Did you know that the oldest, continuous tax subsidy for oil companies was enacted by Congress in 1913, making 2013 the 100th year of federal tax subsidies specific to the oil industry? Shouldn’t this event garner a party? The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) thought so and on March 14, 2013 held a …

Signs in DC Point to Keeping the RFS
More than 60 ethanol advocates from more than a dozen states are in DC today meeting with members of Congress and other key influencers to talk about why the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) needs to stay intact, and about the benefits of E15. Brian Jennings, executive vice president for ACE said one of the best parts of the day was …
Big Oil “Century of Subsidies” Birthday Party in DC
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is teaming up with the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) during their annual Biofuels Beltway March fly-in in Washington, D.C. to hold a celebration for Big Oil. Monte Shaw, executive director of IRFA, said they decided it would be a great time to hold a birthday party to celebrate the oldest, continuous oil subsidy, …
Ethanol – The Biggest Rural Success Story
According to Robert White, the Market Development Director for the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol is the biggest rural success story for American farmers in the past decade. White discussed with Jamie Johansen how ethanol has been a boon for farmers during the 2013 Commodity Classic held last week in Kissimmee, Florida. Most farmers, says White, understand what impact ethanol has …
D.C. Fly-in Just Around the Corner
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is gearing up to meet with nearly 100 of our country’s legislators during its annual Biofuels Beltway Fly-in being held in Washington, D.C. March 13-14, 2013. To date, ACE has requested meetings with 100 Senate offices and key House members. As ACE Executive Director Brian Jennings noted to DF early this month, a signification …
EcoEngineers Offers Help with RIN & RFS Compliance
Navigating the regulatory compliance path of the Renewable Fuels Standard and the associated Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) can be a daunting task for ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuel producers. During the recent Iowa Renewable Fuels Associaton’s conference, Joanna caught up with Jim Ramm (pictured in the middle of the group) with EcoEngineers, a Des Moines-based firm that offers technical …
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy Receives EPA Certification
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy has received a renewable fuels certification (RFS2) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its proposed 65 million gallon per year biorefinery that will produce ethanol, distillers grains and fuel-grade corn oil at the Spiritwood Energy Park near Jamestown, North Dakota. Under the EPA’s revised Renewable Fuel Standard, cornstarch-based ethanol production facilities built after 2007 are …
Advanced Biofuel Orgs Set Record Straight
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is currently engaging in an all-out attack on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the advanced biofuel industry is continuing to fight back. Last month, the Court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider the cellulosic biofuels obligations. In response, API is pressuring the EPA to actually zero out the 2012 obligation, according to …
Best DC Fly-In Ever!
Saying that the American Coalition for Ethanol’s (ACE) DC Fly-In will be the best ever may be a bit premature but not if I can help it. The fifth annual event will happen on Wednesday, March 13 and Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Washington, D.C. where ACE members and other ethanol supports will descend on the Hill and tell the …
RIN Fraud Not an Issue
According to RINAlliance, RIN fraud is not an issue for clients due to a long-standing strategic partnership with EcoEngineers. Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) are used to track each gallon of a biofuel as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released proposed rules as part of the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard that addresses potential …