In this edition of “The Ethanol Report,” we hear from Geoff Cooper, Vice President of Research and Analysis for the Renewable Fuels Association, about what is right and what is wrong with the rule for the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard released early last month by the Environmental Protection Agency. The good news is that the RFS2 improves upon the rule …
Response to Expanded Biofuels Production Study
The National Research Council (NRC) is currently conducting an ongoing study on the impacts of expanded biofuel production. NRC, which is part of the National Academy of Sciences, hosted a workshop last week to receive feedback from people on both sides of the debate. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) represented the ethanol industry and Geoff Cooper, RFA’s Vice President of …
Advanced Biofuel Makers Call for Tax Credits
The advanced biofuels industry is putting a bug in Congress’ ear, calling for lawmakers to allow for an investment tax credit that will help advanced biofuels makers get money to get their projects up to commercial scale and become eligible for another operating credit. Biomass Magazine explains that the industry would be eligible for a federal production tax credit of …
RFA Urges Full Funding of Ethanol Fuel Research
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is urging Congress to ensure full funding of fuels research programs to provide the necessary scientific basis for increasing ethanol blending. In a letter this week to leaders of both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development, RFA President Bob Dinneen outlined concerns with the budget submitted by President Obama with …
2009 Sets Record Ethanol Production
Despite a sluggish economy and challenging growing conditions for corn farmers, ethanol production set a record once again in 2009 of more than 10.75 billion gallons. According to the latest statitstics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), ethanol production reached yet another all time high in December 2009 at 787,000 barrels per day, even though ethanol demand, as calculated …
Ethanol Pipeline No Longer Pipe Dream
Kinder Morgan is getting ethanol moving through the pipeline. Those attending the Renewable Fuels Association 15th annual National Ethanol Conference in Orlando last month had the opportunity to see the Kinder Morgan terminal in Orlando and hear about the first pipeline in the country to provide commercial ethanol deliveries. “We now have the capability of handling 100 percent of the …
Ethanol Industry Donates to Haiti Relief
Members of the Renewable Fuels Association have donated more than $70,000 to the American Red Cross to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti. RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen announced the donation during a luncheon at last week’s National Ethanol Conference in Orlando. “The story may have slipped from the front pages of the newspaper, but it has not …
Ethanol Song Parody
A trio of ethanol industry executives showed their creative side as the live entertainment during the Tuesday night reception at the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference last week. “Green Floyd” is made up of Frontline Bioenergy CEO Bill Lee, Neil Koehler with Pacific Ethanol and bioenergy consultant Paul Kamp. The group played a variety of songs from blues to …
Exciting Enzymes at Ethanol Conference
Three different companies announced the introduction of new enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production at this week’s National Ethanol Conference in Orlando. Novozymes made the biggest splash with its Cellic® CTec2 for the production of biofuel from agricultural waste, but the other two are no less significant in the race towards commercialization of advanced biofuels. Verenium Corporation‘s new introduction into the …
CME Announces Ethanol Co-Product Futures Contracts
The futures hold a new climate of opportunity for corn, ethanol and livestock producers. CME Group this week announced the launch of Distillers’ Dried Grain agricultural commodity futures contracts, scheduled to begin trading April 26. Information about the new contract was released during the Renewable Fuels Association’s National Ethanol Conference in Orlando where CME Group was a sponsor. Distillers’ Dried …