Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) has introduced the Renewable Fuel Utilization, Expansion, and Leadership (Re-FUEL) Act. The goal of the legislation is to create a competitive grant program to assist fuel retailers with investments in renewable and alternative fuel/energy sources. The program would be administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and will help create new and retrofit existing infrastructure, …
Distilers Grains Exports Record High in 2013
U.S. exports of the ethanol co-product distillers grains set a new record last year and exports of ethanol were lower but still strong. According to the latest government statistics, exports of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) totaled a record 9.7 million metric tons (mmt) last year, up 31% from 2012 and well above the previous record of 9.0 mmt …
Both Farm Bill and RFS Important
Signing the new farm bill into law on Friday, President Obama commented that the legislation “supports businesses working to develop cutting edge biofuels” which have the “potential to create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” The president also announced a new “Made in Rural America” export and investment initiative “to help more rural businesses expand and hire and …
Impact of Lowering RFS on Advanced Biofuels
The comment period is now over for the EPA proposal that would lower the volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard this year, but it will be some time yet before a decision is made since the agency likely has tens of thousands of comments to read. In this Ethanol Report, several representatives of the cellulosic ethanol and advanced biofuels …
Bob Dinneen: Consumers Want Choice at the Pump
Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association gave a legislative update during the 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and spoke of the efforts of Big Oil to quash the renewable fuel industry. The Summit took place on the last day of the EPA comment period for the 2014 proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Dinneen told …
NEC Scholarship Winners Announced
Three scholarship winners have been announced for the upcoming National Ethanol Conference (NEC) taking place in Orlando, Florida February 17-19, 2014. The winners are Gavin Kenney, Tyler Machado, and Aaron Walsh. “We are proud to extend scholarships to these three bright young minds that have shown an interest in ethanol and the future of the industry,” said Mike Jerke, RFF …
Informa Study Shows E85, E15 Can Achieve RFS
According to a new study by Informa Economics, “Analysis of the Potential Use of Biofuels toward the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2014, shows intended Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) 2014 blending requirements as outlined by statute can be reached through expanded consumption of E85, E15 and carryover of RIN credits (Renewable Identification Numbers). According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the …
New Analysis Shows RFS Lowers Gas Prices
A new independent analysis from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University has found that increased ethanol production under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program has reduced gas prices, not increased them as opponents of the RFS claim. “Our results should reassure those in Congress and the Administration who are worried that following the RFS …
Appeals Court Denies California LCFS Appeal
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied rehearing en banc a ruling last year which upheld California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), leaving the ethanol industry and others challenging the law to consider the next move. In a joint statement, ethanol producer groups Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) called the decision “a blow to California …
Lowering RFS Impact on Advanced Biofuels
Cellulosic and advanced biofuels producers are very concerned that the EPA proposal to lower 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets will have a chilling effect on investment in the next generation of renewable fuels. “Frankly, we have decided that we are placing a hold on our evaluations of future investment in bioenergy in the United States until we see what …