Ethanol interests were quick to oppose an amendment offered by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture from funding Flex Fuel pump installations. “The McCain amendment would smother the only initiative we have to provide consumers the power to choose their fuel, and it gives OPEC the green light to tighten its grip on …
Corn and Cattle Groups Disagree Over Changing RFS
Corn growers and cattle producers are at odds over new legislation introduced in the House that would change the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). The bill, sponsored by Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Jim Costa (D-CA), would allow Congress to reduce the RFS requirement for ethanol whenever corn stocks are tight. Speaking on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) …
Ethanol Industry Reacts to NAS Report
The ethanol industry is challenging a new report from the National Academies of Science that questions the ability of the biofuels industry to meet current goals under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) and the ability of biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the report, production of conventional biofuels and biomass-based diesel fuel will be adequate to meet the …
Navy Announces Unmanned Flight On Biofuel
The Navy has reached a milestone in the quest to gain energy independence with the first unmanned biofueled flight of an MQ-8B Fire Scout at Webster Field in St. Inigoes, Md. The unmanned helicopter was fueled with a combination of JP-5 aviation fuel and plant-based camelina. The MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Take-Off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle provides critical …
New DOE Report Asseses Energy Technology
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a brand new report that recognizes the importance of renewable energy for the nation’s future. The inaugural Quadrennial Technology Review report (DOE-QTR) is billed as “an assessment of the Department’s energy technology research and development portfolios” establishing a framework for energy technology activities and priorities. “Innovation in energy technology is going to be …
Bill Would Promote Fuel Choice
Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Dick Lugar (R-IN) have introduced a bill that would ensure most new vehicles in the United States are capable of running on a range of domestically produced alternative fuels starting in 2015. By introducing competition among fuels, the Open Fuels Standard (OFS) Act aims to bring about significant reductions in fuel prices paid by U.S. …
DOE Finalizes Cellulosic Ethanol Loan Guarantee
The Department of Energy has finalized a $105 million loan guarantee to support the development of one of the nation’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants. POETThe loan guarantee and financing allows POET to construct Project LIBERTY, a 25 million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. “This project represents a pioneering effort to make broad scale deployment of cellulose ethanol a …
Senators Receive Recognition for Ethanol Support
Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar were recognized for their support of the ethanol industry today with the “Fueling Growth” award from Growth Energy during the ethanol organization’s second annual Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. According to Growth Energy, the awards are meant to recognize the leadership of policy makers “in fostering our country’s energy independence, through the production …
RFA Urges Super Committee to Look at Oil Subsidies
In a letter to the co-chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, the so-called “super committee” assigned to find ways to cut the deficit, the Renewable Fuels Association today urged them to “focus on comprehensive energy tax policy” rather than simply end the ethanol tax credit a week earlier than it is due to expire. “On behalf of …
Committee Urged to Consider Ethanol Feed Production
With the latest USDA forecast showing tighter grain supplies, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry is holding a hearing Wednesday on the concerns of livestock and poultry producers about feed availability and ethanol is likely to be a target for blame. In advance of the hearing, officials with Growth Energy have sent a letter to the committee …