People are still talking about Chrysler Group’s Super Bowl ad that highlighted the importance of America’s farmers, and today more than 100 Iowans have signed a letter urging Chrysler to recommend the use of E15 in its new vehicles. According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), higher blends of ethanol, such as E15, are necessary to maintain the farm …
Most Entertaining Panels at Ethanol Conference
As always, the Global Perspectives and Washington Insiders panels at the National Ethanol Conference were as entertaining as ever. The panels routinely feature representatives from other organizations that may not share the same viewpoint of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), allowing the opportunity for some interesting dialogue. Global Renewable Fuels Alliance spokesperson Bliss Baker served as the moderator/referee for the …
U.S. Needs to Open Cars to Fuel Competition
Anne Korin, co-author of “Turning Oil into Salt,” and the new book “Petropoly,” gave a thought provoking presentation during the 7th Annual Renewable Fuels Summit hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Korin is the co-director for the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, a think tank focused on energy and security, that she says takes no money …
BIO, Fuels America Talk 2013 RFS
As the ethanol industry awaits what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release for targets for this year’s Renewable Fuels Standard, members of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and Fuels America expressed their support for the green fuel. BIO‘s Executive Vice President, Brent Erickson, said today in a news conference that they are expecting EPA’s release of the 2013 …
Appeals Court Denies Challenge to 15% Ethanol
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today denied petitions for rehearing in the case of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, et al. v. EPA, which challenges the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to allowing commercial sales of 15% ethanol (E15). “Today’s order leaves in place an earlier decision by the Court denying challenges to the …
AFPM Updates RFS Cellulosic Waiver Petition
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) kicked off the year with a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive the 2012 cellulosic biofuel mandate. The organization says the biofuel industry has repeatedly failed to produce the cellulosic biofuel needed to meet the government mandate under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). On January 9, 2012, EPA announced the …
API’s Crusade Against Ethanol Continues
Yesterday the American Petroleum Industry (API) released its annual “State of American Energy” report. The release of the report was part of an event where API President and CEO Jack Gerard gave an energy highlight speech. Following the event, Tom Buis, CEO of ethanol industry organization Growth Energy, said that Gerard’s speech brought nothing new to table. Buis said that …
Two Solar Projects Kick Off in South Africa
Two ground-mounted solar power projects totaling 33 megawatts are underway in South Africa, a joint venture between AE-AMD Renewable Energy and Tenesol, a subsidiary of SunPower. Tenesol will construct both projects, located near Douglas, South Africa in the Northern Cape Province. The ground-mounted solar systems will feature 138,000 Tenesol TE 240 photovoltaic solar panels on single-axis trackers. The solar panels are …
Free Biodiesel Chemistry Kits for Teachers
The Indiana Soybean Alliance is offering high school teachers free Soy Biodiesel Chemistry Kits. The kits were developed by Purdue University researchers in partnership with education professionals with funding from ISA and the Indiana soybean checkoff organization. Indiana science teachers can receive the kit free as part of ISA’s program. The kit was first released in 2005 and is now …
European Committee Proposes US Ethanol Tax
The Antidumping Advisory Committee, composed of representatives from member states of the European Union, has reportedly endorsed a 9.6 percent penalty on U.S. ethanol exports to Europe. In response to the announcement, a joint statement was released by Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association. “This is simply one step in an ongoing process. While the Antidumping Advisory Committee has …