Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE), based in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is celebrating production of two billion gallons of ethanol since its opening in 2009. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper congratulated the company for the milestone. “The investors and staff at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, along with the entire Council Bluffs community, should be proud of this remarkable …
Ethanol Impact Tool Offers Global Insights
At last week’s Global Ethanol Summit in Washington D.C., the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) introduced an Ethanol Impact Tool which brings global data to life, offering insights into ethanol’s role in reducing emissions and particulate matter, supporting economies and advancing energy security. “I am excited to share that the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council is unveiling a new …
E15 Legislation Loses Oil Industry Support
The American Petroleum Institute (API) Tuesday came out against the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, which it had previously supported, citing “sweeping changes to federal biofuel policy, state volatility mandates, and market conditions (that) have upended the fuels landscape.” In a letter to congressional leadership, API urged “a more balanced and up-to-date approach to E15 legislation, …
RFA CEO Kicks Off Global Ethanol Summit
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper offered the opening keynote address Monday morning at the Global Ethanol Summit in Washington, taking a look at ethanol’s future by way of its past. “It’s a real privilege for me to start today’s program by sharing the U.S. ethanol industry’s history, our story, and our experience,” he said. “How did we …
Global Maritime Group Considers Reducing Ship Emissions
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is meeting this week in London to discuss a new set of international regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. “The IMO Net-Zero Framework is not perfect. However, it provides a balanced basis for our further work on a number of elements ahead of its …
Registration Unleashed for 2026 National Ethanol Conference
Registration is now open for the Renewable Fuels Association’s 31st annual National Ethanol Conference, taking place in Orlando, February 24–26, with the theme “Ethanol Unleashed” to reflect the industry’s robust growth potential. “At the upcoming National Ethanol Conference, more than 1,000 industry professionals will have opportunities to network and collaborate, learn and share best practices, and celebrate our industry’s achievements,” …
Ethanol Report with New RFA Chair
The Renewable Fuels Association elected officers and its board of directors for the 2026 fiscal year at its annual membership meeting in Omaha, Nebraska last week and Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kan., was elected chairman. Also last week, RFA celebrated the signing Assembly Bill 30 into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, immediately legalizing the …
California Governor Signs E15 Bill
California Governor Gavin Newsom today signed legislation that could help bring down the cost of gasoline in California, making way for lower cost 15 percent ethanol fuel (E15) to be made available for the first time in the state. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says California was the only remaining state to not permit sales of E15. …
EPA Holds Hearing on SRE Proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency held a virtual hearing Wednesday to get feedback on its recent supplemental proposed rule regarding small refinery exemptions and the reallocation of affected volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard and the biofuels industry was unanimous in its call for 100 percent reallocation of all exempted renewable fuel blending volumes. Just two weeks ago, EPA co-proposed “additional …
RFA Elects 2026 Board and Leadership
At its annual membership meeting this week in Omaha, the Renewable Fuels Association elected Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kan., as chairman of the organization for 2026. Peine has spent the last 25 years working in production, technical, and management roles within the agricultural processing and renewable fuels sectors. He also serves on the board of …