Congressional negotiators Thursday announced a compromise 2007 Farm Bill that has new incentives for biofuels production. “The new Farm Bill will dramatically ramp up the agricultural sector’s capacity to produce clean, renewable energy,” said conference committee chairman Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). “Significantly, it provides more than a billion dollars to expand the supply of fuels made from biomass and crop …
Defending the Renewable Fuels Standard
Higher food prices have led to increasing calls for changes in the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) that was implemented as part the Energy bill just signed into law last December, which calls for 36 billion gallons of annual renewable fuel use by 2022. In this DomesticFuel Cast, we hear from several of the witnesses who testified in support of the …
Make it Yourself Ethanol
For a mere $10,000 any consumer can now make and pump their own ethanol at home. A company called E-Fuel Corporation has introduced EFuel100 MicroFueler™ “the world’s first home ethanol system.” According to the company, the MicroFueler allows consumers to create ethanol with “sugar, yeast and water, and a standard household 110-220 AC power supply.” They claim that businesses, such …
Ethanol Saves Drivers Money
Even though gas prices are nearing $4 a gallon, ethanol is helping drivers across the country save an average of $156 per year. That’s according to the Renewable Fuels Now (RFN) coalition and a recent Iowa State University study calculating ethanol’s impact on gasoline prices around the country. The study concluded that, by expanding the fuel supply, ethanol has made …
Cellulosic Ethanol Focus at Hearing
A South Dakota lawmaker is urging Congress to allow cellulosic ethanol derived from woody biomass on federal lands to count towards the Renewable Fuels Standard. Current law prevents biofuels made from biomass that originates on public lands or any biomass from private land that is not ‘planted’ and ‘actively managed’ from being counted toward the RFS. During a hearing this …
Report on Role of Ethanol in Food Prices
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) held a press conference last week at the National Press Club in Washington DC to counter claims that ethanol production is causing higher food prices. RFA’s “Ethanol Report” podcast features comments from the four agriculture and ethanol industry leaders who participated in the press conference. Featured are former Agriculture Secretary John Block, National Corn Growers …
A Little Green to Change Rush’s Mind
Now don’t get me wrong. I like Rush Limbaugh. I really do. He’s given a voice to the conservative cause for many years… even when things looked pretty bleak for his side. And he does GOOD radio. He knows how to communicate to his audience, and my hat is off to him for his radio skills. But when it comes …
Oil Company Invests in Cellulosic Ethanol
Marathon Oil has made a $10 million equity investment in the research and development of cellulosic ethanol at Mascoma Corporation The investment is part of $61 million raised in Mascoma’s third round of funding. As part of the investment, Marathon Senior Vice President Cliff Cook has joined the Mascoma Board of Directors. “This investment in Mascoma’s leading-edge technology reflects our …
Ethanol Standard Debated as Oil Prices Rise
As the House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality heard testimony regarding the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) on Tuesday, oil hit yet another record high of $122 a barrel. Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen reminded the committee of that several times during the hearing, having to correct his own pre-prepared remarks. “Mr. Chairman, the RFS made sense when you …
Fungus Could Aid Ethanol Production
A fungus capable of breaking down cotton and other fibers could hold the key to improvements in the production of biofuels. Researchers led by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute announced this week that the genetic sequence of the fungus Trichoderma reesei has uncovered important clues about how the organism breaks down plant …