Corn stocks may be a little tight right now, but National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman thinks that is probably a short term situation “Still our biggest challenge is that we can overproduce the market,” Tolman said during an interview after a presentation at the National Ethanol Conference on Monday. “Farmers respond to incentives, there’s an incentive right now …

Green Floyd Debuts New Ethanol Song
A gorgeous desert sunset provided the perfect backdrop for the National Ethanol Conference networking reception Monday night, featuring the ethanol industry’s own “Green Floyd.” The Green Floyd band is made up of Frontline Bioenergy CEO Bill Lee, Neil and Tom Koehler with Pacific Ethanol and Paul Kamp with Inbicon. The group played a variety of songs from blues to folk …
Future of Ethanol Tax Policy
The most important issue facing the ethanol industry this year on a policy level is the future of biofuels tax policy when the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) expires at the end of this year. Several experts in tax policy and economics took the stage during the general session of the 2011 National Ethanol Conference Monday to tackle that …
Matalin and Carville Visit Ethanol Conference
America’s most well-known political odd couple were the keynote speakers for the National Ethanol Conference luncheon on Monday. James Carville and Mary Matalin gave their opposite views of the political landscape to a crowd of about 1300 ethanol supporters from around the country. The couple are pictured here with Renewable Fuels Association chairman Chuck Woodside and RFA CEO Bob Dinneen. …
Celebrating 30 Years of Ethanol Advocacy
There are some 1300 ethanol industry leaders gathered this week in Phoenix to celebrate 30 years of advocating for ethanol at the 2011 National Ethanol Conference. Chuck Woodside, General Manager of farmer-owned KAAPA Ethanol in Minden, Nebraska is the current chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “I am fortunate to follow in the footsteps of great leaders in this …
2011 State of the Ethanol Industry
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is celebrating 30 years of advocating for the ethanol industry, and while the industry has come a long way since that time, some things never change. Giving the “State of the Ethanol Industry” address to some 1300 attendees at the National Ethanol Conference, RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen started off quoting the organization’s first …
Live Feed of State of Ethanol Industry
Good morning from Phoenix, AZ and the National Ethanol Conference. We’re going to stream the opening remarks and state of the industry speech for you starting at 8am MST. On the stage will be Renewable Fuels Association Chairman, Chuck Woodside and President/CEO Bob Dinneen. After their remarks I’ll post the audio and recorded video for you as soon as I …
Gaining A Better Understanding of the Ethanol Industry
The Chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association is Chuck Woodside, KAAPA Ethanol, LLC. He gave everyone a welcoming speech prior to the start of today’s golf tournament. I spoke with him during breakfast. Chuck says he brings a lot of people from his company to the conference to gain a broader understanding of what’s been accomplished over the last year …
Preview of National Ethanol Conference
The National Ethanol Conference in now underway in Phoenix, AZ. Cindy and I are here and will bringing you all the action. We started out cool and wet for this morning’s golf tournament. The course remains open all afternoon for those who want to complete their round. I sat down with Bob Dinneen, CEO, Renewable Fuels Association for our annual …
Oil Scores a Victory in House, Ethanol Continues Battle
In an update to a story posted earlier this week, in a late night vote the House of Representatives have approved provisions that would block the implementation of E15 into the marketplace. Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK) presented a provision to the House Continuing Resolution (a short-term resolution that would fund the government through the end of this year) that would …