Is the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) putting the cart before the horse in their proposition to add greenhouse gas emission amendments to the Iowa Administrative Code? The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) think so. The two organizations have joined forces to urge the EPC to delay consideration on decisions that would increase the regulatory …
Ethanol Report on Export Exchange
This edition of “The Ethanol Report” features comments from Renewable Fuels Association (RA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen and U.S. Grains Council (USGC) CEO and president Tom Dorr about promoting exports of the ethanol co-product distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The two organizations are working together on the upcoming “Export Exchange” conference that will focus on increasing U.S. exports …
Farmers Dealing With VeraSun Payment Letters
Hundreds of farmers have been showing up at meetings held around the Corn Belt trying to find out what they should do about letters received saying they owe money for grain delivered two years ago to a bankrupt ethanol company. VeraSun officially filed bankruptcy nearly two years ago. Just a few months prior to filing, the company reported a 500 …
Renewable Fuels Awareness Month in Nebraska
Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman visited Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Wednesday to proclaim September as Renewable Fuels Awareness Month in Nebraska. Joined by representatives of the Nebraska Corn and Soybean Boards, Gov. Heineman said that renewable fuels are a critical component of energy independence and energy security, while providing economic growth and vitality in the state. “Nebraska is one …
Ethanol Industry E15 Vehicle Study Detailed
A new study released this week makes a good case for allowing up to 15 percent ethanol in all vehicles, to avoid having different standards for older cars. The ethanol industry is hoping it will help the Environmental Protection Agency rule favorably on the request to grant a waiver allowing E15 that was requested nearly two years ago. “Indications are …
RFA Disputes EPA’s Inclusion of Biogenic Carbon Emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering equating biogenic carbon emissions with fossil fuel emissions under the Tailoring Rule, which requires the accounting and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). Biogenic carbon emissions are those that are naturally created during the combustion and decay of woody biomass and up until now, have always been considered …
Study Finds 15 Percent Ethanol Safe for Older Vehicles
Landmark research by an internationally recognized engineering firm finds that E15 should be safe for older vehicles. According to the study, carried out by Ricardo, Inc. on behalf of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), moving from 10 percent ethanol in gasoline to 15 percent will mean little, if any, change on the performance of older cars and light trucks, those …
Seaweed-to-Ethanol Startup Partners With Statoil
Berkley-California based start-up venture Bio Architecture Lab (BAL) has announced a partnership with the one of the world’s largest offshore oil and gas producers, Statoil. The partnership will help fund the research & development of seaweed-to-ethanol using macro algae grown off the coast of Norway. Today, Statoil offers Norwegian drivers a 5 percent bioethanol blend at the pump. Should the …
Ethanol – Right Here, Right Now
A new ad campaign by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) says ethanol is the answer to energy independence that’s “Right Here, Right Now.” The thirty second ad began airing this morning on MSNBC’s Morning Joe news program in the Washington, DC media market and will continue through October 12 with nine spots per week. The target audience is policy makers …
Corn Farmers Working to Keep Americans Safe
Last Saturday, most Americans took a moment to remember those lost on 9-11. I was at the Iowa versus Iowa State football game when more than 70,000 fans spent a moment in silence to honor those who died. During this time I reflected on things that our country can do to keep Americans safe and one such action is to …