In December, two state representatives in Florida introduced a bill to repeal the Renewable Fuels Standard Act. The legislation, HB 4001, would remove the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in Florida be blended with ethanol.
The latest data on ethanol exports and imports released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that, through October, U.S. ethanol exports are at 643.3 million gallons. Ethanol imports are during the same period measured nearly 390 million gallons.
The National Corn Growers Association has launched a new web-based resource, www.EthanolFacts.com. The home page of EthanolFacts offers links to short articles on hot topics in ethanol circles: flex-fuel vehicles, food and fuel, and many others.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released its December Short Term Energy Outlook, showing that ethanol production is expected to remain near current levels through mid-2013, but will return to pre-drought levels by the end of the year.
The EU announced it will not oppose a European Commission decision to terminate the anti-subsidy proceeding concerning imports of U.S. ethanol and to terminate the registration of U.S. ethanol importers. An anti-dumping investigation is ongoing.
Although ePURE, the European Producers Union of Renewable Ethanol, is happy with the direction things are going with the anti-dumping investigation against imported U.S. ethanol, it isn't commenting specifically on whether duties will be imposed.
On Dec. 7, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission elected to begin implementation of the state's Clean Fuels Program. A spokeswoman for the Oregon DEQ confirmed the commission voted four to one to implement the proposed rules for phase one.
Markets shape ethanol production, Nathan Kauffman, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, argues in the most recent issue of the Main Street Economist. The analysis addresses mandates, the blend wall, and waiver requests.
The USDA made no changes to its supply and demand projections for coarse grains in the U.S., including corn, in this month's supply/demand report, shifting its focus to global projections that indicate the global supply will be up by 7 million tons.
Ethanol imports from Brazil have surged into the U.S. in recent months, University of Illinois ag economists Scott Irwin and Darrel Good point out, but not because it is cheap relative to ethanol.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published Annual Energy Outlook 2013 Early Release Overview. The document, which provides up an update of the AEO reference case, predicts a lower rate of growth for biofuels than the AEO2012.
Ethanol supporter-reaction to the AAA report warning consumers about E15 was swift, and included automotive expert Bobby Likis. "I'm both surprised and disappointed in the entire premise of the AAA E15 article in USA Today," the car-talk host said.
The latest fuel ethanol statistics released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration show that ethanol production for August was down only slightly compared to production levels for the same period of 2011 and 2010.
The market for fuel ethanol in the United States remains unconcentrated, with 154 firms nationwide either producing ethanol or likely to be in production in the next 12 to 18 months, according to the Federal Trade Commission's 2012 report.
According to a release issued by India's Press Information Bureau, the country's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a pricing formula for ethanol procurement by oil marketing companies for use under its E5 blending mandate.
Ethanol is helping reduce the cost of the Thanksgiving holiday for the average American family. The average American family traveling by automobile this holiday will drive 558 miles and save $29.13 on gasoline purchases because of ethanol.
Approval of E15 in California is moving slowly and, ultimately, the losers are consumers, who will pay more for gasoline, said Andy Foster, spokesperson for Aemetis Inc., a biofuel producer that's a member of the California Advanced Energy Coalition.
A new white paper published by Ethanol Across America, a grassroots educational campaign of the Clean Fuels Foundation, calls for a stronger emphasis on advanced ethanol from alternative sugar and starch feedstocks under the renewable fuel standard.
Verenium Corp.'s quarterly financial results show progress being made on both operational and financial fronts, despite the difficult economics that have impacted the ethanol industry. The company also reports demand in Europe is already increasing.
The biofuels industry responded to the latest report from the International Energy Agency by pointing to the role renewable fuels can play in the world energy outlook, and calling for policies that encourage the development of renewable alternatives.
The International Energy Agency has released a report that shows the global energy map is changing significantly. By 2020, IEA's, "World Energy Outlook 2012," indicates, that the U.S. will become the largest oil producer in the world.
New Jersey Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez ask the U.S. EPA to temporarily ease biofuel delivery rules to expedite delivery to New Jersey in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Lautenberg also applauded Sen. Harry Reid's climate change stance.
Royal Vopak has obtained an International Sustainability and Carbon Certification for multiple sites. The certification is another step to further enhance Vopak's biofuels terminal network and to remain a reliable partner for biofuel customers.
The oldest ethanol plant in Indiana has temporarily idled. "Our goal is to restart the plant and recall our employees but at this point it's hard to say when that will occur," said Russ Abarr, president of New Energy Corp., a 102 MMgy plant.
The Andersons Inc. has released financial results for the third quarter of 2012. For its ethanol group, The Andersons reported an operating loss, but noted in its filing that service income and income from coproducts, partially offset lower margins.
Eco-Energy Inc. and Copersucar S.A. have announced the internationalization of their ethanol operations with a joint investment in Eco-Energy to build and expand their integrated biofuel platform, becoming the largest ethanol trader in the world.
Advanced Ethanol Council Executive Director Brooke Coleman talks controlling the industry's narrative and the delicate challenge of battling ethanol's only customer for market share.
Advertisement