The 29th National Ethanol Conference held in San Diego California last week may go down as one of the best and most timely industry meetings ever, setting the stage for major decisions that hang in the balance this year, including year-round availability of E15 and a revised GREET model that will determine ethanol’s role in sustainable aviation fuel. The Renewable …
RFA Chair Optimistic About Future for Ethanol
Renewable Fuels Association board chairman Erik Huschitt says there are both big challenges and big opportunities right now for the ethanol industry but he remains optimistic about the future. “I’m optimistic because I know science is on our side,” said Huschitt, who is CEO of Badger State Ethanol. “And I know that the brilliant people and the passion in this …
ACE Reacts to E15 Waiver Approval, Prepares for DC Fly-in
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) reacted to the Biden Administration’s EPA announcement this week to allow the sale of E15 year-round in eight Midwest states, but not until the summer of 2025. “As the saying goes, ‘better late than never,’ but EPA had a legal responsibility to approve E15 year-round in these states more than a year and a …
EPA Announces E15 Waiver Approval for 8 States in 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday approval of requests from state governors to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for gasoline-ethanol blends containing 10 percent ethanol in their states, but delays the effective date to April 28, 2025. “After review of the emissions modeling results presented by the governors in their requests, EPA is removing the 1-psi waiver in the following …
#RFANEC 2024 Wraps Up in California
The Renewable Fuels Association wrapped up its 2024 National Ethanol Conference Wednesday in San Diego with RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper calling it one of the most successful ever. “This has been a great event, lots of energy, lots of enthusiasm coming out of this conference for the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Cooper. “We had the most people …
RFA Honors Argonne Scientist Michael Wang
At the 2024 National Ethanol Conference in San Diego, the Renewable Fuels Association presented its 2024 Award of Excellence to Dr. Michael Wang, an Argonne National Laboratory distinguished fellow, senior scientist, director of the Systems Assessment Center, and “Father of the Greet model.” At Argonne, Dr. Wang has led the development and applications of the GREET model for life-cycle analysis …
USTR Ag Negotiator Provides Ethanol Trade Outlook
The Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative spoke to attendees at the National Ethanol Conference this week about the trade outlook for ethanol. Ambassador Doug McKalip said had just returned from Guatemala where he spoke with government officials about ethanol. “It was clear to me that the government of Guatemala is very much dedicated to meeting its goal …
RFA Honors USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack
Following his remarks at the National Ethanol Conference today in San Diego, the Renewable Fuels Association presented its 2024 Industry Award to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in recognition of his many years championing renewable fuels both in Washington and at home in Iowa. In his time at USDA, Sec. Vilsack has been a strong and effective proponent of the …
RFA Provides Free E85 in San Diego for Military Community
The Renewable Fuels Association used the opportunity this week of the National Ethanol Conference in San Diego to partner with Pearson Fuels and offer free fill-ups of E85 fuel for flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) driven by military veterans, active-duty servicemembers and spouses with an ID on Monday. The event put a focus on RFA’s new Veterans for Renewable Fuels initiative …
Partnerships Move the Ethanol Industry
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper this week addressed the biggest crowd for the National Ethanol Conference since before 2020, stressing the importance of partnerships and the need for critical questions to be answered soon. The theme of this year’s NEC is “Powered by Partnerships” and Cooper reflected on the ethanol industry’s many victories and advancements over …