Ethanol Week - February 18, 2013

Valero restarts Neb. plant, cites improved margins Valero Energy Corp. has resumed operations at its 120 MMgy ethanol plant in Albion, Neb., during the first week of February due to improved margins. With Albion resuming operations, only two of Valero's 10 ethanol plants remain idle. READ MORE SHARE
Ethanol industry pushes back against legislation to block E15 On Feb. 14, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and David Vitter, R-La., introduced legislation that would overturn U.S. EPA approval of E15 for model year 2001 and newer light duty vehicles. READ MORE SHARE
	Advanced biofuel groups respond to API's latest RFS attacks The American Petroleum Institute is once again misleading Congress and the general public about the renewable fuel standard (RFS); this time, as it pertains to a January 2012 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. READ MORE SHARE
Canadian government invests in biofuel initiatives The Canadian government has announced investments in two projects that will benefit the biofuel and biorefining industries, including one to expand the use of beets as feedstock, and one to install pilot-scale short path distillation equipment. READ MORE SHARE
EIA short-term outlooks predicts drawdown of banked RINs The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the February 2013 issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook. Despite the forecast increase in ethanol production, it is expecting a drawdown of banked renewable identification numbers (RINs). READ MORE SHARE
	Economists: RFS needs to adjust for blend wall, other limitations In their continuing analysis of implementing the renewable fuels standard (RFS) and the blend wall, University of Illinois economists Scott Irwin and Darrel Good say something has to give. READ MORE SHARE
Wash. state bill would extend tax exemptions for woody biomass Legislation pending in the Washington State Legislature aims to extend the existing sales and use tax exemption for wood waste and residue used to produce electricity, steam, heat or biofuel through June 30, 2024. READ MORE SHARE
Final 2012 numbers show 2012 U.S. ethanol exports down 38 percent Compared to the record-setting year of 2011, the U.S. ethanol industry exported significantly less ethanol in 2012. A total of 738.7 million gallons of U.S. ethanol was exported in 2012, according to government data released recently. READ MORE SHARE
Lignol makes progress in cellulosic ethanol, lignin development Lignol Innovations Ltd. has landed a commercial supply agreement with a European thermoplastics producer. The subsidiary of Lignol Energy Corp. had previously delivered samples of its trademarked HP-LTM lignin for evaluation and product trials. READ MORE SHARE
Obama stresses importance of clean energy in State of the Union Energy and climate change were two areas of focus in President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Feb. 12. "Today, no area holds more promise than our investments in American energy," he said. READ MORE SHARE
RFA releases report, annual industry outlook during NEC The ethanol industry faced major challenges in 2012, while producing an estimated 13.3 billion gallons of ethanol, employing more than 383,000 people directly and indirectly as well as contributing $43.4 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product. READ MORE SHARE
Western Biomass Energy in chapter 11 reorganization Western Biomass Energy LLC filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy on Oct. 31. The facility was the nation's first demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol plant when it was brought online in January 2008 by KL Process Design Group. READ MORE SHARE
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy achieves RFS approval from the EPA Dakota Spirit AgEnergy has achieved renewable fuel standard (RFS2) certification through the U.S. EPA for its proposed 65 million gallon per year biorefinery at the Spiritwood Energy Park near Jamestown, N.D. READ MORE SHARE
USDA outlines climate change impacts on agriculture, forestry The USDA has released two reports that outline the impact of climate change on agriculture and forestry. The reports provide a framework for understanding how climate change could affect the ability to meet demands for food, feed, fiber and fuel. READ MORE SHARE
USDA: Global ethanol production to grow 40 percent through 2022 On Feb. 11 the USDA released a report detailing its agricultural projections for the next 10-year period. According to the paper, titled "USDA Agricultural Projections to 2022." READ MORE SHARE
New organization supports advanced biofuel deployment in the EU A new initiative in Europe, Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels, aims to expedite deployment of advanced biofuel technologies. In February, chief executive officers of seven European biofuel producers and airlines met in Brussels form the group. READ MORE SHARE