RFA CEO Responds to EPA Endangerment Finding Proposal

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Last week, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin released a new proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which would effectively repeal all vehicle greenhouse gas standards. It would also mark one of the largest deregulatory actions in American history.

According to EPA, the Endangerment Finding is the legal prerequisite used by previous administrations to regulate emissions from new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines. Without the finding, EPA would lack statutory authority under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to prescribe standards for greenhouse gas emissions.  

Some reports have speculated that rescinding the finding would also impact the Renewable Fuel Standard, which was authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper disagrees.

“Congress’s main objective with the renewable fuel standard was around energy independence and energy security and reducing the need for imported sources of energy, so that’s not affected at all by what EPA is proposing now on the endangerment finding,” said Cooper in the latest edition of The Ethanol Report podcast. “That’s very different than what what EPA did with tailpipe standards. Congress never gave them specific or explicit direction on tailpipe standards, so bottom line is we don’t see what EPA is proposing to do on the endangerment finding really having any impact at all on the Renewable Fuel Standard because again, the RFS has other purposes.”

Cooper believes EPA’s move is clearly a reaction to what the Biden Administration did on tailpipe standards. “They used the tailpipe standard regulatory framework to effectively force electrification of our transportation sector and effectively phase out and eliminate liquid fuels and and liquid-fueled vehicles.”

Listen to Cooper’s comments here:
RFA CEO Cooper on EPA Endangerment Finding 6:09

EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS

U.S. Grains Council Changes Name to Cover Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The U.S. Grains Council is officially changing its name to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC).

“The Council stands on the precipice, and there is the opportunity for exponential growth with becoming the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council,” said Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council CEO and President. “The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council encompasses both the organization’s grains side and ethanol side to create one global powerhouse organization.”

“This organizational name change will open doors previously closed to us – those in the energy space for which our ethanol team are diligently trying to gain access to so we can spur sales in ways that we haven’t been able to in the past.”

The name change was passed by delegates at the 65th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting last week. The Council was originally founded in 1960 as the U.S. Feed Grains Council in order to develop new markets for U.S. coarse grains and co-products. The name was changed to the U.S. Grains Council in 1998.

“We have paid special attention to choosing the right name without abandoning the 65 years of brand equity our members and our past leaders have worked so hard to create,” LeGrand said.

U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council is a non-profit organization that promotes the global use of U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including ethanol and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS).

With offices in nine countries, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council supports global economic development through partnerships, enabling U.S. agriculture’s profitability.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, USGC

Ethanol Report on the RFS at Twenty

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed by President George W. Bush on August 8 of that year at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico – symbolizing a new approach to energy economics and security, diversifying our transportation fuel supply by incentivizing ethanol and biodiesel by initiating the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the RFS, as well as the Renewable Fuels Association’s long history of developing, supporting, and defending this successful landmark policy. RFA summarizes the results of the RFS at Twenty, which include: lower gas prices, more energy independence, stronger farms, and cleaner air.

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper discusses the milestone in a new blog post and in this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast. Cooper also comments on EPA’s proposal to rescind the 2009 “endangerment finding” on greenhouse gas emissions and what its impact might be for the RFS.

Ethanol Report 8-4-25 27:41

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS

ACE Annual Conference Offers Homefield Advantage

Cindy Zimmerman

This year’s American Coalition for Ethanol 38th annual conference is being held in the organization’s hometown of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, August 20–22, 2025, at the Canopy by Hilton, and the theme is “Homefield Advantage.”

“That theme really captures the edge ethanol has as a homegrown American-made energy solution,” said Katie Muckenhirn, ACE Vice President of Public Affairs. “From delivering value to rural communities, to helping decarbonize fuel, this theme really emphasizes that our industry’s power is local and that’s our advantage.”

Muckenhirn says they chose to have the conference in Sioux Falls this year for several reasons. “Sioux Falls is the home turf for our staff and a lot of our members and partners aren’t too far away so we wanted to switch it up,” she said. “Sioux Falls opened up a beautiful new venue downtown. So we’re super excited to showcase why we love living here to new and returning visitors.”

They are pleased to be able to welcome U.S. Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD) as a keynote speaker on Thursday, August 21. “He brings a strong sense of advocacy for rural America. He’s worked to advance legislation that supports ethanol, expands access to higher blends like E-15, and just overall strength in U.S. energy security,” said Muckenhirn.

The agenda is packed with general session highlights such as diving into the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, conservation-based market opportunities, global ethanol trade developments, projects and campaigns advancing higher blends, the latest research on ethanol’s role in reducing cancer risk, and corn oil recovery strategies.

Learn more about the conference in the interview below and click here to get details and registration information.

2025 ACE conference preview - Katie Muckenhirn (4:55)

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RFA Applauds Trump Trade Deal with EU

Cindy Zimmerman

The trade deal with the European Union (EU) announced this week by President Trump was welcomed by the Renewable Fuels Association as “an important step toward opening the market for lower-cost, American-made renewable fuels in the 27 countries represented by the EU.”

“We thank President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for reaching this important agreement over the weekend, and we are encouraged to see U.S. ethanol mentioned as part of the deal,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, commenting on a social media post by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, who noted that the deal includes the purchase of $750 billion in U.S. energy, including ethanol, and would reduce America’s $24 billion agriculture trade deficit with the EU.

“As our nation’s corn growers prepare for what is likely to be a record harvest, we stand ready to produce larger volumes of cleaner-burning ethanol and valuable co-products like distillers grains for customers around the world,” Cooper added. “When markets are open and trade policies are fair, everybody wins. The U.S. ethanol industry looks forward to working with our partners in Europe to continue growing the global production and use of renewable fuels, which are simply more reliable and more affordable than many other energy alternatives.”

The European Union has been a major importer of U.S. ethanol in recent years, ranking third with 197 million gallons imported last year. The EU’s 2024 imports of U.S. ethanol represented a 54 percent increase over 2023. When it comes to distillers grains, the EU ranked sixth last year, purchasing 684 million metric tons of U.S. product, 46 percent above the prior year.

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

Ethanol Groups Pleased with Szabo Confirmation

Cindy Zimmerman

Aaron Szabo addressing the 2025 ACE DC Fly-in

The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Aaron Szabo to serve as the Assistant Administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation. As Assistant Administrator, Szabo will lead the Office of Air and Radiation’s implementation of key provisions of several of the nation’s bedrock environmental laws including the Clean Air Act.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said they are looking forward to working with Szabo on the administration’s proposal for strong 2026-2027 renewable fuel volumes. “We are confident that both EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Mr. Szabo understand the crucial role American-made renewable fuels like ethanol play in bolstering U.S. energy independence, lowering fuel costs for consumers, and strengthening the rural economy,” said Cooper.

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings congratulates Szabo on his confirmation at a pivotal time for the Renewable Fuel Standard. “We look forward to working with Mr. Szabo to swiftly finalize strong, multi-year renewable fuel blending targets and ensure that the 2026 and 2027 volumes remain whole and consistent with the law. We also appreciate his time with our DC Fly-In group this past March, a positive sign EPA is engaged on important biofuel issues.”

ACE, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Rep. Dusty Johnson to Keynote ACE Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is pleased to announce U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) will be joining the 38th ACE Conference as a keynote speaker on Thursday, August 21, in Sioux Falls.

ACE has released a preliminary agenda for the conference showcasing two days of general sessions and breakout tracks designed to address challenges and opportunities for the ethanol industry.

General session highlights include diving into the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, conservation-based market opportunities, global ethanol trade developments, projects and campaigns advancing higher blends, the latest research on ethanol’s role in reducing cancer risk, and corn oil recovery strategies.

Breakout sessions will feature three tracks: Carbon, Technology, and Leadership and Management. Topics will cover carbon utilization and carbon intensity reduction, AI-powered plant operations, next-gen cellulosic solutions, and strategies for board development and succession planning.

The conference is being held August 20-22 at The Canopy by Hilton Sioux Falls Downtown. Click here to register.

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Japan and Indonesia Trade Deals Benefit Ethanol and Ag

Cindy Zimmerman

The framework of trade agreements with Japan and Indonesia announced this week will benefit U.S. farmers and ethanol producers, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.

President Donald Trump announced a landmark agreement with Indonesia on Tuesday that will eliminate tariff barriers, on a preferential basis, on over 99% of U.S. products exported to Indonesia across all sectors, exempting U.S. food and agricultural products from all of Indonesia’s import licensing regimes including its commodity balance policy.

President Trump announced a landmark economic agreement with Japan on Wednesday As part of this agreement, Japan will purchase $8 billion in U.S. goods, including corn, soybeans, fertilizer, bioethanol, and sustainable aviation fuel. Japan will immediately increase imports of U.S. rice by 75%, with a major expansion of import quotas, and imports from Japan will be subject to a baseline 15% tariff rate.

“These deals will ultimately help open important Asian markets and allow greater access for American farm products, renewable fuels, and co-products like distillers grains,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Breaking down barriers to fair trade strengthens our rural economy and the United States as a whole.”

Cooper added that Indonesia and Japan are especially important markets for U.S. distillers grains that continue to grow. Indonesia was the fourth-largest export market in 2024, importing 987,000 metric tons—a 6 percent increase over 2023—while Japan ranked eighth, purchasing 454,000 metric tons, a 15 percent increase over the prior year. Both countries also are potentially large future markets for exports of U.S. ethanol, sustainable aviation fuel, and other renewable fuels.

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USDA Mission to Dominican Republic Includes Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering meets with Minister of Agriculture Limber Cruz

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering led a high-level delegation to the Dominican Republic last week with organizations that reflected a diverse range of agricultural products including seafood, dairy, rice, soybeans, and ethanol.

“I am honored to lead my first trade mission with this impressive delegation made up of 46 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and officials from Colorado and Montana departments of agriculture,” said Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering. “There is no substitute for doing business face-to-face, building trust, and strengthening long-term partnerships.”

The delegation of 38 businesses participated in more than 450 one-on-one meetings with vetted buyers representing more than 100 Dominican, Jamaican and Haitian importers. Sales are expected over the next several months and many new partnerships are in the works.

In bilateral meetings with the Minister of Agriculture Limber Cruz and the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Small and Medium Enterprises Victor Bisono, Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering discussed priority issues including:

Re-establishing free market access for U.S. rice
Eliminating discretionary import licenses
Addressing the selective application of value-added taxes in selected U.S. products
Exploring opportunities for U.S. ethanol in gasoline blends

This was USDA’s fifth trade mission of 2025, with three remaining missions planned this year.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, International, Trade

IRFA Champions Clean Fuels During RAGBRAI 2025

Cindy Zimmerman

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association has been promoting clean fuels this week during the 2025 Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) by encouraging all support vehicles to fuel up with E15 or B20. IRFA has also provided “Riding to a Greener Future” jerseys to members of the renewable fuels community riding during the weeklong event. 

“RAGBRAI is a celebration of Iowa’s communities, landscapes, and people- including our farmers,” said IRFA Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt. “By choosing E15 or B20, support drivers can help power the ride with homegrown fuels that support Iowa agriculture, improve air quality for riders, and save money at the pump. Anyone with questions about renewable fuels should just ask the riders wearing IRFA jerseys.” 

In its 52nd year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world, held this year July 19-26.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA