As the ethanol industry awaits what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release for targets for this year’s Renewable Fuels Standard, members of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and Fuels America expressed their support for the green fuel. BIO‘s Executive Vice President, Brent Erickson, said today in a news conference that they are expecting EPA’s release of the 2013 …
Vilsack Ties Farm Bill to Biofuels, Will Serve Again as Ag Secretary
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says the future success of biofuels in this country is also tied to successfully getting a new five-year farm bill passed. Speaking to delegates of the American Farm Bureau Federation at their annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., Vilsack expressed his disappointment that a new farm bill was not passed … reserving some of his stronger …
RFA Pleased with Cellulosic Ethanol Credit Extension
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 passed by Congress on New Year’s Day includes the extension of three key ethanol related tax credits, which starts the new year off well for the ethanol industry. “The one year extension of the cellulosic producer tax credit and accelerated depreciation provides some measure of certainty to ensure that 2013 will be a …
Ag Secretary Reacts to EPA Administrator Resignation
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has had a good working relationship with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on various issues important to farmers, ranchers and renewable energy and he is sorry to hear about her resignation from the Obama cabinet. “Lisa Jackson has served our country well as she balanced improving the environment and the health of the American people – while …
News of Senate Allowing Military Biofuel Use Welcomed
The U.S. Senate repeal of a second provision in the military’s budget that would have blocked the developing the use biofuel alternatives is being welcomed by biofuel makers. Yesterday, The Senate voted 62-37 to pass an amendment by Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) repealing section 313 of the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which prohibited DOD from procuring alternative fuels …
Restaurant Owners Join Fight Against RFS
The National Council of Chain Restaurants today joined the fight against the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with the release of a new report on its impact on the chain restaurant industry, commodity prices and the food supply chain. The study, which was conducted by PwC, “concluded that the RFS mandate could cost chain restaurants up to $3.2 billion annually, with …
Grassley: Wind Tax Credit Could Be Part of Deal
The extension of the wind energy tax credit could come this year, but it might be part of a bigger deal of tax reform. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who holds positions on the Senate’s Budget, Finance and Ag Committees, says it will be a fight. “I think now the argument ought to be, ‘Why would you sort wind out of …
Census of Ag to Ask About Renewable Energy, Biomass
The USDA’s 2012 Census of Agriculture forms soon will be going out to farmers and ranchers across the country, and this year, the survey will be asking asking about renewable energy and biomass. “We’re asking for more details on whether farmers are using solar, wind… what type of energy, and some of the crops they’re growing to produce biomass,” says …
RFA Reacts to RFS Decision
The president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) says they are very pleased with the decision today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject a request to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In an interview immediately after the announcement was made by EPA, Bob Dinneen said he gave the agency credit for sticking to the science …
Report: Loss of Military Biofuels Hurts Civilian Economy
A report from an environmental group warns that the loss of the U.S. military’s biofuels program means a loss of potential jobs and economic activity in the civilian sector. Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) says the Department of Defense’s plans to expand its use of biofuel in planes, ships and other vehicles would generate at least about $10 billion in economic activity …