line decor
  
line decor


 



INDUSTRY UPDATE
The ethanol industry continues to evolve as we move through the world financial crisis, the food vs. fuel debate and the other issues facing the industry today. Analysts and financial advisors seem to be in accord that the financial crisis is starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel as the country works its way through the slump. The general mood is that we should see a lift out of this recession in the last quarter of 2009 and a stronger 2010.

The food vs. fuel debate has been going on for some time now and recently the naysayers have lost some steam when the demand for corn from ethanol plants was substantially reduced, but the prices at the grocery store did not decline and in fact the prices on some food items continue to rise. It is hard for the grocery stores to maintain that our industry was the cause for the higher prices on groceries when they did not reduce their prices in light of diminished demand for corn.

Having said the above the ethanol industry continues to struggle with negative margins and companies continue to find themselves in bankruptcy. The 2009 calendar year will be tough for operators.  Improvements will only be seen when the corn planting cycle is completed and the economy and energy complex stabilizes. These improvements will also be supported by an increasing RFS which on the balance of facts provide a much more stable 2010.

AMERICA'S ENERGY FUTURE STARTS AT HOME (RFA)
Solving the energy crisis facing this nation will require the legendary innovative and entrepreneurial spirit for which Americans are famous. Fortunately, Americans are more than capable of solving this challenge. In fact, we have already begun the hard work needed to secure our energy future by expanding the production and use of domestic renewable fuels like ethanol.

Ethanol is helping lead the way today by reducing oil imports, creating jobs, addressing the challenges of global climate change, and helping keep gas prices down. America's ethanol producers are also on the cutting edge, developing new processes and technologies that will allow for the production of a wide range of renewable fuels from a broad array of feedstocks.

Meeting the energy, environmental and economic challenges facing this nation must be addressed head on. No one is going to do it for us. America's energy future starts right here at home.

GROWING INNOVATION - America's Energy Furture Starts at Home
2009 Ethanol Industry Outlook
View Report

FEATURED NEWS ARTICLES

New! Ethanol Life Cycle & Greenhouse Gas Issues

Biofuels and indirect land use change effects: the debate continues
Matthews, John and Hao Tan - Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
April 14, 2009
View PDF

Analysis of "Biofuels: Environmental Consequences & Interactions with Changing Land Use"
Renewable Fuels Association
April 3, 2009
View PDF

Analysis of Current Feeding Practices of Distillers Grains with Solubles in Livestock and Poultry Feed Relative to Land Use Credits Associated with Determing the Low Carbon Fuels Standard for Ethanol
Dr. Jerry Shurson, University of Minnesota
March 31, 2009
View PDF

New! Economic Impacts

2008 Contributions of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States
February 23, 2009
View PDF


WEEKLY RFA UPDATES
Daily news articles from around the world related to ethanol and biodiesel, from RFA.
You will need Adobe Reader to read the clips in PDF format.