Chevron Opens Tech Center to Drive Innovation in Future Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Completion of Chevron’s new Ames Technology Center was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on June 10

Chevron Corporation celebrated the grand opening of the Ames Technology Center this week on the Chevron Renewable Energy Group (CREG) Campus.

The 45,000 square foot facility will expand the company’s lower carbon fuels technology development and advanced technical support capabilities by adding new analytical laboratory and R&D space, along with new offices.

“It’s inspiring to see so many people from all corners of the Iowa innovation ecosystem – industry, academia, government – join us as we demonstrate how the Ames Technology Center will help lead Chevron into the future with innovation,” said Jim Gable, Vice President, Innovation and President of Technology Ventures at Chevron. “The capabilities we advance here will be applied to other parts of Chevron in the renewable energy space and could be deployed at some of our biorefineries across the globe.”

Chevron operates nine biorefineries around the world, including two in Iowa, and is pursuing opportunities that generate a competitive return in biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, renewable natural gas and other biofuels. To rapidly scale and commercialize these products, Chevron is advancing new catalytic technologies, partnering to develop lower carbon feedstocks, and leveraging its world-class fuel production expertise at existing facilities.

aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels

Land Use Change Study Author Moves to MSU

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Tyler Lark

The author of a 2022 land use change study out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison that caused negative headlines for the ethanol industry is moving to Michigan.

Tyler Lark will join the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences in August as an assistant professor after spending the last six years as a scientist in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s (UW-Madison) Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment.

At UW-Madison, Lark led research on U.S. agricultural land use change and its impacts on the nation’s land and water resources, including the 2022 study claiming the Renewable Fuel Standard increased corn prices by 30% and increased corn acreage by 8.7% between 2008 and 2016. The report was immediately refuted by the ethanol industry as being based on “a series of worst-case assumptions, cherry-picked data, and disparate results from previously debunked studies to create a completely fictional and erroneous account of the environmental impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” and was debunked by the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory.

The UW-Madison study was still being used last year by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) in its lawsuit challenging EPA’s 2023-2025 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes. At the same time, Lark published another study on land use change that actually contradicted the previous one and showed that between 1986 and 2018 more than 30 million acres of U.S. cropland were abandoned and transitioned into grassland/permanent pasture, forest, shrubland, wetlands, urban areas, and other uses.

At MSU, Lark’s position is one of six new faculty roles hired through the Agricultural Resiliency Program, a partnership among MSU, the Michigan Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The program, which is administered by MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension, was established in 2024 to address long-term plant agriculture issues related to extreme weather and water.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS

Iowa Governor Vetoes Pipeline Bill

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Gov. Reynolds at 2023 Iowa RFA Summit

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds made corn growers and ethanol producers in her state happy today with her veto of a bill passed by the state legislature that would have limited the future for carbon sequestration pipelines.
In her explanation for vetoing the bill, Gov. Reynolds said the bill would set a troubling precedent.

“For example, the bill would block a major pipeline project that uses only voluntary easements,” wrote Reynolds. “Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) is in the final stages of connecting to a CO2 pipeline with not a single acre condemned. Yet new insurance mandates and an arbitrary 25-year limit that HF 639 places on CO2 pipelines would effectively kill the project-despite the millions that have already been spent on its development. There is no clear or logical basis for that time limit-and it would make it difficult for companies like SIRE to justify the additional investment.”

Gov. Reynolds continued, “Those who crafted the bill said they don’t want to stop CO2 pipelines that rely entirely on voluntary agreements. But that is exactly what the bill does. For that reason alone, I cannot sign it.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and Iowa Corn Growers Association were outspokenly opposed to the legislation along with trade unions, energy companies, the American Petroleum Institute, and landowners. IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw thanked Gov. Reynolds for using her veto power. “This is a classic example of why our system of government has checks and balances. Any thoughtful review of this bill would determine that it would lead to higher energy prices for Iowans, hamper future economic development, hold back job creation, and stifle new markets for Iowa farmers.”

Carbon, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

Awards Presented at #FEW25

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Several ethanol industry leaders were honored for their years of service and commitment during the awards presentation at the 2025 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo Tuesday.

Rick Schwarck, president and cofounder of Absolute Energy, received the Distinguished Service Award for a career defined by advocacy and innovation. A longstanding leader in the ethanol sector, Schwarck has earned accolades including the TOBI Award (2012, 2013), ACE Grassroots Award (2016), and the Renewable Fuels Association Industry Award (2024). Known for uniting the industry during turbulent times, Schwarck has collaborated with researchers to spotlight the dangers of toxic gasoline compounds and the health benefits of ethanol. He has served on numerous boards supporting state, national and international efforts to promote renewable fuels.

Mike Jerke, CEO of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, was honored with the High Octane Award for his enduring commitment to ethanol. With over two decades of industry experience, Jerke has held leadership roles at five ethanol firms and was a founding board member of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. He has consistently championed ethanol policy, participating in fly-ins to Washington, D.C., and welcoming national leaders—including President Trump—to advocate for year-round E15 sales and fewer refinery exemptions. Jerke’s leadership has ensured that ethanol remains a powerful economic engine for farmers and rural communities.

Gillian Harrison, CEO of Whitefox Technologies, received the Women in Ethanol Award for her visionary leadership in expanding Whitefox from a startup into a key player in the global ethanol market.

Steffen Mueller, principal economist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, received the Award of Excellence for his academic and policy-shaping contributions.

Kathy Bryan Memorial Scholarship Recipients are Isaac Harder of Plainview High School, Nebraska, who will attend Northeast Community College to study pre-engineering, and Claire Weibye, a graduate of Lincoln East High School, Nebraska, will begin her studies in chemical engineering at Iowa State University this fall.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW

RFA CEO Calls for Unleashing American Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

In keynote remarks today at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in Omaha, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper stressed the need to “unleash” American ethanol for energy independence and the rural farm economy.

“If there was ever an energy sector that needs to be let off the leash and allowed to run free, it is today’s ethanol industry,” Cooper said. “For far too long, bureaucratic barriers, regulatory indecision, and policy uncertainty have been holding the U.S. ethanol industry back and preventing us from reaching our full potential. The industry could be doing so much more: More to deliver lower-cost, cleaner-burning fuel to consumers around the world. More to expand into new markets like aviation and maritime and other heavy-duty uses. And more to stimulate demand for America’s farmers.”

Cooper says RFA has a five-point plan for unleashing American ethanol:
Secure strong Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and beyond
Pass year-round E15 legislation and remove regulatory burdens
Remove trade barriers and secure expanded market access for ethanol exports
Establish a level playing field for clean liquid-fueled vehicles, not only EVs
Provide certainty and clarity regarding the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit

Geoff Cooper, President Trump, and SIRE CEO Mike Jerke – June 11, 2019

In his remarks, Cooper stressed the Trump administration’s Day One commitment that recognized ethanol as a key driver of energy independence. He reflected that, while the same event was taking place six years ago, in 2019, Trump himself was visiting RFA member producer Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy.

“A lot has changed since President Trump visited SIRE six years ago. But what hasn’t changed is the power of ethanol to reduce fuel costs for consumers, enhance energy security, and boost demand for hard-hit farmers. And President Trump and leaders in his administration seem to get it. They seem to understand that opening the marketplace to larger volumes of ethanol can help achieve our nation’s energy, agriculture, and economic goals. Now is the time to Unleash American Ethanol!”

Cooper discussed some of the issues he addressed in his remarks today in the latest Ethanol Report podcast.
6:13 – the One Big Beautiful Bill and 45Z
10:41 – California bill to allow E15
18:59 – Where is EPA with RVOs?

Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

SAF Company Goes Public on Nasdaq

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

XCF Global, Inc., a Texas-based Synthetic Aviation Fuel (SAF) company, went public this week on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “SAFX.” The announcement follows the closing of XCF’s business combination with Focus Impact BH3 Acquisition Company last week.

“We’re proud to begin our journey as a public company and to raise awareness to the growing need for low-carbon aviation solutions,” said Mihir Dange, Chief Executive Officer of XCF. “The public listing enables us to accelerate development of our SAF platform and expand production to meet the aviation sector’s growing demand for low-carbon fuel solutions. Our public debut aligns with a new era of growing demand and transformative opportunity – a mission that has never been more urgent.”

XCF Global began commercial production of neat SAF in February 2025 at its New Rise Reno facility with a nameplate production capacity of 38 million gallons per year and the first customer deliveries of neat SAF were completed in March 2025. The company is advancing a pipeline of production sites in Nevada, North Carolina, and Florida to expand SAF capacity and support long-term growth.

aviation biofuels, biofuels, SAF

Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grants Hit Record

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) last week awarded $1 million in cost-share grants to support the installation of E15 at 91 additional retail fuel sites across Iowa. This milestone brings the total number of E15 projects awarded this fiscal year to a record 388, by far the most grants in a year since RFIP’s inception.

RFIP has awarded over $11 million in grants since July 1, 2024, funding 388 E15 projects and 39 biodiesel projects. In total, since the program’s founding, more than $59 million in state grants have been awarded through RFIP, helping fund ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure.

“It is clear the Governor’s E15 Access Standard is working and on pace for implementation on January 1 next year,” said Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).

The Iowa Legislature recently approved an additional $10 million in funding for the program for the upcoming fiscal year.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

April U.S. Ethanol Exports Stay Strong

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

U.S. ethanol exports moderated in April but remain strong, according to the latest report from the Renewable Fuels Association.

Ethanol exports declined 12% in April to 172.3 million gallons (mg), about 8% below year-ago levels. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 704.9 mg, marking a 10% increase over the same period last year.

Canada remained the top destination despite a 15% drop to 54.9 mg, representing nearly three-quarters of April’s denatured ethanol sales. Exports to the European Union surged 62% to 34.3 mg, driven almost entirely by the Netherlands. India imported 20.1 mg, a 7% increase, while exports to South Korea rose 8% to an 11-month high of 12.7 mg. Ten additional markets accounted for the remainder of April’s exports, with notable shipments to the United Kingdom (10.6 mg, down 65%), Brazil (7.9 mg, up 13%), Colombia (7.7 mg, down 28%), Mexico (6.3 mg, up 8%), and Peru (5.2 mg, down 6%). The Philippines, which imported 10.8 mg in March, was notably absent in April.

In the latest Ethanol Report podcast, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says ethanol exports have not been affected by the trade wars and tariff discussions so far.

“We’ve been in the last six months or so between 150 and 190 million gallons per month and that’s a big number,” said Cooper. “We’re basically taking the annual output of one or two ethanol plants and exporting that every month of the year and and that really helps clear the marketplace domestically, helps keep our supply and demand in balance here in the US. It’s been a huge uplift for the industry.”

However, Cooper says they are keeping a close eye on Canada. “We really need to make sure our governments can come to a long-term agreement that is good for biofuel producers in both countries,” Cooper said. “Canada is our top ethanol export market has been for many years. We have a great trading relationship with the Canadian AG and biofuel sector and we don’t want to upset that apple cart.”

Listen to the latest Ethanol Report.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade

ALCO Energy Canada Installs Whitefox ICE®

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Whitefox Technologies announces the successful installation of the Whitefox ICE® membrane dehydration system at ALCO Energy Canada in Aylmer, Ontario.

This project increases ALCO’s ethanol production capacity by just over 50 million liters per year (13.5 million gallons/year), an increase of 15%, while also making the plant operate more efficiently throughout distillation and dehydration.

Representing Whitefox’s 18th installation and first project in Canada, it marks a significant step in the company’s North American growth strategy and commitment to improving the overall efficiency of the ethanol industry with cutting-edge membrane technology.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

USDA Peru Trade Mission Includes Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

A USDA trade mission arrived in Lima, Peru today to work on expanding market access and boosting U.S. agricultural exports to address the $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru. Export prospects are focused on a number of commodities including beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, ethanol, wine and distilled spirits.

“I am honored to lead this delegation to Lima as we work to strengthen vital connections, grow U.S. agricultural exports and showcase the broad array of products American agriculture has to offer,” said USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley who is leading a delegation of more than 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups as well as five state departments of agriculture, all working to strengthen economic ties and improve the trade balance. The U.S. Grains Council is representing the ethanol industry on the trade mission.

Peru is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America and the U.S. is Peru’s second-largest agricultural supplier. Despite bilateral agricultural trade growing by 263% since 2009 to $5.3 billion, the $3.66 billion agricultural trade deficit persists. This mission aims to build on this growth, bridge the gap, and increase U.S. exports.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, USDA, USGC