Ethanol Week - December 16, 2013

Industry criticizes bill to strip corn ethanol from RFS On Dec. 12, Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Tom Coburn, R-Okla., introduced legislation that aims to eliminate the corn ethanol portion of the renewable fuel standard (RFS). It would not affect mandates for other categories of renewable fuels. READ MORE SHARE
Senate hearing addresses 2014 RFS proposal The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works held a hearing Dec. 11 to consider the U.S. EPA's proposed rule to set 2014 volume requirements under the renewable fuel standard. The hearing featured testimony from several stakeholders. READ MORE SHARE
	USDA: Corn supplies raised on record Canadian crop The WASDE report raised projected corn imports by 5 million bushels based on a record Canadian corn crop. Corn for ethanol production is projected 50 million bushels higher reflecting the strong pace of weekly ethanol production since mid-October READ MORE SHARE
European Council fails to reach agreement on ILUC Several European biofuel groups are speaking out following the European Council's failure to reach a political agreement on how to account for indirect land use change (ILUC) in biofuel policy on Dec. 12. READ MORE SHARE
Rex American Resources reports significant gross profit increase Rex American Resources Corp. has released its financial results for the third quarter of 2013, reporting a gross profit increase of 386 percent compared to the same period of last year. The company holds ownership interest in seven ethanol plants. READ MORE SHARE
Mascoma's technology surpasses 1 billion gallons Mascoma Corp., a leading provider of bioconversion technology, has announced that its consolidated bioprocessing technology (CBP) has been used to produce over 1 billion gallons of renewable fuel. This achievement is a key commercial milestone. READ MORE SHARE
Spain's ethanol capacity holds steady The government of Spain recently filed a report on ethanol with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Information Network. The report addresses Spanish policy, production, and supply and demand data. READ MORE SHARE
Proterro issued patent for sugar-making process The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 8,597,914 to Proterro Inc., protecting its unique, biosynthetic sugar-making process. The company's technology features microorganisms that produce sugar in modular photobioreactors. READ MORE SHARE
EIB provides loan for second generation ethanol project The European Investment Bank is providing a loan to support the research and development projects of Biochemtex, an engineering subsidiary of the Mossi and Ghisolfi Group. The research will include both biofuel and biobased chemical products. READ MORE SHARE
Murphy USA opens first Arkansas E15 station Murphy USA opened the first E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) station in Arkansas on Dec. 11. There are now more than 60 stations in 12 states registered to offer the higher level fuel blend. READ MORE SHARE
U of Ill. economists analyze weedy invaders-to-energy concept Could weeds, particularly problematic invasive ones, become a reliable cellulosic ethanol feedstock? It isn't likely in the near-term due to a fundamental dilemma, suggest a group of University of Illinois researchers. READ MORE SHARE
ACE to host RFS comment webinar Brian Jennings, executive vice president for the American Coalition for Ethanol, said the advocacy group will host a webinar Dec. 17 on how to make comments to the U.S. EPA on the proposed renewable fuel standard (RFS) rule for 2014. READ MORE SHARE
EIA maintains 2014 production estimate in December STEO The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the December issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, maintaining the prior month's prediction that ethanol production will average 900,000 barrels per day in 2014. READ MORE SHARE
Novozymes, Monsanto team up to provide bioagricultural solutions Novozymes and Monsanto Co. have announced a long-term strategic alliance to transform research and commercialization of sustainable microbial products that will provide a new platform of solutions for growers around the world. READ MORE SHARE
EU's policy environment credited with lack of biofuel investment A study published by Agra CEAS Consulting shows that an uncertain policy environment in Europe is negatively impacting investment in first- and second-generation biofuels. Without additional investment, the E.U. is likely to miss its biofuel targets. READ MORE SHARE
Patriot Renewable Fuels calls RFS proposal a "slap in the face" In an effort to increase awareness and understanding of the biofuels industry among both individuals and state and federal legislators, Patriot Renewable Fuels recently held a renewable fuel standard (RFS) roundtable and rally. READ MORE SHARE
Ineos Bio announces operational progress at Florida plant Ineos Bio has provided an update on the operations at its Indian River BioEnergy Center, reporting the facility has made significant operational progress and is steadily moving towards stable operations in 2014. READ MORE SHARE