The newest member of the U.S. Senate says he is pro-ethanol. In an interview with MinnPost.com today, Senator-elect Al Franken (D-MN) expressed his support for ethanol. “What we’re talking about here is the science of how ethanol affects our carbon footprint,” Franken said. “The science to me tells me it helps. I’ve looked at this a lot, and it seems …
EPA Extends RFS2 Comment Period
The Environmental Protection Agency plans to extend the public comment period for the proposed rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard for an additional 60 days until September 25, 2009. A public notice dated Tuesday was posted on scribd.com and may be published in the Federal Register this week. However, no notice has yet been posted on the EPA website and …
Climate Bill Gives Biodiesel RFS Break
A couple of issues might be coming to a head with one bill. As I told you back on May 22, biodiesel producers are none too pleased about an EPA proposal that would, in effect, exempt soy-based biodiesel from the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS)… putting biodiesel in danger of not being able to meet that standard, possibly undermining confidence in …
Feds Issue First Offshore Wind Energy Leases
For the first time, the federal government has issued offshore wind leases to explore the potential of the energy source. The New York Times reports the five leases will be for areas 6 to 18 miles off the New Jersey and Delaware coasts: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who has made offshore wind energy a priority, acknowledged that the United States …
Ethanol and Biodiesel Details in Climate Bill Compromise
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has provided more details about the compromise worked out this week on the climate change bill expected to come up for a vote in the House of Representatives on Friday. “Good faith negotiations and old fashioned horse sense led to a deal that achieves both our energy security and environmental goals,” said RFA President Bob …
Climate Bill Compromise Better for Ethanol
Farm state lawmakers led by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) have reached a compromise with Democratic leadership in the House on the so-called climate change bill that makes it more palatable to agriculture and biofuels interests. Part of the agreement includes allowing USDA to have oversight for agricultural carbon offset programs instead of EPA. “The climate change bill will include a …
Energy Secretary on Ethanol in Iowa
During a visit to Des Moines Monday, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu gave some hope to ethanol supporters hoping that the federal government will approve a waiver that would allow up to 15 percent ethanol blends for standard vehicles. “I don’t want to prejudge what they’re going to find, but if the existing automobile fleet can handle 15 percent, I …
E85 Comes to Sacramento
The clean burning alternative is selling for $.66 less per gallon than regular unleaded at the Valero. Sasha Faught of Natomas, who owns a flex-fuel Chevy Tahoe, has been using E85. “I want to be green,” she said. “Let’s face it, we’re using up our resources. It’s smart to get on with it.” The new E85 dispensers were funded mainly …
DF Cast: Making the Case for Biofuels to the EPA
Members of the biofuels industries, including those growing the feedstocks to make the green fuels of ethanol and biodiesel, made their way to Washington, D.C. this week to try to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing rules that the biofuels folks will hurt their industry. The biggest point of contention is the EPA’s Indirect Land Use proposal that …
California Approves B20 for Underground Storage
The state of California has given the OK to store higher blends of biodiesel in underground storage tanks. Previously, 5 percent biodiesel… or B5… was the limit that a 25-year-old California law imposed. But Biodiesel Magazine reports that California’s Water Resources Control Board has expanded underground storage of biodiesel blends up to B20: The three-year variance allows underground storage of …