As gas prices go, so goes the price of ethanol, and right now the industry is being adversely affected by the economic constraints caused by the coronavirus, the oil price war, ongoing trade disputes and EPA’s small refinery waivers. “While the policy response to turbulence in the energy markets has so far focused largely on supporting crude oil producers, we …
Ethanol Report 3-16-20
What a difference a month can make! A month ago, the ethanol industry was celebrating the 10th Circuit Court decision that would require EPA to severely limit its small refinery exemptions, and coronavirus was still a problem somewhere else. Last week, just as COVID-19 started to fully hit the fan here in the United States, the Trump Administration snatched defeat …
Ethanol and Biodiesel Continue to Power Iowa Economy
Despite the challenges of 2019, Iowa biofuel production continued to have a significant impact on Iowa’s economy, supporting over 48,000 jobs and more than $2.4 billion in household income, according to the latest study commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics, also found that biofuels continue to account for over …
ACE Cancels April DC Fly-in
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has canceled its annual Washington, D.C. Fly-in and Government Affairs Summit scheduled for next month due to the number of congressional offices declining meeting requests in response to concerns about the rapid spread of COVID-19. Many congressional offices have notified ACE they are not scheduling “any in-person meetings for the foreseeable future due to …
Farmers, Biofuel Producers Urge Trump to Support RFS
Farmer leaders and biofuel producers from the Midwest today expressed their concerns about news that the Trump administration has reversed course and decided to side with oil companies in their court battle against biofuels. The debate centers around a unanimous court decision that would halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) abuse of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel …
Ethanol Case Groups Disappointed in Appeal Extension
The four organizations involved in the case against the Environmental Protection Agency over granting of small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are disappointed the Trump Administration has been granted more time to consider an appeal of the court decision siding with the plaintiffs. The petitioners in the case—the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Coalition …
President Trump May Appeal Court Decision
Biofuel and agricultural organizations are up in arms over news reports out late Thursday saying President Trump is now planning to appeal the 10th Circuit Court decision regarding EPA’s granting of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs). Oil state interests, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), have been pressuring the White House to fight the unanimous court ruling that threatens to completely …
Still Waiting on EPA Response to 10th Circuit Court Ruling
No announcement yet from EPA on how the agency will address the recent 10th Circuit Court ruling regarding small refinery exemptions (SREs), but officials continue to promise it will be soon. “We are working through the issues on the court decision, trying to decide the right path forward,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing Wednesday. …
Propane Farm Incentive Program Expands
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recently announced the addition of an agronomic heat treatment systems equipment category for its 2020 Propane Farm Incentive Program, which offers up to $5,000 off of qualifying propane-powered equipment. This year’s list of equipment includes irrigation engines, generators, water heating systems, building heating systems, flame weed control systems, and agronomic heat treatment systems. …
Ethanol Industry Anxiously Awaits EPA Decision on SREs
Ethanol stakeholders were hopeful that an announcement would be made on Friday about how EPA will deal with the recent court ruling on small refinery exemptions, but Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper says they are anxiously awaiting that decision. “We don’t know what exactly what EPA is going to do, but we know what they should …