The American Soybean Association (ASA) is raising concerns about the level of government funding to alternative energy sources, particularly biodiesel, in the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill. This article from Grainnet.com says provisions in the energy portion of the bill are among the group’s concerns: In the Energy Title, ASA is very concerned with the level of funding provided …
Rockers, Biofuel Makers Appeal to Congress
The U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence will hear from biofuel producers, environmentalists, and even some music stars when it holds a hearing entitled “The Grass is Greener: The Future of Biofuels,” tomorrow morning (Wednesday, October 24th) at 9:30 EDT in Washington, D.C. Among those testifying before Rep. Edward J. Markey’s (D-Massachusetts) committee, musician Adam Gardner (left) of the …
Energy and Farm Bill Updates
Ethanol interests are hoping that Congress might finally get the energy bill into conference committee this week. Brian Jennings with the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) says, “It sounds like Democrats and Republicans are beginning to work out some of the political differences and procedural differences they had in moving forward,” Jennings says. “I would predict that hopefully this week …
North Carolina Drives Toward Statewide Ethanol Fuel Blend
A newly appropriated biofuel center in North Carolina will be the state’s launch pad for its latest targeted benchmark with biofuels. Catalyzing an entire new industry for North Carolina is the long-term task of the newly established Biofuels Center of North Carolina, which moved to reality Tuesday following its first board of directors meeting. Funded with a $5 million initial …
NBB Calls for Passage of Farm Bill
The National Biodiesel Board today called for passage of the U.S. House’s version of the Farm Bill – H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 – especially the parts referring to biodiesel. NBB officials say the energy title portion of the bill includes an expansion of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Bioenergy Program and the Biodiesel Education …
Bill Expands Biodiesel Education Program
Introduction of bipartisan legislation by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) could expand the federal biodiesel education program. According to this National Biodiesel Board release, the Biodiesel Education and Expansion Act of 2007 would extend the program started in 2003 for another five years and double the resources allocated for biodiesel education efforts: “When it comes to renewable …
U.S. House Allows Sugar as Ethanol Stock
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee is considering a measure that would allow U.S. growers to sell cane and beet sugar for making ethanol. It’s part of an 111-page proposal updating U.S. agriculture subsidies. This Reuters story says the proposal was written by Ag Committee chair Cong. Collin Peterson of Minnesota: Support rates for sugar would rise under the proposal, to …
Oregon Gets Ethanol, Biodiesel Mandates
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has signed into law two mandates for biofuel blending in his state. This story in the Oregonian says the package also includes tax incentives for producers and consumers: Gasoline sold in Oregon must be 10 percent ethanol after the state’s production of ethanol reaches 40 million gallons a year. Diesel fuel sold in Oregon must be …
Speaker Declares “Energy Independence Day”
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have rolled out an energy plan during what they tout as America’s “Energy Independence Day.” The Houston Chronicle reports Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlined a broad array of “green energy” proposals her party hopes to get through Congress before leaving for the August recess: “When it comes to energy, we must think big,” Pelosi …
Thune Warns of Ethanol Fight
South Dakota Senator John Thune says Senate leaders want to pass an energy bill by the Fourth of July… but warned a group of about 100 people this week at the Ethanol Public Policy Summit in Sioux Falls that conflict looms on the horizon. This story in the Argus (SD) Leader says some powerful opponents are against some key provisions …