The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to “fully account for small refinery exemptions in the annual Renewable Fuel Standard rules and end the demand destruction for biodiesel.” In a letter sent to EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, NBB requests that EPA set the RFS biomass-based diesel volumes for 2020 at 2.8 billion gallons, consistent with …
The Truth About E15 and Smog
The Trump Administration announcement last week that it will begin rulemaking to allow sales of 15% ethanol year-round generated quite a bit of mainstream media attention. Unfortunately, much of it suggested that the current restriction on summertime E15 sales stems from concerns that the fuel blend could result in “more pollution” and emissions that worsen smog. “In reality, E15 is …
Democrat Reps Ask EPA to Uphold RFS
Nearly 20 members of Congress are sounding the alarm about how small refinery waivers causing less ethanol to be blended into gasoline disproportionately impacts communities of color. Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Danny Davis (D-IL) and 17 of their colleagues sent a letter this week to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressing concern over how the widespread issuance of waivers …
College Scientist Scholarships Offered for Biodiesel Conference
University-level science majors interested in learning about the biodiesel industry can apply for a travel scholarship to attend the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Jan. 21 – 24 in San Diego. The application process is open to members of the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel for travel scholarships and some students will be selected to present on their research or …
RFA Offering Free E15 Webinar
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is holding a free webinar on Oct. 23 to discuss the recent proposal that will allow for year-round consumer access to 15% ethanol (E15). The one-hour webinar is designed to address some of the misinformation and confusion about what President Trump’s recent action means for fuel suppliers, retailers, and consumers. In addition to hearing from …
Export Exchange Pre-Tours Underway
The 2018 Export Exchange starts next week in Minneapolis, but many teams of international buyers are already here in the United States participating in pre-event tours around the Midwest. The tours include three teams from Mexico who will visit Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kentucky and Iowa to see U.S. corn, sorghum and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) production and supply …
Corn Forecast Lower But Still Second Largest Crop
The latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report for corn calls for lower production, increased exports, reduced feed and residual use and larger ending stocks. Production was revised downward by 49 million bushels on a reduced yield forecast. The new estimate for corn production is 14.78 billion bushels for 2018/19, which would still make it the second …
Nebraska Ethanol Promotes Fuel the Cure
All during October Breast Cancer Awareness month, Nebraska drivers can fuel cancer research by choosing American Ethanol blends at retail stations around the state participating in the Fuel the Cure program. Fuel the Cure is a Nebraska awareness promotion designed to bring attention to the benefits of cleaner-burning American Ethanol blends available throughout the state. For every gallon of ethanol-blended …
Casey’s Partners With Prime the Pump
Casey’s General Store is partnering with Prime the Pump to expand its offering of E15 to potentially more than 500 locations over the next few years. Prime the Pump is a Growth Energy partner and nonprofit organization dedicated to helping to give more Americans the choice of E15 at the pump. “Since first rolling out E15, we’ve seen the benefit …
Novozymes Launches New Yeast Technology
Novozymes has just launched its next yeast technology, Innova Lift, for the starch-based ethanol industry. The product follows the launch earlier this year of the yeast platform, Innova, and the first product, Drive. Brian Brazeau, Novozymes’ Vice President for Biofuels Commercial says Lift targets ethanol plants with long fermentation times, “delivering greater tolerance to common stressors such as high temperature …