Category: Policy

The Advanced Ethanol Council, and the unity movement in biofuels policy – a Digest Q&A

The Advanced Ethanol Council, and the unity movement in biofuels policy – a Digest Q&A

[ 0 ] February 22, 2011 |

In Washington, the dust has settled on the announcement by the Renewable Fuels Association that it is starting an Advanced Ethanol Council. Here’s some brief Q&A on the background: Q. What is the main goal of the Advanced Ethanol Council? A. In a few words, production and tax credits. One of the most powerful drivers […]

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"E15 is the most tested fuel blend in our nation’s history."

"E15 is the most tested fuel blend in our nation’s history."

[ 0 ] February 21, 2011 |

In Washington, reaction from the passage of the Sullivan and Flake Amendments to the US House budget resolution, which blocks the U.S. EPA from implementing its approved waiver for E15 ethanol blends in America’s fuel supply and  prohibiting construction of blender pumps and ethanol storage facilities. “The Sullivan provision picks politics over science. EPA’s consideration […]

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ARRA "most important piece of clean energy legislation in our nation’s history": analysts

ARRA "most important piece of clean energy legislation in our nation’s history": analysts

[ 0 ] February 18, 2011 |

In Washington, Bracken Hendricks and Jorge Madrid, of the Center for American Progress, published an essay in Grist arguing that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was “the single most important piece of clean energy legislation in our nation’s history”. Highlights: ARRA’s clean energy provisions saved or created 63,000 jobs and are expected to […]

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E15 opposed by "vested interests" seeking to "perpetuate the status quo": Growth Energy

E15 opposed by "vested interests" seeking to "perpetuate the status quo": Growth Energy

[ 0 ] February 17, 2011 |

In Washington, Growth Energy went on the offensive against opponents of E15 ethanol and those blaming corn ethanol for the spike in world grain prices. The group released this summary of the cause of world price increases in grains,, stating “There are clear cost pressures from virtually everywhere, yet one commodity is taking the brunt […]

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USDA says ethanol train hard to slow, stop: "the industry has pretty much been built."

USDA says ethanol train hard to slow, stop: "the industry has pretty much been built."

[ 0 ] February 16, 2011 |

In Washington, a USDA economist says that even if ethanol critics tried to slow down or stop ethanol production in the country, it would be nearly impossible to do so because ‘the industry has pretty much been built.’ He said that U.S. ethanol production was a major factor in tightening supplies of corn but even […]

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UK greenlights largest biofuel powered energy facility

UK greenlights largest biofuel powered energy facility

[ 0 ] February 15, 2011 |

In the UK, planning permission has been granted to the country’s largest biofuel-powered energy facility in Avonmouth after having been denied the same permission last year after the proposal received a lot of backlash regarding potential deforestation as a result of using imported palm oil. During the appeal held late last year, the planning inquiry […]

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USDA deregulates Syngenta Seed's Amylase corn for enhanced ethanol productivity

USDA deregulates Syngenta Seed's Amylase corn for enhanced ethanol productivity

[ 0 ] February 14, 2011 |

In Washington, the USDA approved a variety of genetically engineered corn created by Syngenta Seeds, called Amylase corn, for use in ethanol production. Syngenta submitted a petition in 2005 to deregulate the variety of corn which produces a common enzyme that breaks down starch into sugar, thereby facilitating the ethanol production process. Western Plains Energy CEO […]

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South Dakota advances five-year biofuels bill

South Dakota advances five-year biofuels bill

[ 0 ] February 11, 2011 |

In South Dakota, the State’s Senate Affairs Committee endorsed SB 196, a new bill that seeks to set up a five year plan to assist the state’s ethanol industry to sell more ethanol.  Current law has an annual budget of $7 million for production, and individual ethanol plants are limited to a lifetime subsidy amount […]

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BIO, RFA join California Low Carbon Fuel Standard advisory panel

BIO, RFA join California Low Carbon Fuel Standard advisory panel

[ 0 ] February 10, 2011 |

In Washington, the California Air Resources Board has appointed BIO’s Manager of State Policy, Stephanie Batchelor, and the Renewable Fuels Association’s vice president for research and analysis,  Geoff Cooper, the to sit on the advisory panel of the state’s Low Carbon Fuels Standard program. California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) encourages deployment of technology for […]

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On the Move in Biofuels: 25×25 appoints new steering committee members

On the Move in Biofuels: 25×25 appoints new steering committee members

[ 0 ] February 10, 2011 |

In Washington, 25×25 appointed a slew of new members to its steering committee. New members include Len Bull, past chairman of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture; Brian Dubie, former Lt. Governor of Vermont; Retired Vice Admiral Denny McGinn, a former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs at the Pentagon and […]

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