The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries… better known as OPEC… is starting to feel the heat of the increased use of biofuels. And the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition is asking you help keep them on the ropes. In a release sent to Domestic Fuel, the NEVC outlined what OPEC is saying and how the NEVC wants you to get …
RFA Praises Proposed Energy Bill
As I reported earlier, there’s a lot of contention over the current energy bill being debated in the U.S. Senate as different factions try to get federal dollars, incentives, and requirements that will help their renewable (and, of course, non-renewable) energy industries. But one group that is pleased is the Renewable Fuels Association. In a statement e-mailed to energy.agwired.com, the …
E is Indy
The slogan for the Indy Racing League is “I am Indy,” and that’s especially true for ethanol producers who are proud to be a part of this great sport. This month’s “Fill up, Feel Good” features comments from Tom Branhan of Glacial Lakes Energy, Don Endres of VeraSun Energy, Todd Lucey of Endress+Hauser, Team Ethanol car driver Jeff Simmons, and …
Blame Energy Prices for Higher Food Costs
According to a new analysis of food, energy and corn prices conducted by John Urbanchuk of LECG, LLC, “rising energy prices had a more significant impact on food prices than did corn.” In fact, rising energy prices have twice the impact on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food than does the price of corn, according to the report. “Energy …
First Ethanol Co-product Report Due Soon
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set June 29th as the date for its first-ever report on how livestock producers are using ethanol co-products for cattle and hog feeds. This from the USDA’s web site: The report, entitled Ethanol Co-Products Used for Livestock Feed, will highlight results of a survey conducted by NASS with the support of the Nebraska Corn …
US BioEnergy Celebrates Ethanol Plant Ground Breaking
This Friday, officials with US BioEnergy including CEO Gordon Ommen, along with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Fagen, Inc. CEO Ron Fagen, Minnesota Corn Growers Association Vice President Roger Moore, and local officials will celebrate the groundbreaking of a 100-million-gallon-a-year ethanol plant at Janesville, Minnesota. The ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m. In a release, US BioEnergy explains the importance of this …
Ford E85 Escape Hybrids
The first E85 Escape Hybrids are hitting the streets this week, as Ford Motor Company delivered three of 20 new vehicles Wednesday to the Department of Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition. RFA president Bob Dinneen was all smiles as he climbed into the driver’s seat of the new vehicle which combines hybrid and flex-fuel …
Senate Considering New Ethanol Legislation
The U.S. Senate is considering a bill this week that would continue to promote investment in traditional ethanol production while also pushing investments in research, technology and infrastructure for cellulosic ethanol production. This article on Grainnet.com says the bill has the backing of the Renewable Fuels Association: “Record-high gas prices, continued unrest in oil-producing regions of the world and the …
Ethanol Likely to Pass Goal
Officials with the National Corn Growers Association say the U.S. is on target to reach a 15-billion-gallon-a-year production goal… much earlier than the original 2015 goal. In fact, NCGA President Ken McCauley tells the Kansas City Star that goal could be reached as early as 2011 or 2012: That reflects the growing confidence within the ethanol industry about its prospects …
Energy, Ag Departments Announce $18 mill in Biofuels Grants
Eighteen million dollars in government grants are up for grabs as the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy announce solicitations for biomass research and development. This press release from USDA’s web site says the money will go to researching and developing biomass-based products, biofuels, bioenergy and related processes: “Making these funds available represents this Administration’s ongoing commitment to promoting clean …