EPA Proposes 2012 Renewable Fuel Standards

Cindy Zimmerman

Cellulosic ethanol targets were reduced while biodiesel was increased under the latest standards proposed by the federal government for the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed the 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories under the RFS2 based on the annual renewable fuel volume targets. EPA once again lowered the target for cellulosic …

advanced biofuels, AEC, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, NBB, RFA

Blaming Biofuels for Higher Food Prices One-Sided

Joanna Schroeder

In an effort to curb global rising food prices and food insecurity concerns, members of G20 nations will be meeting in Paris this week. A major focal point of discussion is set to be biofuels and earlier this month a report from Oxfam concluded that biofuels were part of the reason food prices are rising. The ethanol industry deems this …

biofuels, Ethanol, RFA

Crazy Week for Ethanol in the Senate

Cindy Zimmerman

For those of you who might be wondering just what the heck happened this week in the Senate, where they voted in favor of ethanol before they voted against it and then for it again, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen offers some insight in a post on The E-xchange blog. Dinneen explains that the vote Tuesday to …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA

Senate Votes to End Ethanol Blenders Tax Credit

Cindy Zimmerman

The same amendment to end the ethanol blenders tax credit (VEETC) that failed in the Senate on Tuesday passed today on a vote of 73 to 27. The only difference between the two amendments is that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) took the lead on it instead of Republican Tom Coburn of Oklahoma who broke procedure to bring it to the …

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA

More Senate Ethanol Votes Today

Cindy Zimmerman

An effort to end the ethanol blenders tax credit continues today in the Senate. Just two days after an amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) was defeated, the Senate is expected to vote on the same amendment, the effort this time spearheaded by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). A second amendment by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to prohibit federal investment in …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA

BYO Ethanol Helps Retailers With Blender Pump Applications

Cindy Zimmerman

There is funding available for gas retailers to install ethanol blender pumps, the trick is navigating the application process to get it. That’s where Blend Your Own (BYO) Ethanol can help. The joint effort by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is playing a key role in helping expedite the USDA REAP (Rural Energy …

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Ethanol Future Could be Headed to Senate Showdown

Cindy Zimmerman

After the defeat Tuesday in the Senate of an amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) to immediately eliminate the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), the ethanol industry is supporting another approach and the two concepts could be heading for a showdown in the Senate before the end of the month. “That indeed has been teed up with a commitment …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Government, RFA

Coburn Amendment Quashed

Joanna Schroeder

In a vote of 40-59, Sen. Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) Amendment No. 436 to immediately eliminate the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and the tariff on imported ethanol was quashed. Coburn’s proposal needed 60 votes to move forward but fell short by 20 votes. Shortly after the news hit, the ethanol industry began calling for “real reform.” “The fight is …

ACE, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, Legislation, RFA

Diverse Groups Oppose Coburn Ethanol Amendment

Cindy Zimmerman

In advance of a vote in the Senate on an amendment to eliminate the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) immediately, ethanol interests remain “cautiously optimistic” that the measure will fail. Seven agriculture and ethanol organizations sent a letter to the Senate leadership urging a no vote on the amendment proposed last week by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). In it …

ACE, AEC, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA

Thune/Klobuchar Bill Endorsed by Ethanol Industry

Joanna Schroeder

Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) along with a bipartisan group of nine other Senate colleagues have introduced the Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act. The bill is designed to modify the current Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Incentive (VEETC), which is a set tax, to a variable tax incentive tied to the price of oil. To help open …

ACE, advanced biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, Legislation, RFA