Presidential panel calls for increased role for ethanol in America's energy markets

A report released in early December by the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology (PCAST) outlined numerous policy suggestions for the federal government to pursue to enhance the role that ethanol and other biofuels play in America's energy equation. Broadly, the report called for greater federal involvement in encouraging the use of higher blends of ethanol, the production of flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) and the development of commercial cellulosic ethanol production.

The report also recognized the importance of tax incentives in developing a robust domestic industry, noting "the current ethanol industry has only recently experienced strong growth, compared to the decades of profitability for the petrochemical industry with its multiple historical subsidies."

More specifically, the PCAST recommendations included the following:
• Encourage industry to expand the availability of biofuels and FFVs
• Increase the supply of E10 and other biofuel blends
• Eliminate the ethanol import tariff for E85 applications
• Modify the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit to match competitive realities
• Identify lands suitable for energy crop production
• Support cellulosic biomass conversion technologies
• Encourage production of FFVs

The entire PCAST report, titled "The Energy Imperative: Technology and Role of Emerging Companies" can be found at www.ostp.gov/PCAST/pcast.html

Distillers grains receives increased attention

On Nov. 1, several Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) members participated in a "Distillers Grains Ingredients: Production and Industry Overview" seminar at the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine. The event was sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association, the Distillers Grains Technology Council and the RFA. There was excellent attendance by the FDA, particularly in a large number of scientists from the Division of Animal Feed. The FDA was interested in learning more about the ethanol industry and distillers grains due to the large amount of distillers grains moving into the feed marketplace.

On Nov. 20, the RFA attended a Pork Checkoff-sponsored meeting, called "Distillers Grains: Implications for the U.S. Pork Industry," to discuss the implications of corn and distillers grains on the pork industry. A smaller group met the following day to begin to develop a comprehensive and proactive plan of action, including a stakeholder-based research and education funding initiative.

Registration fills up for RFA's 12th Annual National Ethanol Conference

The 12th Annual National Ethanol Conference in Tucson, Ariz., is coming up soon, and space is becoming limited. Log on to www.nationalethanolconference.com to register. We look forward to seeing you there!