Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has introduced legislation aimed at helping farmers near biorefineries begin growing dedicated energy crops. According to Thune, the Biofuels Innovation Program Act would offer farmers incentives to grow crops, such as switchgrass and fast-growing trees, for use as cellulosic ethanol feedstocks. “Cellulosic ethanol, produced from homegrown sources like corn stover, wheat straw, switchgrass and wood chips, …
Indy 500 Reaffirms Ethanol As Trusted Fuel Source
Amidst the hustle and bustle of race weekend events, I caught up with EPIC board member Don Endres of VeraSun Energy, a producer of fuel grade ethanol. Don said the Indy Racing League’s switch to 100 percent ethanol fuel is history in the making. He said the IRL’s investment in the fuel not only demonstrates to the world that ethanol …
Assist. Secretary of Renewable Fuels Suits Up
The agenda for the Ethanol Summit changed at the last minute and just 24 hours before the event, the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Andy Karsner, announced he would attend. Andy said ethanol is a key part of the solution to combating global warming. He said ethanol isn’t the silver bullet, but rather part of the …
Big Oil, Big Chicken, and Big Soap Fight Over Tax Credit
Only in Washington, DC would you find the genesis of a headline like that. But this story in The Hill.com says a brouhaha is breaking out in the nation’s capitol over the $1-a-gallon renewable diesel tax credit. Lobbyists for ConocoPhillips, Tyson, and the Soap and Detergent Association have jumped into the fight over whether oil companies should be able to …
Colorado Coalition Success
When the Colorado Governor’s E85 Coalition was formed at the end of 2005 there were only ten E85 fueling stations available in the state. “We’re at 20 now and by the end of the year we expect to have over 50,” says Gerry Harrow, president of the coalition. “So, we’ve had some great success in a very short time.” Harrow …
Farm-to-Fuel Investment Act
As livestock producers continue to voice concerns about rising feed costs, proposed “transition assistance” for farmers to grow dedicated energy crops was introduced this week in legislation sponsored by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kent Conrad (D-SD). “Farmers are going to be a key part of our nation’s ability to achieve energy independence,” said Klobuchar. “These crops …
Doggett Moving to Stop Biodiesel Tax Credit Abuse
Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) is expected to introduce soon, possibly on Thursday, a bill that will keep Big Oil from cashing in on the tax credit intended to help biodiesel producers. This story posted on TheHill.com says the representative wants to reverse an IRS ruling that allows oil companies to claim a $1-a-gallon renewable diesel tax credit by adding animal …
Thune to Hold Wind Summit
U.S. Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) will hold a wind energy roundtable this coming Monday, May 14th at 1:00 PM (CDT) at the Sheraton Hotel in Sioux Falls. From his press release: “South Dakota could and should be a national leader in producing electricity harnessed through our abundant wind supply, but until now, our state has lacked the necessary infrastructure …
UDOT Growing Own Biodiesel
Drivers along a stretch of Interstate 15 in Utah might be used to seeing biodiesel-powered vehicles, but the same stretch of road is becoming home to the raw materials used to make biodiesel. According to a story in the Salt Lake Tribune, the Utah Department of Transportation has partnered with Utah State University to plant safflower, camelina, canola and perennial …
Wind Powering Illinois Renewable Energy Standard
Lawmakers in the Illinois State House have passed what’s considered a pretty ambitious renewable energy standard calling for the state to buy up to 25% of its renewable energy sources by 2025. According to a press release posted on the Environmental Law and Policy Center web site, wind power is seen as the main source for clean power: “Developing wind …