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- RFA chief: EPA's delay on decision for proposed E15 rule is frustrating
The Environmental Protection Agency's announcement that it needs more time to study E15's potential effects on catalytic converters is frustrating, said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. Speaking at a farm convention in Missouri, Dinneen noted that there are no issues related to drivability and materials compatibility based on available data, and he recommended that the EPA allow E12 while it extends the review period for the E15 proposal. An E12 blend would broaden the ethanol market by 20% and not violate the agency's fuel-blending rules and tolerances, he added. Wallaces Farmer
(11/13)
    
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- Execs: Venture capitalists funded more green-energy projects in Q3
Green-energy technology received more venture-capital funds than the software and biotech sectors in the third quarter, industry executives said during a conference in Boston. But many are more comfortable spending their money on companies that previously received funding, making it difficult for startups to get investments. Financiers also noted that in contrast to the traditional models where returns can be expected in five to seven years, clean-energy products could take 15 to 18 years to develop. CNET/Green Tech blog
(11/13)
- Mold in Indiana corn could affect livestock, ethanol makers, experts say
Wet weather conditions in the Midwest are encouraging the growth of mold on corn, which could generate toxins affecting the health of livestock and lessening their market value, said Ken Eck of Purdue University. Up to 40% of the corn from fields in southwestern Indiana show mold that will result in lower-quality grain unsuitable for human consumption, he added, but such crops could be sold to ethanol plants at lower prices. Some ethanol facilities, however, turn away the poor-quality crops or separate them during the distilling process, said Richard Stroshine, another educator with the university. The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Ind.)/The Associated Press
(11/15)
- Science, facts quash falsehoods spread about ethanol
 Jeff Zueger of Underwood, N.D., writes in this letter to the editor that he does not understand why falsehoods about ethanol, as it can help the U.S. create jobs, clean the environment and promote energy independence. He writes that research shows vehicles can run on higher blends without adverse effects on performance, myths about deforestation resulting from ethanol corn crops have been disproved, and development of ethanol plants will increase jobs in the U.S. while decreasing dependence on foreign oil. The Bismarck Tribune (N.D.)
(11/15)
- Future remains uncertain for unfinished Aventine ethanol facilities
Aventine is exploring its options for two ethanol plants in Indiana and Nebraska that remain half-finished because of inadequate funding, the company said in a filing for bankruptcy court in Delaware. The company reported assets of $799 million and debts of $491 million in its Chapter 11 petition. Aventine, which is based in Illinois, owns two operational plants that can produce a total of 207 million gallons of ethanol each year. Daily Herald (Chicago)/Bloomberg
(11/13)
- Pacific Ethanol seeks deferral of court-ordered payment worth $1.9M
Pacific Ethanol, which runs an ethanol facility at the Port of Morrow in Oregon, may default on a court-ordered $1.9 million payment due Dec. 1 because of insufficient funds, according to the company's quarterly report to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Slumping ethanol prices led to cash-flow problems for Pacific this year, prompting five of its units to seek bankruptcy protection in May and three of its plants to go offline. The company hopes to push back payment to no earlier than the end of the first quarter next year, said President and CEO Neil Koehler. East Oregonian
(11/14)
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- Maryland boaters blame ethanol for engine problems
Boaters who blame ethanol for damaging their engines are not happy with a request by Growth Energy to increase the allowable blend rate to 15%. The Environmental Protection Agency's deadline for deciding on the rate is Dec. 1. Robert Gaudette, director of boating services for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, says boaters and manufacturers have adjusted to E10 but are not sure how a higher blend will affect them. The Daily Times (Salisbury, Md.)
(11/15)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- Senators may adjust EPA's emissions role to win votes for climate bill
 As the Senate works on climate-change legislation, lawmakers may let the Environmental Protection Agency retain its power to regulate greenhouse gases in order to win over critics who are concerned over the agency's role in the measure, writes Matthew Madia in this blog post. The House version of the bill modified the EPA's authority under the Clean Air Act to secure the votes of moderate lawmakers and representatives of the energy sector, and senators could do the same thing in their proposal, Madia added. OMB Watch
(11/13)
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| RFA & Member News | | |
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2009 Corn Quality Issues and Ethanol Production
Unfavorable weather conditions have significantly delayed the 2009 corn harvest, making this fall's harvest the latest in more than 40 years. Cool, wet conditions in the fall can affect grain quality in a variety of ways, and several reports of grain quality issues have surfaced across the Corn Belt in recent weeks. As a result, ethanol plants are intensifying their quality control efforts to ensure efficient processing and high-quality feed co-products. RFA's technical staff has prepared a short document discussing some of the quality concerns facing the industry this fall and outlining common practices for dealing with potential grain-quality concerns. Read the report.
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