On Feb. 27, Growth Energy, a trade organization representing ethanol producers and supporters, kicked off its fifth annual Executive Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Ariz.
Tests of the Arisdyne Systems Inc. controlled flow cavitation process verified that the proprietary process has increased ethanol yield by over 3 percent. The comprehensive testing was completed by Arisdyne and Illinois Corn Processing LLC.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman David Camp, R-Mich., has released draft legislation to reform federal tax code. The draft, titled the "Tax Reform Act of 2014," would alter, and in some cases repeal, tax incentives for biofuels and bioenergy.
The loan of two tractors by New Holland Agriculture to Iowa State University's BioCentury Research Farm has provided new options for its biomass research projects. A model T8.330 and a T5.115 tractor with a loader were loaned to the facility.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute has announced an expansion of its Look Before You Pump campaign that warns against small engine misfueling. The ethanol industry, however, has criticized the campaign for singling out E15.
The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and Finep, Innovation and Research, recently launched a public call-to-submission for business plans aimed at agricultural-technological innovation in the sugar-based ethanol sector.
On Feb. 20, the USDA released the 2012 Census Preliminary Report. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the preliminary data provides "a snapshot of a strong rural America that has remained stable during difficult economic times."
Findings at the USDA are providing information about the soil carbon dynamics that play a crucial role in lifecycle assessments of bioenergy production. These studies at support the USDA priority of developing new new sources of bioenergy.
American Ethanol is enhancing its partnership with Richard Childress Racing and driver Austin Dillon for the 2014 NASCAR season. Dillon will race the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS in select races during the 2014 season.
The U.S. Grains Council recently published its 2013 annual report, highlighting achievements made over the past year. The report notes that U.S. corn production set a new record last year, as did the export of distillers dried grains with solubles.
A Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC's patent infringement case against Gevo Inc. will return to U.S. District Court for trial, as ordered by Judge Sue L. Robinson on Feb. 18.
Harold Newman, a pioneer in the ethanol world and a North Dakota businessman, died Feb. 20 at his home in Jamestown, N.D. He was 80 years old.
The Renewable Fuels Association has released a study conducted by ABF Economics, titled "Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States," that demonstrates the impact of the ethanol industry on jobs and energy independence.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association has announced that Iowa's E85 sales set a new record in 2013, according to Iowa Department of Revenue data. Total E85 sales in 2013 reached 10.85 million gallons, up nearly 20 percent from 2012.
The owners of an idle Indiana ethanol plant currently being retrofitted are working on a plan to add corn oil to the facility's coproduct mix. The city of South Bend, Ind., will purchase the corn oil extraction equipment and lease it to the plant.
The U.S. EPA has published renewable identification number (RIN) data for January, reporting the first generation of cellulosic ethanol RINs since 2012. Cellulosic RINs were generated last year, but those RINs were for drop-in gasoline and diesel.
The Renewable Fuels Association's President and CEO Bob Dinneen presented the "RFA 2014 Industry Award" to Gerson Santos-Leon, the executive vice president of Abengoa Bioenergy New Technologies. The award was given at the National Ethanol Conference.
Proterro Inc.'s latest patent is on its way to being finalized. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a notice of allowance to Proterro for a device patent covering the company's proprietary photobioreactor.
Chris Standlee, executive vice President at Abengoa Bioenergy New Technologies, began his remarks at the National Ethanol Conference by stating, "I'm thrilled to be able to say that this is the pivotal year in advanced ethanol production."
In a month, none of the 1,000 ethanol industry professionals gathered in Orlando for the 2014 National Ethanol Conference will remember the event's official motto, but they will recall Bob Dinneen's impassioned directive to "Keep your word."
A provocative 45-minute discourse between ethanol industry leaders from the United States, Canada, Brazil, India and Europe grew heated over standing disagreements about the European Union's import duty on U.S. ethanol.
The Renewable Fuels Association released its annual 2014 Ethanol Industry Outlook and 2014 Pocket Guide to Ethanol providing an in-depth look at the current state of the ethanol industry at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla.
The U.S. Patent Office has issued a notice of allowance to Valicor Inc. and James Robert Bleyer for its invention titled, "Process and Method for improving water reuse, energy efficiency, fermentation and products of an ethanol fermentation plant."
Bunge Ltd. released its 2013 financial results, reporting a loss of $34 million for its sugar and bioenergy segment, an improvement over the $118 million loss the reported in 2012. Overall, the company reported net sales of $61.347 billion for 2012.
The ethanol industry is gathering in Florida this week with both excitement and a healthy level of concern. We'll all be listening closely when RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen gives his annual “State of the Industry Address� Tuesday morning.
EPM's corn-focused March issue examines the potential impact of a lower-than-statutory 2014 RVO on corn prices, the rising costs of corn farming, futuristic visions of super-high-yield corn, and one U.S. ethanol producer's corn storage strategy.
In the fall of 2012, Green Plains Renewable Energy, sold 83 percent of its grain storage capacity. The move freed up capital, enabling the company to acquire more ethanol plants and make a big move toward outdoor corn storage. It's paying off.
An important lesson should be learned from the ILUC discussion: the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. It's not too late. The Commission can still pick winners by backing those biofuels, like EU ethanol, which are truly sustainable.
With improved crop science and farming practices, today's award-winning corn yields may become tomorrow's average. Increasing yields spurs innovation and new investment across the agriculture industry. In the end, 'everyone is a winner.'
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