The nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the country that leads the global clean economy and America must be that nation,” said President Obama tonight during his first State of the Union address. “I will not accept second place.” There were several major focuses of his speech including the support of small businesses, building a stronger financial …
Obama Talks Clean Energy But Little About Renewables
If renewable energy advocates had hoped for a big mention during Pres. Barack Obama’s first State of the Union address, they probably are walking away from tonight’s speech feeling a bit left out. While the president did make quick mentions of solar, biofuels and clean energy, Obama did not unveil any grand plan to use renewable energy to help move …
Sioux Falls Gets Ethanol Blender Pumps
Motorists in Sioux Falls, SD now have more fuel choices at the pump with the installation of four new ethanol blender pumps at a Kings Mart gas station in the city. Through a joint effort between the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC), the station now offers a variety of fuel blends including …
Another Exciting Year for Ethanol
2010 promises to be another exciting year for ethanol, according to Matt Hartwig with the Renewable Fuels Association. “Like the last two, three, four years in the industry, 2010 promises to fulfill on excitement,” he says in this edition of “The Ethanol Report” podcast. That includes work on extending the blenders tax credit, increasing the ethanol blend level, implementing the …
Wildlife Report Picks and Chooses Data
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has analyzed a new report out from the National Wildlife Federation on “Corn Ethanol and Wildlife” and found it lacking in accuracy. The University of Michigan study released last week claims to show “how government incentives for corn ethanol are driving farmers to shift land into corn production, resulting in significant decreases in grassland bird …
Ethanol Groups React to California LCFS Approval
Ethanol advocacy organizations challenging California’s low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) are disappointed with approval for implementation this week by the state’s Office of Administrative Law (OAL). “Pursuing this strategy runs counter to the stated goals of Governor Schwarzenegger and the State Assembly to reduce carbon emissions from motor vehicles,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen. “As crafted, the LCFS …
Record Corn Crop for 2009
There may still be corn left standing in the snow, but USDA says the 2009 corn crop was a record setter. In today’s crop production summary report, USDA projects U.S. corn production at a record 13.2 billion bushels, up from 12.9 billion bushels projected in USDA’s December forecast and 1 percent above the previous record of 13.0 billion bushels set …
Ethanol Group Critical of Biofuels Policy Paper
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling the new policy paper by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy released this week a continuation of “the orchestrated campaign to limit, and ultimately eliminate, the use of biofuels to displace foreign oil.” The report, which was funded by Chevron Technology Ventures, concludes that “the current U.S. biofuels program that promotes corn-based …
Keynote Speaker Announced for Ethanol Conference
The keynote speaker for next month’s 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference will address the issue of using mid-level ethanol blends from the automobile industry perspective. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has announced that Thomas G. Stephens, General Motors Vice President for Global Product Operations, will keynote the conference in Orlando on February 15-17. “The importance of a cooperative and constructive …
The Ethanol Decade
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling the decade of the 2000’s “the era when biofuels came of age.” The ethanol advocacy organization reflects on the last ten years: As we prepare to begin a new decade, the Renewable Fuels Association is taking just a moment to look back at the decade that saw ethanol emerge as the leading renewable …