Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (PEI) has announced a strategic realignment to focus on specialty alcohols and essential ingredients, as well as its intent to change its corporate name. “Our company was founded to supply low carbon renewable fuel for the transportation market. While we will continue to participate in that market, transportation fuels are no longer our primary focus. Beginning with …
Ethanol Stakeholders Comment on FFV Standards
Ethanol stakeholder organizations submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency this week regarding the E85 Flexible Fuel Vehicle Weighting Factor (F-factor) for Model Year 2021 and Later Vehicles. Comments from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) support EPA’s new approach to maintaining some level of certainty for automakers, but would like to see the agency “provide a long-term floor and “more …
Ethanol Town Hall Meeting
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Growth Energy will hold a free virtual town hall meeting about ethanol on Wednesday, October 28 at 11:00 a.m. Central/12:00 p.m. Eastern. Farmers, biofuel producers and leaders of both businesses and communities are invited to participate to discuss the latest policy priorities for the industry, opportunities for growth in the domestic and global …
National Biodiesel Foundation Receives Grants
The National Biodiesel Foundation has been awarded two Environmental Protection Agency grants through the 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. The first is in partnership with the District of Columbia (DC) Department of Public Works and DC Department of Water. The second is with the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Foundation is also partnering with Optimus Technologies and Renewable …
RFA Urges Tariffs on Brazil Ethanol
While Brazil is still abiding by the 90 day extension of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for ethanol announced last month, talks with the United States to eliminate the tariff stalled last week and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is asking President Trump to take action. In a letter to the president, RFA called on President Trump to move forward in …
Biden Wants Zero Emissions by 2025, or 2050
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden expressed support for “complete zero emissions by 2025” by transitioning away from oil during the debate with President Donald Trump Thursday night. “Because the oil industry pollutes significantly,” said Biden. “It has to be replaced by renewable energy over time.” Biden mentioned solar and wind energy, but renewable fuels were not specifically mentioned by either …
Iowa Groups Ask Candidates to Oppose EV Legislation
The Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) are asking all candidates in Iowa running for federal office to take a stand against the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2020 recently introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. IBB and IRFA says the legislation would restrict the sale of vehicles that can use biofuels as soon …
Oil State Senators Ask EPA to Drop 2021 RFS
A group of 15 U.S. Senators representing oil refining states sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week asking him to simply waive the Renewable Fuel Standard requirements for 2021 to “account for the unprecedented collapse in demand for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.” The Renewable Fuels Association blasted the senators’ request, first noting that jet fuel is …
California E15 Testing to Start
With more than 15 million cars registered in the state, California has almost twice as many vehicles on the road than any other state in the nation, which makes it the number one market for growing domestic ethanol demand. To that end, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), state corn organizations, ethanol groups and the auto industry, are working with …
RFA Receives New Grants for Ethanol Safety Program
The Renewable Fuels Association recently received $75,000 in grants to support its ethanol safety education program through on-site seminars and Internet webinars. Both grants were received through the association’s work with TRANSCAER, a voluntary national outreach effort that focuses on assisting communities to prepare for and respond to a possible hazardous material transportation incident. “Safety is a high priority for …