The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) this week announced new board members and officers for 2017, elected at last week’s annual meeting. 2017 IRFA Board of Directors Officers President Eamonn Byrne, Lakeview Plymouth Energy Vice President Steve Bleyl, Green Plains Treasurer Bill Howell, POET Biorefining – Coon Rapids Secretary Derek Winkel, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. Executive Dir. Monte Shaw (non-voting) …
Trump Team Filling Up with Oil Interests
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, the man who sought a waiver for his state from the Renewable Fuel Standard and was consistently ranked as bad for the ethanol industry during his two presidential bids, has been tapped by President-Elect Donald Trump to be Secretary of Energy. With ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson picked as Secretary of State and Oklahoma AG Scott …
EPA Holds RFS Rule Hearing in Chicago
The Environmental Protection Agency held a public hearing in Chicago yesterday to hear testimony the agency’s proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) rule. The rule includes several actions that would help allow the market to introduce greater volumes of renewable fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Among those who testified was Renewable Fuels Association senior vice president Geoff …
#ExEx16 Helps Create $460 Million in Sales
The 2016 Export Exchange was successful in achieving its goal of increasing exports of U.S. grain and ethanol co-products, according to officials with the U.S. Grains Council and Renewable Fuels Association. Buyers and end-users who attended the conference reported sales of approximately 2.6 million metric tons of grains and co-products worth $460 million traded in connection with the event, held …
Hearing Addresses #RFS Management
The Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing yesterday examining two reports by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) released this week. The hearing included testimony from Frank Rusco, GAO Director Natural Resources and Environment and Janet McCabe, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation …
EPA Boosts Final 2017 RVOs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final renewable fuel volume requirement increases under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. “Renewable fuel volumes continue to increase across the board compared to 2016 levels,” said Janet McCabe, the agency’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. “These final standards will boost production, providing for ambitious yet achievable …
NCGA Optimistic About New Administration
The National Corn Growers Association is optimistic about what a Trump presidency can mean for agriculture. “It is great to have the election behind us, and we really are watching and putting our names out, and working with them in order to get ag knowledge into the different areas of administration,” said NCGA President Wesley Spurlock during an interview at …
ASA Director Elected Vice Chairman of NBB
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) last week elected American Soybean Association (ASA) Board member Mike Cunningham as the new vice chairman of the organization. Cunningham is a farmer from Bismark, Illinois. The agenda included updates on the status of federal and state policy intitiatives, such as the federal biodiesel tax credit and Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), as well as discussion …
#Ethanol Report on Food Prices
The cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year is less than it was a year ago, with turkey leading the way in lower prices. At the same time, the amount of corn used to make ethanol will set a new record in 2016, up roughly 3% from last year. A new analysis from Informa Economics takes a look at food prices …
New Biodiesel Board in Place
Members of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) members selected their leadership this week, electing six returning governing board members and one new member to serve in leadership roles, joining new NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen in moving the organization forward. NBB members voted to fill seven board member spots: • Greg Anderson, Nebraska Soybean Board • Jennifer Case, New Leaf Biofuel, …