American Soybean Association (ASA) CEO Ryan Findlay was on the program at the 2020 National Biodiesel Conference in Tampa last week, sharing his policy views for the new decade. A number of ASA directors were also in attendance showing their support for the biodiesel industry, which increases the value of U.S. soybean oil by 11 cents per pound and 63 …
Court Strikes Down EPA Small Refinery Exemptions
On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit struck down three small refinery exemptions (SREs) that were improperly issued by Environmental Protection Agency under a May 2018 case brought against EPA by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the National Corn Growers Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol and National Farmers Union. The three refineries are owned by …
Industry Celebrates Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension
Without question, the multi year biodiesel tax credit extension achieved at the end of 2019 was a tremendous victory for the industry. “No one is more relieved, excited and enthused to say we got it done – five years certainty through 2022!” said National Biodiesel Board Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik. “No other tax extender as large as …
Ethanol Industry Mourns Loss of Ray Defenbaugh
The ethanol industry is mourning the loss this week of pioneer and advocate Ray Defenbaugh, who was a founding member, president, CEO, and chairman of Big River Resources, with facilities in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Defenbaugh served on the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) board since 2005 and was a member of the Executive Committee. “Ray’s contributions to rural America, the …
New NBB Chair Optimistic for 2020
Renewable Energy Group (REG) CFO Chad Stone was elected as the new chairman for the National Biodiesel Board in November and he addressed the membership at the National Biodiesel Conference this week in Tampa. While 2019 was a disastrous year for the industry, which saw REG having to shut down a plant, Stone is very optimistic about biodiesel going forward. …
Plasma Blue Debuts at Biodiesel Conference
A novel process using electricity and liquid plasma to induce the transesterification process needed to produce biodiesel is generating a lot of interest at the National Biodiesel Conference this week in Tampa. The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council saw the potential for the technology, developed by scientists at the University of Minnesota, which could produce six gallons of biodiesel …
NBB CEO Meets with the Media
National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Donnell Rehagen met with members of the media at the National Biodiesel Conference after his state of the industry address on Tuesday. Many of the questions dealt with the biodiesel tax credit extension and when it will provide some relief for the industry. “Producers should be working on it as we speak to get those …
National Biodiesel Board Shares “Vision 2020”
The 2020 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo kicked off Tuesday in Tampa with a new industry vision for a new decade. National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen unveiled the new industry vision statement in his state of the industry remarks to attendees. Biodiesel, renewable diesel, and renewable jet fuel will be recognized as mainstream low-carbon fuel options with superior performance …
ACE Explains Mexico Ethanol Ruling
Last week, the Mexico Supreme Court ruled against the regulation allowing for higher ethanol content in gasoline, but American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President and Market Development Director Ron Lamberty explains that the decision was based on the way in which the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) implemented the change in 2017, not on the fuel. In July of …
Ethanol Report on New Trade Deals
Two major trade deals in one week last week are giving the agriculture and ethanol industries reason to be optimistic as we move into the “Roaring ’20s.” In this episode of The Ethanol Report, we hear from Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper, President Donald Trump, USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and USDA …