Ethanol Week - December 24, 2012

Last step completed in terminated anti-subsidy case The European Commission has finalized its decision to apply no countervailing duties in the anti-subsidy case, which Ethanol Producer Magazine previously reported had been terminated. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers work to unlock secrets of cellulose production Work to understand cellulose production at the University of Virginia School of Medicine that may help hospitals battle bacterial infections could also have a significant impact on biofuel production. READ MORE SHARE
	Pacific Ethanol increases plant ownership to 80 percent Pacific Ethanol has agreed to increase its ownership interest in four ethanol plants and is taking steps to improve its debt position, it said Dec. 19. The company has now agreed to purchase $21.54 million of ethanol plant secured debt. READ MORE SHARE
NCGA Announces National Corn Yield Contest Winners for 2012 Advanced production techniques, informed growing practices and improved seed varieties helped corn growers achieve high yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2012 National Corn Yield Contest, in some cases doubling the national average. READ MORE SHARE
Thorntons wins Paul Dana Excellence in Bioenergy Leadership Award The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has recognized Thorntons Inc. as the winner of the 2012 Paul Dana Excellence in Bioenergy Leadership Award. It recognizes those who have exemplified leadership and innovation in the bioenergy industry. READ MORE SHARE
	Lux Research 2012, 2013 top-10 lists feature biorefiners Lux Research has published top-10 lists of 2012's top emerging technology companies, as well as emerging companies to watch in 2013. Biorefining companies, including Solazyme, Itaconix and Beta Renewables, top this year's lists. READ MORE SHARE
EU member states vote to go ahead with anti-dumping tariff News that a nearly 10 percent anti-dumping duty will likely be imposed on U.S. ethanol imports to EU countries was confirmed by a majority vote of EU member countries on Dec. 20, bringing the matter one step closer to finalization. READ MORE SHARE
AEC releases report on cellulosic biofuels projects The Advanced Ethanol Council on Dec. 19 released a nearly 20-page report profiling U.S. and Canadian cellulosic biofuels facilities and development projects. In addition, it contains information about efforts in other countries. READ MORE SHARE
GPRE's BlendStar opens Alabama rail terminal Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc. has announced that BlendStar LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has completed construction and has begun operations at its 96-car unit train terminal in Birmingham, Ala. READ MORE SHARE
API lawsuit on 2011 cellulosic RFS volumes dismissed by court On Dec. 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed a lawsuit filed by the American Petroleum Institute against the U.S. EPA challenging the 2011 cellulosic requirements of renewable fuels standard. READ MORE SHARE
RINs stocks drawn down in 2012, but plenty available for 2013 For the first time since the renewable identification number (RIN) system was established, there will be no RIN carryover on this year's production, due to high corn prices and reduced ethanol production levels, but stocks will not be depleted. READ MORE SHARE
Fla. bill calls for repeal of state Renewable Fuel Standard Act In December, two state representatives in Florida introduced a bill to repeal the Renewable Fuels Standard Act. The legislation, HB 4001, would remove the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in Florida be blended with ethanol. READ MORE SHARE
Investments move Proterro sucrose pilot project forward With new funding in hand, Proterro Inc. is poised to take its sucrose-producing process to the pilot stage, using full scale-bioreactors. The company expects the process can produce fermentation-ready sugar at a cost of less than 5 cents per pound. READ MORE SHARE
U.S. ethanol exports down from 2011, imports continuing The latest data on ethanol exports and imports released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that, through October, U.S. ethanol exports are at 643.3 million gallons. Ethanol imports are during the same period measured nearly 390 million gallons. READ MORE SHARE
Woodland Biofuels lands new investment as demo progresses Woodland Biofuels is on track to begin producing cellulosic ethanol early in the year, CEO Greg Nuttall said. The company has made progress as well on the financial front, announcing an investment from the MaRS Cleantech Fund LP. READ MORE SHARE
USDA grants support sustainable bioenergy production Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced $10 million in research grants to spur production of bioenergy and biobased products that will lead to the development of sustainable regional systems and help create jobs. READ MORE SHARE