The Crappie Masters Tournament Trail recently ended its 2017 season with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) as co-title sponsor of the event in an effort to educate boaters, conservation enthusiasts and consumers about using ethanol in boats and other marine applications. The 2017 tournament trail kicked off in January and ran through late September, with 18 events in multiple states, …
It’s Pink at the Pump Month in Iowa
Over 30 Iowa E15 retailers are pretty in pink this month, participating in the 2nd annual Pink at the Pump™ campaign to raise funds for breast cancer support services and research while increasing consumer awareness about E15. “As a breast cancer survivor, I encourage everyone to make a difference in someone’s life by choosing to use E15 and reduce the …
Rumors Send RIN Markets Plunging
A news report this week that EPA was considering a policy change to count ethanol exports toward Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) caused their prices to dive on the market. That, on top of EPA’s announcement this week that further cuts in the volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) were being considered, caused some to question the administration’s commitment …
Tri-State Governors Conference Highlights Biofuels
There was a big focus on biofuels at the 15th annual Tri-State Governors’ Conference in Sioux City, Iowa this week. The governors of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota get together for this biannual event to discuss the issues impacting their respective states and the Siouxland region, and since the three states together produce almost half of the nation’s ethanol, that …
Ethanol Report on EPA RFS Notice
The Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018 on July 5, the comment period just ended on August 31, and then this week EPA gave notice that it is seeking comment on options for further reductions in the biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel volumes. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) …
ACE Celebrates NE Flex Fuel Station Opening
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) board member Scott McPheeters of KAPPA Ethanol was first in line to fill up this week at the new Blue Heron Renewable Flex Fuel Plaza on Interstate 80 in Nebraska. “There was a need and an opportunity to provide more ethanol blends at a great price in central Nebraska,” said McPheeters. “Blue Heron is a …
NFU President Joins Board of New Energy America
National Farmers Union’s (NFU) President Roger Johnson has joined the advisory board of New Energy America, a new organization created to promote clean energy jobs in rural America. As part of its launch last week, New Energy America released the first Fifty State Clean Energy Jobs Report, which shows that clean energy jobs outpace fossil energy jobs in 41 states. …
EPA Proposes Further Cuts in Biofuels Under RFS
The Environmental Protection Agency surprised the biofuels industry Tuesday by issuing a notice asking for comment on further reducing volume obligations for some fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The EPA Notice of Data Availability (NODA) suggests a reduction of the 2018 advanced biofuel volume requirement from the proposed level of 4.24 billion gallons to 3.77 billion gallons, …
USDA Trade Mission Heading to Brazil
A USDA Foreign Agriculture Service trade mission to São Paulo and Recife, Brazil, is underway this week with ethanol industry leaders looking to expand their agricultural exports and further develop their business relationships in Brazil. “Brazil holds significant untapped market potential for U.S. exporters,” said Mark Slupek, deputy administrator of the Office of Trade Programs for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. …
Magellan to Offer E15 at all Iowa Fuel Terminals
Magellan Midstream Partners fuel pipeline and storage company is now offering pre-blended E15 at many terminals across the U.S., including all Magellan terminals that service Iowa. “This announcement from Magellan is game-changing,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “It is now possible for most retailers across the state to replace a low-demand product with E15 without …