Several fire departments in northeast Iowa were dispatched to what could have been a disastrous situation, when an ethanol plant near Fairbank caught fire. The fire began late Wednesday morning in a silo at the Flint Hills Ethanol Plant, located just east of the city. The smoldering fire could be … [Read more...]
Ernst presses EPA administrator on summer E15 sales
Republican Senator Joni Ernst met with the acting director of the EPA this week to discuss expanding ethanol sales. The EPA is closed because of the government shutdown, so there's concern rules to allow summertime sales of fuel with a higher blend of ethanol will not be adopted in time. "That's … [Read more...]
Renewable fuels advocates defend the RFS in House hearing
Ethanol industry leaders defended the Renewable Fuels Standard at a hearing Tuesday before the House Energy Committee. At issue is the recently released draft of the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act, which aims to sunset the RFS. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, called the RFS an … [Read more...]
German firm plans to make ‘renewable’ natural gas in Iowa
Officials have awarded state tax breaks to a European company that plans to open a biofuels plant at the site of a closed ethanol production facility near Nevada. VERBIO is based in Germany. The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board has approved state tax benefits in support of the company's … [Read more...]
Head of EPA says E-15 will be available in summer despite concerns
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency says U.S. drivers will have access to E15 gasoline next summer. Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is trying to alleviate concerns about the timeline his agency has proposed for moving to year-round sales of E15. "We will be able to go to … [Read more...]
Campaign Countdown: state ag secretary race
An incumbent who's been in the post for seven months faces two challengers in the race to be Iowa's Secretary of Agriculture for the next four years. Iowa's long-time State Ag Secretary Bill Northey resigned in March to take a job in the USDA. Governor Reynolds appointed Mike Naig to the post. … [Read more...]
Timeline for moving to year-round E-15 raises concern
A top ethanol industry official is echoing Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley's concern about the timeline the Environment Protection Agency has proposed for moving to year-round sales of E15. The recently published agenda by the EPA shows E15 rule making would begin in February. American Coalition for … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst warns oil industry will fight E15 progress
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst today said the oil industry is "already trying to undercut" the president's move toward year-round sales of gas with a higher blend of ethanol. "This has been a battle we've had for years and years and years. It was going on before I came into congress and it will continue … [Read more...]
Iowa ethanol and corn producers react to E-15 news
Iowans who produce corn and ethanol say they are pleased with the announcement today by President Donald Trump that he has directed the EPA to move forward with the process for the year-round sale E-15. Quad County Corn Processors in Galva produces ethanol that is mixed with gas for the E-15 blend. … [Read more...]
State ag secretary candidates discuss expanded E15 sales
A senior administration official says President Trump will hold an event at the White House today to announce he's paving the way to allow summertime sales of gasoline with a higher percentage of ethanol. Republican Congressman David Young will be at that event in D.C., then fly with the … [Read more...]