The Brazilian state of Mato Grosso is looking at producing ethanol from the state’s excess corn to reduce the miles Brazilian sugarcane ethanol would travel. On Wednesday, a combined industry and governmental committee that has been formed to study corn, announced that it has commissioned a study by state researcher Embrapa to look at the viability of producing corn ethanol. …
DF Cast: EPA Seeks Input on E15 Ethanol Pump Labels
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the green light to E15 ethanol … or maybe a “pale” green light, in the case where it is a partial waiver to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline for 2007 model year vehicles or newer. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we hear from EPA Assistant Administrator for …
UNEP Releases Water & Bioenergy Paper
Water is becoming a growing global concern and according to a new issues brief released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), water could determine the degree to which bioenergy can contribute to combating climate change through renewable fuels. “Water and Bioenergy” was presented during the Convention on Biodiversity meeting (CBD COP10) in Nagoya, Japan. One element of great concern …
Ethanol and Gasoline Prices
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has a good post on the E-xchange Blog this week about the relationship between ethanol and gasoline prices and the importance of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, or VEETC. RFA Vice President for Research Geoff Cooper notes that ethanol prices have strengthened recently and while gas prices have also increased slightly, gasoline prices would …
Nothing Scary About Ethanol or Biodiesel
A Buffalo, Minnesota fuel station is offering some Halloween treats for flex-fuel vehicle and diesel motorists this weekend. The Buffalo Holiday station is promoting E85 fuel with an 85 cent per gallon discount and B5 biodiesel with a 10 cent per gallon discount on Saturday, October 30, from 10 a.m. until noon. The purpose of the Halloween weekend promotion is …
Vilsack Tours Georgia Ethanol Plant
Following up on the biofuels initiatives that he announced last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited First United Ethanol, LLC (FUEL) located in Mitchell County, Georgia on Monday to highlight the importance of ethanol production in all parts of the nation. “The southeast is poised to really assist us in creating new biorefineries with a wide variety of feedstocks that …
Vilsack Defends Ethanol in WSJ Letter
In a letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal published Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack responded to an editorial last week criticizing EPA’s decision to allow higher blends of ethanol in our fuel as politically motivated. Defending and clarifying the EPA ruling, Vilsack wrote, “The EPA’s decision to allow the increased use of ethanol in some automobiles is …
Petrobras Signs $1.23 Billon Ethanol Supply Deal
Brazil’s largest state-owned energy company made another play today to become a world leader in biofuels. Petrobras announced a $1.23 billion deal with Tereos International’s Brazilian Branch, Acucar Guarani, to supply up to 2.2 billion litres of sugarcane ethanol to Petrobras’ fuel distribution subsidiary, BR, over the next four years. Petrobras said in a statement today, “The contract ensures commitment …
Transportation Managers To Converge on New York
The Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance is hosting a series of training programs nationwide for alternative fuel fleet managers. The next stop on the tour is a free workshop on October 28, 2010 in Albany, New York’s Crown Hotel Plaza. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is participating in the workshops along with several other organizations including the Renewable Fuels …