RAND National Defense Research Institute has released a study today amidst a firestorm of criticism with many claiming that the report sounds like an advertisement for the coal industry. The study, commissioned by the Department of Defense, was to conduct an examination of alternative fuels for military applications. For the past several years, the military has been testing alternative fuels, …
Sen. Harkin Introduces “Biofuels Market Expansion Act”
U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced a new piece of legislation today, called the “Biofuels Market Expansion Act of 2011.” The bill, if passed, would ensure an increasing number of automobiles in the U.S. be flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), expands the number of blender pumps and make renewable fuel pipelines eligible for the federal loan guarantee pipeline program. The bill …
Ethanol Industry Pleased with EPA Decision
Ethanol industry groups are pleased that the Environmental Protection Agency has decided that blends of 15% ethanol are safe for use in all cars and pickups built in 2001 and later. Growth Energy filed the original waiver back in 2009 to raise the regulatory cap on the ethanol blend from 10 percent to 15 percent to create more jobs and …
Michigan Ethanol Delegation Hits the Hill
A delegation of representing Michigan ethanol producers hit Capitol Hill on Thursday for a series of meetings with members of Congress and their staff. The fly-in, organized by Growth Energy, was designed to educate lawmakers about the benefits of ethanol. The Michigan delegation includes David Gloer and Don Morse with POET Biorefining-Caro, Gary Lazarski of Carbon Green BioEnergy and Steve …
With a Little Help From My Friends
I’m feeling a bit nostalgic this first week of 2011 for the days of affordable energy prices, environmentalists who still understood change for the greater good and for a biofuels industry that not only got along but were actually friends. We’re only four days into the new year and some energy economists have declared that $3.00 per gallon gas prices …
Best of 2010 on Domestic Fuel
2010 was a year of ups and downs for the domestic renewable energy industry, which kept your Domestic Fuel reporters busy. One of the ups was traffic here on Domestic Fuel. We had a total of more than 315,000 unique visitors in 2010, up 17 percent from 2009. Your reporters did 1537 posts this year, including 160 with audio interviews, …
Will Biogenic Emission Regulation Curb Biomass Growth?
According to the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO), the inclusion of biomass emissions (biogenic carbon emissions) in the EPA’s Clean Air Act greenhouse gas permitting program hinders growth of renewable energy. However, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is countering their argument saying that there is public data on investments in biomass showing that it is in fact growing. The …
$5 Gas Prices On the Horizon
According to former president of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, Americans will be paying $5 per gallon for gas by 2012 due to growing demand for oil, tighter supplies and inadequate responses by the U.S. government. His remarks were made during his appearance on Platts Energy Week television. Not necessarily news Americans want to hear as gas prices have been on …
Restarting Idled Biodiesel Plants Could Pose Problems
The renewal of the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax incentive is giving some idled biodiesel plants new life, but a biodiesel consultant is warning that there are some risks to consider. Wayne Lee, principal owner of Lee Enterprises biodiesel consulting group in Little Rock, Arkansas, says one area producers need to consider is Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS): “While the EPA allows …
Engine Makers Challenge EPA Over E15 Ruling
A newly formed group of engine manufacturers is challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant a partial waiver approving the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E-15) for 2007 model year and newer passenger cars and light trucks. The Engine Products Group, made up of several automobile, marine and small engine manufacturing organizations, filed a petition today …