Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack started his first full week of work Monday addressing the National Farmers Union’s virtual convention, the first of many appearances he will likely be making to agricultural organizations. As secretary under the Obama Administration for eight years, Vilsack made an effort to attend as many agriculture and biofuel related events as possible each year. Secretary …
UK Embraces 10 Percent Ethanol Petrol
“Motorists across the UK are set to shift to a greener fuel with the introduction of E10 at petrol stations in September 2021,” announced a February 25 GOV.UK press release. That announcement is very welcome news to ethanol producers in the United States, according to a joint statement from Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the U.S. Grains Council. “The …
Year End EIA Data Show Ethanol Volume Declines
The Renewable Fuels Association reports year-end data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show both the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resilience of the ethanol industry. U.S. ethanol production fell to 13.93 billion gallons last year, down 1.85 bg, or 11.7%, from 2019. It was the lowest production level since 2013. The data indicate that domestic ethanol consumption …
Glacial Lakes Energy Joins Carbon Capture Project
Glacial Lakes Energy (GLE) of South Dakota has joined the partnership with Summit Carbon Solutions to make a clean energy source even more environmentally friendly. Last week, Summit announced a carbon capture project that will result in an annual reduction of 10 million tons of carbon dioxide or the carbon footprint equivalent of 2 million autos. Glacial Lakes Energy has …
Secretary Vilsack Back at USDA
Former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack became current secretary under the Biden Administration this week, returning to the job he held for eight years under President Obama. Secretary Vilsack was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday, sworn in virtually by Vice President Harris on Wednesday, and held his first press call with reporters Thursday morning. The first issue Vilsack addressed …
Frigid Weather Takes Toll on Ethanol Production
Ethanol production took a dive last week along with the temperatures as the polar vortex that hit most of the country led to electricity outages, major disruptions in the natural gas market, and transportation issues. According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production plummeted 27.8%, or 253,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 658,000 b/d—equivalent to 27.64 …
Renewable Fuels Nebraska Names Interim Director
The board of Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) has named Pam Miller interim executive director, effective earlier this month. Pam has been involved in the ethanol industry since 2004. At that time, she was an elected official, serving as a county commissioner in Northeast Nebraska. As such, she created the Dakota County Economic Development Committee. A thorough SWOT analysis of the …
LCFS and RFS – Conflict or Complement?
Do Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) policies conflict or complement the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)? That was the question Dr. Jarrett Whistance with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri was called on to answer at last week’s National Ethanol Conference. Whistance, who is Program Lead for Biofuel Market and Policy Analysis at FAPRI-MU, said …
EPA Supports 10th Circuit Decision
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced support for last year’s U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit decision and interpretation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) small-refinery exemption provisions. This conclusion, prompted by a detailed review following the Supreme Court’s grant of certiorari in the case, represents a change from EPA’s position before the Tenth Circuit. The change …
Summit Agricultural Group Announces Major Carbon Project
Summit Agricultural Group has announced the creation of Summit Carbon Solutions, expected to be the world’s largest carbon capture and storage project. The goal of Summit Carbon Solutions is to accelerate the transition toward sustainable, renewable energy by dramatically lowering the carbon footprint of biorefineries and other carbon dioxide emission sources throughout the Midwestern region of the United States. When …