The US House passed its version of the 2007 Farm Bill Friday by a vote of 231 to 191 – a vote largely along party lines on a bill that came out of the House agriculture committee as a bipartisan piece of legislation. Republican members of the committee withdrew their support for the bill when a tax increase on foreign …
RFA Supports House Ag Farm Bill
The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased with support for biofuels in the 2007 Farm Bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee last week. RFA President Bob Dinneen says the programs included in the Energy Title of H.R. 2419 will greatly contribute to ensuring America’s future energy security. “The programs included in the Energy Title will promote Federal procurement of biobased …
NBB Calls for Passage of Farm Bill
The National Biodiesel Board today called for passage of the U.S. House’s version of the Farm Bill – H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 – especially the parts referring to biodiesel. NBB officials say the energy title portion of the bill includes an expansion of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Bioenergy Program and the Biodiesel Education …
The Future of Biofuels
A middle school student from Merritt Island was in the spotlight at the 2007 Florida Farm to Fuel Summit last week in St. Petersburg for her work in making biofuels. Yep, you read that right. Erin McCaskey, 12, attends Thomas Jefferson Middle School and her seventh grade science project last year was making biodiesel from a variety of sources. “I …
Bill Expands Biodiesel Education Program
Introduction of bipartisan legislation by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) could expand the federal biodiesel education program. According to this National Biodiesel Board release, the Biodiesel Education and Expansion Act of 2007 would extend the program started in 2003 for another five years and double the resources allocated for biodiesel education efforts: “When it comes to renewable …
Ethanol and Energy Security
Weather-related problems that have caused damage to refineries in the Midwest have highlighted the need to diversify our nation’s transportation fuel needs. This issue is not only important for consumers who are feeling the pinch at the gas pump, but also for our country’s overall energy security. This edition of “Fill up, Feel Good” discusses ethanol’s benefits in terms of …
Midwest Facing Fuel Shortages
In an effort to address low gasoline and diesel supplies caused by recent refinery outages, Iowa Governor Chet Culver has signed a proclamation to temporarily lift regulatory provisions that limit the number of hours gasoline and diesel truck drivers can be on the road, according to the governor’s office. Ethanol and biodiesel are also eligible for hauling subject to the …
Florida Follows California Energy Lead
Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed three Executive Orders Friday initiating Florida’s energy policy. The signing ceremony concluded the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change held in Miami this week. According to the governor’s press office, the Executive Orders carry out Governor Crist’s commitment to reducing Florida’s greenhouse gases and increasing energy efficiency. As a result, Florida will …
Summit on Energy Security
The 2nd Annual National Summit on Energy Security is taking place today at the National Press Club in Washington DC, presented by 2020 Vision. This year’s summit has the theme of “National Security and America’s Addiction to Carbon: Solutions to Oil Dependence and Climate Change” and features Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), among …
U.S. House Allows Sugar as Ethanol Stock
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee is considering a measure that would allow U.S. growers to sell cane and beet sugar for making ethanol. It’s part of an 111-page proposal updating U.S. agriculture subsidies. This Reuters story says the proposal was written by Ag Committee chair Cong. Collin Peterson of Minnesota: Support rates for sugar would rise under the proposal, to …