Members of the biofuels industry testified at a July 18 hearing held by the EPA on its 2019 RFS proposal. Many discussed the misuse of waivers and expressed hope that the EPA's new leadership will hold up the administration's commitment to the RFS.
FROM THE AUGUST ISSUE: Membrane dehydration technologies save energy, reduce carbon emissions and provide flexibility in ethanol purity. More plants are installing them and more technology developers are offering them.
FROM THE AUGUST ISSUE: Ethanol Producer Magazine Editor Lisa Gibson previews this issue of the magazine, including a recap of the 2018 FEW, features on membrane technologies, the potential of a high-octane fuel standard and more
On July 12, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., urged Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard and live up to the administration's commitment to a strong RFS and the year-round sale of E15.
On July 17, Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, sent a letter to several congressional leaders regarding small refinery exemptions recently granted under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
The U.S. EPA has released call-in information for the July 18 hearing on its proposed rule to set 2019 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard, along with the 2020 RVO for biomass-based diesel.
FROM THE AUGUST ISSUE: Experts in multiple industries support the idea of a high-octane fuel standard, but some prefer it as a replacement to the RFS.
FROM THE AUGUST ISSUE: Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen talks about the custom ethanol motorcycle built by Paul Jr. Designs and commissioned by RFA that will be featured at the Sturgis Motorcycle rally in South Dakota
An international team coordinated by CIRAD has sequenced the sugarcane genome. It will now be possible to "modernize" the methods used to breed sugarcane varieties. This will be a real boon to the sugar and biomass industry.
The California Air Resources Board has announced that in 2016 the state's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell below 1990 levels for the first time since emissions peaked in 2004. Biofuels helped achieve the reduction.
FROM THE AUGUST ISSUE: A recap the events at the 2018 FEW in Omaha, Nebraska, including an opening speech from Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor; panels focused on efficiency, compliance, finance and more; and a tour of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy
FROM THE AUGUST ISSUE: South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke discusses how the EPA's proposed Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support rule would hurt both the ethanol and agriculture industries
The election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador as Mexico's next president will add new elements to the already-complex U.S.-Mexico trading relationship, negotiations for a revised North American Free Trade Agreement and the global grains marketplace.
The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) released its 2018 Half Year Report to its producer and vendor members at a networking event in Prior Lake, Minnesota, July 11.
The U.S. EPA has announced it is seeking nominations for scientific experts to serve on its Science Advisory Board and four SAB standing committees, including the SAB Agricultural Science Committee.
FROM THE AUGUST ISSUE: Moore, Walker awarded at FEW; Nebraska Corn Growers Association joins USGC; Kuper, Evans receive Kathy Bryan scholarships and more
The U.S. EPA has issued a letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, confirming it granted 19 out of 20 small refinery hardship waivers under the RFS for compliance year 2016. An additional 29 of 33 petitions have also been granted so far for 2017.
LanzaTech and its partners are one-step closer to building an alcohol-to-jet facility producing commercial quantities of fuel in the U.K. through a recent government grant awarded under the Transport Future Fuels for Flight and Freight Competition.
Growth Energy announced July 9 that Jennifer Morris has joined the organization as its vice president of communications and public affairs. In this new role, Morris will oversee Growth Energy's communications and public affairs initiatives.
European ethanol producer CropEnergies has reported its 2018-'19 financial year began with below-average revenues, but noted ethanol prices and the company's financial performance are expected to gradually improve over the remainder of the year.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office has published the summary report for its workshop on Moving Beyond Drop-In Replacements: Performance-Advantaged Biobased Chemicals, that took place on June 1, 2017, in Denver, Colorado.
On July 5, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of four members to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board, which helps to increase demand for sorghum both domestically and internationally.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the July edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, maintaining its June production that ethanol production will average 1.04 million barrels per day in both 2018 and 2019.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission has awarded a grant to Midwest AgEnergy Group to research using barley to produce a high-value protein concentrate designed for aquaculture and a low-carbon advanced ethanol at Dakota Spirit AgEnergy.
Growth Energy announced July 9 that American drivers have logged 5 billion miles on E15. The latest milestone was reached in the midst of Reid vapor pressure (RVP) restrictions on the sale E15 fuel across most of the country.
The ITA has renewed its Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee and is soliciting nominations for membership. Renewable fuels, including liquid biofuels and biomass pellets, are among the goods addressed by the committee.
The U.S. Grains Council explored the potential for increased exports of U.S. ethanol under Japan's new energy policy as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture agricultural trade mission to the country in June.
The USGC, the RFA and Growth Energy encourage U.S. suppliers of coarse grains and coproducts, industry representatives and members of the grain trade to register now for Export Exchange 2018, scheduled for October 22-24, 2018, in Minneapolis.
UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced that mills in the south-central region of the country sold a record 1.41 billion liters (372.48 million gallons) of ethanol during the first half of June.
Scientists at Imperial College London have enhanced the process of using biology to make products such as fuels, plastics, medicines, and cosmetics. This could lead to cheaper and more environmentally friendly biofuel production.
Advertisement