“Today, Iowa’s renewable fuels industry – the entire renewable fuels industry quite frankly – is at a fork in the road. We must decide whether to retreat, or whether to fight for victory. I know we will not retreat. It is simply not in the farmers DNA. So we fight,” said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels …
Why Chris Soules Supports Ethanol
Iowa native and farmer Chris Soules rose to fame as The Bachelor and his participation in Dancing With The Stars. He has since used his status to spread positive messages about biofuels including ethanol. I spoke with Chris recently to learn why biofuels are so important to him and why he has leveraged his notoriety in partnerships with several ag …
Biofuel Industry’s United Stand
The biofuel industry continues to maintain its united front on encouraging legislative support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) especially during the presidential campaigns. Leaders from the renewable fuels and agriculture community released a public letter to allies outlining their support for America’s Renewable Future (ARF) to protect the RFS. The letter urges Iowa voters to turn to ARF to …
Groups Sue EPA Over RFS
A coalition has sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over the final rules of the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2014, 2015 and 2016 that were finalized near the end of last year. The current levels for fuels do not meet legislative mandates for those years regardless of the fact that the biofuels industry has shown they can meet fuel volumes. …
Grasses Hold Promise for Biofuels in Midwest
A recent study shows that perennial grasses are economical biofuel crops to meet U.S. fuel goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the West will have to contribute to the biofuels market in ways other than grasses. Tara Hudiburg, an ecologist in the College of Natural Resources at University of Idaho along with researchers from the University of Illinois, Colorado …
Prez Candidates to Speak During Iowa Fuels Summit
Several presidential candidates are making the 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit a campaign stop to discuss their views on biofuels. Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina and Rick Santorum have committed to speak on January 19, 2016 in Altoona, Iowa. Twelve pro-RFS presidential candidates from both parties were invited to speak at the Summit so more candidates may confirm to attend. …
Sen. Ted Cruz’s Evolution on Ethanol
Presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz has come a long way on his view of ethanol. For the first time during a bus stop in Sioux Center, Iowa, Cruz pledged to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) through 2022 and called for an end to oil and gas production subsidies if elected president. Former Senator Jim Talent, who is now spearheading …
Ethanol Industry Responds to API’s State of Energy
Yesterday American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Jack Gerard delivered the 2016 State of American Energy Address. During the presentation he made remarks about the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), federal energy legislation that API has been a vocal opponent of since it’s inception in 2007. Citing impediment of environmental improvement and cost to consumer Gerard remarked, “For example, ignoring clear consumer preference …
Ethanol Report on 2016
A new year has dawned and with it new opportunities for the ethanol industry. In this Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen discusses some of the upcoming events in 2016, including the 21st National Ethanol Conference in New Orleans February 15-17, and comments on whether there may yet be a legal challenge by the industry …
ARF: Sen Cruz is Anti-Job, Anti-Farmer
America’s Renewable Future (ARF) will be following presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz around Iowa as he campaigns to let voters know “the truth” about his “dangerous” plans for the state’s farmers and economy. The ARF RV will be at each of Cruz’s 28 stops and community members and ARF staff will be speaking with Iowans about their final Renewable Fuel …