Small Biodiesel Maker Closing Indicative of RFS Problem

John Davis

While the closing of one small biodiesel maker in California might not seem like big news, it’s certainly indicative of the problems facing the industry, big and small producers alike. This story from the Ukiah (CA) Daily Journal says that Yokayo Biofuels, which turned waste cooking oil into biodiesel, has closed. [Kumar Plocher, Yokayo Biofuels’ CEO] says the biggest reason …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA, RFS, sorghum, USDA

East Kansas’ Jeff Oestmann Featured on Car Clinic

Joanna Schroeder

The ethanol industry was well represented on the nationally syndicated car-talk program “Bobby Likis Car Clinic” when Bobby Likis spoke with East Kansas Agri-Energy’s President and CEO Jeff Oestmann. The show aired Saturday, October 11, 2014 and the two ethanol advocates chatted about local, regional and national issues surrounding ethanol production. Oestmann, whose career spans 20 years in the bioenergy …

biofuels, Education, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Energy, RFS

State of the Advanced Biofuels Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Advanced Biofuels Conference & Expo opened with a conversation about the current state of important federal biofuels policies, including the status of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Among those on the opening panel was Michael McAdams, founder and president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, who talked first about the state of his industry. “There’s an old expression ‘you’re …

advanced biofuels, Audio, biofuels, Cellulosic, RFS

Crop Report Underscores Need for Market Certainty

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released new corn crop estimates that confirm another record setting corn crop and after accounting for the surplus after all demands are met, will hit a 10-year high. The WASDE report predicts the final 2014 corn crop at 14.48 billion bushels based on a record average yield of 174.2 bushels per acre In …

biofuels, corn, Ethanol, RFA, RFS

Fuels America Is Spilling the ‘Oil’

Joanna Schroeder

Fuels America is spilling the oil detailing the amount of money Big Oil has spent to “rig the political system” with lobbyists and campaign cash since 2008. Using data from opensecrets.org, the oil industry has spent more than $1.1 billion, $961 million lobbying Congress and $146 million in campaign contributions. This equates to more than $2 million for each member …

EPA, Ethanol, Fuels America, Oil, RFS

Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association Working for You

Joanna Schroeder

The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association is working on behalf of the biofuels industry and consumers throughout Minnesota. With several successes under their belt, the Association has identified several more goals they would like to achieve on behalf of the biofuels industry over the next few years. “We are hopeful the next two years will lead us into opportunities to develop higher …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Education, Environment, Ethanol, RFS

Ethanol Report with New RFA Chairman

Cindy Zimmerman

Randall Doyal, General Manager and CEO of Minnesota-based Al-Corn Clean Fuel, is the new Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Doyal’s plant located in Claremont, Minnesota opened in 1996 and now produces 50 million gallons annually. In this interview, he talks about some of the challenges and opportunities facing the ethanol industry in the …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Exports, RFA, RFS, transportation

Governors’ Biofuels Coalition: Restore RFS

Joanna Schroeder

The Governors’ Biofuels Coalition has sent a letter to the Obama Administration urging action on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and for the restoration of biofuel levels as designated by the mandate. This, the group said, will protect consumer choice, ensure jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil. The initiative was led by Governor Pat Quinn and Iowa Governor Terry …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

Fuels America Campaign Focuses on Nat’l Security

Joanna Schroeder

As the U.S. government fights ISIS, this week oil fields became a target in the war on terror Fuels America is running a new series of ads online, radio, cable and in the Washington, D.C. market. The ads tell the public and decision makers that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could end American’s addiction to foreign oil. The radio ads …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Fuels America, RFS, Video