American Coalition for Ethanol - www.ethanol.org

Houston Chronicle: Texas Governor pushed for ethanol waiver after $100K Contribution from Pilgrim's Pride CEO

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CDT

According to the Houston Chronicle, a donation by the CEO of a major poultry company helped spur an attack on ethanol.

The Houston based paper reported the donation by Pilgrim's Pride CEO Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim in Wednesday's paper.

Read the article here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5867104.html

"Fueling Revolution" - Register Now!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CDT

REGISTER NOW!
Affordable, conveniently located Conference & Trade Show

Register today for one of the paramount events in the ethanol industry! Still the most affordable ethanol conference, the 21st Ethanol Conference & Trade Show is the best in quality and affordability paired with unsurpassed networking opportunities and information your company needs to succeed.

Rates begin as low as $179!

Located conveniently in the heart of the ethanol industry, this event draws the business contacts you need and high quality experts from throughout the industry. The conference will be held August 12-14, 2008 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, NE.

Registration is open now at www.ethanol.org or by calling 605-334-3381.

Hotels are nearly sold out so call today for your reservations!

ACE has contracted with local hotels to get you the best rate available; click here for hotel contact information.

You must call by July 12, 2008 to get the negotiated low conference rates.

Click here for the conference agenda.

Please visit www.ethanol.org, call 605-334-3381 or email sgustafson@ethanol.org for more information.

American households are paying $83 a week for gas, up 335% since 2002. Food prices are up also, but only 23% in the last five years.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Americans will pay $1.13 more per gallon to travel to their Fourth of July celebration than they did last year, and $2.60 more per gallon than they did just five years ago, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. "I think we've all become numb to constant gas price increases, but a look at the numbers should make people take notice. An average household pays $4300 a year now for gasoline instead of the $1200 they paid just five years ago," said Ron Lamberty, Vice President / Market Development of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). "Just six years ago, a twenty dollar bill would fill your tank for your Fourth of July holiday trip and you'd have enough left over to buy snacks, but today that same trip will cost you more than $60." ABC News has reported that some cities are canceling Fourth of July festivities due to high gas prices and the general downturn in the economy. "It's sobering to realize that our dependence on foreign oil may even be threatening our celebration of Independence Day," Lamberty said. "Ethanol's opponents will tell you that the cost of the Fourth of July picnic is slightly higher this year, but the cost of the picnic is irrelevant if Americans can't afford to drive to the celebration." While much recent media attention has focused on increased food prices, a look at the Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the gas price increase is by far the heavier burden for American households.

In January 2002, an average household paid $102 a week for food (groceries and eating out) and $25 a week for gas.

By June 1 of this year, a household paid $124 a week for food (an increase of 23.1%) and $83 a week for gas (an increase of 335.8%). If gas prices had increased at the same rate as food prices during that time, the pump price would be $1.39 per gallon. Read the full press release here: http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmgmt/Gas_prices_up_335_percent_7208.pdf ACE published a fact sheet today with more food price and gas price information, which can be downloaded here: http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmgmt/ACE_Fuel_Food_Fact_Sheet_7_2_08.pdf

South Carolina passes law to protect splash blending of E10

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CDT

A new law has been passed in South Carolina requiring oil companies to offer unblended gasoline in addition to pre-blended E10, thereby protecting independent marketers' ability to purchase ethanol and gasoline separately and pass along the ethanol savings and tax credit beyond the refiner. "We want to stop the big oil takeover of ethanol," Ron Lamberty, ACE Vice President / Market Development notes in an interview with the Associated Press. "We need an independent product to keep the refiners honest." Read the entire AP article here: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hmEcp6fChJI0XNEVIVB5cKC3FrUwD91I2LOG1

Case soon to be closed on Renewable Fuels Standard waiver request

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CDT

CASE SOON TO BE CLOSED Texas Gov. Rick Perry doesn't like a new federal law that means more ethanol. The big livestock feeders and meatpackers in the governor's state aren't happy about it because it means more competition for corn, upsetting their status-quo of cheap corn and tall profits. So he's asked the federal Environment Protection Agency to waive half the Renewable Fuel Standard. The EPA has to give him an answer by July 25. We think they'll turn him down. Here's why: Gov. Perry did not prove that more ethanol, which holds down gas prices, will hurt his state. In fact, according to the renewable fuels industry and independent experts, which filed responses to the governor, ethanol's many economic benefits -- starting with cleaner, more cost-effective fuel -- far outweigh higher corn prices. In summary; granting the Texas request by waiving the RFS will not reduce food prices but will increase fuel prices - leading to even higher food prices. EPA will close this case soon. Follow the links below to read the filings. Sources: Renewable Fuel Association. "Comments of the Renewable Fuels Association on the Request from the State of Texas for a Waiver of a Portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard, 73 Fed. Reg. 29,753 (May 22, 2008)." June 23, 2008. http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ContentViewer?objectId=0900006480638e3a&disposition=attachment&contentType=pdf American Coalition for Ethanol. "Comments on the Request from the State of Texas for a Waiver of a Portion of the Renewable Fuels Standard, 73 Fed. Reg. 29,753 (May 22, 2008)." June 23, 2008. http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ContentViewer?objectId=0900006480638426&disposition=attachment&contentType=pdf ==================== FUEL FOR THOUGHT A publication of the Renewable Fuels Now Coalition: www.RenewableFuelsNow.org TO SUBSCRIBE Go to: http://lists.epicinfo.org/list/subscribe.html?lui=fdqwvf0i&mContainer=1&mOwner=G2t342x2r&mListId=HL%236 TO UNSUBSCRIBE Go to: http://lists.epicinfo.org/list/unsubscribe.html?lui=fdqwvf0i&mContainer=1&mOwner=G2t342x2r&address=kbrekke%40ETHANOL.ORG&val=r4dpuofa QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FACTS? Send an e-mail to: info@renewablefuelsnow.org PROBLEMS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION? Send an e-mail to: fuel-facts-request@lists.renewablefuelsnow.org ====================

Floods in the Midwest will likely affect this year's corn and ethanol production, but there are reserve supplies of both products

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CDT

STOCKED UP

Floods in the Midwest will likely cut into this year's corn production, and there will be ripple effects for the ethanol market. But as the good folks at GoodFuels.org point out, there are reserve supplies of both products.

Because of last year's bumper corn crop, the USDA projects beginning stocks of 1.4 billion bushels as of June. That so-called "carry-in" supply will help ensure that grain is available in the event of a short crop this year.

Meanwhile, according to the Energy Information Administration, ethanol stocks totaled 11.4 million barrels at the end of March. That's almost 500 million gallons of ethanol in storage and available to gasoline blenders.

It's good to be stocked up.

Sources:

Good Fuels. "Floods Don't Mean Doom for Ethanol." June 18, 2008.
http://www.goodfuels.org/2008/06/floods-dont-mean-doom-for-ethanol/

U.S. Department of Agriculture. "World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates." June 10, 2008.
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/wasde/wasde-06-10-2008.pdf

Energy Information Administration.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_stoc_typ_a_EPOOXE_SAE_mbbl_m.htm

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USDA, DOE release findings of investigation into ethanol's impact on food and fuel markets

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CDT

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy have released the findings of an examination of ethanol's impact on the food and fuel markets, in response to a request from U.S. Senator Bingaman (D-NM), the Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

In a letter last month, Senator Bingaman requested that the agencies look into the effects that biofuels are having on food prices and fuel prices, so that these facts would be present in the national conversation. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer responded in a letter yesterday to Senator Bingaman, a PDF of which is available at this link: http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmgmt/USDA_DOE_biofuels_letter_61208.pdf

The USDA-DOE examination into biofuels' impact on food prices finds that in 2007, ethanol and biodiesel consumption contributed only 3-4% of the increase in food prices. The report also indicates that if the United States hadn't been blending ethanol into gasoline, gas prices would be 20 to 35 cents per gallon higher.

Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), made the following statement:

"These facts from USDA and DOE cannot be disputed - ethanol does little if anything to drive up the price of food, and ethanol does indeed keep down the price of gasoline. We welcome a fact-based discussion that recognizes the oppressive impact of $130 oil and fact that ethanol is part of the solution."

High oil prices are a real drag on the economy

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CDT

HIGH OIL PRICES: A REAL DRAG ON THE ECONOMY

This week, Newsweek Magazine asked their Business Roundtable of experts such as Larry Lindsay, Robert Rubin and Bob Lutz to weigh in on the recent downturn in the U.S. economy. One of these experts, co-founder of AOL and chairman of Revolution LLC, Steve Case, flatly stated, "Rising oil prices are having a significant impact on our economy."

It is no secret that oil prices are putting a real damper on the economy and are driving up the cost of everything from steel, rubber, and aluminum, as well as that daily Starbucks caffeine fix many of us crave in the morning.

Oil prices may be sky high, but they could be a lot higher if not for increased ethanol production. Ethanol is cutting over 140,000 barrels of oil imports every day in the U.S. and according to experts at Merrill Lynch, ethanol is helping to keep gasoline prices and oil prices 15-27 percent lower than they otherwise would be.

Ethanol production -- both corn and cellulosic -- are key components to a diversified solution to America's energy problems. In order to completely eliminate our dependence on foreign oil we must continue to invest in new technology and expand alternative fuel solutions.

Sources:

"We Ask: When Will the Pain Go Away?" Newsweek Magazine, June 16, 2008.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/140552/page/1

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The big pinch - America's average gas price ready to cross the $4 line

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CDT

THE BIG PINCH

The average price of gas in America looks ready to cross the $4 line.

Weekly data released yesterday by the Energy Information Administration pegged it at $3.97 -- up 82 cents a gallon from the same week last year.

This is the consequence of oil recently surging past $130 a barrel.

And yet a coalition of vocal biofuel opponents is agitating to cap or roll back biofuel production. What would that do to the picture?

Economist John Urbanchuk calculates the initial impact of taking biofuels off the market would be to jack up the price of oil another 27.5 percent.

Urbanchuk has also calculated that waiving half the renewable fuel standard, as Texas Gov. Rick Perry has proposed -- and thus removing 4.5 billion gallons of ethanol from the U.S. market -- would cause gas prices to spike an additional $1.10 per gallon.

And consumers thought they were feeling a pinch at the pump now...

Sources:

Energy Information Administration. "U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices."
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/wrgp/mogas_home_page.html

"Impact Of Ethanol On World Oil Demand And Prices," by John Urbanchuk, LECG, LLC. May 27, 2008.
http://www.goodfuels.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/lecg-world-oil-price-impact-update.pdf

"Impact of Waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard Provisions of EISA 2007 on Retail Gasoline Prices," by John Urbanchuk, LECG, LLC. May 1, 2008.
http://www.iowarfa.org/documents/WaiverAnalysis050108.pdf

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Ethanol will save American motorists more than $100 million over this holiday weekend

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Ethanol saved American motorists more than $100 million over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, according to analysis of May 23rd national fuel prices.

Based on national rack prices published 5/23, the net price of ethanol was between $1.15 and $1.30 a gallon less than unleaded gasoline, a lower cost which equaled a savings to American motorists of $35 million a day and more than $100 million over the three-day weekend.

"Ethanol's savings are real, and although it might not seem like it because of high gas prices, ethanol is saving motorists almost $35 million dollars a day right now. Without ethanol, Americans would pay a billion dollars more each month for gas," said Ron Lamberty, Vice President / Market Development of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE).

Economic experts agree that without ethanol, gas prices would be even higher. Merrill Lynch analysts note that if ethanol producers weren�t expanding their output, oil and gas prices would be 15% higher, which at today�s prices would mean oil at $155 per barrel and gas at $4.45 a gallon.

"According to data from the Department of Energy, for the first time in 30 years the United States has reduced its imports of foreign oil. Ethanol is helping build positive momentum in this country toward shaking off the weight of shockingly expensive oil, and it�s saving consumers money in the process," added Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE.

Ethanol Facts:

� Ethanol is an important part of the solution to America�s energy problems. It will not replace every drop of oil this country uses, but it can provide a significant domestic supply of fuel that will relieve some of the pressures of $135 a barrel oil.
� Ethanol is available today. Unlike other futuristic technologies that are decades away from reality, ethanol is already being produced on a commercial scale and has the infrastructure in place to support its expansion and distribution.
� Ethanol is an American-made fuel, distilled from American farmers� crops at more than 150 production facilities nationwide. Ethanol production is an important local economic engine, a bright spot in this time of a slowing national economy.
� Ethanol has clear environmental benefits. Ethanol has proven its benefits to the environment in real-world use in cities all across the nation. The use of ethanol-blended fuel reduces carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and greenhouse gas-forming emissions.