President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that the United States and Canada will collaborate on developing clean energy technology to combat climate change. It was the only concrete agreement to come out of the first meeting between the two leaders this week. Prior to the meeting, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association President Gordon Quaiattini and U.S. …
Record Distillers Grains Exports
Exports of the primary by-product of ethanol production are continuing to skyrocket. According to USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service, exports of distillers grains from the United States nearly doubled last year, up more than 90% from 2007 to total 4.51 million metric tons. Distillers grains are an ethanol co-product used as livestock feed. About one-third of every bushel of corn used …
RFA Analyzes Recent Ethanol Impact Studies
This edition of “The Ethanol Report” podcast features comments from Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper about recently released studies from the University of Nebraska and the University of Minnesota regarding life cycle analysis and greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol compared to gasoline. Cooper compares the two reports and discusses RFA’s major concerns with the …
Ethanol Groups Criticize Negative Study
Ethanol industry organizations say a University of Minnesota study critical of corn ethanol is flawed. The study, which claims corn ethanol is worse for health and the environment than gasoline, was analyzed in detail by the Renewable Fuels Association. RFA warns “because there is no consensus within the academic community on the best methods for analyzing highly uncertain potential land …
Ethanol – Right Here, Right Now
The Renewable Fuels Association has released a new television ad focusing on the important role ethanol is playing in our nation’s economic, energy and environmental future by creating jobs, developing new technologies, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. In just 30 seconds, the ad entitled “Right Here, Right Now” stresses that our energy future starts at home with 180 …
Latest 2008 Ethanol Production Estimates
Ethanol production for 2008 is still expected to have exceeded the goal of nine billion gallons for the year, but not by as much as anticipated. While the industry was on track to produce about ten billion gallons for the year, the latest figures for November indicate it will be more like 9.1 billion. According to the Energy Information Administration …
Ethanol Part of Clean Energy Economy
Ethanol industry leaders are looking forward to working with the Obama administration on the creation of a “clean energy economy,” as outlined in the president’s “American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.” This edition of “The Ethanol Report” features comments from Renewable Fuels Association chairman of the board Chris Standlee of Abengoa Bioenergy and RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen on priorities …
Ethanol Industry Leader Outlines Priorities
The chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association outlined the industry’s top priorities for 2009 during a telephone press conference Tuesday morning. Chris Standlee with Abengoa Bioenergy says there are three main priorities for the industry – stimulating economic growth, increasing blend limits, and modeling life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Standlee called on Congress and the Obama administration to recognize and continue …
US Produces Enough Corn for Food and Fuel
The final 2008 corn crop estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture released today confirmed that American farmers produced the second-largest crop on record with the second highest average yield per acre in history – despite adverse weather across the Corn Belt during the early part of the growing season and a late fall harvest. Corn for grain production in …
Ethanol Industry Outlook for 2009
2008 was a year that for the most part everyone would like to forget – including those in the ethanol industry. Now that 2009 is underway, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says there are still challenges ahead for the industry – but opportunities as well. That is the subject of this edition of “The Ethanol Report” podcast …