The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made an upwards revision today when releasing the expanded Renewable Fuels Standard. They gave corn-based ethanol a 21 percent advantage over conventional gasoline, more than what was originally slated. This new revision also qualifies all corn ethanol, including existing and new production, for the conventional biofuels targets in the RFS. “While we’re pleased that the …
Ethanol Poised to Create Jobs in Expanded RFS
This afternoon, Growth Energy responded to the Environmental Protection Agency’s expanded Renewable Fuels Standard, that will create the platform for reaching 36 billions gallons of biofuels by 2022, and specifically praised the Obama administration and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “Growth Energy commends the Obama White House and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson for recognizing the value of domestic ethanol both as …
Ethanol Report on RFS2 Rules
Industry reaction to the Environmental Protection Agency announcement today of much-delayed rules for the second phase of the Renewable Fuel Standard has come quickly and is mostly positive. In this edition of “The Ethanol Report” podcast, Matt Hartwig with the Renewable Fuels Association talks about their reaction and what the rule means for the industry. You can subscribe to this …
EPA Rules Confirm Ethanol’s Environmental Advantages
The ethanol and agriculture industry have a few things to celebrate today, one of which is EPA’s acknowledgment that ethanol, including corn-based ethanol, has greenhouse gas emission advantages over conventional gasoline. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its new released regulations for the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) which in part outlines the country’s move to 36 …
RFS2 Rules Released – Industry Reponds
After a two-month delay, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finally announced the final rule for the implementation of the second phase of the Renewable Fuel Standard, aka RFS2. As part of the rules, the EPA will both set the national mandatory blend levels as well as monitor compliance through its new reporting system. The monitoring system will also track …
ZeaChem Successful in Cellulosic Fermentation Tests
ZeaChem released the results of its recent fermentation results of acetic acid, used in the conversion of biomass to biofuels. According to the company, the results demonstrated successful process scaling to a level that is 10,000 time greater than the standard scale used in lab tests. Fermentation units were scaled from 0.5 liter to 5,000 liters. Acetogens, which are naturally …
Biofueling Iowa’s Economy
Renewable fuels are the backbone of Iowa’s economy, according to a report released last week by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). According to the report, “Contribution of the Biofuels Industry to the Economy of Iowa,” ethanol and biodiesel producers are part of a manufacturing sector that adds substantial value to agricultural commodities produced in Iowa and makes a significant …
Tennessee Cellulosic Ethanol Demo Plant Opens
Leaders from DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE), University of Tennessee and Genera Energy gathered on Friday in Vonore, Tennessee to cut the ribbon on a new cellulosic ethanol demonstration facility. The 74,000-square-foot plant has now started producing ethanol from agricultural residue and bioenergy crops, including corncobs and switchgrass. During the grand opening celebration, Kelly Tiller, CEO of Genera Energy and …
US Gas Consumption Down, Biofuels Replacing Oil
Three years ago, petroleum-based gasoline consumption was the highest the U.S. had ever seen. But thanks in part to biofuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, the amount of gas we use has actually gone down since the peak of 2007. This article in the Kansas City Star says that while the recession and the increased popularity of smaller, more fuel efficient …
Shell to Partner with Cosan to Produce Ethanol
Another major oil company has entered the Brazilian ethanol market – Shell. According to Brazilian newspaper Valor Econômico, Shell and Cosan S.A., Brazil’s largest producer of ethanol, signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Moving forward, the two companies hope to create several new joint ventures to the tune of $12 billion that will produce sugar-based ethanol as well as electricity and …