Ethanol Week - December 15, 2014

EIA: New ethanol production records set, 2015 forecast increased The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the December issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, reporting new records for average weekly and monthly ethanol production. The EIA also increased its 2015 production forecast. READ MORE SHARE
EPA highlights expected RFS rulemaking schedule during hearing On Dec. 10, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, HealthCare and Entitlements held a hearing focused on the U.S. EPA's implementation of the renewable fuels standard (RFS). READ MORE SHARE
	Economists project impact of lower gas prices on ethanol profits With oil prices dropping dramatically, the possible impact on ethanol profitability was examined by University of Illinois ag economists Scott Irwin and Darrel Good in a recent FarmDocDaily post. READ MORE SHARE
Prime the Pump seeks to expand E15 infrastructure The fate of an ordinance that would require gas stations in Chicago to carry E15 is still unknown. Passed by the city council's finance committee on Monday, a vote by the full council was deferred Dec. 10 for at least a month. READ MORE SHARE
Lincolnway highlights plant improvements in financial results Lincolnway Energy LLC reported net income of $18.0 million, or $428.70 per unit, for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30. The company also highlighted several improvements made at the plant, including the installation of a natural gas boiler. READ MORE SHARE
Chicago finance committee passes E15 ordinance On Dec. 8, the Chicago City Council Committee on Finance passed an ordinance that would require filling stations within the city to supply E15. The measure now moves to the full city council for a hearing on Dec. 10. READ MORE SHARE
Economist examines hedgers concerns with proposed CFTC rules Commodity hedgers are facing another round of changes in position limits. The comment period has been reopened for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's last proposal on position limits for agricultural commodities. READ MORE SHARE
ASTM approves new standard for butanol purity testing A new ASTM International standard will be used in isobutanol manufacturing to test its purity for use in the chemical and fuel markets. Isobutanol manufacturers and quality laboratories that work with fuels will be the primary users of ASTM D7875. READ MORE SHARE
Kansas challenges EPA ethanol emissions model Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has asked a federal appeals court to block new U.S. EPA regulations that discourage the use of ethanol by requiring states to adopt conclusions about ethanol emissions not backed by scientific facts. READ MORE SHARE
Economists evaluate impact of gas prices on ethanol, corn demand University of Illinois economists Scott Irwin and Darrel Good recently addressed the potential impact of falling gas prices on ethanol and corn demand in a Dec. 4 FarmDocDaily post, theorizing that the risk of adverse impacts has been over-stated. READ MORE SHARE
Genera announces investment from WindSail Capital Group Leading biomass supply company, Genera Energy Inc., has received a strategic financing commitment from WindSail Capital Group, a Boston-based investment firm that provides growth financing to companies advancing energy innovation and sustainability. READ MORE SHARE
Class I railroads file updated weekly status reports BNSF Railway Co. reported it held only four ethanol unit trains and 105 grain unit trains short of designation or scheduled interchange for longer than six hours during the week ending Dec. 6. Canadian Pacific held six ethanol and six grain trains. READ MORE SHARE
LanzaTech announces $60 million equity investment The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has made a $60 million equity investment in leading gas fermentation company LanzaTech. The company turns waste gas from steel mills into ethanol and other high value fuels and chemicals. READ MORE SHARE
Few adjustments to corn supply, demand made in December report Supply and demand numbers for U.S. feed grains were mostly unchanged in the Dec. 10 World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report, with a small increase in projected corn food, seed and industrial use reducing ending stocks slightly. READ MORE SHARE
UPM advocates for EU advanced biofuel policy Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels, an industry coalition to promote advanced biofuels, met on Dec. 4 at the European Parliament. LSB, chaired by UPM's Marko Janhunen, is advocating for a strong EU-wide subtarget for advanced biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
Greenbelt Resources raises $550,000 Greenbelt Resources Corp. has raised $550,000 from individual qualified accredited investors. The net proceeds will be used for working capital needs, including the transition of the company's R&D facility to a commercial biorefinery. READ MORE SHARE
GRFA: Biofuels can reduce global transportation GHG emissions As COP 2014 is fully underway in Peru, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance has reiterated that biofuels are presently one of the most commercially viable ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in the medium-term. READ MORE SHARE
RFA calls on CARB to adjust ILUC analysis The Renewable Fuels Association has submitted written comments to the California Air Resource Board encouraging it to adjust its current indirect land use change (ILUC) analysis to better reflect real-world land use patterns. READ MORE SHARE