Ethanol Week - March 28, 2016

Senators advocate for robust 2017 RFS rule On March 23, a group of 19 senators sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, asking the agency to set high renewable volume obligations (RVOs) in its 2017 renewable fuel standard (RFS) rulemaking. READ MORE SHARE
Aemetis acquires license to use LanzaTech’s technology Aemetis Inc. has acquired the rights to LanzaTech’s patented technology to convert agricultural, forest, dairy and construction and demolition wastes to ethanol in California. Aemetis is the first licensee of the technology in North America. READ MORE SHARE
	2016 FEW announces technical sessions agenda The 2016 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, the ethanol industry's largest conference, has released its highly anticipated agenda featuring more than 140 speakers and four comprehensive tracks. READ MORE SHARE
EPA: 14.42 million cellulosic RINs generated in February The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for February, reporting 1.18 billion RINs were generated during the month, including nearly 14.42 million cellulosic RINs. READ MORE SHARE
Iowa bill would create renewable chemical production tax credit Legislation pending in Iowa aims to create a five-year, 5-cent-per-pound, renewable chemical production tax credit program. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization has spoken out in support of the measure, noting it would help drive innovation. READ MORE SHARE
Rex American Resources reports profitable fourth quarter Rex American Resources Corp. has released financial results for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, reporting net sales and revenue for the year were $436.5 million, down from $572.2 million in fiscal 2014. Gross profit was $50.8 million. READ MORE SHARE
Thorntons to offer E15 at 43 Chicago-area stores On March 18, Thorntons announced plans to offer E15 at all 43 of its Chicago-area stores starting this month. The E15 fuel is branded as Unleaded15. The ethanol industry has spoken out to commend Thorntons for its announcement. READ MORE SHARE
AST increases scale of Wisconsin research facility American Science and Technology has completed the scale-up of its biorefinery in Wausau, Wisconsin. The company increased the processing capacity of its facility from 100 kilograms to 2 tons of cellulosic biomass per day. READ MORE SHARE
Report highlights impact of Iowa’s ethanol industry A recent study has shown that while the renewable fuels industry continues to be a strong driver of Iowa’s economy, its impact took a small step backwards in 2015 due to reductions in renewable fuel standard (RFS). READ MORE SHARE
USGC participates in USDA trade mission to Peru, Chile During a recent trade development mission led by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, representatives from the U.S. Grains Council visited Peru and Chile to assess the potential for further growth of their imports of U.S. ag products. READ MORE SHARE
UT center continues quest for low-cost, high-quality bioenergy Scientists with the University of Tennessee Center for Renewable Carbon are continuing efforts to develop renewable and cost-competitive biofuels and biobased products that can be useful for society and to advance rural economies. READ MORE SHARE
Penn State announces first harvest of shrub willow The first harvest of 34 acres of fast-growing shrub willow from a Penn State demonstration field this winter is a milestone in developing a sustainable biomass supply for renewable energy and biobased economic development, according to researchers. READ MORE SHARE
Lawmakers urge reduction of European ethanol tariffs On March 21, nine members of the U.S. of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman, urging him to examine opportunities to reduce tariffs on U.S.-produced energy, including ethanol, during trade negotiations. READ MORE SHARE
ICM announces contract to design Brazil corn ethanol plant ICM Inc. is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract to design a a dry-mill corn ethanol plant with a 50 MMgy (189,250 cubic meters per year) nameplate production capacity, located in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. READ MORE SHARE
Murex, White Energy announce ethanol marketing agreement Murex LLC recently announced further market growth with the execution of a multi-year ethanol marketing agreement with White Energy. The agreement calls for Murex to market all three of White Energy's locations' production. READ MORE SHARE
RFA thanks Lowe’s quick action following inaccurate ethanol signs The Renewable Fuels Association recently expressed deep appreciation to Lowe’s for responding so quickly to the industry’s request for the store to remove signs that inaccurately warned consumers to not use ethanol blends in small engines. READ MORE SHARE