USDA Undersecretary Steve Censky gave one of his last addresses in his current role to the American Coalition for Ethanol virtual annual conference this week. It was announced this morning that Censky will be returning to his former job as CEO of the American Soybean Association in November as after serving with USDA since October 2017. In his prerecorded remarks …
Energy Bill Includes Renewable Fuel Standard Provisions
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce this week introduced the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which contains provisions requiring more transparency and accountability in EPA’s process for evaluating small refinery exemption requests under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The provisions are based on the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act, introduced last year by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson. …
ACE Launches “Flex Check” Tool for E15 Compatibility
During its virtual annual conference this week, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) launched a tool on its fuel-marketer focused flexfuelforward.com website to provide retailers with a free way to check if their equipment is already E15 compatible. Available 24/7, the “Flex Check” E15 compatibility tool will arm retailers with the confidence and information they need to make a conversion …
Ethanol Producers Provide Perspective on Panel
As part of the virtual American Coalition for Ethanol annual conference this week, three ethanol producer members share their perspectives on major issues impacting them this year, including COVID-19 and RFS mismanagement, as well as their optimism for ethanol’s role in a low carbon fuel future. Participating in the panel: Duane Kristensen, General Manager, Chief Ethanol Fuels Dave Sovereign, Chairman, …
ACE Virtual Meeting Underway
The virtual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) annual conference kicked off without a hitch this afternoon with opening remarks from Board President Duane Kristensen representing Chief Ethanol Fuels, followed by ACE CEO Brian Jennings reflecting on the struggles of the year so far and the opportunities for ethanol in a low carbon future. “At the federal level, it is a …
Preview of Virtual #ACECONF20
The 33rd Annual American Coalition for Ethanol Conference taking place on Wednesday afternoon of the Fuel Ethanol Workshop will be a lot different from any of the 32 that came before, but the agenda offers the same great content it always does. The popular retailers panel will kick the meeting into high gear as ACE Senior Vice President & Director …
Biodiesel Producers Welcome Denial of Gap Year SREs
Biodiesel producers are just as happy as ethanol producers with the EPA decision to deny retroactive small refinery exemption petitions. National Biodiesel Board VP of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik says the move will restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard and provide much-needed certainty for America’s biodiesel producers and soybean farmers. “The decision to deny these absurd petitions filed by …
RFA Pleased Gap Year Petitions Being Denied
The ethanol industry was pleased to hear Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is denying petitions for retroactive small refinery waivers for the 2011-18 compliance years. The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed the news that EPA is denying 54 “gap-year” small refinery exemption petitions and will deny the remaining 14 petitions once they are received from the Department of Energy. …
EPA to Deny Gap-Year Refinery Waivers
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it is denying petitions for small refinery exemptions for past compliance years, the so-called “gap-filling” petitions for the 2011-18 compliance years. “This decision follows President Trump’s promise to promote domestic biofuel production, support our nation’s farmers, and in turn strengthen our energy independence,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “At the EPA, we …
Ethanol Industry Hopeful for US-Brazil Trade
U.S. ethanol stakeholder organizations are less than thrilled that Brazil’s tariff-rate quota (TRQ) has been extended now for another 90 days, but they are hopeful continued discussions will lead to a resumed free trade situation with that country. “The Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association believe the 90-day extension of the TRQ …