ACE Conference 2026

Nebraska Corn Collects 5,000 RFS Comments

Cindy Zimmerman

ne-corn-newThe Nebraska Corn Board has received over 5,000 letters expressing opposition on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to lower 2014 volume requirements for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

In early January, the Nebraska Corn Board sent out letters to Nebraska farmers alerting them of EPA’s actions and included a letter to EPA that farmers could sign. These letters were returned to the Corn Board and the Board will forward the entire stack of letters to EPA before the comment period deadline of January 28. To date, just over 5,000 letters have been returned, many with personal messages expressing the need to keep a strong renewable fuel industry and stating corn farmers can provide enough food, feed and fuel to help America be less dependent on imported oil.

“This is the greatest grassroots response in the history of the corn checkoff program since its implementation in 1978,” said Nebraska Corn Board Executive Director Don Hutchens.

The Board also distributed nearly 10,000 postcards throughout Nebraska where the recipient was asked to write a personal message and mail to EPA. They also offered the option of commenting online through a link on the Nebraska Corn Board website.

Nebraska Corn Board chairman and farmer Tim Scheer said the letters are being sent to EPA today. “Other states have mounted similar efforts to send letters to EPA,” said Scheer, noting that 4,000 letters are being sent in from Minnesota Corn and over 1,000 from Missouri Corn.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS

Why Mess with Success?

Joanna Schroeder

On the same day as the “Hearing in the Heartland” event took place in Des Moines, Iowa to gather comments to submit to the EPA regarding their 2014 proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rules, Americans United for Change launched its next in a series of TV ads asking rural Americans to join the thousands of citizens around the country who have spoken out on the RFS.

The ad called “Why Mess With Success,” began airing yesterday in Washington DC, Cedar Rapids, IA, and the Quad Cities. The ad makes the closing argument that the RFS has been invaluable for rural economies the last decade, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in new wealth while saving consumers millions at the pump. Which is why it makes no sense to change course so drastically by gutting the RFS.

Brad Woodhouse, President, Americans United for Changes said of the ad campaign and the RFS, “It’s an open secret that Big Oil has spent millions of dollars trying to put out of business their 70 cent cheaper and cleaner renewable fuels competition. If Washington does what Big Oil wants and strips apart the Renewable Fuel Standard, it’ll be a case study in fixing what isn’t broke that would make the inventors of New Coke blush. While the U.S. economy has been on a wild ride the last decade, rural communities that seized opportunities in the renewable fuels industry have seen nothing but growth, new jobs, new wealth, and more reasons for their children to stay.”

“That’s why the choice before the EPA should be an easy one: either continue to go forward creating thousands of jobs that can’t be outsourced and revitalizing rural economies, or backward,” continued Woodhouse. “Either continue going forward weaning the nation off its addiction to overseas oil, or backwards. Continue making innovations in next generation renewable fuel sources that will build on its success of meeting 10 percent of the nation’s fuel needs, or discourage it. Continue going forward in cutting down carbon emissions harmful to the environment, or backwards and watch as already common oil-industry related disasters become even more routine. Continue giving consumers cheaper alternatives at the pump, or take them away.”

“At this 11th hour, it is critical that the millions of Americans who have benefited from the RFS — from farmers to businesses that serve ethanol industry workers, to consumers – to tell the EPA what’s at stake for them if Big Oil’s bottom line is put ahead of rural America. If you ask the taxpayers, Big Oil gets enough special treatment from Washington already – they don’t need another giveaway,” concluded Woodhouse.

Biodiesel, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, RFS, Video

REG Biodiesel Conference Video Series

Chuck Zimmerman

REG Biodiesel TrendsThe Renewable Energy Group (REG) has produced a series of videos from the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference called Biodiesel Trends.

Biodiesel Trends is a video news series that will recap the conference. You can watch short video interviews with key presenters as they discuss industry trends and topics, meet some of the industry’s up-and-coming researchers, learn about federal and state policy updates; and take a virtual ride in the latest diesel-powered vehicles.

Here is one of them:

Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference, REG, Video

Kentucky Biodiesel Maker Starts Glycerin Refinery

John Davis

OG1A fifth-generation family-owned soybean processor and biodiesel maker in Kentucky is starting a new glycerin refinery. This story from Soyatech.com says the Owensboro Grain Company is putting in its USP Kosher Certified Glycerin Refinery right next to its biodiesel and vegetable oil operation on the banks of the Ohio River in western Kentucky.

The new glycerin refinery will refine virgin soy-based crude glycerin produced at the Biodiesel plant, and will meet the USP specification.

“We are excited and proud of our new facility. Our goal is to always not only meet, but exceed the customers’ expectations “said John Wright, Executive Vice-President.

The new facility will operate 24hours/7 days per week and will offer 24 hours around the clock loading. The new plant, located on the CSX rail line and also along the shoreline of the Ohio River, will have the capabilities of loading out refined glycerin by truck, rail or barge.

The biodiesel plant cranks out 45 million gallons of the green fuel each year.

Biodiesel

Extreme Biodiesel Looks to Indian Casino Deal

John Davis

extreme1A California biodiesel maker is looking to strike a deal with a casino presumably to recycle the leftover cooking grease from the operation. Extreme Biodiesel Inc. says it is terminating its agreements with Promethean Biofuels so it can pursue the deal with the yet-to-be-identified Indian casino in the state.

Company President Joe Spadafore stated “The relationship with Promethean is being terminated in the best interests of our shareholders as we feel Promethean has not performed. There is a silver lining however in that Extreme Biodiesel is currently pursuing several other prospects including negotiations with an Indian Casino located on an Indian Reservation in Southern California. This is very positive for Extreme, as working directly with the Indians should enable increased profit potential for the Company as well as expansion into other areas.”

While not saying much about the deal, Extreme Biodiesel officials say they are testing some of their equipment on the reservation.

Biodiesel

Growth Energy Praises Sentate Letter to EPA

Joanna Schroeder

As the date quickly approaches for comments to be submitted to the EPA in response to their proposed 2014 Renewable Fuels Standard Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO), last minute comments are flooding in to the EPA. It is estimated that more than 12,000 comments have already been submitted regarding the proposed rule.

Today, a bipartisan letter, led by Senators Durbin (D-Ill.), Grassley (R-Iowa), Franken (D-Minn.) and Thune (R-S.D.) was submitted to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy calling for changes to their 2014 proposed rule.

The letter, according to Growth Energy, reiterates their associations position that this reduction in RVOs is a misguided policy.

“The leadership by these senators, and by a bipartisan group of representatives in a letter last week, again demonstrates EPA’s proposed rule is flawed and contrary to the Growth_Energy_logo-1goals of the RFS,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “The EPA should move forward on biofuel policy, not backwards. EPA’s misguided proposal would increase our dependence on foreign oil, drive-up the cost for consumers at the pump, restrict consumer choice and threaten the nearly 400,000 jobs of those who work every day to develop a cleaner, American-made fuel.”

The letter was signed by Senators Markey (D-Mass.), Baldwin (D-Wis.), Baucus (D-Mont.), Blunt (R-Mo.), Brown (D-Ohio), Cantwell (D-Wash.), Coats (R-Ind.), Donnelly (D-Ind.), Durbin (D-Ill.), Fischer (R-Neb.), Franken (D-Minn.), Grassley (R-Iowa), Harkin (R-Iowa), Heinrich (D-N.M.), Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Hirono (D-Hawaii), Hoeven (R-N.D.), Johanns (R-Neb.), Kirk (R-Ill.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.), McCaskill (D-Mo.), Murray (D-Wash.), Reed (D-R.I.), Schatz (D-Hawaii), Shaheen (D-N.H.), Stabenow (D-Mich.), Thune (R-S.D.), Udall (D-N.M.) and Bennet (D-Colo.).

Biodiesel, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, Growth Energy, RFS

Obama, EPA Needs to Listen to Midwesterners

Joanna Schroeder

Hundreds of people from the Midwest turned out to submit comments today to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the “Hearing in the Heartland: Supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard” hosted by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.

The EPA held only one public hearing in Washington, D.C. last year in response to their 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard – a proposed policy that lowers the use of biofuels; rather IA Gov Branstad at Hearing in the Heartland Jan 23 2013than increases the use of biofuels as intended by the policy. Branstad noted that when he was testifying in DC with the Iowa delegation, they met with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and requested a public hearing in the Midwest and were denied.

Not to be deterred, Branstad rallied several other Midwestern Secretaries of Agriculture to hold their own hearing and people from throughout the Midwest including Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota traveled on one of the coldest days of the new year to tell their stories of the benefits of biofuels.

“I’ve been a relentless supporter of biofuels dating back to the 1970s, when we called it “gasahol,” said Gov. Branstad to the audience. “It’s truly incredible to see how the industry has grown and provided diverse benefits to agriculture and created thousands of quality jobs across America.”

“With a state that has over 92,000 farmers, dozens of thriving international agri-business companies, and a large variety of bio-science leaders, it’s easy to see that the growth is a result of the hard work and innovation of our farmers and the technology advancements in the use of corn, soybeans and other biomass products.”

Branstad noted the many benefits of biofuels including: diversifying our nation’s energy portfolio and reducing our dependence on foreign oil; reducing air pollution; giving consumers choices at the pump; and helping grow family incomes in rural America. He stressed that EPA’s proposal on the RFS would have devastating effects on this growth ad on job creation and he, along with many other bi-partisan Midwest leaders have voiced opposition.

You can listen to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s full remarks here:Obama, EPA Needs to Listen to MidwesternersRead More

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, EPA, Ethanol, RFS

New Analysis Shows RFS Lowers Gas Prices

Cindy Zimmerman

CARD LogoA new independent analysis from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University has found that increased ethanol production under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program has reduced gas prices, not increased them as opponents of the RFS claim.

“Our results should reassure those in Congress and the Administration who are worried that following the RFS commitment to expanding the use of renewable fuels will result in sharply higher fuel prices for consumers,” concludes the report, authored by economists Sebastien Pouliot and Bruce Babcock.

The Environmental Protection Agency proposal to lower the 2014 RFS volume obligations was based in part on concerns that volatile Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices last year led to higher gas prices. However, the analysis found that higher RIN prices provide incentive to offer higher ethanol blends, which lowers the price of fuel by lowering the price of ethanol. “We find that feasible increases in the ethanol mandate in 2014 will cause a small decline in the price of E10. That is, even though increased mandates increase gasoline prices, the offsetting effects from a decline in ethanol price and movement by motorists to E85 from E10 are enough to result in a net decrease in the price of E10.”

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says the analysis shows that the RFS is working as intended. “Many ethanol opponents have used higher RIN prices to scare people into believing that gas prices will rise if the RFS remains in place,” said Dinneen. “The new CARD analysis takes the gas price fear out of the equation.”

Read the analysis here.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Views on the Biodiesel Policy Climate

Chuck Zimmerman

Biodiesel Policy PanelTwo former members of Congress talked about attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard at the National Biodiesel Conference this week in San Diego.

Former Democrat Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, now a DC policy advisory, says the EPA proposal to lower RFS volume obligations this year is inexplicable. “The Obama Administration has always supported renewable fuels,” he said during a general session policy panel. “They will, I assume, say that these mandates support renewable fuels. But they know that these mandates are below what they should be, they have to be adjusted.”

Former Congressman Kenny Hulshof of Missouri, a Republican and founder of the Missouri energy initiative, agrees it is inexplicable, but reasoned that backlash against ethanol and the 2012 drought played a role in the proposal. “I think the EPA came under some very intense political scrutiny, that’s when you saw a lot of bills being introduced to repeal the RFS,” he said.

Dorgan thinks it’s unlikely Congress will repeal the RFS, the first version of which he helped write in 2005. “I think that would be a horrible mistake. Fortunately, the Congress can’t agree on anything,” said the former senator, adding that the president would veto the bill if they tried.

Both Dorgan and Hulshof believe Congress will eventually extend the biodiesel tax incentive which expired at the end of 2013.

You can listen to the session, moderated by National Biodiesel Board Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel, here: Policy Climate Session

2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Government, National Biodiesel Conference, NBB, RFS

Cape Wind Wins Again

Joanna Schroeder

Cape Wind has again defeated the efforts of its opponents to block the country’s first offshore wind farm. In a historic decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the FAA’s approval of the Cape Wind project, rejecting every argument that had been advanced by the project’s opponents.

home_page_image_Eco_Tour(1)“The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, the Town of Barnstable and their financial backer-coal billionaire Bill Koch– have failed yet again in their continuing campaign to use the courts to delay the financing of Cape Wind,” said Cape Wind Communications Director Mark Rodgers. “The court’s definitive decision is an important legal victory that brings America that much closer to launching its offshore wind industry, a keystone in America’s renewable energy future.”

This decision takes on even greater importance because this was the same court that had previously provided project opponents their sole and temporary relief, opponents have lost all 12 legal decisions in other courts.

On October 28, 2011 this Court had remanded the FAA’s third Determination of No Hazard back to the FAA to better explain the rationale for its decision. On February 9, 2012, the FAA issued a Public Notice of its reinstated project review, indicating its conclusion that “None of the turbines would have an adverse effect on the use of air navigation facilities or navigable airspace.”

On August 15, 2012 the FAA issued its 4th DNH which project opponents challenged, the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound pronounced confidence their challenge would be successful. However, this is the case decided again in favor of the FAA and Cape Wind.

Alternative energy, offshore wind, Wind