The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has launched the Monarch Fueling Station Project to help ethanol and biodiesel producers across the state establish monarch butterfly habitats on green spaces surrounding their plants. “Because of their migratory patterns, monarchs need small patches of habitat throughout the state,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel plants are scattered across …
Biofuels Industry Reacts to Final RVO Numbers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today its final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018. The agency finalized a total renewable fuel volume of 19.29 billion gallons, including 4.29 billion advanced biofuel – a slight increase from the proposal – and 288 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel. The agency maintained the requirement for conventional renewable fuels …
New TV Ad Recognizes President’s Support for Rural Communities
President Trump’s support for biofuels is getting some recognition. The nation’s top renewable fuel advocates have launched a new television ad recognizing President Trump’s steadfast support for rural communities, farmers, and workers in the biofuel sector. The ad responds directly to oil industry attacks on the president for his long-standing commitment to growth under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). …
Corn Stover Could Generate Electricity
Two new studies show that generating energy from corn stover biomass could create a new market for farmers and increase the value of ethanol by reducing its overall carbon footprint. The studies are based on the premise that the crop residue left behind in the fields after corn to be used for ethanol is harvested. Iowa-based Regional Strategic, Ltd. examined …
Democrat Senators Offer Farm Bill Energy Package
Senator Al Franken (D-MN), together with Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have introduced the Agricultural Energy Programs Reauthorization Act of 2017, to reauthorize Title IX programs and funding through 2023. “Each and every day, our nation’s farmers have our backs,” said Sen. Franken, a member of the Senate Energy Committee. “I believe we need to have theirs as …
Methane Concept Tractor from New Holland
Tractors running on alternative fuels are not new. But what is new is a concept tractor from New Holland that is powered with methane or CNG. The tractor was on display during the Farm Progress Show. Pictured with the tractor is Carlo Lambro, New Holland Brand President. We had a chance to visit and talked about the new machine as …
Biofuels Voices Comment on RFS Rule
The comment period for the EPA’s proposed volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has officially ended and stakeholders in both the biodiesel and ethanol industries made their voices heard. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments “urging the agency to finalize the RVOs that were included in EPA’s first draft of the proposal that was submitted …
NFU Announces Biofuels Initiative
National Farmers Union (NFU) has announced an initiative “to advance federal policies that support homegrown and home-produced renewable energy sources.” “American family farmers and ranchers are facing a rapidly changing climate, a severely depressed farm economy, and deteriorating rural infrastructure and services,” said NFU President Roger Johnson during a press call to announce the effort. “Expansion of homegrown, renewable energy …
NE Gov Highlights Value-Added Ag and Ethanol
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts highlighted Nebraska value-added agriculture efforts during a press conference at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) annual conference held in Omaha. “The ethanol industry is a prime example of how we can add value to the agriculture commodities that we grow right here in Nebraska,” said Governor Ricketts. “Through the process of turning corn into ethanol, …
ZimmCast with Owner of Legendary Buffalo Chip
The Legendary Buffalo Chip near Sturgis, SD is packed again for the 2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Chip now has a permanent self serve fuel dispenser which pumps a 93 octane E10 blend which Rod “Woody” Woodruff, owner of The Chip, describes as jet fuel for motorcycles. During the event the dispenser is the site of Free Fuel Happy Hours, …