U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley today introduced bi-partisan legislation to reform the current Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) while still supporting the domestic ethanol industry. Introducing the bill, Grassley said the Domestic Energy Promotion Act of 2011 would reduce the VEETC for a two year period before transitioning to a tax credit that would adjust based on the price of …
Iowa Legislature Passes Renewable Fuels Legislation
The Iowa Legislature today approved comprehensive renewable fuels legislation intended to increase E15 sales and biodiesel production. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says the bill includes a new 3 cent per gallon retailer tax credit for E15 sales, allowing Iowa to lead the way in E15 public policy. “With final E15 approval expected from the EPA this …
Ethanol Leader Challenges EIA Reporting
The Energy Information Administration predicts only very modest production of cellulosic ethanol by the year 2022, but the industry is more optimistic. Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen challenged some of the reporting and assumptions the EIA made in the latest energy outlook, which administrator Richard Newell presented at the 4th International Biomass Conference in St. Louis this week. EIA …
Biomass Industry Execs Discuss Future
All energy of the bio variety – biomass, biogas, biodiesel and biofuels – were represented at the 4th International Biomass Conference and Expo on Monday during a panel featuring executives of seven different industry organizations. Moderator Tom Bryan, Vice President of BBI International, asked the panel was what the top priorities for their organizations are this year. “Just getting parity …
EIA Administrator Keynotes Biomass Conference
The head of the U.S. Energy Information Administration is anticipating a significant expansion of biomass in the nation’s energy system within the next 25 years. Dr. Richard Newell told attendees at the 4th annual International Biomass Conference in St. Louis on Tuesday that includes liquid biofuels and electric power working in combination. “You have advanced biofuels made from cellulose and …
Study – Ethanol Saves Consumers 25 Cents at Pump
According to a new study released today by Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin, in 2010, on average the use of ethanol reduced wholesale gasoline prices by an average of .89 cents per gallon. The research was conducted by a number of economists and released by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) and is an update …
ICM Deploys Its Biomass Gasification System
ICM has announced that it is beginning commercial deployment of its biomass gasification system after the successful completion of infrastructure development, research, testing, and an independent engineering review. The company began operating its commercial scale demonstration gasifer back in 2009. The technology has the capacity to covert 150 tons of biomass per day to a syngas that can then be …
Creating a Downstream Market for Algae Products
“When we embarked on this project three years ago, we thought by the time we reached commercial scale, like we have today, there would be plenty of demand for algae biomass to produce these products,” said Todd Becker, CEO of Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) during the dedication of BioProcess Algae’s Grower Harvester bioreactors. This dedication signaled the last stage …
RFA Says Ethanol Helps Gas Prices
The latest average cost for a gallon of gas nationwide, as reported by AAA, is $3.88, but it would already be $4.00 a gallon without ten percent ethanol. According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), based on current market conditions and federal renewable fuels policy, 10 percent ethanol blends (E10) are keeping gasoline prices $0.12 per gallon cheaper than they …
Royal Wedding Car Runs on 85 Percent Ethanol
The Dukemobile is an FFV! Never thought there would be a biofuels angle to the Royal Wedding, but as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left Buckingham Palace for the royal residence Clarence House, they drove off in a “convertible Aston Martin Volante DB6 MKII in Seychelles blue is owned by his father HRH The Prince of Wales” that runs …