New Corn Ethanol Land Use Study Released

Joanna Schroeder

thomasdarlingtonIndirect land-use affects of corn-based ethanol would be “small” reported Thomas Darlington, with Air Improvement Resource, Inc., today during a special press conference as part of the National Ethanol Conference. Darlington has been working with RFA to help legislators, in particular the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) better understand Land-Use Change. Indirect land use research is still in its infancy in terms of the scientific research behind the issue.

The ethanol industry is still awaiting the EPA RFS2 ruling on indirect land-use’s role in greenhouse gas effects, and CARB is scheduled to hold a hearing on their final report on April 23-24th. The industry has been working hard to work with organizations to ensure that legislation is not put into place, based on speculation, that would prohibit the growth of biofuels.

Originally, land use change impact was estimated to be large. But Darlington points out that the earlier studies don’t take into effect yield improvements and “land use credits” from the use of distillers grains. His research also lays out a “philosophical” assumption that if the U.S. exports are constant or increasing even with ethanol, no international land use effects should be assigned to corn ethanol. This was derived from reviewing past research including Argonne National Labs last Fall. In essence, Darlington’s research proves that when taking these elements into account, corn ethanol has a very small impact on land use change and GHGs. 

You can listen to Darlington’s comments here: [audio:http://www.ethanolrfa.org/ethanolreport/audio/nec09-darlington.mp3]

To read the full report, go to RFA’s website.

See photos from the National Ethanol Conference here.

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Petroleum Gives Keynote Address to Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

The vice president of the American Petroleum Institute provided the keynote address at the 14th Annual National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio on Tuesday.

Jim FordIntroducing Jim Ford with API, Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen stressed the importance of working with the petroleum industry. “They’re our customers, they’re the ones bringing our product to the consumer, so we have to work constructively with them,” said Dinneen.

Ford filled in at the last minute for API president and CEO Jack Gerard, who is preparing for a Congressional hearing in Washington tomorrow. “The U.S. oil and natural gas industry understands and appreciates ethanol’s role in the national gasoline marketplace,” said Ford. “Our industry is the largest consumer of ethanol and a key player in increasing it’s use.” Ford also noted that many petroleum companies are directly engaged in the ethanol business, including BP and Shell.

Ford said the current economic crisis underscores the need for both industries to work together. “If we get it right, we can get our country on the road to economic recovery and ensure that we have the energy supplies that we will need in the decades ahead,” he concluded.


See photos from the National Ethanol Conference here.

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Small Engine Challenge for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

As the ethanol industry pushes towards higher level blends, one of the biggest challenges will be small engines.

Kris KiserKris Kiser, Executive Vice President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, spoke to the National Ethanol Conference on a Marketing Higher Level Blends panel.

“We are not anti-ethanol,” said Kiser. “We are simply concerned about the welfare and well being of the consumers of our products.” Those products include some 300-400 million lawn mowers, chain saws, trimmers, boats, etc.

Kiser stressed the need for educating the public about the use of higher ethanol blends in small engines and pointed out the problems with warranty protection and potential lawsuits.

He pledged to work with the industry to find ways to use higher level blends of ethanol safely in small engine products.


See photos from the National Ethanol Conference here.

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

State of Ethanol Industry Still Strong

Cindy Zimmerman

The state of the U.S. ethanol industry is still strong, despite significant challenges, according to Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association.

Bob Dinneen“Some look at what we’re up against and see “an industry in crisis.” I look at what we’re up against and see an industry with the perseverance and determination to succeed,” said Dinneen in his annual address this morning at the National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio.

Dinneen outlined the accomplishments of the industry in the past year, including record production at more than nine billion gallons, economic growth of 34 percent, another 240,000 jobs, and 85 percent operating capacity despite recent plant closures.

Acknowledging the challenges facing the industry, Dinneen called for unity – both in the United States ethanol business and internationally. “Our industry must reject division and approach the challenges that face us all with the same spirit of cooperation, dedication and vigor that has always served us well,” he said. Dinneen also announced that the national ethanol trade associations of Canada, Europe and the United States are joining together in a Global Alliance to educate and promote ethanol in international forums.

You can listen to Bob’s speech here: [audio:http://www.ethanolrfa.org/ethanolreport/audio/nec09-dinneen-open.mp3]

At about 1800, attendance at the National Ethanol Conference is down less than organizers expected compared to last year, and those who are at the meeting continue to be optimistic about the future of the industry.


See photos from the National Ethanol Conference here.

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, News, RFA

Book Review – The First Billion is the Hardest

Joanna Schroeder

tboonepickensWith the economy in the toilet, I thought I’d get a little inspiration from T. Boone Pickens’ book, “The First Billion is the Hardest.” I don’t know about you, but for me the first million is still eluding me…. Pickens was originally known as an oil guy, but today is best known for his role in promoting wind energy and natural gas in the automotive sector. He is also the single largest owner of water rights in Texas (a commodity he is hoping to make millions on).  One other thing he is known for is his lack of support for biofuels such as ethanol—although he cedes he rather support biofuels than pay trillions of dollars for oil from the Middle East.

The majority of his book travails his business life and it is heartening to learn that he both succeeded and failed in his ventures. Ironically, he was out of oil and in his late 70s when he actually made his first billion. But at the end of the book, he briefly lays out his energy plan.

However, before he does that, he has a message for those of you who think we can domestically drill our way out of our oil problem. Consider Pickens’ three rules of energy:

1)    The cost of finding oil and gas is always higher than you originally think.
2)    Oil and gas always take longer than expected to get on production.
3)    Discoveries are never as large as producers originally think.Read More

book reviews

Live Chat From NEC

Chuck Zimmerman

We’ll be posting comments here from the opening general session at the NEC. You can also watch the opening speech in the post below.

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

National Ethanol Conference Open Live

Chuck Zimmerman

Tune in live a few minutes after 8am Central time for Bob Dinneen’s opening speech streamed live here from the National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio. We’ll post the speech afterward for you as well. When our broadcast is live just click on the player below to view it.

Post Update: Here’s the recorded video from our live stream this morning of RFA’s opening general session speech by President, Bob Dinneen:

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

State of Ethanol Industry Live

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2009 State of the Ethanol Industry report will be webcast live on the Renewable Fuels Association Ethanol Report blog – http://www.ethanolrfa.org/ethanolreport/ – and on Domestic Fuel beginning at 8:15 am central time. The address will be made by RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen from the National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio, TX.

Ethanol, RFA

Texas Company About to Offer Rooftop Wind Turbines

John Davis

buildturbinesAn Austin, Texas company says it is about ready to offer wind turbines that can be installed on top of buildings… not just open fields.

This story from KVUE-TV in Austin says Building Turbines hopes to cash in on the need for alternative energy, while making use of urban areas and high-rise buildings:

“The blades are UV-protected, sail-type material that you would walk on like a catamaran,” said John Graham, company owner. “We can actually engineer it to tear in high winds. So if there is a hurricane or tornado you could engineer it to tear at 59 miles per hour if you want.”

Graham has been working with his two sons to perfect the turbine. They can monitor the energy the wind turbine produces from their offices below.

The final prototype was finished in early 2009, and it costs around $23,000. Graham says it should pay for itself in about five years.

The turbines are also built low to the roof surface. “They have yet to kill a bird, and it’s quiet. Our offices are right below it and it doesn’t bother anybody,” he said.

This isn’t the first rooftop wind turbine to hit the market. As you might remember from my post back on August 13, 2008, JCPenney installed BroadStar’s unique wind turbines at its massive 1.6 million-square-foot distribution center in Reno, Nevada. But in my opinion, the more in the wind energy business, the merrier.

You can see a short clip of how Building Turbines wind turbines work here:

Wind

Obama Nominates EPA Deputy

Cindy Zimmerman

cannonPresident Barack Obama on Monday announced his intention to nominate Jon Cannon for Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a position that will play an important role in implementing the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Cannon is currently a professor of environmental law as well as the director of the Environmental and Land Use Law Program at the University of Virginia. He also served at the Environmental Protection Agency during three previous administrations – Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton – eventually rising to general counsel.

Cannon must still be confirmed by the Senate.

Government