The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) celebrated milestone anniversaries of three ethanol plant members this week. RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White attended the 10th anniversary of Homeland Energy Solutions, which operates a 200 million gallon per year ethanol plant in Lawler, Iowa. The facility also produces distillers grains, a valuable animal feed co-product, and corn oil. To date, …
New Iowa Rep Introduces Biodiesel Tax Incentive Extension
Freshman Democrat Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer of Iowa this week introduced the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act, a two-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit. Congress had previously extended the tax credit retroactively for 2017 but left it expired for 2018 and beyond. Producers and businesses at every stage of the biodiesel production and consumption process rely on these tax credits …
Ethanol Strong at ACE Fly-in
The American Coalition for Ethanol‘s 11th annual fly-in was another great success, with nearly 75 grassroots members attending, including ethanol producers, retailers, investors, corn growers, service and product providers, and others from 14 states (including DC) as well as one from London, England. There were 23 new fly-in participants this year. Split into teams of 2-4 people, the group visited …
USDA Deputy Censky Addresses Ethanol Topics
USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky addressed members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) meeting in Washington DC this week, just a day after the agency released a new study showing the significant greenhouse gas benefits of corn-based ethanol compared to gasoline. Censky talked about that study, as well as many other topics of interest to the farmers and ethanol …
USDA Study Shows Big Ethanol Benefits
A brand new study out yesterday from USDA finds greenhouse gas emissions from corn-based ethanol are almost 40 percent lower than gasoline, and could be as high as 43 percent, when ethanol is refined at natural gas-powered refineries. The study, led by Dr. Jan Lewandrowski of USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist, and published in the journal Biofuels, supports findings …
Iowa Congressman Addresses ACE Fly-in
After a full day of visiting the offices of more than 120 members of Congress, attendees of the American Coalition for Ethanol annual DC Fly-in were greeted by Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) at their reception Tuesday evening. The congressman is a strong supporter of the ethanol industry in his district and state and agrees with ACE members that the Small …
ACE Fly-in Comes at Critical Time for Ethanol
The Midwest continues to experience the devastating impact of flooding, EPA has proposed a rule that would allow year-round sales of E15, and Small Refinery Exemptions are still being granted. That’s just a few of the critical issues facing corn farmers, ethanol producers and fuel retailers as the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) holds its 11th annual DC Fly-in. ACE …
Industry Stakeholders Discuss Distillers Feed Products
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recently held the first Distillers Feed Products Nutrition Roundtable, bringing together livestock and poultry producers, animal nutrition experts, and ethanol technology providers to discuss the changing number and nutrient profile of distillers feed products. As the profile of distillers feed products change, challenges and opportunities arise. Beef, pork, poultry, and dairy experts, Drs. Dan …
Biodiesel Interests Testify at EPA Hearing
At a hearing in Michigan on Friday, representatives from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and its member companies weighed in on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal related to sales of 15 percent ethanol fuel (E15) and changes to the Renewable Identification Number (RIN) compliance system. Biodiesel interests also commented on the need to stop granting Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs). …
Ethanol Producers United in Comments to EPA
Four ethanol producers representing plants in four different states made “substantially similar” points at hearing Friday on proposed regulatory changes related to retail sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) and the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. Substantially similar, otherwise known as “sub-sim”, is a term used in the EPA proposal relating to the …