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- RFA criticizes proposed energy cuts in House farm bill
The Renewable Fuels Association and other groups are criticizing the House Agriculture Committee's version of the farm bill, saying its elimination of $800 million in mandatory funding for energy programs would hinder development of biofuels and lead to layoffs in rural areas. The groups blamed aggressive lobbying by oil and livestock interests for tipping the scale against biofuels. "What is probably more broadly at play is a concerted effort by livestock groups, oil groups and some in the environmental community to denigrate biofuel production," said Matt Hartwig, RFA's communications director. The Hill/E2 Wire blog
(7/11)     
| Market Update | | |
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- 2 new E85 stations open in Birmingham, Ala.
The city of Birmingham teamed up with the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition to open two E85 stations. The $312,642 project was partly funded with a federal reimbursement grant. "The E85 stations will not only help our citizens, but it will be a vital establishment to help our environment," Birmingham Mayor William Bell said. WBMA-TV (Birmingham, Ala.)
(7/13)
- RFA: Crash of ethanol tanker cars in Ohio is a rare event
The derailment of a train hauling 90,000 gallons of ethanol this week in Columbus, Ohio, is a rare event as 99.99% of hazardous materials shipped by rail in the U.S. arrive safely, the Renewable Fuels Association said. "Billions of gallons of ethanol safely travel American railways without incident each year," the RFA said. The group has been holding ethanol-safety seminars for first responders since 2010 and is a founder of the Emergency Response Coalition, which advises safety personnel on how to address ethanol-related emergencies. DomesticFuel.com
(7/12)
| Technology & Trends | | |
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- Pentagon's biofuels push is a "strategic route" to reducing risk
 The Department of Defense's biofuels drive is "primarily a strategic route to reducing risk to troops," and in the case of the U.S. Navy, it's to "stimulate the commercialization" of biofuels that can be used in its ships and planes, according to retired U.S. Army Col. Dan Nolan, founder and CEO of Sabot 6. The Army and Air Force are "taking a measured approach" to biofuels, but the Navy "is more aggressive," Nolan said. "They know that unless there is an alternative, they are going to continue to spend $3.5 million per day to keep carrier battle groups in the Straits of Malacca and Hormuz." BiofuelsDigest.com
(7/12)
- Protabit gets federal grant for enzyme research
California-based Protabit received a research grant from the National Science Foundation for its work on cellulose enzymes. The company is the developer of a protein-design software platform that is used to create new enzymes for experimental testing. "We are pleased to receive this grant, which will enable us to accelerate our development of novel cellulases for second-generation biofuels," said CEO and co-founder Barry Olafson. Biofuels-News.com (U.K.)
(7/12)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- RFA, others seek to intervene in RFS lawsuit
The Renewable Fuels Association and five other groups are seeking to intervene in a lawsuit brought by oil companies against the Environmental Protection Agency over the 2011 cellulosic-ethanol requirement in the Renewable Fuel Standard. The groups want to join the case to support the EPA's denial of a petition by oil companies to waive the requirement. DomesticFuel.com
(7/12)
- House panel's farm bill would stymie innovation, USDA official says
Todd Atkinson, chief of staff of the Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, expressed disappointment at the House Agriculture Committee's version of the farm bill, which would offer only discretionary funding for energy programs. "At a time of tight budgets, should the status quo be preserved by keeping 100-year-old tax breaks for profitable, mature industries while blocking new energy innovation in rural America?" Atkinson asked. BiomassMagazine.com
(7/12)
- Exclusion of blender pumps from proposed farm bill irks IRFA
Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, voiced dismay at the House Agriculture Committee's version of the 2012 farm bill, which would bar federal funding for the purchase and installation of blender pumps. The House of Representatives "seems more interested in carrying the water to protect Big Oil's near monopoly on fuel than in providing American consumers with the freedom to choose their own fuel," Shaw said. The Des Moines Register (Iowa)/Green Fields blog
(7/12)
| RFA & Member News | | |
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Fill up with E15 for only $1.15 per gallon
Try America's new fuel, E15. On July 18th, fuel up with E15 for only $1.15 per gallon from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Central time at the Zarco 66 Station in Lawrence, Kan., located at 1500 E. 23rd St. Get a free breakfast with your E15 purchase. E15 has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for model years 2001 and newer cars, trucks, and SUVs. Find more information on this event in the flyer. Learn more about E15 fuel.
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Free Ethanol Safety Seminar, Sioux City and Fort Dodge, Iowa
The RFA, CN Railway and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association will co-host two free Ethanol Safety Seminars in Iowa. This first seminar will be in Sioux City, Iowa, on July 30 at the Western Iowa Tech Community College in the Cargill Auditorium, also co-sponsored by Siouxland Ethanol. The second seminar will be in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Aug. 1 at the Iowa Central Community College in the Career Education Building, also co-sponsored by Little Sioux Corn Processors. Each location will feature a morning session from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an evening session from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Central time. This course was developed to give first responders, hazmat teams and safety personnel an in-depth look at proper training techniques needed when responding to an ethanol-related emergency. Lunch and dinner will be provided. Certificates of participation will be distributed following the completion of the seminars. Register today.
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