USDA Crop Report Comments

USDA has increased its estimate of both the corn and soybean crops this month, building on already forecast record highs. Corn production is forecast at 14.4 billion bushels, up 3 percent from both the August forecast and from 2013 and yields are expected to average 171.7 bushels per acre, almost 13 bushels an acre higher than last year. Soybean production …

RFA Provides Ethanol Education

For the sixth year now, motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world were able to learn more about ethanol, courtesy of the Renewable Fuels Association, at the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD. RFA sponsored “Free Fuel Happy Hours,” offering a free tank of E10 93-octane fuel to riders at the Buffalo Chip Campground, as well as the annual “Legends …

American Coalition for Ethanol Conference

The 27th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference was held in Minneapolis, August 4-6, 2014. The conference is specifically tailored to the interests and needs of the people of ethanol — connecting ethanol producers with the farmers, researches, retailers, and support businesses to continue what all of them started a long time ago. 27th Annual Ethanol Conference photo album …

Ethanol Cost Analysis

A new analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) shows that over the past four years, ethanol has been the most economically competitive motor fuel and octane source in the world. In this interview, RFA Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper gives some of the major findings of the report, talks about why it has particular relevance in the California market, …

American Ethanol 200 Wins Big in Iowa

The American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen took place on Friday, July 11, 2014 and ethanol had a big win. Syngenta donated $108,000 to Growth Energy as part of its $1 per acre program to help support ethanol infrastructure. Syngenta’s $1 per acre program is a three-year program where the company donates $1 for every acre of Enogen trait corn …

RFA Report Fails Oil Companies on Consumer Choice

A new “Consumer Choice Report Card” released by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) grades some of the largest, most well-known retail gasoline chains based on whether they are providing consumers with alternatives to regular gasoline that cost less, reduce pollution and are higher octane for better engine performance. The “Big Five” oil companies all scored at the bottom of the …

Ethanol for Independence Day

In this interview, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen talks about how ethanol is reducing our dependence on foreign oil and reducing gas prices, the new milestone reached this week in cellulosic ethanol production and why the government needs to be expanding the use of biofuels rather than contemplating scaling back our nation’s renewable energy policy.

Advanced Ethanol Council Interview

In this interview, Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) executive director Brooke Coleman talks about his take on the CBO report, as well as Phantom Fuels legislation in Congress, and the delay on EPA issuing a final rule for 2014 volume obligations under the RFS. EPA officials said earlier this year that they expected to have a final rule by the end …

USDA Ag Trade Mission to China

USDA just concluded a trade mission to China promoting U.S. biofuels and agricultural products. Kelly Davis with Renewable Fuels Association, Jim Miller of Growth Energy and Roger Johnson president of National Farmer’s Union all participated in the trade mission and held a press conference today to discuss the results. Opening comments:

Ethanol Rail Safety

In the last few weeks there have been two derailments of trains carrying crude oil, one in Virginia and one in Colorado, the latest in a string of rail accidents over the past year from Canada to Alabama. While crude oil has been the common denominator in these accidents, ethanol has been caught in the cross fire despite its nearly …

Officials Discuss RFS with Farm Broadcasters

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA administrator Gina McCarthy both talked about the proposal to lower volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting in Washington DC this week.

Saudi Oil Money Behind Ethanol Smear Campaign

Americans United for Change and VoteVets.org held a press call today to reveal IRS documents showing how Saudi Oil money is helping to finance the multi-million dollar campaign being waged against ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by the American Petroleum Institute (API). In response to the continued attacks on biofuels, Americans United for Change is launching a Sunday …

New Report on Economic Impact of Renewable Fuels

The Fuels America coalition released an economic impact study by John Dunham & Associates showing that the industry supports more than 850,000 American jobs and drives $184.5 billion of economic output. Fuels America held a telephone press conference introducing the report results featuring comments from Jon Doggett, National Corn Growers Association public policy; Adam Monroe, Novozymes; Larry Ward, POET; and …

Fuels America Announces “Oil Rigged” Campaign

Members of Fuels America today unveiled the details of its new “Oil Rigged” television and digital ad campaign and OilRigged.com designed to “expose the many ways the oil industry is rigging the system to protect their profits and block the transition to clean, American renewable fuels.” The announcement was made by Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) …

Interviews From Capitol Hill

During National Agriculture Day and American Coalition for Ethanol Fly-in activities last week, we were able to interview three lawmakers from the Midwest about issues important to agriculture. Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois discusses ethanol and the RFS, his experience working on the farm bill, and the water resources development bill. Freshman Lawmaker Learns & Teaches on Farm Bill – …