Ethanol Week - September 17, 2012

Deinove announces progress with single-step cellulosic processing Paris-based Deinove recently announced that its research and development team, in cooperation with partners in its Deinol program, successfully isolated and optimized a strain of Deinococcus bacteria to produce ethanol from wheat-based feedstock. READ MORE SHARE
Algeria eliminates taxes, duties on U.S. corn and co-products After a three and a half year effort, the U.S. Grains Council, in cooperation with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service in Algeria, has successfully influenced the removal of the value added tax (VAT) and custom tax on all feed imports in Algeria. READ MORE SHARE
	Sorghum in spotlight due to drought, pending EPA action For years, National Sorghum Producers have advocated for increasing the use of grain sorghum, or milo, as an ethanol feedstock. Lately, the idea seems to be gaining steam, due to drought conditions and other factors. READ MORE SHARE
Fall fuel change brings new opportunities for E15 Sept. 15 marks the expiration date for the U.S. EPA's summer volatility restriction for gasolines. The EPA's E15 approval included a summer vapor pressure restriction to 9 psi, creating the need for a specialty blendstock unavailable in many areas. READ MORE SHARE
Deadline for NCGA student video competition nears The deadline for the National Corn Growers Association "Ethanol Rocks" video contest is fast approaching. The competition is open to all active high school and college students and invites applicants to produce a video promoting the use of ethanol. READ MORE SHARE
Fire researchers develop new handbook on silo fires The Swedish SP Fire Technology is publishing a new handbook, "Fires in silos," presenting a method of tackling silo fires. The handbook has been published in Swedish, with an English version to be available shortly. READ MORE SHARE
Neb. Governor proclaims September is Renewable Fuels Month Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman declared September as Renewable Fuels Awareness month in Nebraska during a visit to Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island. The proclamation was coordinated through the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board. READ MORE SHARE
Growth Energy members talk up benefits of ethanol, need for RFS A group of Growth Energy members spoke out in defense of the renewable fuel standard and U.S. ethanol during a Sept. 12 conference call held the final day of Growth Energy's three-day conference. Speakers included management of three ethanol plants. READ MORE SHARE
Ag Energy Coalition calls for passage of Farm Bill The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) today called on Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill with mandatory funding for a strong Energy Title, while a rally held by Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., called for a timely passage of a long-term Farm Bill. READ MORE SHARE
Agrivida completes Series C financing round Agrivida Inc. recently announced it raised $15 million in Series C financing. The round was led by Bright Capital Partners. The funding will be used to advance the development and commercialization of its proprietary technologies. READ MORE SHARE
RFS waiver comment period extended 15 days to Oct. 11 The comment period on the renewable fuel standard waiver request has been extended by 15 days. Gina McCarthy, U.S. EPA assistant administrator for the office of Air and Radiation, signed a notice Sept. 10, which extends the comment period to Oct. 11 READ MORE SHARE
USDA projects US corn crop at 122.8 bushels per acre The USDA dropped its estimate for the national average corn yield by 0.6 bushels to 122.8 bushels per acre on Aug. 12, a figure on the higher side of some trade estimates that projected yields dropping below 120 bushels per acre. READ MORE SHARE
E2 report estimates advanced biofuel production through 2015 A report recently published by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) shows that the advanced and cellulosic biofuel industries are well-positioned to meet demand under California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard and federal renewable fuel standard (RFS). READ MORE SHARE
IRFA launches E15 billboard campaign With the imminent introduction of E15 to Iowa motorists, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association recently launched a new billboard campaign, announcing that E15 will soon be available at the Linn Co-op Oil Co. in Marion, Iowa. READ MORE SHARE
USDA considering adding DDGS, pork to export sales report In recent years, the USDA has received numerous requests from the U.S. pork and ethanol industries to add pork and distillers grains to a Foreign Agricultural Services USDA export sales report. Now, that may become a reality. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers win grant to assess impact of bioenergy projects A team of researchers will spend five years assessing the social, economic and ecological impacts of bioenergy projects in Michigan, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. The project was made possible by a $4.81 million National Science Foundation grant. READ MORE SHARE
Propel opens new fueling station in downtown Sacramento, Calif. Propel Fuels, a leading retailer of renewable fuels and clean mobility solutions, has announced the opening of its newest renewable fuel station, co-located at the Mak's Valero station at 1101 Broadway in downtown Sacramento, Calif. READ MORE SHARE
Terrabon files for bankruptcy Houston-based Terrabon Inc. has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Under Chapter 7 proceedings, the company's operations will cease and a trustee will be tasked with liquidating the company's assets for the benefit of creditors. READ MORE SHARE