The world is heading for an insecure and inefficient energy future unless there is a “bold change of policy direction” soon, warns a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The 2011 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO), released by IEA last week in London, said there is still time to act, but the window of opportunity is …
Iowa RFA Questions Rick Perry on Oil Subsidies
As presidential candidate Rick Perry returned to Iowa today, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) took the opportunity to question the Texas governor’s plan for energy tax incentives. After the IRFA pointed out that Perry’s energy plan would end ethanol tax credits in less than two months, but allow oil tax subsidies to continue indefinitely, a Perry spokeswoman told Bloomberg …
Ethanol Report from NAFB
Once again this year, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) took part in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual Trade Talk. This unique event allows over 100 agricultural companies and organizations to have access to the nation’s farm broadcast professionals all at the same time. It is what you can truly call a “win-win” situation as the exhibitors can get …
Farmers Harvest Biomass for Cellulosic Ethanol
Farmers in north central Iowa have harvested 61,000 tons of corn crop residue to produce cellulosic ethanol, but delivery to POET’s Project LIBERTY plant in Emmetsburg is contingent on funding of a federal program that provides incentives for biomass production. Some 100 farmers are waiting for word on the status of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) in the 2012 …
Nebraska Ethanol Coalition to Promote FFV Awareness
A new grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be used to promote flex fuel vehicles, flex fuel pumps, and driver education in Nebraska, one of six states that will be working with the FlexFuel Vehicle Awareness Campaign. The Nebraska Ethanol Industry Coalition (NEIC) will be heading up the statewide project with partners including the Nebraska Ethanol Board, …
Cellulosic Ethanol Still Needs to Get Cheaper
A cost comparison study between corn based and cellulosic ethanol has found that corn is still the cheapest way to make the alternative fuel. The study, published in the international journal Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, concludes that “the production of ethanol from lignocellulose-rich materials such as wood residues, waste paper, used cardboard and straw cannot yet be achieved at the …
First Commercial Flight Made on Advanced Biofuel
The friendly skies of United Airlines are now friendlier for the environment as subsidiary Continental flew the first commercial flight on advanced biofuel yesterday. “United is taking a significant step forward to advance the use of environmentally responsible and cost-efficient alternative fuels,” said Pete McDonald, United’s executive vice president and chief operations officer. “Sustainable biofuels, produced on a large scale …
Biodiesel Industry Pleased with Supreme Court Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a case brought by petroleum interests against the Environmental Protection Agency over the expanded Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). The petition made by the National Petrochemical Refiners Association (NPRA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) was rejected by the District Court of Appeals in December 2010. The petition filed in March 2010 claims that …
Europe Charges US With Unfair Ethanol Imports
The association which represents European ethanol producers is requesting that the European Commission take action “against unfair imports of fuel ethanol from the United States.” ePure claims that U.S. ethanol policy has encouraged production to the point that it can be sold at much lower prices on the world market. “Massive and sudden imports of US ethanol, combined with unfairly …
GROWMARK Watches Energy Markets
One of the benefits of membership in the GROWMARK cooperative system is daily information about the energy markets and recommendations on contracting fuel at different times of the year. Harry Cooney is manager of customer risk management for GROWMARK Energy and he is constantly keeping an eye on the energy complex, especially gasoline, propane and diesel fuel. He says the …