Speaking with reporters at the swearing-in ceremony for new USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jim Hubbard, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue provided an update on what is being done to resolve issues surrounding the Renewable Fuels Standard. “We’re working feverishly to resolve the RFS issue,” said Perdue, who added that he has been working with EPA Acting Administrator …
Growth Energy Helping Expand E15 Availability
The availability and use of E15, or 15 percent ethanol blended fuel, has been growing steadily since it was approved by EPA in 2011 for use in model year 2001 and newer vehicles but challenges remain for retailers who want to sell it and consumers who want to use it. Even President Trump has voiced his support for E15 over …
Farm Bill Conference Committee Meets This Week
The 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee will hold its first public meeting this week on Wednesday, September 5 at 9:30 am Eastern. Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., announced the meeting last month, saying that they are “committed to working together …
ACE Makes 5th Mexico Trip for Ethanol Education
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty recently returned from the fifth of seven technical ethanol workshops for Mexican petroleum equipment installers and retailers organized by the U.S. Grains Council to address questions and concerns of local station owners about sourcing, marketing, and profiting from ethanol-blended gasoline. This time it was Xalapa, the capital of the state …
Ethanol Groups File New Lawsuit Over Exemptions
Two major ethanol advocacy organizations are demanding transparency from the Environmental Protection Agency on the granting of small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy filed a joint lawsuit in federal district court, alleging that EPA and Department of Energy have “improperly denied agency records requested …. under the Freedom of …
RFA Past President Preaches for Ethanol
The preacher in Randy Doyal came out at a rally for E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) this week at the Farm Progress Show. Doyal, who is past president of the Renewable Fuels Association and CEO of Al-Corn Clean Energy in Minnesota, proclaimed to the crowd gathered at the rally that corn ethanol is actually created by solar power. …
Helping Motorcyclists Fuel Their Knowledge of Ethanol
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) had more help than ever before pumping E10 fuel and educating motorcyclists about ethanol at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip for the recent 2018 motorcycle rally. It was the tenth year that RFA has brought the ethanol message to nearly a half million bikers and those on hand to help included RFA board members, industry volunteers, …
Iowa RFA Hosts 10th Annual Biofuels Tour
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) recently hosted the 10th Annual Biofuels: Science and Sustainability Tour, taking nearly 40 participants representing members of Congress from around the country on a biofuels journey through the state, including visits to an ethanol plant, biodiesel plant, family farm, soybean crush facility, and an Iowa fuel retailer. The tour began at the Iowa State …
Senators Ask EPA to Increase Biodiesel Volumes
A bipartisan group of nearly 40 U.S. Senators led by Patty Murray (D-WA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have sent a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase volume obligations for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuel and ensure any small refiner economic hardship exemptions are appropriately accounted for in its final rule for …
Export Panel at #ACEconf18 Explores Tariff Wars
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) interim CEO Jon Doggett and CHS Director of Global Trading Max Thomasson explored the impact of current trade negotiations and tariff wars on the global market for corn and ethanol during a panel at last week’s American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference in Minneapolis. Doggett drove home the point that if it was President Clinton …