This edition of the Ethanol Report explores ethanol’s role as a “net-zero hero” with highlights from the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC). The report includes remarks from David MacIntosh, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc.; Stefan Unnasch with Life Cycle Associates; and Michael Berube, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, who all spoke at the 2021 NEC. In addition, we …
House Biofuels Caucus Announces Two New Bills
The co-chairs of the House Biofuels Caucus have introduced two new pieces of legislation to increase access to biofuels and to fully recognize the environmental benefits. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act, which would expand access to higher blends of biofuels. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) was the …
ACE Opens Scholarship Program, Recognizes 2020 Winners
As the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Scholarship Program opens for 2021-2022 academic year applications, the organization congratulates the 2020 scholarship recipients who each received a $1,000 scholarship through the program to help further their education. Kaelyn Drury is from Blue Hill, Nebraska, and is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she studies Nutrition Science. Kaelyn is …
CLEAN Future Act Includes RFS Provisions
Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday introduced the Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act, intended to achieve net zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050. The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed the inclusion of certain provisions in the legislature that would help bring more transparency and integrity to EPA’s implementation of the Renewable Fuel …
Vilsack Stresses Importance of Strong RFS
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 …
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 …