Growth Energy is celebrating ten years of advocating for ethanol since it was created in 2008. This edition of the Driving Ethanol podcast is the second in a series of three focusing on a decade of accomplishments for the organization. This episode reflects on how Growth Energy has proven ethanol’s performance value through the high profile American Ethanol partnership with …
House Tax Package Includes Biodiesel Extension
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) has released a tax and oversight package that would extend several expired tax credits, including the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive. According to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the proposal for a multi-year extension the incentive would keep the credit at its current rate of $1.00 per gallon for 2018 …
Refinery Exemptions Continue to Destroy Demand
With the latest news that Chevron received a hardship refinery exemption from the Renewable Fuel Standard, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has released a new analysis showing just how destructive the EPA waivers are. RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman says the 19 small refinery exemptions granted retroactively for the 2016 compliance year, and the 29 for 2017, have impacted both …
ACE Completes 6th Mexico Ethanol Workshop
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty traveled to Mexico City this month for the sixth and final ethanol technical workshop held this year for Mexican petroleum equipment installers and retailers. The workshops were a joint effort of the U.S. Grains Council and the Mexican Association of Service Station Suppliers (AMPES) to educate retail station owners about …
Enogen Means Energy for Feed and Fuel
The same trait that makes Enogen corn hybrids great for ethanol production is also good for livestock feed. The higher levels of the alpha-amylase enzyme in these hybrids help break down sugar into energy more efficiently which benefits both ethanol producers and cattle. “The Enogen technology and how it gains efficiencies and makes the ethanol plant money is similar in …
House Bill Would Replace RFS
Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) and Congressman Bill Flores (R-TX) are proposing new legislation that would replace the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act. In a discussion draft released last week, the congressmen proposed a “transition from the RFS beginning in 2023 to a national octane specification” which they say would create “new market opportunities for …
Get in the Holiday Spirits with E-Nog
As the holiday season is set to kick into high gear this week, The Auto Channel salutes the ethanol industry and farmers with a delicious ethanol-inspired drink – E-Nog. Executive VP Marc Rauch says just simply use a cinnamon-flavored whiskey instead of brandy to your favorite basic egg nog. “If you already like egg nog, you’ll go crazy for E-NOG,” …
Ethanol Groups Blast EPA for Chevron Waiver
A report out yesterday that EPA granted Chevron a 2017 hardship waiver earlier this year is causing some pre-Thanksgiving heartburn for ethanol producers. “While Chevron and other refiners enjoy their record profits and “economic hardship” waivers from EPA on Thanksgiving, many farmers and ethanol producers in rural America are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet,” says American …
VERBIO Closes on DuPont Cellulosic Plant
VERBIO North America Corporation (VNA), the U.S. subsidiary of German bioenergy producer VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG, has completed the purchase of DuPont’s Nevada, Iowa-based cellulosic ethanol plant and a portion of its corn stover inventory. VNA president Greg Northrup says the company will now finalize its plans to install facilities to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) made from corn stover …
Ethanol Report from 2018 NAFB Convention
The new president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) met with farm broadcasters from around the country recently at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk. While Geoff Cooper has been with RFA since 2008, it was the first time he had the opportunity to talk with the ag media as CEO. Among the topics he …