2019 has been another winning year for the partnership between ethanol and crappie fishing. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is wrapping up a third year as co-title sponsor of the Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail with the national championship in Grenada, MS, concluding September 28. In this Ethanol Report, RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White talks about …

Farmer Leaders Call Out EPA for Biofuels Demand Destruction
In the wake of new plant closures, corn and soybean farmer organization leaders held a press conference Thursday to discuss the current situation in the biofuels industry created by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overuse of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Participants in the call were: Kelly Nieuwenhuis, farmer from Primghar, Iowa and president of …
Japan Deal is Good for Grains and Ethanol
The U.S.-Japan trade agreement signed by President Donald Trump this week “will solidify our longstanding partnership for the future and create a platform for growth into new sales and new sectors, including the potential for sales of U.S. ethanol,” according to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Japan is one of the largest and most loyal U.S. corn customers, having bought …
Ethanol to Benefit From Japan Trade Agreement
President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Abe signed a trade deal Wednesday worth billions for U.S. agricultural producers. Under the market access agreement, Japan will open the market to approximately $7 billion in American agricultural exports, eliminating or significantly lowering tariffs for U.S. beef, pork, poultry, wheat, cheese, wine, certain nuts and berries, cherries, ethanol, and more. “So it’s …
RFA Corrects EPA Chief’s Comments on Ethanol Demand
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week to correct “several misstatements in testimony offered recently to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology” regarding the real impacts of small refinery exemptions (SREs). Specifically, RFA questioned the accuracy of Administrator Wheeler’s statements in answer to questioning from Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) that …
Biofuels Industry Still Awaits Waiver Package
It’s been almost a month since President Donald Trump tweeted that “Farmers are going to be so happy when they see what we are doing for Ethanol” and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue told crowds at Farm Progress Show about “small refinery waiver mitigation efforts” underway that President Trump “really wants to announce himself.” Secretary Perdue expressed the frustration that many …
Davis Introduces Small Refinery Exemption Fairness Act
As farmers and biofuel producers continue to wait for a promised “small refinery waiver mitigation efforts” from the administration, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) this week introduced the Small Refinery Exemption Fairness Act of 2019, which would require the EPA Administrator to use the average number of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) granted in the previous three calendar years when formulating …
Clariant Signs 2nd License for Cellulosic Ethanol Technology
Clariant and ORLEN Południe have signed a license agreement on sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol technology. The announcement represents a significant strategic milestone for Clariant as this second license agreement for its sunliquid technology is another successful step to commercialize its highly innovative and sustainable technology. For ORLEN Południe, the agreement supports the intention to realize a full scale commercial plant for …
Ethanol Report on Energy Security
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has released a new study that shows the Renewable Fuel Standard saves drivers money at the gas pump every day and also enhances energy security by greatly reducing or even eliminating the blow to our nation’s drivers when global oil production is disrupted. The analysis, by independent economist and energy expert Dr. Philip K. Verleger, …
Sen. Grassley Hopes Trump Biofuels Plan Coming Soon
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) believes President Trump is getting tired of dealing with the biofuels small refinery waiver issue and he expects a plan will be announced soon. During a call with reporters, Sen. Grassley said the biofuel industry demands are very simple. “We want 15 billion gallons to be 15 billion gallons…so that means basically you can waive all …