Net U.S. ethanol exports topped a billion gallons last year to set a new record, according to a summary of 2016 ethanol trade just published by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Net ethanol exports totaled 1.01 billion gallons in 2016, while gross U.S. ethanol exports totaled 1.05 billion gallons, second only to 2011’s record of 1.19 billion gallons. U.S. ethanol …
NBB Names New Chief Operating Officer
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has promoted Doug Whitehead to Chief Operating Officer, after 10 years in various roles with the organization, most recently as the Director of Operations and Membership. “Doug has admirably served the biodiesel industry in his various roles at NBB over the years and his experience and expertise in operations, membership, strategic thinking, and management uniquely …
Former White House Spokesman to Speak at #RFANEC
Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer will provide a heaping helping of political analysis for lunch at the 22nd annual National Ethanol Conference, Feb. 20–22 in San Diego. From 2001 to 2003, Fleischer was the primary spokesperson for President George W. Bush. He previously served as the Bush campaign spokesman in 1999 and 2000. In his almost four years …
Confirmations Continue to Crawl Along
Confirmation hearings for Trump administration cabinet members have been moving slowly, so it may be toward the end of February before Sonny Perdue is confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture, but he has been meeting with lawmakers in the meantime. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) “had a good conversation” with the former governor of Georgia last week where they discussed “regional differences …
Four Ethanol Safety Webinars Scheduled
Four free ethanol safety webinars are scheduled this year for ethanol emergency response teams and the first is being held tomorrow, February 7. The Renewable Fuels Association and TRANSCAER® are hosting the “Train the Trainer” webinars, funded through a Federal Railroad Administration / TRANSCAER® grant. RFA is a founding member of the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) and this program …
Lower Corn Prices Encouraging Ethanol Production
University of Illinois agricultural economist Gary Schnitkey gave an update on the farm economy at the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau annual meeting last week, and the news overall was bleak. “We’re seeing deteriorating financial conditions on many farms and we’re likely to continue to see that as long as we have corn prices below four dollars a bushel,” said …
PERC Launches Autogas Newsletter
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is launching a new quarterly e-newsletter this month for transportation professionals interested in propane autogas. “We know how busy transportation professionals are every day, so we’re going to take only the most important must-have news and information, and package it in an easy-to-consume format every quarter,” said Michael Taylor, director of autogas business …
Clariant Fleet Tests Cellulosic Ethanol in Germany
A 20 percent blend of cellulosic ethanol was tested in Mercedez Benz fleet vehicles in Germany over the past year and found to provide “excellent combustion characteristics without additional consumption.” Specialty chemicals company Clariant joined with Mercedes-Benz and Haltermann Carless to perform the fleet test using sunliquid® 20, a fuel produced by Haltermann Carless with a cellulosic ethanol content of …
Iowa RFA Presents High School Video Awards
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) presented this year’s winners of the “Fuel the Future” High School Video Contest at the annual summit this week. First place went to Jacob Roush and Dylan Smith of Waukee who received the $1,000 Grand Prize for their video “Choose Ethanol: Fuel the Future.” Amy Wieland and Tyler Groathouse of Waukee High School won …
#Ethanol Production Continues to Grow
Ethanol production set yet another record last week, continuing a trend that started at the end of 2016. According to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production averaged 1.061 million barrels per day (b/d) or 44.56 million gallons daily. That is up 10,000 b/d from the week before and a new record. It is …