The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is pleased to welcome Nathan Hohnstein as its new Policy Director to oversee state policy, support IRFA’s political and PAC programs, and work on state and federal regulatory affairs. Hohnstein most recently worked as a policy adviser for Governor Kim Reynolds. Prior to that he worked for former Governor Terry Branstad on boards & …
Record Breaking Year for Iowa Biodiesel
After a slight decrease in 2017, Iowa’s 12 biodiesel plants rebounded in 2018, producing a record 365 million gallons of biodiesel, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw said the increased production was largely due to the plummeting level of biodiesel imports following a verdict against Argentina and Indonesia for illegally subsidizing imports to …
Start the New Year off Right with Ethanol Safety
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and TRANSCAER® are getting the new year off on the right foot by offering plenty of opportunities for ethanol safety training. RFA/TRANSCAER® are hosting four ethanol safety webinars in 2019, beginning on Jan. 15, followed by March 19, July 2, and Aug. 13. All webinars are from 11am CT-1pm CT. They are free to attend, …
Ethanol Report for the New Year
Will 2019 be a happy new year for the ethanol industry? In this first Ethanol Report podcast for 2019, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper comments on some of the challenges and opportunities for the industry in 2019, including getting year-round E15 approved before summer, and dealing with the continuing consequences of the small refinery waivers. RFA’s …
Top Energy AgWired Posts for 2018
Small refinery waivers and E15 dominated biofuel news in 2018, but it was an ethanol-powered motorcycle that took the top spot on Energy AgWired in 2018. RFA’s Custom Ethanol Motorcycle a Hit at #FEW18 Ethanol Interests Shout Opposition to RIN Price Cap No 2018 Tax Credit for Biodiesel How EPA is Destroying Demand for Ethanol and Corn XCELIS™ is DuPont’s …
Happy New Year from RFA
2018 will be remembered as a pivotal year for the politics of ethanol. It was also a pivotal year in the history of the Renewable Fuels Association as long-time CEO Bob Dinneen became Senior Strategic Advisor for the organization and handed off the steering wheel to Geoff Cooper. As the sun sets on 2018, Dinneen has composed his annual list …
Biodiesel Vehicles Wrapped Up for Christmas
Five biodiesel users recently unveiled new vehicle “wraps” just in time for Christmas, that are helping to share their stories of sustainability and emissions reductions with area residents from Maine to the Midwest, thanks to help from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). “Our annual biodiesel vehicle wrap program provides matching funds to help biodiesel users promote their use of America’s …
Biodiesel Board Hires New Regulatory Affairs Director
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has hired Kate Shenk as Director of Regulatory Affairs. NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen says Shenk comes to NBB from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), where she led a regulatory affairs committee and developed analyses and comments on regulatory policies. “Kate brings extensive knowledge of the regulatory policies that shape the biofuels industry’s growth,” said Rehagen. …
President Trump Signs Farm Bill
President Donald Trump gave Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue a happy birthday Thursday when he signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 with many members of the agricultural community in attendance. “Mr. President, it is a great birthday present not only for me, but for all of agriculture, to give the producers, the ranchers, and farmers across America the peace of …