The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is very pleased with the decision last week by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to readopt the Low Carbon Fuels Standard and the increased role biodiesel will play in that standard. The new standard finds that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent and often by as much as 81 percent …
Clean Power Plan: What the People Say
Americans United for Change (AUFC) held a press conference this morning to release poll results from 8 battleground states showing voter concern about climate change and strong support for the Clean Power Plan. States surveyed included: Virginia, Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, Colorado, Nevada, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Climate advocates will also call on Republican Attorney Generals preparing to sue the EPA …
WOTUS Final Rule Announced
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army finalized the Clean Water Rule that has become known as the Waters of the United States or WOTUS. According to EPA, the rule “ensures that waters protected under the Clean Water Act are more precisely defined and predictably determined, making permitting less costly, easier, and faster for businesses and industry.” EPA …
White House Climate Initiative Announced
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and presidential advisor Brian Deese visited Michigan State University Thursday to announce a comprehensive national strategy to partner with farmers, ranchers and forest land owners to address the threat of climate change. The new initiative, “Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture & Forestry”, will utilize voluntary, incentive-based conservation, forestry, and energy programs to reduce greenhouse gas …
Ditch the Rule at Missouri State Fair
Agriculture’s “Ditch the Rule” campaign against the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule was highlighted at the Missouri State Fair this week. Three Republican members of Missouri’s congressional delegation held a press conference at the fair, organized by the the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri Farm Bureau. Senator Roy Blunt …
ABM Announces New Patent to Improve Plant Growth
Advanced Biological Marketing (ABM) announces the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 8,716,001 for a Trichoderma strain that induces resistance to plant diseases and increases plant growth. The patent was issued to Cornell University and ABM has exclusive worldwide rights. The patent covers the technology that induces gene expression triggers for healthier and more productive plants. The Trichoderma works by first …
Deepwater Wind Announces Right Whale Protection
This morning the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Deepwater Wind held a media teleconference to announce an agreement to implement additional protections for marine mammals, including the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Speakers included: Tricia K. Jedele, RI Advocacy Center Director, Conservation Law Foundation Jeffrey Grybowski, CEO, Deepwater Wind Michael Jasny, …
REPREVE RENEWABLES Deploys Biomass Crop System
REPREVE® RENEWABLES, LLC, is collaborating with farmers and landowners in the United States to grow giant miscanthus grass for renewable product solutions, combining an innovative business model with proprietary equipment technologies custom-built for rhizome-propagated crop production. This innovative approach provides an economic alternative for leveraging marginal and underutilized land. The need for alternative sources to fossil fuels and other bio-based …
Lucero Joins Eco Agro Resources
Eco Agro Resources is proud to announce the appointment of Luciano Lucero as the regional manager of South America. Luciano’s hiring is consistent with Eco Agro Resources’ overall strategy to support local markets and to provide greater value to customers. Luciano’s ability to introduce the South American market to innovative urease inhibitor N-Yield and to the developing product line is …
2013 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour
The 2013 Conservation In Action Tour was held July 9-10 in the Indian Creek Watershed in Livingston County, Ill. The event featured tours of farming operations and presentations from farmers, conservation partners, crop consultants, government agency representatives and others. Links on this page include the event photo album, stories posted on websites, and audio files. 2013 Conservation in Action Tour …
Study Shows Ethanol Reducing Carbon Footprint
Ethanol Report with Comments from Study Co-author Steffen Mueller and RFA CEO Bob Dinneen A new study indicates that ethanol production is continuing to reduce its energy and environmental footprint. The study, entitled “2012 Corn Ethanol: Emerging Plant Energy and Environmental Technologies”, found that recent innovations in corn ethanol production have resulted in increased yield per bushel even as less …
USDA and EPA Release Report on Honey Bee Health
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a comprehensive scientific report on honey bee health. The report states that there are multiple factors playing a role in honey bee colony declines, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure. Link to full report. A press conference featuring government officials and …
Ethanol Energy Use Study – Interview
A new study indicates that ethanol production is continuing to reduce its energy and environmental footprint. The study, entitled “2012 Corn Ethanol: Emerging Plant Energy and Environmental Technologies”, found that recent innovations in corn ethanol production have resulted in increased yield per bushel even as less energy is required for production. Thermal energy use at a typical dry mill ethanol …
Fuels America: Biofuels Get Their Green On
Fuels America held a press conference on April 17, 2013 to highlight sustainability improvements from farm to fiber to fuel. During the press call farmers and ethanol industry experts gave a briefing on the increased sustainability measures taken in renewable fuel production from farm to fuel tank. Participants of the call included Fred Yoder, farmer and past president of the …
Meet New EPA Ag Counselor
The new senior Agricultural Counselor to the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator held a conference call Tuesday (4/16/13) to discuss her background and her role as an advisor at EPA on ways environmental policy may impact growers and the greater agriculture community. Sarah Bittleman accepted the new position with EPA in February after serving Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as USDA Senior …