ACE Elects 2014 Board Officers

Joanna Schroeder

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has elected its 2014 board officers this week with a continued emphasis on providing opportunities for independent ethanol producers, farmers, and grassroots advocates to innovate and succeed. Ron Alverson, founding chairman and current board member of Dakota Ethanol, a 48 million-gallon-per-year (MGY) ethanol producer in Wentworth, SD, was re-elected as President of the ACE …

ACE, biofuels, Ethanol

50,000 Wind Advocates Call for PTC Extension

Joanna Schroeder

The Production Tax Credit (PT) that provides tax incentives for the wind energy industry expired on December 31, 2013. Although there has been talk of tax reform, that would include a new formula for clean energy tax incentives, more than 50,000 citizens are urging Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) to making a renewing the PTC one of his biggest priorities. Sen. …

Alternative energy, Legislation, Wind

Study Finds U.S. Solar Jobs Grew 20% in 2013

Joanna Schroeder

The Solar Foundation (TSF) has released its fourth annual National Solar Jobs Census, which found that the U.S. solar industry employed 142,698 Americans in 2013. This figure includes the addition of 23,682 solar jobs over the previous year, representing a 19.9 percent growth in employment since September 2012. Solar employment grew 10 times faster than the national average employment growth …

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Electricity, Solar

Texas Researchers Turning Yeast into Biodiesel

John Davis

Everything might be bigger in Texas, but some scientists in the state are looking to tiny yeast cells to yield big feedstocks for biodiesel. This news release from the University of Texas at Austin says researchers at the Cockrell School of Engineering have developed genetically engineered yeast cells to produce the lipids to go into biodiesel production. Assistant professor Hal …

Biodiesel, Research, University

Appeals Court Denies California LCFS Appeal

Cindy Zimmerman

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied rehearing en banc a ruling last year which upheld California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), leaving the ethanol industry and others challenging the law to consider the next move. In a joint statement, ethanol producer groups Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) called the decision “a blow to California …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA

Boeing Looks to Get Green Diesel Approval

John Davis

Aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing wants the government to approve its plan of using renewable or “green” diesel. This story from TriplePundit.com says the company is appealing to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other stakeholders to get permission to fly its planes on biodiesel’s close (but chemically different) cousin. “Boeing wants to establish new pathways for sustainable jet fuel, …

aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, green diesel

Hearing in the Heartland: Supporting the RFS

Joanna Schroeder

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 …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, EPA, Ethanol, RFS

RFS Road Show Kicks Off in Iowa

Joanna Schroeder

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 …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

And the Experts Keep On A Comin

Joanna Schroeder

The 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and Trade Show is just around the corner (January 28, 2014) and the list of experts keeps on a comin. The event’s host, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), has announced a new panel, “The Future Engine Technology Enhanced by Ethanol and Biodiesel” that will feature two experts on future engine designs and …

automotive, Biodiesel, biofuels, conferences, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

ACORE Names Four to Board of Directors

John Davis

Four new members are joining the Board of Directors for the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE). This news release from the group that advocates for a variety of renewable energy solutions says Dan Adler, Matt Cheney, Kathleen Weiss and Michael Ware were elected to fill vacancies on the board. “ACORE directly benefits from the impressive credentials, experience, and industry …

Renewable Energy