The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) announces the hiring of a new Communications Manager, and the shifting of Ron Lamberty’s role to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Ashley Borchert, former Digital Marketing and Social Media intern at Midcontinent Communications (Midco), replaces Katie Muckenhirn who took on the role of ACE’s Vice President of Public Affairs last fall. Borchert’s responsibilities include handling …
Strong Support for EPA to Deny Small Refinery Exemptions
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to deny 65 pending small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions is strongly supported by the ethanol industry. In comments on the proposal, the Renewable Fuels Association noted that such an action would “restore confidence” in the Renewable Fuel Standard program, and would also ensure the SRE program complies with the Tenth Circuit Court’s 2020 decision moving …
Clean Fuels Comments on EPA RFS Proposals
Clean Fuels Alliance America submitted comments supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to deny pending small refinery exemptions while asking for certainty regarding proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Volume Standards for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Clean Fuels expressed particular concern with EPA’s triggering “reset” authority and proposals for regulating biointermediates. Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels’ Vice President of Federal Affairs, writes …
USDA to Invest $1 Billion in Climate Smart Commodities
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Jefferson City, Missouri yesterday to announce $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, cost-effective ways to measure and verify greenhouse …
Ethanol Plant-Turned-World-Class-Distiller Sells
An ethanol plant that has become one of the largest producers of grain-based, high quality specialty alcohols in the country now has a new owner. CC Industries, Inc. (“CCI”) recently announced that it has acquired CIE. Headquartered in Marion, Indiana, CIE operates a world-class, commercial-scale distillery, which serves customers from Fortune 500 spirit, food and fragrance brands to niche artisan …
Coalition Urges RFS Update for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Membersof the Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide greater opportunities for the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in response to a request for comments on a proposed RFS rule, the Business Aviation Coalition for …
Ethanol Groups Submit Comments on Proposed RVOs
Ethanol organizations submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency Friday on its Proposed Volume Standards for 2020, 2021, and 2022 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Renewable Fuels Association expressed strong support for the agency’s proposed 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVO) while opposing the proposed retroactive reduction of the previously finalized 2020 RVO requirements. RFA President and CEO Geoff …
Iowa House Passes Biofuel Access Bill
Iowa moved one step closer this week to higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel statewide as the Iowa State House passed the 2022 Biofuel Access Bill by an overwhelming bipartisan majority. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says they are urging the state Senate to take the bill up quickly. “We also want to thank Gov. Reynolds for …
MN Ethanol Industry Bounces Back in 2021
Minnesota’s ethanol production and demand recovered last year from the slowdown in 2020, producing 1.27 billion gallons of ethanol in 2021, 33 percent higher than 2020’s volume, according to a new study by the University of Minnesota Extension. The study found the ethanol industry contributed $1.3 billion in income for Minnesota residents while paying $123 million in state and local …
RFA Partners with Hauk Designs on Flex-Fuel Can-Am UTV
The Renewable Fuels Association is once again working with Hauk Designs on a new project that takes higher blends of ethanol to new places. Following the successful flex-fuel Jeep Wrangler project in 2019, RFA and the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council are working together on a new Can-Am X3 project running on low-carbon E85 fuel, to be featured on Season 4 …