The E-Xchange — Ethanol
More Psuedo-Science and the Preposterous Claims of Anti-Ethanol Activists
A new pseudo-analysis published by the controversial and discredited Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons claims that biofuels expansion is increasing hunger and poverty-related health risks in developing nations. The four-page article was written by Indur Goklany, a long-time biofuels critic and contributor to the Cato Institute. Based on an ill-conceived and opaque method that misinterprets and misrepresents the findings of the World Bank and other researchers, the paper is nothing more than anti-farmer and anti-biofuel vitriol cloaked as real analysis. It simply can’t be taken seriously and it’s not at all surprising that the only publication that would ever consider publishing this piece would be the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons.
Posted in Agriculture, Education, Ethanol, Food, Research
EPA Details Legal Avenues for E15 Sales Today
In a letter to industry stakeholders, EPA has reconfirmed it is illegal to sell E15 to gasoline-only vehicles and engines until all regulatory issues have been resolved. However, EPA also reaffirmed the legality of offering properly labeled E15 and any other ethanol blend from E11 to E85 for use Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).
Charges and Changing - Helping Feed and Fuel the World
This week, the chairman of Nestlé, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, attacked ethanol as an “immoral” policy. It is a charge backed by lots of emotion, but very little fact. Here I present the facts about ethanol, without emotion or misplaced sanctimony.
Posted in Ethanol, Food, Production
RFA Urges New Hampshire to Reject Ethanol Ban
Today, ethanol-blended fuels are bringing the price down at the pump for consumers. Customers are able to spend between a nickel and a dime less than what they would pay for conventional gasoline. Despite this, the New Hampshire House of Representatives recently voted to put a ban on corn-based ethanol in the state. This bill will not only increase gas prices and lead us down a road toward more imported oil, it will also hinder the very market into which advanced and cellulosic ethanol producers will one day want to sell.
Posted in Ethanol, Fuel, Oil, Renewable Fuels
States Take Polar Opposite Stances on Ethanol Use, Imported Oil Demand
As oil prices soar and gas prices spike even before the start of the summer driving season, lawmakers in Nebraska and New Hampshire take divergent positions on America's dependence on oil. One is seeking to increase its use of domestic renewable fuels. The other is choosing to head down a path of increased oil dependence.
Posted in E15, Ethanol, Fuel, Oil, Renewable Fuel Standard
Nebraska Takes Important Step to Increasing Ethanol Use
The Nebraska Senate has taken an important step toward increasing the state's use of domestically produced ethanol by approving a bill to repeal labeling requirements for 10 percent ethanol blends. This is a good first step, but oil interests in the state will not swallow this bill without a fight.
Who Gets Your Food Dollar?
Food prices around the globe are rising and as a result, many are quickly searching for a scapegoat. Far too many are still recycling half-truths and misconceptions about the role of rising corn prices in food price escalation and demand for corn created by America’s ethanol industry. In a new look at the distribution of each dollar spent on food in the U.S., the U.S. Department of Agriculture has found just 11.6 cents of each dollar spent makes its way back to the farm. In other words, the raw ingredients in retail food items account for just 12 cents of every consumer dollar spent, while energy costs, labor, transportation, packaging, and other supply chain costs account for the other 88 cents.
Posted in Agriculture, Corn prices, Ethanol, Food, Speculators, USDA
A Flock of Speculation: How paper bushels, not ethanol, are driving corn prices
Research into the commodity price spikes in 2008 have all shown that speculation was a major driver in the creation of that bubble and in its popping. Now, not three years later, are we seeing history repeat itself? Recent behavior in the corn market says yes.
Posted in Agriculture, Ethanol, Research
Ethanol Exports Continue to Surge; Anti-Dumping Investigation Reduces DDGS Exports to China
The new year began with a bang for U.S. ethanol exports, according to government data released today. Ethanol shipments (consisting of both denatured and undenatured, non-beverage, ethanol) totaled 57.2 million gallons in January, marking the second highest monthly total on record. At 714,000 metric tons, January exports of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were virtually identical to December 2010 levels (713,600 metric tons). Exports to China—the leading export market in 2010—fell by 30% in January, likely as the result of China’s DDGS anti-dumping investigation.
A Small Slice from an Extra Large (And Getting Larger) Pizza
In an attempt to inject some sanity and facts into the recently rekindled “food versus fuel” fervor, RFA has repeatedly highlighted the fact that in 2010/11, the U.S. ethanol industry will use just 3 percent of the global grain supply on a net basis. It just isn’t reasonable to suggest that using such a small slice of the global grain supply could be solely responsible for the recent surge in food prices—especially when the U.S. industry uses nary a bushel of food grains like rice or wheat. Nevertheless, some opponents of biofuels have challenged the legitimacy of our 3 percent figure. But we have nothing to hide. It’s really a straightforward calculation, replicable by anyone with access to USDA data, a pencil and the back of an envelope.
Posted in Ethanol, Production, Research
The Path to a Clean, Renewable and Sustainable Future
In 2007, Congress and President Bush codified the Renewable Fuels Standard requiring 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels in our motor fuels by 2022. Now President Obama has laid down a gauntlet reminiscent of the 1960's moon race by calling for a near universal use of renewable power within twenty-five years. Whether America will achieve a clean, sustainable and independent energy future will depend on whether we as a nation can coalesce around this achievable goal.
Posted in Ethanol, Production
$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
More than 70,000 are employed directly by the ethanol industry
According to an economic analysis from Cardno ENTRIX economist John Urbanchuk, 70,600 Americans are employed directly in the production of ethanol and in industries providing goods and services to ethanol producers. As a result of the economic activity generated by ethanol production, more than 400,000 Americans have been able to keep their jobs or find new ones.
Posted in Ethanol, Jobs, Production
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
2010 Ethanol and DDGS Exports Shatter Previous Records
According to government data released today, 2010 was a record-breaking year for exports of ethanol and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS).
Ethanol Fact Vacuum
Frequently discredited ethanol antagonist Tim Searchinger found a sympathetic ear at the Washington Post which published yet another diatribe against biofuels that is largely devoid of relevant facts. That isn’t surprising given that Mr. Searchinger’s theory of international land use change and the penalty he sought to impose on biofuels has been regularly revised and proven false. His most current attack is simply more of the same, even if somewhat toned down.
Posted in Agriculture, Ethanol, Exports, Production
What USDA WASDE Report Really Means for Ethanol, Corn
The USDA has released its February estimates of U.S. and global grain supplies. Some revisions, all of which were expected, slightly reduce USDA's estimates of leftover corn at the end of the marketing year. Let the wild claims and "alarm bells" ring from ethanol's detractors begin.
Posted in Agriculture, Ethanol, Land Use, Renewable Fuels, Renewable Fuel Standard, USDA
Egypt, Ethanol and Armchair Punditry Part II- From the Suez to the Strait of Hormuz
While some of the most violent clashes in Egypt have calmed, the situation remains very volatile. A peaceful resolution and the institution of a truly democratic government are everyone’s hopes for the people of Egypt. But the unrest and the possibility that it could spread to other countries in the Middle East underscores the need for America to get serious about a domestic energy policy.
Egypt, Ethanol and Armchair Punditry – Part 1
As millions of Egyptians engage in a life and death struggle for the future of their country, pundits in the Western media are taking the opportunity to blame all of their favorite scapegoats for the insecurity. American ethanol production is not escaping their wrath. As has always been the case, the “facts” used by these pundits just don’t match the world reality.
Five Students Win Scholarship to Attend 2011 National Ethanol Conference
Five students were selected to receive a scholarship to attend the 2011 National Ethanol Conference (NEC) in Phoenix, Arizona, February 20-22, 2011. Each student is attending a U.S. institution of higher learning and enrolled in an approved ethanol-related program. These students will have the opportunity to explore what opportunities the ethanol industry has to offer by meeting and networking with industry experts.
Posted in Education, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference
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