Two former members of Congress talked about attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard at the National Biodiesel Conference this week in San Diego. Former Democrat Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, now a DC policy advisory, says the EPA proposal to lower RFS volume obligations this year is inexplicable. “The Obama Administration has always supported renewable fuels,” he said during …
Lowering RFS Impact on Advanced Biofuels
Cellulosic and advanced biofuels producers are very concerned that the EPA proposal to lower 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets will have a chilling effect on investment in the next generation of renewable fuels. “Frankly, we have decided that we are placing a hold on our evaluations of future investment in bioenergy in the United States until we see what …
Bi-Partisan Group Protests EPA Biofuels Reductions
A bi-partisan group of lawmakers is calling on the government to end its proposal to reduce the amount of ethanol and biodiesel that will be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply. Led by Democratic Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem (SD-AL), the group has sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the agency’s proposal …
Hearing in the Heartland: Supporting the RFS
Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds are leading a group of senior state officials from Iowa and the Midwest to organize and host a public hearing allowing citizens outside of Washington, D.C., the opportunity to testify about the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Hearing the Heartland: Supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard,” will be held at Hall …
RFS Road Show Kicks Off in Iowa
A Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) road show is kicking off in Iowa on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 to highlight the importance of Iowa’s renewable fuels industry. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will be encouraging Iowans to comment on a proposal by the EPA that would significantly lower the levels of ethanol and biodiesel that are mandated to be blended …
VoteVets Expands RFS Ad Campaign
VoteVets has expanded its television campaign in support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The ads began in Iowa earlier this month and have now expanded into Nebraska. The ads are also airing in Washington, D.C. The ad airing in Nebraska features Iraq War Veteran, Michael Connolly, making the case that gutting the Renewable Fuel Standard would allow for a …
New Illinois Farm Bureau Prez: RFS Top Priority
Members of the American Farm Bureau Federation have met in San Antonio, Texas, where they have been talking AFBF policy. And the new Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert says ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) remains the top priority for farmers in his state and the region. “Midwest farmers have worked so hard and so long to get …
Corn Stocks and Ethanol Use Increased
The newest supply and demand estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms a record corn harvest in 2013 of just under 14 billion bushels and an increased in usage of corn for ethanol. USDA’s World Agricultural Supply Demand Estimate for January 10 projects corn use for 2013/14 higher with feed and residual use projected up 100 million bushels based …
Senator Hopeful About RFS
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is hopeful the Environmental Protection Agency will make some changes in the proposed volume requirements for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard this year. “I just hope that the EPA will work with us, work with the industry, in a way that is realistic and grounded in the view that this is an industry that’s here …
Ethanol Brings People Home
Patriot Renewable Fuels‘ General Manager Rick Vondra came home seven years ago when he began working with the biorefinery. He grew up about 80 miles north of Annawan, Illinois on the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Since high school he has been working in the agriculture industry and has traveled around the world in his various roles with ag companies. But now because …