At the recent 2026 Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau annual meeting, Washington ag consultant Jim Wiesemeyer emphasized the critical role of domestic ethanol demand — particularly year-round E15 sales — in supporting U.S. corn growers amid low commodity prices and cash flow pressures. Wiesemeyer stressed that expanding E15 could significantly boost corn consumption and help reduce burdensome carryover stocks. “If …
US Corn Growers Meet with EU Ethanol Interests
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) leaders recently traveled to the European Union (EU) with the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) to meet with major end-users and handlers of U.S. ethanol and feed grains. The group included NCGA President Jed Bower, NCGA Chairman Kenny Hartman, NCGA CEO Neil Caske,; and NCGA First Vice President Matt Frostic who were able to …
Ten Scholarships Awarded for National Ethanol Conference
The Renewable Fuels Foundation announces 10 recipients this year of the Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship, which annually offers opportunities for college students and members of the Renewable Fuels Association’s Young Professionals Network to attend the 2026 National Ethanol Conference, February 24–26 in Orlando. 2026 scholarship recipients include five university students: Addie Gauck, a second-year student at Purdue University, pursuing a …
No E15 Bill to Consider
It should come as no shock to anyone that the deadline for the “E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council” to come up with legislation for Congress came and went February 15 without any notice and the House of Representatives is off this week, making it unlikely anything will be done before the end of the month. But the ethanol industry remains …
E15 Sales Set Another Record in MN
Sales of 15 percent ethanol blended fuel, known as E15 or Unleaded 88, set another record in Minnesota last year. The final report for 2025 out from the Minnesota Department of Commerce last week showed a one percent increase in Unleaded 88/E15 sales in 2025, totaling 144.34 million gallons compared to 142.89 million gallons in 2024. Last year was the …
EPA and USDA Officials to Speak at NEC
The Renewable Fuels Association has announced key officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency will be speaking at the upcoming National Ethanol Conference Feb. 24-26 in Orlando. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, attendees will hear from Aaron Szabo, assistant administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation. This office oversees implementation of Clean …
Handful of Refiners Holding E15 Hostage
An historic alignment of agreement between the oil and ethanol industries is being held hostage by a small number of refiners, threatening the future of nationwide, year-round E15 (15% ethanol fuel). Nebraska Ethanol Board chairman Jan tenBensel shared a graphic on social media last week calling out six refining companies by name with a combined revenue of nearly $172 billion. …
E15 Deadline Coincides with Ethanol Conference
The National Ethanol Conference is coming up February 24-26 in Orlando, coinciding this year with an important deadline facing the recently formed E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council, which has been having meetings over the past week in Washington D.C. The council is tasked with submitting a legislative proposal by February 15 with the goal of considering the bill by February …
Winter Weather Impacts Ethanol Production
Ethanol production plunged along with the temperatures across the country last week, according to the latest EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending January 30. Ethanol production dropped 14.2% to 956,000 b/d, equivalent to 40.15 million gallons daily and the lowest weekly volume since mid-April 2024, reflecting the effects of the winter storm. Output was …
ACE Preparing for 15th Annual DC Fly-in
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) will hold its 15th annual Washington, DC Fly-in and Government Affairs Summit March 17-18, bringing ethanol producers, farmers, and other stakeholders to Capitol Hill at a critical time for the industry. “With so many ethanol priorities hanging in the balance, direct engagement with Congress and the administration has never been more important,” said Brian …