Exports of U.S. ethanol in February were the highest in a single month since late 2011, at 138.0 million gallons (mg), according to government data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association research analyst Ann Lewis. Brazil was again the top customer, taking in more than one-third of all U.S. ethanol exports (50.8 mg, or 37%) but 14% less than record …
Ethanol Plants Hold Annual Meetings
In a world of mega mergers and company buy outs, farmer-owned facilities remain the back bone of the ethanol industry, with many in operation today for over 20 years. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) executive vice president Brian Jennings has been attending many of the annual member meetings for these ethanol plants this spring to help them celebrate another year. …
Ethanol Industry Discounts API Poll
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling results of yet another American Petroleum Institute (API) push poll released today “skewed” and based on misleading questions. API claims its poll results show a majority of Americans are “concerned about the government requiring increased amounts of ethanol in gasoline” under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RFA notes that API historically frames its …
Syngenta Touts Potential for Cellulosic Ethanol
Developments in cellulosic ethanol technology are creating opportunities for American ethanol producers. Miloud Araba, head of Enogen® technical services at Syngenta, says cellulosic innovation could enable dry grind ethanol producers to meet the increasing Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for cellulosic biofuels, which are up 35 percent for 2017. “Approximately 10 percent of the corn kernel dry weight is …
Coalition Formed to Protect Point of Obligation
A coalition made up largely of fuel retailers has been formed to oppose efforts to change the point of obligation requirement under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Main Street Energy Alliance (MSEA) includes the National Association of Convenience Stores, NATSO (representing truck stops and travel plazas), the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America, as well as Shell and …
RFA Disputes NWF Study with USDA County Data
It is undisputed that the amount of land dedicated to crop production overall in the United States has been on the decline for decades, dropping 12 percent just between 1997 and 2012, according to USDA census data. At the same time, corn acreage and ethanol production have increased significantly, which is also undisputed. What is disputed is whether increased ethanol …
More Iowa Retailers Carrying Biodiesel Blends
Over half of Iowa’s fuel retailers carried biodiesel last year, up six percent from 2015 according to the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB). The Iowa Department of Revenue released the 2016 Retailers Fuel Gallons Annual Report this month. The report shows during 2016, the amount of on-road biodiesel sold equaled 344.8 million gallons, or 54.7 percent of total on-road diesel fuel …
USDA Predicts Record Soybean Acres, Less Corn
The first estimate for crop plantings this year by USDA is calling for less corn but more soybeans. According to the 2017 Prospective Plantings report, producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 89.5 million acres of soybeans in 2017, up 7 percent from last year and a new record. Planted acreage intentions for soybeans are up …
Crappie Masters is Big Target for Ethanol Message
The ethanol industry is casting a wide net to hook anglers with the facts about using ten percent ethanol (E10) in boat engines by sponsoring the Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail. “There are over 18 million panfishing anglers in the United States and that’s just a base of what we touch,” says Crappie Masters owner Mike Vallentine, who bought …
Ethanol Workforce Big on Military Vets
A new Department of Energy (DOE) study shows that military veterans make up a significant share of America’s ethanol industry workforce which is not only larger than any other energy sector but more than twice the national average. Nearly one in five ethanol industry employees is a veteran (18.9%), compared to a national average of 7% across all sectors of …