The chairman of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is optimistic about the growth of export markets for grains and ethanol co-products such as distllers grains (DDGS). “In the 2017-18 marketing year, the U.S. set a new record for exports of feed grains and co-products for the second year in a row,” said USGC chair Jim Stitzlein, manager of market development …
National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center Celebrates 15 Years
The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) is celebrating 15 years of biofuels research this month. The Illinois Corn Growers Association was instrumental in fostering development of the Center in 2003 and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has worked closely with NCERC since its inception and continues partnering on various projects. NCERC Executive Director John …
Export Exchange 2018 is Underway
More than 200 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products from some 35 countries are in Minneapolis this week for Export Exchange 2018. The biennial educational and trade forum, co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and Growth Energy, offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to meet and build relationships with domestic suppliers of corn, distillers …
Targray Opens Fargo Biodiesel Terminal
Targray has opened its Fargo Biodiesel Terminal, a 24/7 fuel distribution center serving wholesale fuel buyers throughout the Fargo-Moorhead metro area. “The Fargo terminal is an important addition to our national biodiesel distribution network.” explained Targray Biofuels Trader, Samy Cozma. “It provides a reliable local biodiesel solution for businesses operating in Fargo-Moorhead, one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas.” Cozma …
Cumberland Farms Joins Prime the Pump to Offer E15
Growth Energy and Prime the Pump have announced Cumberland Farms is the newest E15 retail partner to join the Prime the Pump program. The Massachusetts-based convenience store chain will begin offering E15 at more than 120 of its stores in the Northeast United States. The sites are spread across Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) markets, which will allow Cumberland Farms to sell …
Ace Ethanol Begins D3MAX Plant Construction
Construction of the first D3MAX facility at the Ace Ethanol facility in Stanley, Wisconsin has started, the companies announced this week. Ace Ethanol will be the first ethanol plant to integrate the patented D3MAX technology with its existing corn dry mill. Earlier this year, Ace Ethanol received approval from its board of directors and members to proceed with the design …
RFA Welcomes New Director of Government Affairs
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) officially welcomed Connor Hamburg to its staff this week as the Director of Government Affairs to focus on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the renewable fuel industry and rural America. “I am excited to join the RFA and look forward to advocating on behalf of the ethanol industry,” said Hamburg. “Ethanol producers—and the farmers who …
NBB Urges EPA to End Demand Destruction for Biodiesel
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 …