According to the Washington Post, John McCain had only been in Iowa long enough Thursday to make one ethanol joke – “I have a glass of ethanol every morning for breakfast” — when word went out that he was already leaving. Turns out that the presidential candidate ended up staying after all, skipping a procedural vote in DC on the …
Iowa Forms State Biodiesel Board, Moves Key Legislation
The Iowa Soybean Association has formed a board to coordinate biodiesel activities in the state, along with activities with the National Biodiesel Board. Wallaces Farmer reports that the ISA hired Randy Olson to serve as the new Iowa Biodiesel Board’s executive director, as well as a senior marketing manger for the association: “I’m very excited to join ISA and support …
Lincoln, Coleman Look to Extend Biodiesel Tax Incentive
In a bi-partisan move, Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Democrat from Arkansas, and Norm Coleman, Republican from Minnesota, have introduced legislation today to extend the federal biodiesel tax credit. The legislation would extend the federal excise tax credit and income tax credit for biodiesel to 2017. Lincoln originally introduced the credit and got it passed in 2004. In a press release, the …
Ethanol Pipeline Proposals
Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have introduced legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Energy to study the feasibility of transporting ethanol by pipeline from the Midwest to the East and West coasts. The Ethanol Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2007 would look at creating a dedicated pipeline system could enable ethanol producers to deliver their products …
Push for E20
Senator John Thune (R-SD) is asking federal officials to approve the use of a 20 percent blend of ethanol in vehicles. Thune said in a press release, “Conditions are ripe for the next big step forward in bolstering America’s energy independence. After several years of success, it is time for the federal government to prepare for the production and use …
Illinois Eyes Cities’ Requirement on Hybrid, Alt-Fuel-Using Vehicles
An Illinois state lawmaker wants to see cities in his state use vehicles that run on more alternative fuels. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Rep. Mike Boland has introduced legislation that would require cities to buy vehicles that run on more ethanol and biodiesel: “We have an opportunity to really bring about an economic renaissance to rural Illinois by the …
Obama on Ethanol
Presidential candidate Barak Obama visited the nation’s number one ethanol producing state over the weekend. During his visit to Davenport, Iowa, he did an interview with local television station WQAD-TV during which he was asked about his support for ethanol, in light of the current high price of corn. “I think what we’re seeing is the market for alternative fuels …
Feedback on Bush’s Brazil Biofuels Business Trip
Lawmakers and special interests have been chiming in with reaction to the US-Brazil biofuels agreement announced last week. In a press statement, Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana praised the agreement. “Working with Brazil will help turn ethanol into a global commodity and reduce our dependence on oil. It also demonstrates to our friends in the Hemisphere that we are ready …
25 x ’25 Action Plan
Leaders from a broad alliance of agricultural, energy, environmental, business and labor groups recently rolled out a set of specific recommendations for reaching an ambitious renewable energy goal: 25 percent of the nation’s energy supply from renewable sources by 2025. Members of the 25x’25 Alliance were at the recent Commodity Classic to answer questions and discuss goals with members of …
Feed Fight on the Hill
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing on Thursday to review the impact of increased biofuels production and higher feed costs on the livestock industry. Congressmen heard from one high-ranking USDA official, six livestock industry representatives and the country’s leading expert on the ethanol co-product known as dried distillers grains which is used as a …