The Department of Agriculture’s renewable energy development assistance program helps bring wind energy to the farm. The program seeks to increase energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy, such as distributed wind, while decreasing the demand for energy through efficiency. Over time, these investments can also help lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers. …
NBB Celebrates 25 years of Biodiesel
Biodiesel supporters kicked off a yearlong celebration this week at the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Fort Worth, Texas, celebrating the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) 25th anniversary. A NBB representative told attendees during the event, after noting that the U.S. went from zero to three billion gallons of biodiesel production in 25 years, that “we are at the tipping …
RFA Develops ‘Ethanol in the Classroom’ Program for Students
Consumers are never too young to learn about the benefits of ethanol. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has developed an “Ethanol in the Classroom” course, providing a fun and interactive way for students to learn about the renewable fuel. The e-Learning program is broken down into three levels: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12. After selecting the appropriate level, …
Cornyn Drawing Up RFS Overhaul Legislation
Texas Republican John Cornyn is drawing up legislation to overhaul the Renewable Fuels Standard. It’s his attempt to end the disagreement between corn-state lawmakers and oil-patch legislators. Cornyn’s office has been hosting talks for several months on altering the nation’s biofuels program and come up with a variety of policy ideas, although they haven’t narrowed down any of the choices …
USDA/NIFA Announces Support for Biomass Genomics Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Biological and Environmental Research, announce joint support for research in plant feedstock genomics for bioenergy. NIFA’s support is funded through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which aims to address challenges in food and agricultural …
EU Moves to Ban Palm Oil from Biofuels
The European Union (EU) gave approval to a climate plan that includes banning palm oil from use in fuels, angering palm oil producers. Indonesia and Malaysia, the two largest palm oil producing nations in the world, call the move a protectionist trade barrier. The ban is part of a power market overhaul aimed at reducing energy consumption to meet climate …
American Drivers Top 3 Billion Miles Driven on E15
Growth Energy announces that American drivers have logged yet another billion miles on clean burning E15 in just the past three months. The total number of miles driven on E15 now sits at more than 3 billion. “E15 is taking off with consumers wherever it’s available and rapidly becoming drivers’ go-to fuel,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “At the forefront of …
Growth Energy Celebrates 2017 Wins, 2018 Goals
2017 was a banner year for the ethanol industry, setting the stage for future successes in 2018. Despite a barrage of threats against the industry and the Renewable Fuel Standard, Growth Energy says the industry saw strong support and pushback against those threats. Threats She says 2017 saw a united voice within the industry. Voice 2017 also saw the doubling …
Brazil Considers Dropping Tariff on U.S. Ethanol Imports
Brazil is considering removing a 20-percent tariff on ethanol imports from the United States. An agriculture official from Brazil said Wednesday the decision could depend on the U.S. lifting a ban on fresh beef exports from Brazil, according to Reuters. Brazil imposed the ethanol tax last year on U.S. imports that exceed a 600-million-liter annual quota to protect local producers. …
Agri View: Renewable Energy on the Farm
Maybe you have noticed, maybe not. Those huge reflector screens are becoming more and more common in rural areas. Everett Griner talks about the reflectors used to generate renewable energy in rural areas in today’s Agri View. They provide cheaper electricity in chicken houses, dairy farm, and even rural homes. Rural Solar Energy One of America’s biggest farm organizations is …