$100 Oil and Congress Asks for Seconds
As turmoil and violence rattle the Middle East and Northern Africa, the fragile American and worldwide economic recovery is being put into jeopardy as oil prices continue their climb over $100. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress is voting on provisions that would limit use of the only widely available alternative to imported oil…Ethanol.
Posted in Congress, E15, Ethanol, Energy, Fuel, Oil, Production, Renewable Fuel Standard, USDA, VEETC
2011 State of the Industry Address
This morning at the 16th Annunal National Ethanol Conference, I will be giving the State of the Industry Address, dicussing the successes the ethanol industry has had and challenges that are in front of us.
Posted in Congress, E15, Ethanol, Energy, Environment, Exports, Fuel, Land Use, National Ethanol Conference, Production
Drive Toward E85 This Thanksgiving with GPS and iPhone Apps
Every year, Thanksgiving drives millions of Americans to pack up their cars and travel to spend the holiday with family and friends. For those traveling in their flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), the RFA has developed a Points of Interest (POIs) E85 fuel locater application to help drivers find the nearest E85 fueling station to their current location or final destination. It is easy to download and available for both the Garmin and TomTom GPS devices.
EPA E15 Label Cries Wolf
On November 16, the EPA will hold a public hearing about its proposed label for E15. While many of the people in the room may choose to use the venue to express their frustration about the decision as a whole, it shouldn’t take away from the fact that EPA’s proposed label will do little more than scare consumers. It needs to change.
RFA President Speaks at Cellulosic Biofuels Summit
Today I will be speaking at the Cellulosic Biofuels & Biorefineries Summit this morning in Washington, DC. I plan to talk about key issues within the cellulosic community including the U.S.Department of Agriculture's Loan Guarantee program, investment into cellulosic ethanol and indirect land use and carbon accounting. Read my full remarks by clicking the link above.
Posted in Ethanol, Environment, Fuel, Land Use, Production, Renewable Fuel Standard, USDA
Veteran’s Day - Honoring Those Who Have Served
Today is a day for the country to reflect on the past, the present and the future. A day when we show our support for those men and women who have defended our country and our way of life, along with those that still do today. Freedom is not easy, nor will it ever be, but there are simple choices that we, as a nation, can make to eliminate some of these fights. Choices to use more domestic products and in particular, domestic fuels.
Posted in Ethanol, Fuel, Jobs, Production
You can have your opinion, but not your own facts
Lots of editorial boards have come out in support of and against ethanol. They are welcome to their opinions. What they are not welcome to is their own facts. In attacking ethanol as the Houston Chronicle did in its editorial “Food versus fuel: Rising grain costs show folly of continuing federal ethanol subsidies,” the editorial board propagated misinformation and, at some points, simply made up facts to support their predetermined opinion.
Posted in Ethanol, Environment, Exports, Fuel, Production, Research
Ethanol and Gasoline Prices
Ethanol prices have strengthened over the past several months in response to higher corn prices and growing ethanol demand. Some have attempted to single out the escalation in ethanol prices as a primary driver of the slight increase in retail gasoline prices. Yet, a quick look at the data shows retail gasoline prices and ethanol spot prices are not well correlated, even when lagged to account for the fact that it may take some time for ethanol price increases to work through to the retail level.
Secretary Vilsack Addresses Administration Biofuel Policy
Following this morning's remarks by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding Obama Administration biofuel policy, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued the following statement: "The Obama Administration has shown strong leadership on the issue of domestic biofuels, putting forward a vision that recognizes the importance of the existing industry and the potential of new technologies. Domestic ethanol production is one of the few bright spots in a gloomy economic forecast, providing tens of thousands of jobs in hundreds of rural communities all across the country. By expanding the scope of American ethanol production to include new feedstocks from grasses to wood waste to algae, the industry can extend the benefits seen in rural America to every corner of the country".....
Posted in Ethanol, Energy, Environment, Fuel, Renewable Fuels, Renewable Fuel Standard, USDA
Letter to the Editor: Wall Street Journal
Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal posted “The Ethanol Bailout”, in response to the U.S. EPA grant of the E15 waiver for MY2007 and newer cars and light trucks, claiming ethanol is highly corrosive and will damage to engines and exhaust systems. Yet, test after test has shown that ethanol blends up to E15 are safe and effective for all vehicles. The following is my Letter to the Editor: “Given the nature of the your editorial "The Ethanol Bailout" (Oct. 18), it may come a surprise that I agree with the Journal that the EPA's decision to allow more ethanol use in gasoline is not based on all the science. If it were, the EPA would have allowed the use of up to 15% ethanol in a gallon of gasoline for every vehicle on the road".......
Posted in E15, Ethanol, EPA, Fuel, Production
Making a Silk Purse
Based upon Clean Air Act requirements, EPA is to consider all scientific evidence when evaluating new fuels. In the case of the E15 waiver, however, EPA completely ignored credible data submitted by RFA that demonstrated the efficacy of E15 in older vehicles. Ricardo, Inc., an internationally recognized automotive engineering firm used EPA’s own methodology to evaluate the likely effects of using E15 in vehicles model year (MY) 2000 and older. It is previously unheard of for EPA to deny a waiver request for vehicles that are beyond their EPA-determined useful life, as all MY2000 and older vehicles will be on January 1, 2011. Alas, c’est la vie. It is now up to the industry to make a silk purse out of this sow’s ear. We have introduced new fuels in this country before and the pathway to doing so is clear. It is a complicated process and one that will not happen overnight. Fortunately, the RFA has already begun this process.
Posted in E15, Ethanol, EPA, Fuel, Renewable Fuels, Research
EPA is “Missing an Opportunity” with E15 Market Bifurcation
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency granted the E15 waiver for model year (MY) 2007 and new vehicles. By doing this, the EPA is missing an opportunity to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and create new economic opportunity. This scientifically unjustified bifurcation of the U.S. car market will do little to move the needle and expand ethanol use today. Limiting E15 use to MY2007 and newer vehicles only creates confusion for retailers and consumers alike. America’s ethanol producers are hitting an artificial blend wall today. The goals of Congress to reduce our addiction to oil captured in the Renewable Fuels Standard cannot be met with this decision.
Posted in E15, Ethanol, EPA, Fuel, Renewable Fuels, U.S Dept. of Energy
E15 Scenarios
EPA is poised to make a decision on E15, but appears set upon a bifurcated market and partial waiver approach. By only approving E15 for 2007 and new vehicles, EPA is once again artificially limiting the U.S. ethanol market without providing any scientific justification. What does it all mean? How many new ethanol gallons will be sold? These are important questions and the answers are not at all clear.
Anti-Ethanol Voices Crank Up Before E15 (initial) Announcement
Not ones to miss an opportunity to cricitize renewable fuels, a group led by the usual suspects of Big Oil and Big Food can come out against E12. While its unclear why such a statement is being made now, it nonetheless will not go unanswered.
3 Questions DOE and Congress Must Answer About the Renewable Energy Loan Guarantee Program
Since its creation, the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Loan Guarantee Program (as established by the 2005 energy bill) has been defined by inaction and obstruction and is largely seen as a complete failure to date in terms of bringing next generation biofuel technologies to the marketplace. Additionally, the loan guarantee program has been raided time and again to pay for other federal programs with little if anything to do with renewable energy. Despite repeated promises to restore funding, money stolen from the program is still MIA. At the Senate hearing this Thursday, DOE officials and members of Congress have some explaining to do.
Posted in Ethanol, Energy, Environment, Fuel, Renewable Fuels, U.S Dept. of Energy
The Games They’ll Play to Keep Us Addicted to Oil
The Big Oil Status Quo coalition is up to their old games again. They are deploying every stall tactic they can think of to keep the EPA from making a decision that will ultimately help reduce this country’s dependence on environmentally unfriendly, foreign-sourced oil.
Membership Spotlight: East Kansas Agri-Energy Turns Five!!
This October, RFA Member East Kansas Agri-Energy, LLC (EKAE) will be celebrating their 5th year anniversary of ethanol production and helping fuel America. A short five years ago, EKAE accepted their first load of corn, produced and shipped their first gallon of ethanol and delivered their first shipment of distillers grains. Throughout these past five years, EKAE has exceeded expectations, now producing ethanol past nameplate capacity and receiving numerous safety awards and energy efficiency recognition.
Posted in Ethanol, Energy, Environment, Exports, Fuel, Production, Water
Rev Up Your Engines, Ethanol Promotion at Sturgis Was A Success
RFA staff attended the 70th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD, partnering with the Legendary Buffalo Chip to promote ethanol. With over 800,000 attendees, this was a great opportunity for the RFA to chat with motorcycle enthusiasts and talk about the benefits of using ethanol in their motorcycles, and every other vehicle they might have at home. Attendees were able to leave with an abundant amount of ethanol information that was handed out, along with 2010 RFA Sturgis t-shirts and koozies.
5 Billion Gallon Challenge Isn’t As Clean as it Seems
The growth and commercialization of next generation biofuels is essential to the long term success of America’s ethanol industry. This success does not need to come at the expense of current technologies. The RFA does not believe that U.S. biofuel policy should be crafted in a manner that jeopardizes the tremendous advances that have come from the investment our nation has made in renewable fuels or causes cannibalization in the industry. It is true that we need to support and promote the growth of next generation biofuels in order to become energy independent and to combat global warming. However, this will not be achieved by pitting different sectors of the industry against one another or abandoning support for one sector of the industry for another when the entire industry needs support as long as we continue to provide permanent tax breaks to oil producers.
Posted in Agriculture, Ethanol, Energy, Fuel, Renewable Fuels, Renewable Fuel Standard, U.S Dept. of Energy, USDA, VEETC, Water
Corn Commentary Takes on the Gray Lady
East Coast media has long had disdain for agriculture, and by extension, ethanol. Much of this dislike stems from a fundamental lack of understanding about the industries and issues important to rural America. While the Wall Street Journal has long been the standard bearer for such vitriol, when it comes to ethanol, the New York Times doesn't fall too far behind. The Times' latest anti-ethanol effort is disguised as a choice between good and bad energy subsidies. The Times argues that subsidies for wind and solar are critical to those industries' survival and our nation's goal of reduced oil consumption (we don't use oil to produce electricity, by the way). The Times then says investments in ethanol, which does replace oil directly in American gas tanks, is unworthy. To be clear, we should be increasing investments in all renewable energies, not picking and choosing winners. Supporting its position, the Times relies on many of the canards offered by ethanol critics about environmental concerns and land usage. My friends over at the Corn Commentary take exception with the Gray Lady's portrayal and perception of ethanol, and offer a rebuttal. Worth a read.
Posted in Agriculture, Ethanol, Energy, Environment, Fuel, Land Use, Media, VEETC
Search RFA
Popular Tags
Agriculture DDGS E15 Energy Environment EPA Ethanol Exports Food Fuel Gas Prices Jobs Land Use Oil Production Renewable Fuels Renewable Fuel Standard Research USDA VEETCAuthors
Archive
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
