The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) signed an official memorandum of understanding (MOU) this week with the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) aimed at expanding the use and availability of ethanol in Vietnam. The agreement promises to further a strong partnership between the two nations and encourage expanded ethanol use throughout Southeast Asia. “The Council stands ready to support …
Ethanol Groups File Motion for EPA Transparency
The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy filed a motion this week for partial summary judgment in the federal District Court of the District of Columbia calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to make information about small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard available to the public. The ethanol organizations filed the motion in response to EPA’s “failure to …
Study Finds Gas Car Ban Would Hurt Biofuels and Farmers
*Updated with audio interview* The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) has just released a study on the impacts of increased electric vehicle penetration on U.S. biofuels, agriculture and the economy. Proposals to ban internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 and 2050 served as the economic models for the study, along with a base case provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s …
Pacific Ethanol Changing Brand and Focus
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 …