Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.31 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year, according to a new study by ABF Economics. In 2019, the industry produced 1.31 billion gallons of ethanol, 3.6 million tons of dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) and 327 million pounds of corn oil. This generated $6.7 billion in gross sales for Minnesota businesses …

25th #RFANEC Focuses Forward on Future
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) just concluded an annual meeting that will be remembered for many reasons, including an appearance by the 43rd President of the United States, and the celebration of recent significant victories for the ethanol industry as it focuses forward on the future. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says there is a lot of optimism and …
ACE Leadership Attending Ethanol Plant Annual Meetings
It’s annual meeting time for ethanol plants around the Midwest and American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings is attending many of them in the coming weeks to commend the producers for enduring a tough year, and provide an update on the opportunities and challenges ahead for growing the demand for ethanol. Jennings visited Golden Grain Energy in Mason …
Economic Impact of Ethanol Still Strong in 2019
Despite numerous challenges last year, the ethanol industry still supported nearly 350,000 jobs and generated almost $43 billion in gross domestic product in 2019, according to the latest analysis conducted by ABF Economics and released at the National Ethanol Conference last week in Houston. “The U.S. ethanol industry was buffeted by several factors that forced producers to cut operating rates …
Ethanol Report 2-14-20
This episode of The Ethanol Report features some of the highlights of the 25th National Ethanol Conference this week in Houston, Texas. You will hear from Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper on the industry victories of the past two months, including the 10th Circuit Court decision, which EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler admits has the potential to …
USDA’s McKinney Optimistic About Ethanol Exports
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney says he will leave “no stone unturned” in his quest to increase U.S. agricultural exports, including ethanol. McKinney spoke to the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference Wednesday about the markets where he sees the most potential for ethanol, including China, Mexico, Brazil, and India. Listen to his remarks: …
Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy Receives RFA Industry Award
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) presented Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) with the 2020 Industry Award at the 25th annual National Ethanol Conference Wednesday. The award is presented annually to a member company that has provided a unique contribution to the industry’s success through technological, marketplace, or advocacy excellence. SIRE is being recognized this year for their critical role in …
Implications of the 10th Circuit Court’s SRE Decision
As the ethanol industry focuses forward in the new decade, a big bright spot is the very real potential that EPA’s generous allocating of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) may be coming to an end, thanks to the recent 10th Circuit Court decision. The lead counsel in the case brought by Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), …
Ethanol Industry Ready to Focus Forward
Still riding the high of hearing from former President George W. Bush, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper addressed attendees of the 25th annual National Ethanol Conference in Houston today with his annual State of the Industry remarks. “2019 marked just the third time in the last three decades where output fell from the preceding year,” Cooper said. …
43rd President Visits National Ethanol Conference
The Renewable Fuels Association was honored to welcome George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, to the 25th Annual National Ethanol Conference today in Houston. By championing an all-of-the-above approach to domestic energy production while in office, President Bush put the United States on a course toward greater energy security and made an indelible mark on agriculture …