Energy

Does Ethanol Really Lower The Price Of Gasoline?

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:55:00 +0000

Source: Farmgate blog

The latest USDA supply-demand report indicated that corn processing for ethanol purposes would not increase much from the 2011 crop to the 2012 crop. About 5 billion bushels would be converted to ethanol. One reason is the blend wall that serves as a maximum for the 10% fuel blend to be incorporated into the nation’s motor fuel supply. And since the demand for gasoline is declining due to the recession, the demand for ethanol is not growing.

E15 Clears Final Federal Hurdle with Fuel Survey Initiation

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:18:00 +0000

Source: Renewable Fuels Association

After three years, the American ethanol industry has finally satisfied all federal requirements for E15 commercial sales as set by the partial E15 waiver granted by the U.S. EPA. Starting April 23, 99 ethanol producers have funded a nationwide fuel survey as required by the partial waiver that represents the final federal hurdle to E15 availability.

EPA to Allow E15 in Gasoline

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:12:00 +0000

Source: EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first applications for registration of ethanol for use in making gasoline that contains up to 15% ethanol – known as E15. Ethanol is a renewable fuel that can be mixed with gasoline. For over 30 years ethanol has been blended into gasoline, but the law limited it to 10% by volume for use in gasoline-fueled vehicles. Registration of ethanol to make E15 is a significant step toward its production, sale and use in model year 2001 and newer gasoline-fueled cars and light trucks.

Ethanol's Role in Reducing Gas Prices

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:44:00 +0000

Source: Renewable Fuels Association

Gas prices are dominating the headlines and we have yet to embark on the summer driving season, the traditional kick-off to high gas prices. With Congress holding hearings this week on gas prices, the president holding a press conference today, voters taking to the polls today and the energy world gathering in Houston this week, RFA's Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper has analyzed the data to provide background information on the downward pressure exerted by domestic ethanol production on gasoline prices. A complete download of this RFA Issue Brief in pdf form is available.

Wind Wisdom | 5 Questions to Ask Before Signing a Wind-Energy Lease

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:57:00 +0000

Leasing your farmland for wind power offers another source of income — one that lets you continue farming the land. But wind agreements create complex legal and financial issues, and affect your property rights far into the future, says Jennifer Jambor-Delgado, a staff attorney at Minnesota-based Farmers’ Legal Action Group.

Ag Secretary Vilsack on Renewable Energy's Impact in Rural America

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:40:00 +0000

Source: USDA

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry regarding the impact of renewable energy in rural America. "Madam Chairwoman and Members of the Committee, I am pleased to have this opportunity to discuss economic development and the impact of renewable energy in America's rural communities.

2011 Ethanol Exports Total 1.19 Billion Gallons

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:19:00 +0000

Source: Renewable Fuels Association

The official numbers are in and confirm what the industry has known all year: 2011 was a huge year for ethanol exports. The annual total for 2011 was 1.19 billion gallons, more than triple the 2010 export total of 396 million gallons. Brazil was the leading importer of U.S. ethanol in 2011, receiving 33% of total shipments. Exports accounted for approximately 8.6% of U.S. ethanol production in 2011, up from 3% in 2010 and 1% in 2009.

Judge Denies California Attempt to Re-Implement LCFS

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:21:00 +0000

Source: Renewable Fuels Association

On Jan. 23, 2012, Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill denied the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) motion to stay the decision he issued on Dec. 29, 2011, that had halted the enforcement of the California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulation because that regulation is unconstitutional.

Federal Judge Finds California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard Unconstitutional

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:26:00 +0000

Source: Renewable Fuels Association

A judge in Federal District Court in Fresno, California, has sided with America's ethanol industry in ruling that the State of California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is unconstitutional. Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill agreed with the arguments that the LCFS is in violation of the Commerce Clause the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. Importing, Exporting Ethanol To and From Brazil

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:21:00 +0000

Source: Renewable Fuels Association

Flawed carbon accounting schemes at both the federal and state level are creating a dynamic where the U.S. is importing ethanol from Brazil while simultaneously exporting greater volumes back to Brazil. This “ethanol shuffle” is occurring exclusively as the result of state and Federal fuel regulations that “treat Brazilian sugarcane ethanol as if it were the Holy Grail of biofuels,” according to Geoff Cooper, the Renewable Fuels Association’s vice president of research and analysis.