFA, along with Bob Reynolds, President …
Changing Tunes on Brazilian Ethanol vs. US Biodiesel
A pair of University of Illinois researchers say the reinstatement of the $1 a gallon biodiesel blenders credit has changed the equation back in favor of American biodiesel versus Brazilian ethanol. Back in December and even earlier this month, Darrel Good and Scott Irwin found that Brazilian sugarcane ethanol, which qualifies as an advanced biofuel under the Renewable Fuels Standard, …
WSJ Attacks Biofuels, Again
The Wall Street Journal editorial board is attacking biofuels, again. In their opinion piece, “Zero Dark Ethanol,” they write that advanced biofuels have not made much progress in the past six years and the cellulosic ethanol mandate, that was vacated last week by the U.S. Court of Appeals is “only a fantasy mandate will motivate the industry to make enough …
Sweetwater Energy Closes Cellulosic Deal
Sweetwater Energy has announced a 15-year commercial agreement with Front Range Energy to produce cellulosic ethanol at Front Range’s current corn ethanol facility located in Weld County, Colorado. Sweetwater will install its process to convert local biomass, such as crop residues, energy crops, and woody biomass, into sugar that will then will converted to ethanol. “It’s very exciting to be …