Big Corn Crop Needs Expanded Ethanol Markets

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The corn harvest nationwide is only just beginning, but the forecast is getting bigger and the need to expand markets to use that corn is getting more critical. USDA only slightly increased the August forecast for this year’s corn crop, but it was already a record, now expected to be 16.8 billion bushels, up less than 1 percent from the August forecast and up 13 percent from last year.

The average U.S. corn yield is forecast at 186.7 bushels per acre, down 2.1 bushels from last month’s forecast, but up 7.4 bushels from last year. NASS forecasts record high yields in Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Acres planted to corn, at 98.7 million, are up 9% from 2024. Area to be harvested for grain is forecast at 90.0 million acres, up from last month, and 9% more than was harvested last year. As of Aug. 31, 69% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, 4 percentage points above the same time last year.

In addition, prices are expected to fall to six-year lows and the supply of corn following this year’s harvest is expected to significantly overwhelm demand, leaving 2.1 billion bushels of surplus. The Renewable Fuels Association says this report again underscores the need to quickly open and expand markets for corn, including removing unnecessary barriers that constrain market opportunities for ethanol.

“The severe financial distress facing America’s farmers today is directly linked to the outdated and irrational policy barriers that are blocking larger volumes of ethanol from entering the marketplace,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Unless Congress and the Trump administration take immediate action to open the market to larger ethanol volumes, farmers could be headed for the worst economic crisis since the early 1980s. The hard work and incredible productivity of our nation’s farmers is being stymied by antiquated policies and regulations—like the summertime prohibition on E15, outdated pump labeling requirements, and confusing equipment compatibility guidelines. These red-tape barriers are stifling demand and stunting growth in the ag economy, putting family farmers and small businesses across rural America at risk.”

Cooper said the best option available to Congress to help corn farmers right now is to immediately pass the Nationwide Fuel Retailer and Consumer Choice Act, which would allow E15 to be sold year-round, nationwide, without the need for ad hoc emergency waivers. Passing the bill would give retailers nationwide the confidence and stability they need to begin offering E15 to their customers. Likewise, he noted, the Ethanol for America Act would streamline regulatory requirements related to E15 pump labeling and equipment compatibility. Both of these bills have strong bipartisan support.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

E85 Saved Californians Over a Billion Dollars at the Pump

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Since E85 was introduced in California nearly 20 years ago, consumers have saved more than $1 billion at the fuel pump by choosing E85 instead of unleaded gasoline, according to Pearson Fuels, California’s largest E85 provider.

“At a time when affordability is a key concern for policymakers in Sacramento, E85 has a proven track record of significant growth and expanding availability,” said Doug Vind, managing member of Pearson Fuels. “It is especially impactful in helping offset the rising costs of living faced by California’s most financially vulnerable.

Today, there are about 600 retail stations distributing E85 throughout California and it often is priced $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon less than unleaded gas. California has over one million flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) on the road and General Motors is producing new model FFVs in its popular Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista.

“We are excited to see GM once again offering FFVs that are both affordable and desirable, including a fully loaded Chevy Trax, which has a dealer sticker price around $27,000,” Vind said. “Pairing the cost savings of E85 with a reasonably priced FFV is a winning strategy for consumer affordability.”

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Hearing Discusses Renewable Fuel for Ships

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The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing Wednesday to discuss the Renewable Fuels for Ocean-Going Vessels Act, introduced earlier this year by Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

The legislation would open new markets for U.S. farmers and biodiesel renewable diesel producers by allowing them to preserve Renewable Identification Number credits (RINs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, when the fuel for use is in ocean-going vessels. Ricketts made the point that renewable fuels help farmers and the rural economy.

“I love this committee because we get to talk about biofuels,” said Sen. Ricketts at the hearing. “Last time I went and filled up with E10, 89 octane at my local Hy-Vee, I saved 45 cents a gallon versus the regular 89 octane gasoline. And again, this is just a big benefit for not only consumers, but it helps clean up the environment. And it’s great for farmers and ranchers as it creates a premium market for producers offering crucial support in challenging years when staying profitable can be difficult. And this would be one of those years where it’s difficult. With corn at 350, roughly, and soybean at 9 and change, I will tell you right now, our farmers are really in a bad position right now. The feedstock demand for biofuel production helps stabilize prices for corn and soybeans.”

“At its core, the Renewable Fuel Standard supports American agriculture. It directly impacts what farmers receive for what they grow. However, because the RFS excludes ocean-going vessels, the shipping industry is missing out on a proven, cleaner fuel. The Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act would clear a major roadblock by allowing U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers to meet the needs of ocean-going vessels while preserving RFS credits. It would expand agricultural marketplaces, enhance American energy security, and create parity for maritime fuels with over-the-road and aviation fuel types in the renewable fuel standard.”

Listen to Rickett’s comments here:
Sen. Ricketts comments (10:25)

“This commonsense legislation will remove a regulatory roadblock and enable U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers to keep RFS credits when their fuel is used in U.S. ports to supply cargo, tanker, and passenger ships,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “When ships arrive in U.S. ports, they’ve often filled up overseas with renewable fuels but can’t do so here. This bill will encourage U.S. producers and farmers to meet that growing demand and maintain America’s energy dominance.”

Under RFS rules, biomass-based diesel producers and blenders must retire RINs when the fuel is used in ocean-going vessels. The legislation would designate such fuel as an “additional renewable fuel” eligible for credit under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Clean Fuels, American Biogas Council, California Advanced Biofuels Alliance, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, Iowa Biodiesel Board, Maritime Innovation Coalition, Minnesota Biodiesel Council, Nebraska Soybean Association, North American Renderers Association, Renewable Fuels Association, and the U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council sent a letter to Senator Ricketts in support of the legislation to be incorporated for the record during the hearing.

Audio, aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance, Ethanol, Ethanol News, renewable diesel, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS, Soybeans

ACE Announces 2025 Scholarship Program Winners

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ACE scholarship winners: Sam Cederburg, Julia Trygstad, Hailey Vandenbosch

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has awarded $1,000 each to three deserving college students to help further their education as the 2025 ACE Scholarship Program recipients.

Sam Cederburg is from Minden, Nebraska, and is pursuing pre-law with a major in agricultural economics at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska. Sam was a member and officer of his local FFA chapter, and was involved in speech, cross-country, and National Honor Society in high school. Sam is the son of Matt Cederburg. Sam’s father is affiliated with ACE ethanol producer member, KAAPA Ethanol, in Minden, Nebraska.

Julia Trygstad is from Nunda, South Dakota, and is attending South Dakota State University, in Brookings, South Dakota, where she studies nursing. Julia played multiple sports, was a member of National Honor Society, and was a Class President in high school. She is the daughter of Karen Trygstad. Her mother is affiliated with ACE associate member East River Electric Coop in Madison, South Dakota.

Hailey Vandenbosch is from Fulda, Minnesota, and is attending North Dakota State University, in Fargo, North Dakota, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Hailey is involved with the Student Nurse Association at NDSU and was active in many social and academic groups in high school. Hailey is the daughter of Ted Vandenbosch. Her father is affiliated with ACE ethanol producer member Heron Lake BioEnergy in Fulda, Minnesota.

The ACE Scholarship Program was initiated in 2004, and has since awarded $74,000 to employees and dependents of employees and shareholders of ACE Ethanol Producer, Voting and Associate member companies and organizations.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News

California Fuel Retailers Welcoming E15

Cindy Zimmerman

As the California State Senate was voting to approve sales of E15 last week, the Renewable Fuels Association was in San Diego kicking off a major educational effort to help retailers and others in the transportation fuel industry prepare for the opportunity.

RFA Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development Robert White says they hosted three E15 workshops at the CFCA Summit, the annual trade show of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance.

“It was very exciting to see the interest level in those workshops…there were literally thousands of stations represented,” said White. “From small independents and mom and pops to major refiners, they were all in the rooms learning about what requirements there were, what the blending economics are, what the value proposition could be, not only for them to make more margin per gallon, but could they lower their price point for the consumer and perhaps become the price leader.”

White says they have eight more workshops scheduled over the next month around the state because they really want California retailers to be able to hit the ground running as soon as they are cleared to sell.

“We believe that E15 value proposition is going to be even stronger than it is here in the Midwest and parts of the East Coast and Southeast so that when one retailer starts to do that blending we think it’ll take hold a little bit faster than we’ve seen in other areas,” says White. “So here’s this strange scenario where the last state to legalize E15 could really become the poster child for the rest of the country.”

Exactly when the first E15 sales could start in California depends on several factors, the first of which is when, and whether, Governor Gavin Newsom signs the bill. “The governor can sign it and make it law. Or if he takes no action in 30 days, it still becomes law,” White says. “The only way it gets stopped is if he vetoes it. And we fully expect the governor to sign it. This has been one of his priorities.”

RFA has set up a website to provide information about selling E15 in California called E15forCA.com.

Listen to White’s interview here.
Robert White, RFA - E15 for CA (12:35)

Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Industry Leads in Veteran and Women Employment

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA’s Veterans for Renewable Fuels visit Old Glory Distillery in Tennessee

The latest U.S. Department of Energy Employment Report shows the corn ethanol industry continues to lead in employing military veterans and maintaining a diverse workforce.

According to the report, veterans comprise 16 percent of the ethanol workforce, or one out of every six employees, which is higher than any other segment of the U.S. energy sector, 60 percent above the petroleum industry, and more than three times the national workforce average.

“It’s no surprise that so many military veterans have found a home in the ethanol industry. It’s a natural fit for workers who are mission-driven, innovative, and dedicated to strengthening America’s energy security,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, an Army veteran. “Through our Veterans for Renewable Fuels initiative, RFA recognizes the vital contributions of our large veteran workforce, and we are proud to employ so many former military service members.”

The DOE data shows the ethanol industry also outpaces its energy peers in other key categories. Women account for nearly one-third of the ethanol workforce, compared to 24 percent in petroleum fuels and 26 percent across the energy sector. Nearly a quarter of employees are age 55 or older, versus 18 percent in petroleum fuels and 19 percent across the energy sector, and workers with disabilities represent 4 percent of the ethanol workforce, four times more than petroleum fuels and double the overall energy sector.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Speakers Confirmed for Global Ethanol Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA CEO Geoff Cooper and Dr. Ernest Moniz to speak at Global Ethanol Summit

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) has confirmed keynote speakers for the upcoming Global Ethanol Summit (GES), Oct. 19-22 in Washington, D.C.

Among this year’s speakers are Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper and and Dr. Ernest Moniz, former Department of Energy undersecretary. As head of the nation’s oldest trade association for ethanol, Cooper will address ethanol’s future in the growing market. Moniz will be the keynote speaker on Oct. 21, presenting ethanol as a strategic decarbonization tool in the energy transition.

GES seeks to elevate bioethanol’s international visibility and ongoing successful initiatives as a viable decarbonization solution within the transportation sector. More than 450 ministerial-level officials and industry leaders, ethanol producers and refiners from more than 40 countries have been invited to attend with the goal of engaging a diverse group of international ethanol leaders about the benefits of expanding global use.

GES will begin with four general sessions on Oct. 20 and continue with breakout sessions and a panel focused on opportunities facing the biofuels industry today. Registration for GES is now open and hotel rooms with special event rates are available until Sept. 12.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, International, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade, USGC

California Senate Passes E-15 Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

By a unanimous vote, the California state Senate this week approved Assembly Bill 30 to legalize E15 immediately upon Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. That approval will officially make E15 sales legal in all 50 states.

The bill was sponsored by Assemblymembers David Alvarez and Heath Flora. “California’s regulatory agencies have reviewed the E15 gasoline blend for nearly eight years and have yet to issue any rulings,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “This unnecessary holdup has prevented California’s drivers from accessing a cleaner, more affordable fuel option that’s already approved across the country. AB 30 sends a clear message: Californians cannot afford to wait while bureaucracy stalls progress.”

“With today’s passage of AB30, California is taking a big step toward lower gas prices and a cleaner, more sustainable future for families across the state,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “Many other states have already seen the benefits of E15—healthier air, better engine performance, and cost savings at the pump. Now, California drivers are on the cusp of experiencing those same advantages, and we urge Gov. Newsom to sign the bill into law as quickly as possible. E15 will provide relief at the pump for Californians who continue to face the highest gas prices in the country.”

RFA’s Robert White leads E15 retailer seminar in California this week

State senate passage of the bill came as the Renewable Fuels Association began hosting a series of E15 educational workshops for California fuel marketers, equipment suppliers, and others at the California Fuels + Convenience Alliance (CFCA) Summit.

RFA’s Robert White talked about the initiative at last week’s Farm Progress Show. “Our goal is to make sure that we have a list of retailers ready to go, prepared and their equipment ready to go so all that’s left is to put some labels on and drop the fuel into the ground,” said White. “I think what we’re going to see is once that first retailer moves, the marketplace will move probably faster than any other market that we’ve seen just because of the price point. You know E15 is selling at a 9% discount nationwide. You add in all those other factors in California and it will be even more.”

Listen to White’s interview here.
FPS25 Interview with Robert White, RFA (6:46)

Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

ACE Unveils E15 Cost Calculator at CFCA Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

With California on the cusp of approving sales of E15, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) introduced a powerful new tool this week at the California Fuels + Convenience Alliance (CFCA) Summit to help fuel marketers seize the opportunity: the E15 Cost Calculator, now live at FlexFuelForward.com, ACE’s digital hub tailored to fuel marketers.

The online calculator equips retailers with a resource to plug in real-time data to compare the costs and potential profits of selling E15 versus E10. It provides station-specific insights, including applicable state and federal tax credits, to show whether offering E15 can boost the bottom line.

“We’ve taken part in every trade show this organization has held since 2000, when California was gearing up to switch to E10, and this reminds me a lot of that,” said Ron Lamberty, Chief Marketing Officer of ACE. “What retailers wanted to know then is, ‘Can I make more money selling this new fuel?’ and ‘Can I sell it using my existing equipment?’ The questions are the same today. Fortunately, the answer to both is almost always ‘Yes,’ and these tools let retailers find that out using their own real-world numbers.”

The E15 Cost Calculator is the latest addition to FlexFuelForward.com, joining the Flex Check tool, which helps station owners quickly determine if their existing equipment is compatible with E15. These tools are available with the needs of independent retailers and small chains in mind, allowing them to assess their options on their own schedule.

“Single-store and small chain owners are in their stores all day and might not have time to do this kind of research during what others consider normal business hours,” Lamberty added. “That’s why we built this site and these tools—so they can get solid, specific answers when it’s convenient for them.”

The calculator can be used by marketers and retailers in all 50 states, and includes state-specific taxes and E15/E85 incentives in states that have them, making it a relevant and reliable resource for fuel retailers across the U.S.

ACE, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Retailers

Ethanol Stakeholders Testify at Brazil Section 301 Hearing

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Trade Representative office is holding a public hearing today regarding the Section 301 investigation of unfair trading practices on the part of Brazil in a number of areas, including ethanol market access and illegal deforestation.

Several U.S. ethanol industry stakeholders are testifying, including Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper.

“RFA strongly believes a thorough investigation is justified and necessary, and we commend the U.S. Trade Representative for bringing much-needed scrutiny to Brazil’s prejudicial and unreasonable actions,” Cooper said in prepared remarks.

“Over the past eight years, Brazil has implemented tariff and non-tariff barriers specifically designed to block U.S.-produced ethanol from entering the Brazilian marketplace. Whereas Brazil was once the world’s largest importer of U.S. ethanol, the market has disintegrated over the past five years due to the imposition of numerous barriers.”

Adding insult to injury, Cooper states, “Brazilian ethanol has had virtually unfettered access to the U.S. market for the past 14 years, facing only a 2.5 percent ad valorem duty. In fact, policies like the RFS and state low carbon fuel programs actually give preferential treatment to Brazilian sugarcane ethanol imports over U.S. grain-based ethanol.”

Cooper said RFA specifically supports continuing negotiations focused on permanently removing the Brazilian tariff on imported ethanol while fully enforcing the 50-percent tariff on Brazilian imports recently enacted by the Trump administration. RFA also supports working with Brazil to eliminate the unfeasible barriers that block U.S. ethanol producers from participation in the RenovaBio program, collaborating with EPA to implement adjustments to RFS compliance credit values for ethanol imported from Brazil, and removing Brazil’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) designation.

Also testifying in support of the investigation into ethanol market access today are representatives from the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council, and the National Corn Growers Association.

“Unfortunately, Brazil does not value a level playing field and unfairly penalizes U.S. corn growers,” Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. told the panel. “Over the past decade, Brazil has taken targeted trade actions aimed at evaporating current and future demand for U.S. farmers.”

Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade