With the government shutdown threatening to further delay approval of year-round sales of E15, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to focus first on rulemaking for year-round E15 provisions and wait to address RIN reform measures in a separate action. With just 133 days remaining before the summertime prohibition on E15 sales begins, RFA …
Ethanol Production Back Up
Weekly U.S. ethanol production recovered after the holidays to more like what we were seeing throughout 2018. According to Energy Information Administration data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production for the week ending January 11 increased over five percent to the largest volume in six weeks at an average of 1.051 million barrels per day (b/d)—or 44.14 million …
South Dakota Farmers Union Advocates for E30
With EPA yet to start the rulemaking process for year-round sales of 15% ethanol, South Dakota Farmers Union president Doug Sombke penned an editorial this month advocating approval of blends double that amount, up to 30 percent. “As fuel prices decrease, farmers are seeing corn ethanol markets drop. What to do? Well, let’s hope we don’t see the price at …
Iowa Budget Includes $3M for Biofuels Infrastructure
Governor Kim Reynolds released her 2019 Iowa budget proposal this week, including $3 million for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP), which provides cost-share grants to help Iowa retailers incorporate blender pumps, storage tanks, and other necessary equipment to offer higher blends of biofuels. “IRFA members want to thank Gov. Reynolds for prioritizing funding for blender pumps through Iowa’s …
Ethanol Stakeholders React to Wheeler Hearing
Ethanol industry organizations commended Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler for his commitment to getting a rule allowing year-round sales of E15 (15% ethanol blended fuel) before the start of this year’s summer driving season but still expressed some concerns. “We were encouraged to hear Acting EPA Administrator Wheeler commit to completing the year-round E15 regulatory fix before the summer driving …
Wheeler Affirms Commitment to E15 Timetable
Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler confirmed the agency’s commitment to getting a rule on year-round E15 out in time for the summer driving season, as long as the partial government shutdown allows it to happen. “We’re still on schedule for that, (but) we’re not able to work on it during the government shutdown,” said Wheeler during a hearing before the …
RFA Launches E15 Awareness Campaign
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has kicked off a new campaign aimed at educating consumers and policymakers about the benefits of E15 in anticipation of the blend being available year-round. The campaign started this week with digital ads on The Washington Post and the launch of a new consumer-facing web site. The ads, with the tagline “E15. Clean. Affordable. Domestic. …
Biodiesel Conference Next Week in San Diego
America’s largest celebration of all things biodiesel returns to San Diego next week for a record fifth visit in the Golden State. Local residents are invited to join in the festivities at no cost during the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo kick off at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina on Tuesday, January 22. The conference, which runs through Thursday …
Iowa Ethanol and Biodiesel Marketing Awards
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented Casey’s General Stores and Quick Oil Company with the 2019 Ethanol and Biodiesel Marketing Awards at the FUEL-Iowa annual meeting Tuesday in Des Moines. The awards were created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to recognize fuel marketers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote and …
Governor Reynolds to Keynote Iowa RFA
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will once again address the annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit to discuss the many ways biofuels boost the state’s economy, protect the environment, and drive Iowa into the future. “Iowans play a tremendous role in America’s renewable fuel industry,” Governor Reynolds said. “Since the very beginning, we saw its unlimited potential and now our state leads …