According to U.S. ethanol organizations, the European Commission (EC) is officially imposing a $83.03 per metric ton tariff on U.S. ethanol entering the European Union (EU). The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy issued a joint statement on the action. “This tariff is outrageous and based on absolutely no facts or evidence of harm. An extensive investigation was conducted …
Ethanol Continues to be Job Creator
Despite facing major challenges in 2012, the ethanol industry still created more than 380,000 jobs and $43 Billion in Gross Domestic Product, according to the latest analysis conducted by Cardno-ENTRIX and commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “The study reaffirms that this is an important industry for the overall economy but more importantly for rural America,” said study author …
Sensenbrenner Introduces Bill to Cap Cellulosic Fuels
As last week came to a close, U.S. Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced a bill to place what the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) calls artificial caps on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual cellulosic biofuel projected production numbers. The proposed limits for any given year would be no more than five percent or one million gallons, whichever is greater, of …
Industry Responds to Wicker-Vitter Anti-E15 Bill
The ethanol industry is responding to legislation proposed by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss) and David Vitter (R-La) to block the continued roll-out of E15. The Senators claim the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acted irresponsibly with its approval of the ethanol blend and claim that E15 will cause a negative impact on families and businesses should E15 be allowed in …
Car Makers Take Stage at Ethanol Conference
Representatives from General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz talked “Future Fuels and Higher Octane” at the National Ethanol Conference last week in Las Vegas. Kristy Moore, Vice President, Technical Services, Renewable Fuels Association moderated the panel and said the manufacturers are facing some real challenges. “They are under significant pressure to create a vehicle that meets these regulatory …
President Calls for More Sustainable Energy
Citing a need for increasing jobs and combating climate change, President Obama pledged to do more to “speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy” during his 2013 State of the Union address. Four years ago, other countries dominated the clean energy market and the jobs that came with it. And we’ve begun to change that. Last year, wind …
Most Entertaining Panels at Ethanol Conference
As always, the Global Perspectives and Washington Insiders panels at the National Ethanol Conference were as entertaining as ever. The panels routinely feature representatives from other organizations that may not share the same viewpoint of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), allowing the opportunity for some interesting dialogue. Global Renewable Fuels Alliance spokesperson Bliss Baker served as the moderator/referee for the …
“Phantom Fuel” is Real
It’s ironic that the “Phantom Fuels Reform Act of 2013” was introduced in the Senate on Thursday at the same time a panel discussion on “Dispelling the Myth of the Phantom Fuel” was going on at the National Ethanol Conference where four different cellulosic biofuels companies talked about how they will be making commercial quantities of the fuel this year. …
EPA Addresses E15 Issues
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a solution to address specific concerns about retail sales of 15% ethanol (E15) ensuring that gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol is available at each station when also offering the higher octane fuel E15. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Director of Market Development Robert White explains that the solution will eliminate the need for …
Vegas is a Winner for National Ethanol Conference
Members of the Renewable Fuels Association are on the road home from Vegas ready to continue driving the industry forward after another uplifting National Ethanol Conference. About 1100 ethanol industry members attended the event, despite the challenging times facing them. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm here and there’s a lot of optimism,” said RFA CEO Bob Dinneen. “They are realistic …