The 13th National Biodiesel Conference and Expo was held last week in Tampa and it was the 11th year that ZimmComm has done the Biodiesel Conference Blog. Way back in 2006, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was one of the first industry organizations to see the value in new media like blogs and they continue to stay on the cutting …
GOP Debate Spotlights Cruz’s Views on #Ethanol
With the Iowa caucuses coming up on Monday, agriculture and renewable fuels finally got some attention in the Republican debate last night, as Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was asked about his position on the Renewable Fuel Standard. “We should be developing oil and gas and coal and nuclear and wind and solar and ethanol and biofuels but I don’t …
Ethanol, Media & RFS Focus of Ethanol Report
With the Iowa caucuses coming up February 1, the Hawkeye State has been inundated with both candidates and reporters, and ethanol has become a topic for mainstream media to report about, often inaccurately. In this Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen discusses the inaccurate terms being used to describe the RFS, urges the media and …
Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit 2016
The 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit took place January 19 in Altoona, Iowa with record crowds. The day was kicked off by USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. Other notable speakers included Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) who gave the keynote as well as Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds. Of note, during …
Ethanol Report Takes a Look at 2016
A new year has dawned and with it new opportunities for the ethanol industry. In this Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen discusses some of the upcoming events in 2016, including the 21st National Ethanol Conference in New Orleans February 15-17, and comments on whether there may yet be a legal challenge by the industry …
Presidential Hopeful Huckabee: Energy as Weapon
The CNN Republican Presidential Candidates debate from Las Vegas this week was focused entirely on national security issues, but the word biofuels was actually uttered by one of the candidates who put forth the idea of using energy as a weapon. “We ought to be challenging not only Russia, but the Iranians and the Saudis, on the point of energy,” …
Growth Energy Reacts Positively to Improved #RFS
Growth Energy reacted positively to the improved and final renewable volume obligation numbers (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) released by the EPA during a press call. On the call, Tom Buis, Growth Energy co-chairman, said that on behalf of its members, Growth was specifically pleased that the RVOs have been finalized after such a long delay and that …
RFA Discusses Ethanol’s Climate Impacts on Media Call
On a press conference call today hosted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) leading experts in the field of lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis and agricultural land use discussed the climate impacts of ethanol production and use, compared to the impacts of petroleum and other energy alternatives. Speakers also addressed what they called flawed arguments made by ethanol opponents—including Timothy Searchinger …
Growth Introduces Ethanol Ad Featuring Celeb Chris Soules
On a press conference call today Growth Energy and Iowa Farmer Chris Soules of “The Bachelor” and “Dancing with the Stars” fame announced a new week-long television ad featuring Soules on the economic benefits of ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in rural America. The ad hits airwaves just days before the Obama Administration is due to announce its …
Fuels America Launches “Obama” Climate Campaign
On a press conference call, top executives from Fuels America announced the launch of a new ad campaign targeting President Obama and urging him to lead the world on climate by getting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) back on track as he heads into international climate talks. Speakers also discussed how the Administration’s decision on the RFS will be critical …
ARF Releases Candidate Midterm Report Card
America’s Renewable Future (ARF) released a 2016 Presidential Candidate midterm report card today during a press call putting candidates into three categories: good, needs work and bad. Scores were based on the candidates’ support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and ethanol in particular. Candidates who received good grades included Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump (who is visiting an ethanol plant …
Poll: Rural Voters Support Pro-RFS Candidates
On a press conference call this afternoon, the National Farmers Union (NFU), released a poll that showed popularity and support within rural congressional districts for political candidates that support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). NFU President Roger Johnson said that the poll demonstrates the importance of the Obama Administration getting the RFS back on track as it sets the RFS …
RFA CEO Comments on Ethanol News
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen comments on ethanol industry news this week. In this interview, Dinneen comments on the DuPont cellulosic plant opening, how USDA and Protec Fuel are helping to increase higher ethanol blend pumps, attacks on the RFS by the oil industry and the new Fuels America campaign to fight back, and Dr. Ben …
USDA and Protec Fuel Partner for More Biofuel Pumps
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was at a Citgo station in Kissimmee, Florida Wednesday to announce a USDA partnership to increase fueling pumps for biofuels in 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). The investment will nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. Vilsack was joined by Protec Fuel VP of Operations …
New Poll Shows Iowa Voters Support RFS, Ethanol
The results of a new poll released today find that a majority of caucus-goers from both political parties would be more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who supports the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and biofuels, specifically ethanol. The poll also found that 61 percent of Republicans and 76 percent of Democrats would be more likely to support a …