E15 is on display again today at the NASCAR Nationwide STP 300 race in Joliet, IL. We had a few raindrops just before the green flag but it dissipated and the race is on. Prior to the race I spent time with the Illinois Corn Growers Family Farmers High Performance Team. Spokesperson, Kenny Wallace, driver of the 09 car today …
Winner of American Ethanol 225
The winner of the American Ethanol 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is James Buescher. He’s pictured here in Victory Lane at Chicagoland Speedway. Presenting the trophy is Chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board Bill Christ and Tricia Braid, Communications Director. During the post race press conference I asked James what he thought of racing on a blend …
Farmer Waves Green Flag For American Ethanol 225
Illinois corn farmer Donna Jeschke got to wave the green flag for the American Ethanol 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race tonight. Donna is ending her term on the board of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. She found the experience to be exciting and just a little scary. She says this type of promotion puts what she does as …
U.S. Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of RFS
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected a petition by the Chicken Council challenging the rule making of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). Upon filing of the petition, the ethanol industry took action. Today, Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis along with Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO …
Consumers in Kansas Embrace E15
Consumers in Kansas have embraced E15. The Zarco 66 “Oasis” station in Lawrence became the first retail gas station in the country to offer E15 under the waiver granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and consumers are buying the renewable fuel blend. On July 18, 2012, Zarco 66 Station owner Scott Zaremba held a pump promotion for two …
Ethanol Detractors Call for End of RFS
A coalition of livestock and poultry groups continue to attack the veracity of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) that mandates the amount of renewable fuels that must be used each year in the transportation fuel supply. The new campaign has been launched in tandem with a new economic study conducted by Farm Econ LLC focusing on the impact of corn …
Battle Over RFS Heats Up With Drought
With 78 percent of the corn crop suffering from drought, livestock and poultry groups are renewing calls for changing the ethanol requirements in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). During a press conference today sponsored by livestock and poultry interests, Cong. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) said he has introduced two bills – one to eliminate the RFS and one to reform it. …
RFA Continues Sturgis Sponsorship
The 72nd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD is August 6-12 and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is continuing its partnership with the Legendary Buffalo Chip. This is an opportunity for the organization to promote the use of ethanol to motorcyclists around the country. Often ethanol is mischaracterized as a problem for motorcycle engines. During the event, RFA staff …
Ag Secretary Says RFS Okay with Ethanol Stocks
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held a sobering press briefing Wednesday after meeting with President Obama about the impact of the nation’s drought on agricultural production. Vilsack says the drought is “most serious situation we’ve had in 25 years” with 61% of the land mass of the United States is currently characterized as being impacted. About one third of the counties …
Using Bacteria for Good
Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) are using the power of microbes from agricultural waste to create ethanol and hydrogen for fuel cells. The technology was developed by MSU microbiologist Gemma Reguera, who created bioelectrochemical systems known as microbial electrolysis cells or MECs. The process uses bacteria to break down and ferment ag waste into ethanol. The process produces 20 …