The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) commemorated the 15th anniversary of President George W. Bush’s signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which created the Renewable Fuel Standard, by releasing a new report detailing how the policy has driven innovation in the ethanol industry to benefit the nation. President Bush signed the act August 8, 2005. “As you’ll see in …
Ethanol Production Up and Down in July
U.S. ethanol production took a step back last week, after taking two steps forward the week before. According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending July 31, ethanol production moderated by 2.8%, or 27,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 931,000 b/d—equivalent to 39.10 million gallons daily. Production remained 10.5% below the same week in …
Ethanol Industry Comments on IRS Carbon Credit Proposal
Comments on proposed Internal Revenue Service regulations regarding the credit for carbon oxide sequestration under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code closed this week and ethanol supporters have provided input. The ethanol industry generally supports the Carbon Capture Coalition, which was convened by the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and formed to help realize carbon capture’s full potential as a …
RFA Offers USDA Renewable Fuels Innovation Agenda
The Renewable Fuels Association provided USDA with a roadmap to renewable fuel growth in comments on its Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA). The agenda calls for “increased biofuel feedstock production and biofuel production efficiency and competitiveness to achieve market-driven blend rates of E15 in 2030 and E30 in 2050.” RFA’s response identified the following five opportunities for the industry: Increasing productivity …
Ethanol Report 7-31-20
Ethanol exports have taken a hit this year due to the pandemic, but there are still reasons to be optimistic about this important market for the industry. In this episode of The Ethanol Report, we hear from Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) General Counsel Ed Hubbard, who doubles as the organizations international trade expert. We also learn about a new program …
RFA Launches Young Professionals Network
To meet the needs of an evolving workforce in the ethanol industry, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has launched the Young Professionals Network (YPN), a new program geared toward members of the ethanol industry and stakeholder industries who are 39 years old and younger. The YPN is designed to bring together innovative and dedicated young professionals to build new relationships …
Ethanol Production Slows
Ethanol production slowed its steady upward pace last week for the first time since the end of April, dropping by 2.5 percent from the previous week. According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending July 17, ethanol production slowed by 2.5%, or 23,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 908,000 b/d—equivalent to 38.14 million gallons …
RFA Board Conducts Virtual Hill Visits
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Board of Directors meeting this week included more than a dozen virtual visits with lawmakers and administration officials on Capitol Hill. Discussions covered a broad range of topics, including the impact of COVID-19 on ethanol producers, trade challenges and opportunities around the world, E15 market expansion, and EPA implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard. “With …
Industry Pays Tribute to Ethanol Answer Man
The ethanol industry is mourning the loss of another pioneer. Larry Johnson, known as the “Ethanol Answer Man,” passed away July 19 at the age of 76. Larry was active in the Minnesota Corn Growers Assn., transitioning into ethanol promotion with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He later became a private consultant to the ethanol industry, traveling around the country …
RFA General Counsel Appointed to USDA Trade Committee
Renewable Fuels Association General Counsel Ed Hubbard has been appointed to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds. Hubbard is the only appointee to any of the advisory committees who represents the renewable fuels industry. The ATAC advises the Secretary of Agriculture and the United States Trade Representative …