The biofuels industry received an early holiday present yesterday when the House of Representatives voted to restore $2 billion to the alternative loan guarantee program that was borrowed to fund the Cash for Clunkers program. However the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), while pleased to see the funds returned, noted that this is just one step among many that are needed …
RFA Questions CARB on LCFS Issues
The Low Carbon Fuel Standard is set to go into effect in less than two weeks yet there are concerns among the ethanol industry that regulations will be implemented without having the appropriate reporting and compliance tools in place. Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association submitted a letter earlier this week to Dean Simeroth, Chief of …
RFA Seeks Fairer Test of Ethanol by UL
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is concerned about testing of the nation’s gasoline pumps currently underway by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) that is using what the group calls “aggressive ethanol” intended to accelerate any potential issues that may arise with the use of higher ethanol blends. According to RFA, this “aggressive ethanol” misrepresents the fuel ethanol found in the market today. …
Ethanol Industry Leader Honored by ASTM
ASTM International has honored a long time ethanol industry expert with its Award of Excellence. Robert Reynolds of Downstream Alternatives received the award for his “outstanding and dedicated contributions to fuel standards development and as a consensus builder within ASTM between ethanol and petroleum interests.” Reynolds, pictured here at the 2007 National Ethanol Conference, was a founding member of the …
Flex-Fuel Photo Challenge: Cutest Kid
The E85 Flex-Fuel Challenge, a contest by the Renewable Fuels Association, is offering a lucky winner a pretty nice holiday present. The cutest kid photo will win a year’s supply of fuel. Here’s how it works. • Take the most adorable or funny snapshot of your child. • Submit the photo by midnight on January 5th. • Vote for your …
RFA Questions EPA Decision on Increasing Ethanol Blend Level
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is seeking more clarification from EPA on its apparent focus on vehicles model year 2001 and newer when it comes to increasing the allowable ethanol blend level in gasoline to 15 percent. Such a limitation could potentially limit once again the market for ethanol by excluding some 40% of the vehicle market and causing both …
TomTom GPS Finds 85 Percent Ethanol Fuel
The “smart choice in personal navigation” just got smarter. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has released a new GPS application for TomTom users that maps out the location of E85 stations for flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) drivers. RFA also released a similar GPS application for the Garmin GPS device last week. “We are continuing to explore new ways to connect the …
RFA: EPA Needs to Avoid Paralysis by Analysis
The EPA received more than 80,000 comments regarding the E15 waiver and with responses coming in a tidal wave, there may well be another 80,000 more. Yesterday, the EPA submitted a letter to “postpone” making a decision regarding the E15 waiver petition. “This delay from EPA threatens to paralyze the continued growth of the American ethanol industry because of its …
Ethanol Industry Reacts to EPA Decision
Ethanol industry groups are reacting to the announcement this morning from the Environmental Protection Agency that may be another six months before a final decision can be made on increasing the allowable ethanol content in fuel to 15 percent. Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters that filed the Green Jobs Waiver seeking E15, is optimistic that the agency …
Ethanol Industry Waiting on EPA Decision
December 1 is the deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency to issue a decision on the waiver to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in regular gasoline and the industry is anxiously awaiting a positive outcome. The waiver request was submitted by Growth Energy and an alliance of ethanol producer organizations and companies in early March and by law EPA …