Ethanol Week - February 4, 2013

Secretary Chu announces resignation In a letter to Energy Department employees today, Energy Secretary Steven Chu highlighted the tremendous progress of the last four years, and announced his decision to not serve a second term as secretary. READ MORE SHARE
Valero reports financial results for Q4 2012 Valero Energy Corp. has released its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2012. Regarding Valero's ethanol segment, the company reported an operating income of $12 million in the fourth quarter, a decrease compared to the same period of 2011 READ MORE SHARE
	ETH Bioenergy, Inbicon partner on cellulosic ethanol in Brazil Brazil-based ETH Bioenergy and Inbicon have announced an agreement to bring the second generation ethanol for the Brazilian market. The partnership will combine the experience of industrial and commercial ETH and technology and know-how of Inbicon. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers use ionic liquid to pretreat biofuel feedstock mix Research has shown that an ionic liquid proven to be effective for pre-treating individual biofuel feedstocks is also effective at pre-treating multiple different feedstocks that have been mixed and densified into a blend. READ MORE SHARE
Scientists trick iron-eating bacteria into breathing electrons Scientists have developed a way to grow iron-oxidizing bacteria using electricity instead of iron, an advance that will allow them to better study the organisms and could one day be used to turn electricity into fuel. READ MORE SHARE
	The RFA comments on CFS draft study on biofuels, food security The Renewable Fuels Association has submitted comments disputing a draft study on biofuels and food security published by the U.N. Committee on World Food and Security (CFS). READ MORE SHARE
Iogen focuses on cellulosics as Novozymes buys enzyme business The phones were ringing and multiple staff meetings were being held at the Iogen Corp. headquarters following the Jan. 31 announcement of Novozymes' acquisition of the industrial enzymes business of the Ottawa-based enzyme maker. READ MORE SHARE
EPA proposes rules for voluntary RIN integrity program On Jan. 31 the U.S. EPA published a proposed rule that creates a structured process for buyers of renewable identification numbers (RINs) to verify their validity. A 30-day comment period will allow member of the public to weigh in on the measure. READ MORE SHARE
Industry has mixed feelings on RFS volume standards for 2013 Groups representing the U.S. ethanol and advanced biofuel industries responded swiftly to the 2013 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volumetric requirements released Jan. 31, pointing out both positives and negatives. READ MORE SHARE
EPA proposes 2013 renewable fuel standards The U.S. EPA is proposing the 2013 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the agency's renewable fuel standard program (RFS2). The proposal announced today will be open for a 45-day public comment period. READ MORE SHARE
EIA: U.S. ethanol prices, production lower in 2012 than 2011 Spot prices for U.S. fuel ethanol were lower throughout most of 2012 compared to 2011. Prices were relatively stable during the first half of 2012, but they rose at mid-year as severe drought and scorching temperatures reduced corn yields. READ MORE SHARE
Novozymes acquires enzyme business from Iogen Corp. Novozymes announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Iogen Bio-Products, the industrial enzyme business of Ottawa-based Iogen Corp. for CA $67.5 million and potential earn-out payments of up to CA $12.5 million. READ MORE SHARE
White Energy, Abengoa idle plants; Hugoton building continues High corn prices, difficult supplies and tight margins have taken three more ethanol plants offline in recent weeks, including one in Plainview, Texas, one in York, Neb., and a third in Ravenna, Neb. READ MORE SHARE
Idled Oregon ethanol plant acquired by gas, natural gas company On Jan. 28 Global Partners LP announced it would acquire 100 percent of the membership interests of an idled 110 MMgy ethanol plant in Clatskanie, Ore., as well as an onsite rail transloading facility serviced by the BNSF Railway, and other assets. READ MORE SHARE
2 ethanol plants sign offtake agreements with Sweetwater Energy ACE Ethanol LLC and Front Range Energy LLC have signed 15-year agreements with Sweetwater Energy Inc. to purchase cellulosic sugars for processing at their corn-ethanol facilities. READ MORE SHARE
AEC responds to The Wall Street Journal coverage The Wall Street Journal editorial board has once again demonstrated that it either does not understand why Congress decided to require oil companies to use cellulosic biofuels five years ago or it is not willing to tell the truth about it. READ MORE SHARE
USGC publishes annual report The U.S. Grains Council has issued its 2012 Annual Report, which includes success stories from the year and market profiles from more than 25 countries and regions. The also includes export data on distiller's dried grains with solubles. READ MORE SHARE
EIA data shows ethanol consumption increased in 2012 The U.S. Energy Information Administration's Fuel Ethanol Overview in its January Monthly Energy Review shows that ethanol consumption for the first 10 months of 2012 was up slightly compared to the two previous years. READ MORE SHARE
Ethanol industry questions validity of CRC E15 study The Coordinating Research Council has released a report outlining fuel test results that show E15 fuel can damage fuel system components. Representatives of the ethanol industry, however, are questioning the testing methods. READ MORE SHARE
EU releases proposal on deploying alternative fuel infrastructure A recently released European Commission proposal on deploying alternative fuels infrastructure recognizes the importance of biofuels but does not go far enough, said ePURE, the European Renewable Ethanol Association. READ MORE SHARE
Sugar beet feedstock use increases in Germany The Bundesverband der deutschen Bioethanolwirtschaft (BDBe), a German ethanol trade organization, has released production statistics for 2012. According to the organization, German ethanol production increased by 7.4 percent last year. READ MORE SHARE