The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held an oversight hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard (#RFS). The legislation has been under fire for several years and there are currently several lawsuits surrounding the program: the biofuels industry is suing because the required volumes (RVOs) for 2014, 2015 and 2016 are below what the legislation requires, and Big …
Panelists Discuss E15 Revolution, Global Markets
Panelists discussed the “E15 Revolution” during the Growth Energy Leadership Conference held in Orlando this week. The retailer discussion focused on their efforts to help grow the consumer availability of E15 across the country. Panelists included Jim Pirolli, VP Fuels for Kum-N-Go; Mike Lorenz, Executive VP of Petroleum Supply; and Todd Garner, CEO of Protec Fuels. When discussing the changing …
$3.50 May Be New ‘Corn Norm’
The impact of corn prices varies between producers in different divisions of agriculture, with some producers benefiting from higher prices, and some benefiting from lower prices. Many factors seem to demonstrate that the new long-term “normal” for corn prices may be $3.50 per bushel, and Cody Heller, CEO of Central Wisconsin Ag Services (CWAS), has offered his insight into the …
Tom Buis Delivers the “CEO Report”
Growth Energy Co-Chair Tom Buis delivered his “CEO Report” yesterday during the Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. During his remarks, Buis said, “Last year was an interesting year, we increased exports, had another great corn crop and defeated every single attempt to repeal or reform the RFS.” Buis segued into how the ethanol industry stepped up to the plate to …
DOC Partners With NEC to Increase Ethanol Exports
Despite low crude oil prices, 2015 was still a robust export year for the ethanol industry according to Kenneth Hyatt, deputy under secretary for International Trade with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). The DOC partnered with the Renewable Fuels Association, the host of the 21st Annual National Ethanol Conference (#RFANEC) where delegates from several countries were on hand to …
Ethanol Evolution Sees Industry Consolidation
This week in New Orleans, “Ethanol Evolution: The Data and Deals Driving the Future,” was a topic during the 21st Annual National Ethanol Conference (#RFANEC). The panel was moderated by Mike Jerke, CEO, Guardian Energy; and included Mark Fisler, Managing Director, Ocean Park Advisors; and John Christianson, Primary Partner, Christianson & Associates, PLLP. During the discussion, Fisler said that the …
OPIS’ Tom Kloza Discusses Energy Markets
During the 21st Annual National Ethanol Conference (#RFANEC) this week, one of the hot topics was the energy and ethanol market outlooks especially with the low oil prices the globe is currently experiencing. Tom Kloza with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) offered attendees the outlook for ethanol, oil and natural gas markets in his presentation, “Wronger for Longer – …
Abigail Fisler Shares Her #RFANEC Experience
Abigail Fisler was the recipient of this year’s National Ethanol Conference (NEC) scholarship awarded by the Renewable Fuels Foundation. She is a junior at Dickinson College in Carlislie, PA studying environmental studies with a focus on renewable energy and climate change. Last year she attended her first NEC show and wanted to attend again because of all the great educational …
RFA Releases 2016 Ethanol Industry Pocket Guide
During the 21 Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC) this week in New Orleans, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) released the 2016 Ethanol Industry Outlook and the Pocket Guide to Ethanol. Both resources provide up-to-date statistics, insights and analysis on the critical issues affecting the U.S. ethanol industry. Topics found in the guides include the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), background information …
Iowa Biodiesel Day on the Hill
“Iowa Biodiesel Day on the Hill” recently took place hosted by the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB). During the event, members called on state legislators to extend and expand biodiesel incentives that are set to expire. IBB notes these incentives help Iowa’s 13 biodiesel producers make the state the top in the country for production. In 2015, 12 of these biodiesel …