Biofuel organizations are hopeful that legislation introduced last week by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will help stem the tide of Small Refinery Exemptions that have caused demand destruction for both ethanol and biodiesel. The RFS Integrity Act of 2019 aims to provide “more certainty for rural America by bringing transparency and predictability to EPA’s small refinery …
Ethanol Report on Presidential Visit
The Renewable Fuels Association was thrilled to host President Donald J. Trump as he visited the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) ethanol plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa on June 11 to celebrate year round sales of E15 (15% ethanol). This Ethanol Report podcast includes some of the president’s remarks at the plant and interviews with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, SIRE …
FEW High Octane Award Goes to Steve Vander Griend
Steve Vander Griend, Technical Director of the Urban Air Initiative, received the High Octane Award this week at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW). The High Octane Award is presented each year by BBI International and Ethanol Producer Magazine to a person whose passion and unstoppable pursuits have significantly benefited the ethanol industry. Vander Griend was recognized for his dedication and …
Behind the Scenes with President Trump at Iowa Ethanol Plant
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) CEO Geoff Cooper and Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy CEO Mike Jerke shared their thoughts about President Donald Trump’s behind the scenes tour of the ethanol plant Tuesday. Jerke and Cooper met the president as he arrived at the plant and escorted him in to meet some local farmers and plant employees and learn more about ethanol. …
Biodiesel Industry on Capitol Hill This Week
Over 70 National Biodiesel Board (NBB) members are in the nation’s capital this week to meet with 130 Congressional offices and discuss the status of the biodiesel tax incentive and the Renewable Fuel Standard. Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s Vice President of Federal Affairs, stated, “Biodiesel and renewable diesel are produced, distributed and used across the United States. The industry supports more …
RFA Ready for President Trump Visit to Ethanol Plant
President Donald Trump will visit the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) ethanol plant later this afternoon and the Renewable Fuels Association is ready to welcome him and thank him for supporting farmers and the industry. SIRE, an RFA member company, operates a state-of-the-art ethanol biorefinery that produces approximately 130 million gallons of high-octane fuel ethanol per year, along with more …
Auto Channel Gives E15 Blending Tips
Marc Rauch, Executive Vice President and Co-Publisher of THE AUTO CHANNEL, is offering do-it-yourself advice for motorists who want to use E15 (15% ethanol) but can’t find it nearby – make your own. “In fact, you can do what I have safely and economically done to make my own E20, E30, E40, and even higher “custom blends” for use in …
Casey’s General Stores Expanding E15 Stations
Casey’s General Stores will expand its E15 offering to more than 60 new sites this summer across their footprint following EPA’s approval of E15 year-round. Making that announcement this week, Casey’s and Growth Energy attributed this rapid expansion to the lifting of an outdated regulation that now allows American drivers to access the cleaner, more affordable biofuel all year-round. “The …
Husker Ag Hits Billion Gallon Milestone
Husker Ag LLC in Plainview, Nebraska recently produced its one-billionth gallon of ethanol, a milestone noted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “I couldn’t be more proud of the work that the staff has delivered over the last three years to achieve the goals set forth by the Board of Directors to increase gallons, improve our yield and lower our …
Elite Octane Celebrates Opening and E15
The grand opening of the Elite Octane ethanol plant in Atlantic, Iowa got an extra celebratory boost on Friday with the announcement that E15 can now be sold year round. Guest speakers including Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds welcomed the news just hours after it was announced. “Increased demand for E85 and E15 means that we …