Bloomberg U.S. Awarded WindMade Label

Joanna Schroeder

The first news organization in the world, Bloomberg, has been awarded the WindMade certification label for its U.S. operations. WindMade is a global consumer label that identifies companies that use wind energy and other renewables that are certified by UN Global Compact and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). To be considered, a company must obtain at least 25 percent of its electricity from wind power. Bloomberg obtains 58 percent of its electricity from wind power and 25 percent from biomass energy.

“Not only does the label demonstrate our commitment to renewable energy, it provides consumers with the choice to favor companies and products using wind power,” said Curtis Ravenel, Bloomberg’s Global Head of Sustainability. “As both a Founding Partner and the Official Data Provider for WindMade, receiving the WindMade Certification for our operations was the logical next step for us to show our commitment to this very important standard.”

Henrik Kuffner, CEO of WindMade, added, “We are delighted for Bloomberg. By committing to renewable energy and using the WindMade label, Bloomberg has set a great example that will inspire companies and consumers all over the world.”

biomass, Electricity, Energy, Wind

Paseo Biofuels Begins Expansion

Joanna Schroeder

Paseo Biofuels is making plans to expand their biodiesel facility located in Kansas City, Missouri by 40 percent. The plant uses soybean oil as its primary feedstock and currently produces 40 million gallons of biodiesel and 30 million pounds of glycerin each year. The expansion is expected to be completed by March 2013.

“Our partnership with Paseo has gone very well over last four years. Together, we have built an excellent operation that serves many of the major petroleum retailers in the U.S.,” said Cargill Grain and Oilseed Supply Chain North America Business Unit Leader, Mark Stonacek.

The plant went into operations in 2008, and more than 650 agricultural producers have shares in the facility. Paseo Biofuels also has a joint venture with Cargill.

Dale R. Ludwig, the executive director and CEO of Missouri Soybean Associated said the business model is ideal. Having a biodiesel plant co-located with a soybean crushing facility reduces costs and saves time and money.

“I am pleased to see Missouri businesses and our agricultural producers coming together to make a significant capital investment to create new opportunities in the Show-Me State,” said Governor Nixon about the expansion announcement. “This is a partnership that is growing by expanding markets for our farmers and farm families and making renewable, North American energy more accessible. We are glad to have them grow in Missouri.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Soybeans

Cali Senators Call for Cali Gas Price Investigation

Joanna Schroeder

According to a Los Angeles Times article, California Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) have called for a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into California’s high gas prices. In one week, the per gallon price of gas jumped 50 cents. Fuel analysts attribute the increase to an oil pipeline problem, maintenance procedures, and refinery mishaps.

According to Feinstein, Tesoro Corp. was short of supply last week and fuel sellers required the company to pay near-record wholesale prices. These were passed on to consumers.  Interestingly, fuel stocks are near normal.

While Feinstein called on FTC,  Boxer called on the Justice Department to look into the price hikes. “Californians have too often been victimized as unscrupulous traders have created or taken advantage of supply disruptions to drive up energy prices,” Boxer was quoted in the LA Times.

On Oct. 1, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California was $4.168 a gallon, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, and is the highest ever recorded for that day of the year. Since then prices have gone up and as a result, the California Air Resources Board approved the early use of winter fuel blends, which are cheaper than summer fuel blends.

With this announcement, California Advanced Energy Coalition urged the California Air Resources Board to refine fuel regulations in a way that would encourage the use of more low-cost and cleaner-burning fuels, such as ethanol.

“We believe with focus and urgency, dictated by chronically high gasoline prices, California’s regulations should be immediately amended to allow for increased ethanol, in a manner that enhances air quality and lowers gasoline prices,” said Eric McAfee, chief executive of Aemetis Inc., an advanced biofuel producer in Cupertino, Calif., and a member of the coalition.

advanced biofuels, Ethanol

NASCAR Hits Three Million Miles on E15

Cindy Zimmerman

NASCAR race cars powered by a blend of 15% ethanol have now officially passed the three million mile mark.

American Ethanol partner Growth Energy announced the milestone today at the annual National Association of Convenience Stores Show (NACS) in Las Vegas. Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet in NASCAR, made an appearance at the event to mark the achievement.

Dillon, who is currently contending for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship on the strength of two wins, 14 top five and a series-leading 22 top 10 finishes, applauded American Ethanol’s efforts to increase knowledge about renewable fuels. When visiting the Growth Energy booth at the trade show, he said, “since the 2011 racing season, NASCAR drivers have seen a considerable increase in horsepower thanks to Sunoco Green E15. Reaching three million miles on this proven renewable fuel is yet another testament to the quality and value of ethanol – for my fellow American drivers both on and off the track.” NASCAR drivers hit the three million mile threshold in mid-September 2012 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, proving the continued durability and high performance of American-made E15.

In order to increase awareness of ethanol and dispel myths about the renewable domestic fuel, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association formed the American Ethanol partnership with NASCAR in 2011. Over the past two seasons, NASCAR has been powered by a fuel comprised of 15 percent ethanol, made from American-grown corn. The durability and high performance capabilities of E15 have been continuously proven while racing the rigorous conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR Nationwide Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, NASCAR, NCGA

Study Indicates RFS Waiver Could Increase Feed Prices

Cindy Zimmerman

On the eve of the deadline for providing comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waiver request, the ethanol industry has released a new study that indicates a waiver could actually increase the cost of feed for livestock and poultry producers.

The analysis, conducted by Cardno-ENTRIX and commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), finds that if a waiver of the RFS resulted in reduced biofuel output, the minor reductions in corn prices would be partially or fully offset by increased prices for other feed ingredients like distillers grains (DDGS) and soybean meal, according to a release from RFA.

“When viewed in the context of changes in the prices for other key feed ingredients such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and soybean meal, the change in total net feed costs for livestock, dairy and poultry feeders would either increase slightly or decrease by a negligible amount if a waiver was granted,” according to the study, conducted by economist John Urbanchuk. “This is due to the fact that if a waiver reduced biofuel output, it would also reduce the available supply of DDGS and soybean meal, which would naturally lead to higher prices for those key feed ingredients.”

The analysis shows that if ethanol and biodiesel production were each reduced 500 million gallons in 2013 under a waiver of the RFS, total feed costs would increase 4.1 percent for dairy, 0.8 percent for layers, 0.5 percent for hogs, and 0.2 percent for broilers. For beef cattle, feed costs might fall by just 0.6 percent with a waiver.

These results are corroborated directionally by a recent study by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri. FAPRI found a 1.3 percent reduction in ethanol output under a waiver could lead to slightly higher distillers grains and soybean meal prices. According to FAPRI, “Lower corn price means lower feed costs for livestock producers, unless offset by slightly higher soybean meal and distillers grains prices.”

Cardno-ENTRIX RFS analysis

Thursday, October 11, is the deadline for providing comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waiver request and stakeholders are urged to make their voices heard before the end of the day tomorrow. More information on how to make comments to EPA can be found at ChooseEthanol.com.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, livestock, RFA, RFS

IRFA Gets Words of Support From Romney

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) members grabbed the ear of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for a moment Tuesday and got him to say “I do” – support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and ethanol, that is.

After listening to Governor Romney speak at an Iowa farm, IRFA President Brad Albin with the Renewable Energy Group (REG) and past president Walt Wendland of Golden Grain Energy had a chance to visit briefly with the candidate while shaking hands and thank him for supporting the RFS. Romney responded, “I do support the RFS and ethanol.”

Romney spoke to a crowd of more than 1,000 supporters at the Koch family farm in Van Meter, Iowa on Tuesday to highlight his farm policy initiatives, which include renewable energy. The energy independence section of the candidate’s agriculture white paper notes that “Romney recognizes that biofuels are crucial to America’s energy future and to achieving his goal of energy independence, and he supports maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard to guarantee producers the market access they have been promised as they continue to move forward.”

IRFA documented Romney’s “I do” on video – watch it here:

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, politics, RFS, Video

Romney Rural Policy Includes Renewable Energy

Cindy Zimmerman

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stressed his commitment to energy independence in an agricultural policy white paper released on Tuesday.

Governor Romney’s agenda for energy independence includes maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), “fulfilling the federal government’s commitment to biofuels growers and refiners and providing them the certainty they need to followthrough on their investments in promising technologies.”

“We applaud Governor Romney’s continuing support of domestic renewable fuels and his recognition of the importance of the RFS,” said Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen. “We also appreciate Governor Romney’s business acumen when it comes to the importance of certainty to investors in the next generation of biofuels.”

Jim Nussle President and Chief Operating Officer of Growth Energy, says they are pleased to see Romney make maintaining the RFS a key component of his campaign. “This plan signals to investors and producers that America’s commitment to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and creating jobs that revitalize rural America remain a top priority for a candidate seeking the office of the Presidency,” said Nussle. “Governor Romney understands that when it comes to energy security and domestic energy development, continued dependency on foreign sources is not acceptable.”

The Romney white paper included “did you know?” information about ethanol such as “The Production Of Ethanol Has Created Economic Prosperity For U.S. Farmers” and “Ethanol Has Become And Continues To Be An Important Presence In Rural Iowa.” The release of Romney’s rural policy paper coincided with his appearance Tuesday at an Iowa farm.

Read the entire Romney Agriculture White Paper.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, politics, RFA, RFS

Solar PV Grid Parity Could be Reached in 2013

Joanna Schroeder

Solar power is expected to reach grid parity when solar panels can be produced for under $0.70/watt with a total system cost under $2.00. As solar PV costs have been trending downward, grid parity could be reached as early as 2013 if the trend continues. This is according to a new free white paper, “Investing in the Power of the Sun: The Capitalist Case for Solar Energy,” authored by Michael Gorton, chief executive officer and chairman of Principal Solar along with Dan Bedell, executive vice president of corporate development of Principal Solar.

In addition, the white paper states, “Solar PV has experienced exponential cost drops year-after-year for over 30 years, with projections putting PV module costs at $.50/watt, total system costs under $2.00 per watt and output electricity at just under 6 cents per kWh – grid parity in 2014.”

Today, China is leading the way on solar PV production and pricing. I had the opportunity to correspond with Dan Bedell and the first question I asked was if U.S. solar panel manufacturers can also reach grid parity or will we see China reach this first and the U.S. to follow?

“The U.S. will likely continue to trail China and other lower cost manufacturing countries in the race to the cheapest-priced solar module,” said Bedell. “However, the U.S. supplies a large percentage of the silicon that China uses to manufacture modules and the modules we import are then installed by Americans. It’s only the assembly process in the middle that is currently occurring primarily overseas. To focus too much on the location of the manufacturing, obscures the true financial impact and the huge benefit on the U.S. economy of dropping solar prices.”

With concern over the loss of government support of solar power and other renewables I asked Bedel what would happen if the U.S. can’t reach grid parity by 2013. Will it put the industry is greater jeopardy?Read More

Electricity, Energy, Natural Gas, Nuclear Energy, Solar

IRFA Launches 2012 Election Campaign Webpage

Joanna Schroeder

With the presidential elections only a few weeks away, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has unveiled a new web page that highlights the stances of President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney regarding their positions on renewable fuels. As the campaign progresses, additional information will be added.

“Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of both ethanol and biodiesel, so it’s not surprising that more than 10,000 Iowa families are directly employed by or invested in the renewable fuels industry,” said IRFA President Brad Albin. “Those 10,000 families, along with tens of thousands more involved in agriculture, will play a crucial role in the upcoming presidential election. IRFA will ensure voters have complete, accurate information about each candidate’s plan for renewable fuels before they vote.”

The 2012 Presidential Election web page features several comments from each candidate on renewable fuels and energy policy, as well as links to videos where you can watch each candidate discuss ethanol and biodiesel.

An example of what you can find on the webpage: In a speech before Congress made a decision on whether to do away with the countless subsidies Big Oil receives, President Obama stated: “Instead of tax payer giveaways to an industry that has never been more profitable, we should be using that money to double down on investments in clean energy technologies that have never been more promising. Investments in wind power, solar power and biofuels.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

EU Ethanol Dumping Allegations Dropped

Joanna Schroeder

Reuters is reporting that the European Union is no longer investigating allegations that the United States illegally subsidized and dumped ethanol on the European Market. The European Commission, which is the executive body of the European Union, conducted an 11-month investigation. During that time, the Commission says it found no evidence that such action had been taken by the U.S.

In a document on the anti-subsidy proceedings that Reuters is said to have seen, the charges were dropped because the U.S. had stopped the main subsidy scheme and the Commission felt that retaliatory measures were unnecessary. The Commission also is to have said in the document that “No more measures shall be imposed if the subsidy or subsidies have been withdrawn or it has been demonstrated that the subsidies no longer confer any benefit on the exporters concerned.”

However, a Reuters source said that if the U.S. reintroduces the ethanol blender’s tax credit over the next six months, then the investigation would be re-opened. If not, then the case is closed. The ethanol excise tax credit or 45 cents per gallon expired at the end of 2011.

biofuels, Ethanol, International