Nebraska Ethanol Board Expands

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The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) recently welcomed three Nebraska ethanol producers to the board as new voting members. Todd Good from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Joe Shanle from Trenton Agri Products (TAP), and Brent Hoops from Chief Ethanol were appointed by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to fill the three newly-created ethanol producer seats on the NEB, effective immediately.

The NEB’s strategic plan legislation, Legislative Bill (LB) 815, passed earlier this year by the Nebraska Legislature with supermajority support and subsequently signed into law by Gov. Pillen, included provisions to add three ethanol producer seats to the NEB. The seats became open on Sept. 1 and were required to be filled with initial appointees within 30 days.

Gov. Pillen also reappointed Jamie Bearup to the NEB labor position for a four-year term, and Scott McPheeters was reappointed for another term, now in the general farming position. McPheeters replaces Michael Thede, who retired from the NEB at the conclusion of his term on August 31.

The NEB now has nine voting members, each representing a sector of the fuel value chain. Ethanol producers Good, Shanle and Hoops join Chairman Jan tenBensel (wheat), Vice Chairman Scott McPheeters (general farming), Secretary Randy Gard (petroleum marketers), Jamie Bearup (labor), Taylor Nelson (corn), and Tracy Zink (sorghum) as voting members. The Board is also supported by a technical advisor. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chemical Engineering Professor Dr. Hunter Flodman holds that position.

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Registration Open for 2027 NEC

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The Renewable Fuels Association has opened registration for the 32nd annual National Ethanol Conference, taking place in Las Vegas February 15–17 with the theme “The Next Wave” to explore the strong future direction of the U.S. ethanol industry.

“Ethanol is riding a powerful wave of momentum, from booming export markets and strong RFS volumes to growing opportunities for higher blends and new technologies,” RFA Board Chairman Derek Peine, Western Plains Energy. “At the 2027 National Ethanol Conference, top industry professionals will come together to explore The Next Wave—the trends, innovations and policies that will shape the future of renewable fuels. We’ll talk about hot topics ranging from ethanol’s potential as a maritime biofuel to the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit. It will be a chance to network and collaborate, share ideas and best practices, celebrate how far our industry has come, and focus on the work needed to take ethanol to its next level.”

Since 1996, NEC has been the nation’s most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry, where sessions featuring globally renowned speakers are interspersed with numerous networking opportunities to help the industry connect and collaborate. Last year in Orlando, RFA hosted roughly 1,000 industry stakeholders from 40 states and 19 foreign countries.

Potential attendees are encouraged to register by Dec. 1 for maximum savings, and RFA members can save even more. Click here for more information and to register. For updates, track social media posts with the hashtag #RFANEC.

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Christianson Accredited for Canadian and US Clean Fuel Programs

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Christianson PLLP has received accreditation from the Standards Council of Canada, expanding the firm’s accredited third-party verification services for renewable fuel producers participating in Canadian and U.S. clean fuel programs.

Many renewable fuel programs require annual independent third-party verification as a condition of participation. This rare accreditation enables Christianson to immediately serve renewable fuel producers seeking to access the Canadian market under the Canadian Clean Fuel Regulations, while also providing accredited verification under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Technical Guidelines for the Production of Regenerative Agricultural Biofuel Feedstocks, allowing renewable fuel producers to further lower their facility’s carbon intensity through their feedstocks and increasing their 45Z Clean Fuel Production tax credit value.

Together with Christianson’s existing verification services, producers can now work with a single, trusted verification partner to support carbon intensity reduction compliance across multiple federal, state and international programs.

“Our clients desire a more streamlined approach to compliance as clean fuel programs advance,” said Kari Buttenhoff, Partner and Head of Compliance at Christianson. “With this accreditation, we’re able to expand our role as a trusted third-party verification body across North America. Renewable fuel producers can now rely on one experienced team for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance, state low-carbon fuel programs, Section 45Z verification, Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations and the USDA’s regenerative agriculture program for 45Z. Our newfound ISO accreditation will open the door for additional sustainability verification services in the near future, as we further expand our offerings to meet the needs of the renewable fuels industry and its increasing participation in sustainability programs.”

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RFA Files Challenge to Small Refinery Exemptions

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The Renewable Fuels Association has filed petitions in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit challenging two rounds of small refinery exemptions (SREs) granted by the Environmental Protection Agency last month.

On August 3, EPA granted SREs for the 2023 and 2024 RFS compliance years totaling 160 million RINs. Then on August 31, EPA granted 29 more SREs for the 2025 compliance year, exempting 1.76 billion RINs, which is the second-highest exempted volume in the RFS program’s history.

“These exemptions are unjustified and based on flawed analysis by the Department of Energy,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We intend to challenge these decisions vigorously. EPA’s own analyses show that RIN compliance costs are passed through to wholesale fuel buyers, meaning small refineries are not bearing a disproportionate burden. Congress never intended the SRE program to be a permanent entitlement for highly profitable oil refining companies.”

This action follows RFA’s ongoing challenge to two rounds of SREs granted in August and November 2025. Briefing in those consolidated cases is underway and involves the same core legal issues, including EPA’s methodology for evaluating disproportionate economic hardship under of the Clean Air Act. “The D.C. Circuit is already considering these same legal questions in the case regarding SREs granted in late 2025,” said Cooper. “Our new filing ensures the August 2026 exemptions are properly preserved for judicial review while allowing the court to resolve the fundamental legal issues first.”

RFA notes that while EPA announced in August its intent to propose reallocating 100 percent of the newly exempted 2025 SRE volumes into the 2026 and 2027 renewable volume obligations, that proposal has not yet been published. In addition, the March 2026 final RFS rule, which addressed the earlier rounds of 2023–2025 exemptions, reallocated only 70 percent of those exempted volumes. Cooper said RFA continues to believe that full reallocation is needed to prevent net demand destruction for renewable fuels and that the SRE program requires fundamental reform.

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Governor Signs California E15 Bill

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Over the weekend, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed new legislation to help Californians access lower-cost E15 fuel, 15% ethanol blended, an option that can diversify the state’s fuel supply.

The Governor signed Senate Bill 795, the “E15 Clean-up Act,” into law following the legislature’s unanimous passage of the bill on August 31. The bill removes a regulatory barrier to implementing last year’s AB 30, which authorized the sale of E15 in California.

“As Donald Trump’s costly and reckless Iran war continues to disrupt global oil markets and drive up costs for families at the pump, California is taking action to give consumers more affordable choices and strengthen our fuel supply,” said Gov. Newsom. “This common-sense bill cuts unnecessary red tape while maintaining our environmental and safety standards. We’re helping make E15 a real option for California drivers.”

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said the bill allows retailers to use existing vapor recovery equipment to dispense E15 if the manufacturer of that equipment submits a statement of compatibility to the relevant state agencies. “Thanks to the governor’s leadership and decisive action, California is closer than ever to lower gas prices and a cleaner future for families across the state. Dozens of other states have already seen the benefits of E15—healthier air, better engine performance, and cost savings at the pump. Now, California drivers are about to experience those same advantages for themselves,” said Cooper.

Cooper also thanked the bill’s principal authors, Sens. Bob Archuletta and Suzette Martinez Valladares, and Assemblymember David Alvarez, as well as the entire bipartisan California Problem Solvers Caucus for their leadership and commitment to reducing gas prices for California families.

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USDA Announces New American Biofuels Trade Outlook

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week released the American Biofuels Trade Outlook, a plan that builds upon 2025’s record U.S. ethanol export performance, removes restrictions to American biofuels, and secures new market opportunities for U.S. farmers.

“American farmers are fueling the future, and the American Biofuel Trade Outlook outlines the USDA’s exact plan to ensure that success continues, and America’s producers continue to prosper,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

The outlook includes four points – increase on-road ethanol blending, reduce restrictions on crop-based biofuels, reach untapped markets, and accelerate opportunities with international organizations.

Specific actions USDA intends to accelerate include addressing implementation challenges in markets like Vietnam, and working with the 20 countries at E10 to fully implement their blending polices; increase technical engagement to help encourage Mexico to adopt increased ethanol blending to expand U.S. ethanol exports; invest in research, outreach, technical work to maximize international market opportunities; and continue engagement at the U.N. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the U.N. International Maritime Organization (IMO) to supports the inclusion and competitiveness of U.S. biofuels so that other countries.

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Farm Bill with E15 Reported Out of Senate Ag Committee

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The Senate Agriculture Committee met Wednesday for the first time in over a month to re-vote on the Agriculture Act of 2026 – the farm bill, including E15 – and pass it along party lines by a vote of 12 to 11. Republicans prevailed on the vote this time with the presence of both Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Tom Tuberville (R-AL) who were absent during the last meeting. The action was applauded by all major farm and biofuel organizations.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper called it an important step toward finally securing nationwide, year-round E15. “As expressed throughout the farm bill process, there is broad bipartisan support for making lower-cost E15 available to consumers all year long—especially at a time when pump prices are on the rise and fuel supplies are tightening. Now, we urge the full Senate to pass year-round E15 legislation as quickly as possible, reconcile the language with the House, and get a viable solution to President Trump’s desk for his signature.”

It is clear that the path forward with the farm bill on the Senate floor will hinge on SNAP and the Democrats demand for a a two-year delay of the SNAP cost share, but Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) stressed the need for getting the bill passed. “This bill has many other bipartisan provisions, including the year-round E15 that we’re really we’ve been working on – and I’m looking at Senator Ernst, Senator Fisher, Senator Grassley, Senator Thune, Senator Moran – for so long, and a stronger farm and ranch stress assistant network. All of this shows that there’s a lot we agree on this bill and that we really can’t afford to not get this done by the end of the year,” said Klobuchar.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) agreed. “Our farmers need certainty. And one of the things that’s included in here is E15, which is something I think a lot of us have fought long and hard for, and which is really important to a lot of producers across this country, and I would argue to help lower gas prices.”

Listen to the committee meeting proceedings here:
Senate ag committee farm bill vote 40:14

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CARB Gets E15 Comments Ahead of Hearing

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol stakeholders provided comments this week to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ahead of a public hearing next week to consider proposed amendments to the state’s reformulated gasoline regulations to support the voluntary sale of gasoline containing up to 15 percent ethanol.

Comments from the Renewable Fuels Association urge CARB to move quickly to finalize proposed regulations allowing the sale of lower-cost E15 as Californians continue to face the highest fuel prices in the country at more than $6 per gallon.

“Expanding access to E15 will provide consumers with another gasoline option, expand the pool of available fuel supply, and utilize ethanol’s value as a low-carbon, high-octane, cost-competitive blending component,” wrote Maddie Jenks, RFA director of regulatory affairs. “A workable E15 framework can therefore provide both consumer savings and greater flexibility in California’s gasoline supply. Prompt finalization will provide suppliers, terminals, marketers, and retailers with the regulatory certainty necessary to make supply and investment decisions and will allow E15 to reach California consumers as soon as practicable.”

RFA’s comments also encouraged CARB to work closely with the state fire marshal to address the E15 compatibility of vapor recovery equipment, which is the final marketplace impediment preventing retailers from offering the fuel.

Comments from the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) stressed the option of allowing retailers to blend E15 at the pump, which could expand the availability of both E15 and E85 as well as dramatically reduce the cost of infrastructure for offering E15.

“Blending at the pump will also require being able to meter the actual gallons sold by product, to properly tax pump-blended E15 fuel made with fully taxed E10 and E85 which is taxed at a lower rate. Allocating sales properly is also necessary to avoid overstating E85 sales which could exceed current sales limits on the fuel,” said ACE chief strategy officer Ron Lamberty in written comments.

ACE also touched on the limits of E85 sales, suggesting that limits should be removed in order to allow Californians to fully benefit from the pollution reductions and cost savings that E85 provides, writing, “both of which are highly beneficial to drivers’ pocketbooks while protecting the state environment and public health.”

CARB will hold a hearing on September 24 to vote on the adoption of the E15 regulation.

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USDA Report Highlights Ethanol Export Wildcards

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA FAS Chart

U.S. ethanol exports set new volume and value records over the past two calendar years and are ahead of last year’s record pace through June of this year, but a new USDA report indicates there are a handful of wildcards that could greatly impact exports throughout the rest of the year.

According to a new report from USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), record ethanol exports in 2024 and 2025 were fueled by growing global ethanol import demand and reduced competition from Brazil, with top ethanol-importing markets like Canada, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), India, Colombia, and the Philippines increasing their ethanol consumption and driving global import demand higher. At the same time, strong domestic fuel ethanol demand in Brazil reduced exportable supplies and raised domestic prices, allowing the United States to increase export share to a growing market.

Through June 2026, U.S. ethanol exports are running ahead of last year’s record pace, 12 percent by volume and 21 percent by value. Among the unknowns USDA is watching for the rest of this year include supply side wildcards such as whether Brazil will be able to regain lost export market share and if the 45Z tax credit will result in higher profitability for U.S. ethanol producers to increase production and create more competitive pricing in the export market.

On the demand side, the biggest wildcards are changes to policy, especially in response to high energy prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Countries have announced intentions to increase biofuel blending mandates or speed up the implementation of planned blending increases in the face of high energy prices. In Brazil, the mandatory blend rate for Gasoline C was temporarily increased to 32 percent for 180 days in July 2026. If realized, this will create even greater ethanol consumption, reducing exportable supplies during the back half of 2026.

Recent trade negotiations have also yielded greater market opportunities for U.S. ethanol in 2026, including to Guatemala and Vietnam.

Read more from USDA.

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ACE Welcomes Ben Rhodes to Team with Ron Lamberty

Cindy Zimmerman

Ben Rhodes

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has announced that Ben Rhodes, currently serving as executive director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB), will become chief marketing officer (CMO) for ACE beginning September 28. At the same time, ACE’s current CMO Ron Lamberty, who has served the organization for more than 25 years, will take on the new title of Chief Strategy Officer and work with Rhodes to intensify the organization’s efforts to develop new domestic and international markets for ethanol.

“I’m excited to be joining ACE at such a transformative time in the ethanol industry,” Rhodes said. “With so many new and expanded markets on the imminent horizon, my vision as CMO is to help lead those conversations moving forward. I’ve long respected the great work ACE does to deliver results for ethanol producers and add value to agriculture. I want to thank Brian, Ron, and the ACE Board of Directors for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Ron Lamberty

“Ethanol’s value versus gasoline in today’s marketplace, coupled with the daily mention of E15 in fuel industry news and record E85 sales, is driving increasing interest in higher ethanol blends,” said Lamberty. “Ben’s addition to the ACE team gives us the ability to reach more prospective fuel retailers at this critical time and help them ‘do the math’ confirming the profit opportunity E15 and flex fuels provide, turning interest into new gallons. And as oil and electricity continue to increase in cost, Ben’s experience with E30 and helping expand E85 use while at NEB will help ACE maintain ethanol’s place in the low-carbon fuels discussion.”

Rhodes has served as the executive director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board since April 2025 and has led the organization’s operations, personnel and projects, including stewardship of the NEB’s groundbreaking E30 fuel demonstration in non-flex fuel vehicles. A Nebraska native, Rhodes holds a BA and an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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