As drivers head out for trips over Memorial Day weekend, increasing attention is being focused on gasoline prices. In the meantime, ethanol industry advocates are pointing ethanol's power to reduce gas prices.

The benefits from the renewable fuels standard are clear in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, proponents of the ethanol industry have said in response to questions posed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Every once in a while, I read something that really catches my attention. A study that found that distillers grains can help reduce methane output and increase milk production in dairy cows definitely falls into that category.

The Iowa legislature approved a retailers 'bill of rights' on May 22, allowing them the right to offer higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel.

Mechanical contractor and fabricator Andy J. Egan Co. will brings its partner's technology to life in 3-D CAD models with a hologram display at the 2013 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo.

The U.S. EPA has proposed categorizing as advanced biofuels ethanol produced from corn fiber and butanol that meets the 50 percent GHG emission reduction.

The RFA responded to seven questions about the impact of the RFS that have been posed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee with 10 questions of its own asking about the comparable impacts of the oil industry.

CME Group is pleased with the interest generated in its new renewable identification numbers (RINs) futures contracts. In addition to the first trades of D6 ethanol RINs reported earlier, D5 RINs were traded.

The Renewable Fuels Association accepted the "2012 TRANSCAER National Achievement Award" May 21 at the Association of American Railroads/Bureau of Explosives HazMat Seminar in Addison, Texas.

The current period of prosperity in U.S. agriculture is unfolding much differently than 30 years ago: planted acres are not expanding at the same rate, farm income is steadily improving and farm debt is declining.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage recently signed a bill effectively limiting corn-ethanol blends to 10 percent. However, it will take action in two other area states before it becomes a reality. Two other anti-ethanol bills have floundered in the state senate.

Omaha-based biofuel producer Green Plains Renewable Energy has qualified for recognition under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) program, based on the findings of a third-party audit conducted by SCS Global Services.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published new data that shows a slight increase in total ethanol operating capacity as of Jan. 1, when compared to the prior year. Most existing capacity is located in the Midwest (PAD District 2).

The sugarcane crush in Brazil's South Central region from the start of the 2013/14 season through April 30 totaled 41.01 million tons, compared to 14.13 million tons processed during the same period last year.

CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, has announced the first ethanol renewable identification number (RINs) futures contract was cleared over CME ClearPort. This trade was brokered by StarFuels Inc.

The USDA has announced $14 million payments to advanced biofuel 162 producers in 38 states under the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels. More than a dozen ethanol producers will receive payments under the latest round of funding.

Ag Processing Inc., a cooperative, has announced that it has permanently shut down operations of its corn processing plant at Hastings, Neb. The plant had been on an extended shutdown since February 1, 2013 amid challenging economic conditions.

I don’t just write about the U.S. ethanol industry as a day job. I really, truly believe that the industry is producing a more environmentally friendly fuel that saves drivers money at the gas pump and strengthens our national security.

Two University of Illinois scientists have developed an environmentally friendly and more economical way of pretreating miscanthus in the biofuel production process. The technique uses butadiene sulfone, which can be recovered.

The U.S. Grains Council, along with the National Corn Growers Association, MAIZAR, representing Argentina producers and the maize supply chain and ABRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers) have formed an alliance.

Financing is now complete on GranBio's 22 MMgy cellulosic plant in Brazil using BetaRenewables conversion technology. Vonnie Estes appointed managing director of new U.S. office.

The Senate has unanimously confirmed Ernest Moniz as the Secretary of Energy by a vote of 96 to 0. Moniz was nominated by President Obama in March. He will replace former Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, who announced his resignation on Feb. 1.

The House Committee on Agriculture has approved its version of the Farm Bill, H.R. 1947, by a vote of 36 to 10. The bill, titled the Federal Agricultural and Reform and Risk Management Act, includes nearly $40 billion in spending cuts.

Months after receiving the first cellulosic renewable identification numbers for a shipment of cellulosic ethanol to its Brazil partner Petrobras, Western Biomass Energy LLC filed for bankruptcy and is now up for sale with bidding closing May 20.

Reps. Pete Olson, R-Texas, and Jim Costa, D-Calif., have introduced legislation that would allow ethanol produced from domestic natural gas to meet the volume requirements of the renewable fuel standard (RFS).

Iowa State University is about halfway through a three-month long online survey of livestock producers' use of distillers grains. The nationwide survey is focused on the beef, dairy, swine and poultry sectors.

The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy have filed a complaint with the General Court in Luxembourg challenging the European Union's (EU) decision to impose a 9.6 percent antidumping duty on all ethanol imported from the United States.

The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service has extended the deadline to apply for fiscal year 2013 Rural Energy for America Program funding through May 31. The extension was made due to increased funding made available through recent legislation.

The European Commission can confirm that on May 14, 2013, commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of several companies active in and providing services to the crude oil, refined oil products and biofuels sectors.

People, Partnerships & Deals

Ethanol Report

DDGS Report

Corn Report

Natural Gas Report

Employees are the No.1 asset of Big River Resources LLC and Deb Green is tasked with seeing to it they are well-trained, safe and happy.

The latest salary survey includes data on everything from total plant payroll, previous job experience of employees, the most important factors in job satisfaction and more.

The American Coalition for Ethanol has joined the ASTM (Formerly American Society for Testing and Materials) Technical Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants, represented by ACE Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty.

Attracting and retaining a team of dedicated and motivated employees is integral to company success.