An oil refiner has dropped a lawsuit against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) challenging a regulation that would boost ethanol consumption in the state by 2010.
According to a story in the Sacramento Business Journal, Tesoro Corporation dropped the lawsuit after a judge denied the company’s request for a temporary injunction to delay a new gasoline standard set to take effect next year which would increase the percentage of ethanol required to be blended into gasoline sold in California from 5.7 percent to 10 percent. The company claims that the standard is in conflict with a state law that calls for a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions because some studies suggest the production of ethanol increases greenhouse gas emissions.
The paper reports that Judge Timothy Frawley said he was not persuaded that Tesoro would prevail on the merits of its case at trial or that the company would suffer “irreparable harm” from the new standard. He also said a 1999 environmental evaluation that assessed impacts of using ethanol in amounts up to 10 percent was sufficient to meet state health code.
Tesoro is an independent oil refining and marketing company which operates two refineries in California.
The drive toward higher blends of ethanol in gasoline is accelerating and the 
According to the report, “U.S. corn ending stocks for 2008/09 are projected 50 million bushels lower this month as higher ethanol use more than offsets a reduction in exports. Corn use for ethanol is projected 100 million bushels higher on indications of improving blender incentives and higher ethanol use. Blender margins have become increasingly favorable since late February as gasoline prices have risen relative to those for ethanol. A continuing recovery in weekly production of gasoline blends with ethanol is also supportive of ethanol demand as are the latest data on ethanol production, imports, and stocks which indicate record use in December.”
A Kansas biodiesel and ethanol seller has been recognized for its efforts to sell the green fuels in a station that reflects that commitment to a better environment.
Many fuel retailers have begun offering blends between 10 percent and 85 percent ethanol for flexible fuel vehicles. The 
These labels are offered at a member rate and non-member rate. The coalition also offers the mandatory pump labeling for these blends. Besides blend pump labels, the NEVC offers a complete “pump imaging package” for E85 fueling stations. A listing of all items offered for pump labeling can be found by clicking 
An Illinois-based technology services company recently unveiled a new set of “2nd Generation” technologies aimed at increasing the sustainability and profitability of corn-based ethanol plants. 
In addition, 
“Our view is that we can get to 12 to 13 percent by just simply understanding that it’s significantly not much different than 10 percent, it’s an insignificant difference, and under the rules and regulations EPA could do that,” Vilsack said Monday. “If you get to 15 percent or higher, there may be more review required, and we appreciate that. But the help is needed now.” 
You may not have heard about Phibro Ethanol Performance Group but what they offer is what they believe is the top performing 
As margins continue to be tight in the ethanol industry, I asked Slunecka to give the industry some advice when it comes to choosing products and services for their plants. “Just like how consumers purchase automobiles, the time is right to be selective in the products they choose and the services they ask for,” answered Slunecka. “It’s vital that all inputs be maximized in order to generate the greatest return on investment.” 
Even amid a recession, this tax credit “is going to blow the top off the market,” said Ron Stimmel, a “small-wind” advocate with the American Wind Energy Association.