The energy market’s real squeeze is not a shortage of crude oil, but of refining capacity, according to oil industry analyst Tom Kloza who spoke last week at the American Coalition for Ethanol annual conference. Kloza said many observers remain fixed on the Strait of Hormuz while missing a broader problem that drones have damaged refineries in Russia, the Persian …
45Z Playbook Panel at ACE Conference
A big focus of last week’s American Coalition for Ethanol 39th annual conference was on the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit, with the final panel on Friday serving up an overview of policy, modeling, and compliance for biofuel producers. USDA released its final guidelines for the production of regenerative agricultural biofuel feedstocks in June and Kate Zook, Acting Director …
EPA Extension for Refiners Causes Uncertainty
Reports that the Environmental Protection Agency could extend the September 1 deadline for refiners to demonstrate compliance with their 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard obligations, and potentially grant many more Small Refinery Exemptions (SRE) than expected, are sending shockwaves through the industry and causing chaos in the biofuels markets as prices for Renewable Identification Numbers (D6 RINs) dropped significantly. Rumors are …
Ethanol Exports Expected to Set Another New Record
U.S. ethanol exports are on track to set a new record for the third consecutive year, according to Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council. Speaking last week at the American Coalition for Ethanol’s 39th annual conference, LeGrand highlighted robust demand driven by expanding middle classes abroad and supportive policies in key markets. “When the …
ACE Grassroots and Paul Dana Awards
At its 39th annual conference last week in Minneapolis, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) presented awards honoring those who have given outstanding service to the ethanol industry. Kenton Johnson, CEO of Granite Falls Energy & Heron Lake BioEnergy, was recognized with the organization’s Grassroots award who epitomize ACE’s efforts from the ground up. The strength of ACE is found …
ACE Honors Mike Jerke with Merle Anderson Award
The American Coalition for Ethanol presented its most prestigious award this year to Mike Jerke, former CEO of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE), during its 39th Annual Conference this week in Minneapolis. The award is named after the organization’s founding father and first president, Merle Anderson, and is presented annually to recognize an individual who has made distinguished and significant …
EPA Extends Waiver for E15 Through September 15
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver that will increase the nation’s gasoline supply and help lower prices for American families, ending the summertime fuel blend requirement and extending the existing waiver to allow lower-cost E15 fuel blends in the summer months through September 15. Beginning on September 1, 2026, EPA’s waivers will …
Rep. Fischbach Remains Hopeful for Year-round E15
Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), an original sponsor of legislation to allow year-round, nationwide sales of E15, says she remains optimistic the Senate will move on it yet this year and that it can work with the bill passed by the House in May. “I am hopeful because it came through in their in their farm bill,” Fischbach said Thursday in …
Veteran Ag Leaders Launch Restore American Agriculture
Veteran agriculture leaders concerned about the future of the nation and its food producers have launched Restore American Agriculture, a new effort formed to press Congress and the Administration for a serious response to the farm crisis. Jon Doggett, former CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, said they are urging members of Congress to listen to the voices of …
ACE Leadership Discusses Industry Issues
Members of the American Coalition for Ethanol got an update on the important issues facing the industry today during a fireside chat with leadership at the opening general session of the ACE Annual Conference in Minneapolis on Thursday. ACE CEO Brian Jennings, board president Troy Knecht with Redfield Energy, Cultivating Conservation Founding Member Jonathon Lehman, and ACE Chief Marketing Officer …