There’s been a lot going on in the world of ethanol recently – EPA just released its E15 RVP/RIN reform proposal, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is expected to announce pending petitions for more small refiner exemptions, and EIA just released final 2018 data confirming ethanol demand destruction – just to mention a few.

The Renewable Fuels Association held a media conference call today to discuss all of these developments, as well as a new analysis showing a year-over-year decrease in domestic ethanol usage for the first time since 1998. At the same time, the average content of ethanol in gasoline – referred to as the blend rate – similarly fell for the first time since comparable statistics became available in 2009.

Taking part in the conference call were RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman, RFA Chairman Neil Koehler, CEO of Pacific Ethanol, and Steve Walk, COO of Protec Fuel.

“We’re moving into a pivotal period for the ethanol industry and we are expecting EPA to make several decisions in the next few months that will really chart the course of the industry for the next 3-5 years,” said Cooper.

Audio of full media call –
RFA media call 3-14-19

Opening remarks from each participant: