Ethanol issues were in the spotlight when National Corn Growers Association president Darrin Ihnen of South Dakota took the stage at the Commodity Classic general session on Friday. Ihnen talked about the importance of using higher blends of ethanol in the fuel supply. “The EPA is studying the issue and everything they’ve indicated to this date looks very promising,” said …
Industry Calls OPEC Report “Self Serving”
The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) has come out today calling a recent OPEC report “self serving.” The report, co-written by the former Secretary General of the OPEC oil cartel, criticized biofuels while according to GRFA, ignoring the overwhelming evidence on the devastating impact of crude oil on the environment and on our economies. The report will be released during …
Vilsack Anticipates Approval of E15
“I’m not troubled by getting it right as long as we get it right. And I think we’re headed in the right direction. I’m anticipating we’ll see some increase in the blend rate,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack during a press conference at Commodity Classic when asked about EPA’s delaying the decision to increase the blend rate to E15. …
RFA Urges Full Funding of Ethanol Fuel Research
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is urging Congress to ensure full funding of fuels research programs to provide the necessary scientific basis for increasing ethanol blending. In a letter this week to leaders of both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development, RFA President Bob Dinneen outlined concerns with the budget submitted by President Obama with …
2009 Sets Record Ethanol Production
Despite a sluggish economy and challenging growing conditions for corn farmers, ethanol production set a record once again in 2009 of more than 10.75 billion gallons. According to the latest statitstics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), ethanol production reached yet another all time high in December 2009 at 787,000 barrels per day, even though ethanol demand, as calculated …
Verenium and BP Extend Agreement Again
Verenium and BP are continuing to work on a month to month basis toward the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. The two companies today announced another month long extension to the initial 18-month joint development program established in August 2008. The previous extension to the agreement ended today, now it will continue until April 1, 2010 as the parties …
Poplar Could be Ethanol Feedstock
Poplar trees could get more popular if they prove to be the next big ethanol feedstock. A team of researchers at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Bowie State University is working on ways to use the hybrid trees to make ethanol and other biofuels, since they could be grown on plantations and harvested without affecting existing woodlands. Poplar, …
Ethanol Pipeline No Longer Pipe Dream
Kinder Morgan is getting ethanol moving through the pipeline. Those attending the Renewable Fuels Association 15th annual National Ethanol Conference in Orlando last month had the opportunity to see the Kinder Morgan terminal in Orlando and hear about the first pipeline in the country to provide commercial ethanol deliveries. “We now have the capability of handling 100 percent of the …