The latest production numbers for the week ending April 17 continue to reflect the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the ethanol industry. According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production declined 1.2%, or 7,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 563,000 b/d—the lowest level since the EIA began reporting ethanol production statistics in 2010. Production was 46% …
Demo Site Picked for Ethanol Industry Pollinator Program
The ethanol industry is celebrating Earth Day with the announcement that Trenton Agri Products (TAP) in Nebraska will become the first demonstration site for a new ethanol industry initiative to expand pollinator habitat in key production regions. TAP will establish a 5-acre pollinator plot this spring near the entrance to their facility to increase awareness and encourage local farmers to …
NCGA CEO Podcast on Future of Ethanol
This may be a tumultuous time for corn farmers and ethanol producers – but then again, the ethanol industry’s entire history has been a roller coaster ride. The latest episode of “Wherever Jon May Roam” with National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) CEO Jon Doggett revisits the battles that got us to this point with “the Godfather of Ethanol” himself, Bob …
Ethanol Industry Losses Mount
As the COVID-19 pandemic and crude oil glut continue to ravage world fuel markets, U.S. ethanol sales in 2020 could fall by more than $10 billion and the industry’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) could drop by nearly one-third, according to a new analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The economic losses stem from a “pernicious combination of …
Ethanol Left Out of USDA Aid Plan
U.S. ethanol producers struggling with the largest downturn in the history of the industry were disappointed to hear that the new $19 billion USDA aid program will provide no direct help for them. “While we appreciate that USDA’s new program provides needed assistance to the nation’s farmers and ranchers, it is unfortunate and disappointing that the 350,000 workers supported by …
Ethanol Groups Criticize Oil States’ RFS Waiver Request
As ethanol production continues to be decimated by the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions and supplies keep growing, oil state governors are asking EPA to waive renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard, an action that industry leaders say is both wrong and illegitimate. “Apparently toilet paper isn’t the only thing in short supply in oil states these days—clearly, …
Ethanol Report 4-16-20
The social-distancing and stay-at-home restrictions associated with COVID-19 continue to take a devastating toll on U.S. ethanol producers with about half of the industry’s capacity now idled. But the good news is how those ethanol producers, their farmer-owners and employees, have turned around and put those idled plants to good use by helping those on the front lines fighting the …
ASA Hires Biofuels & Infrastructure Policy Lead
The American Soybean Association (ASA) has hired Alexa Combelic to lead biofuels and infrastructure policy on its government affairs team starting May 4. Combelic joins ASA as a Director of Government Affairs. Her portfolio will include biofuels and infrastructure, both of which are current priority issues for ASA. In her previous roles, Combelic has worked on a vast array of …
Analysis Shows U.S. Agriculture Reducing Emissions
American agriculture is more environmentally sustainably than ever. A new analysis of updated data from both USDA and EPA shows U.S. farmers and ranchers continue to reduce per-unit greenhouse gas emissions. All told, the U.S. agricultural sector accounts for less than 10% of total U.S. emissions. That’s less than the emissions from the transportation, electricity generation and industrial sectors. Globally, …
New York Biofuel Plant Supplies Ethanol for Sanitizer
Western New York Energy (WNYE), New York’s only operational ethanol facility, is supplying corporations across the Northeast and Canada with ethanol to produce 80% antiseptic alcohol sanitizer amidst the COVID pandemic. The plant is producing over 100,000 gallons a day of tech-grade ethanol for businesses that halted operations to meet the urgent sanitizer needs of hospitals and at-risk communities. WNY …