The Environmental Protection Agency today issued a waiver to allow E15 (15 percent ethanol fuel) to continue to be sold this summer. The temporary waiver under the Clean Air Act was issued “to address extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances caused by a confluence of events, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East, that are …
Nebraska Farmer Advocates for Ethanol
When Nebraska farmer Jan tenBensel visits Capitol Hill offices, he represents a lot of voices as chairman of both the Nebraska Ethanol Board and the National Corn Growers Association Ethanol Action Team, but he believes it’s important for all ethanol advocates to make their voices heard wherever they are. “The importance of advocacy is that everybody can do it,” said …
EPA Committee Gives Ag Seat at the Table
EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently responded to recommendations from the agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) on how EPA can best support the agriculture sector’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals. FRRCC consists of representatives appointed by the agency that provide independent policy advice and information on a range of environmental issues that are of importance to …
Farm and Biofuel Groups Urge Adoption of GREET Model
It has now been almost three weeks since Biden administration officials failed to meet a March 1 deadline to adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s GREET model for the calculation of SAF tax credits (40B) under the Inflation Reduction Act, and groups representing farmers and ethanol producers who would benefit are getting impatient. A letter was sent this week to …
ACE Wraps Up 2024 DC Fly-in
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) wrapped up its annual DC Fly-in last week, with dozens of members bringing their message to Capitol Hill when it comes to important topics for the industry. CEO Brian Jennings was especially pleased members were able to hear from Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), sponsor of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of …
Volumes of E15 and E85 Set New Records in Minnesota
The latest data from the Minnesota Commerce Department shows sales of both E15 and E85 hit new records in 2023. The volume of E15 reported hit 127.6 million gallons, up 21 percent from 2022, while E85 sales were reported at 16.6 million gallons, up 8 percent from 2022 and the highest on record. When that news was released last week, …
Sen. Grassley Meets with Ethanol Stakeholders
One of the few members of Congress still left in town on Thursday afternoon last week was Iowa’s senior Senator Chuck Grassley, who was more than happy to meet with members of the American Coalition for Ethanol and talk about his favorite topic. “It’s good for agriculture, it’s good for the environment, it’s good for good paying jobs in rural …
New USDA Under Secretary Excited to Help Rural America
The recently confirmed USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development told ethanol supporters last week that he is excited about the programs they have to help the people in rural America. “One thing that I really want to make clear that I bring to this position as Under Secretary each day is my passion for rural America,” said Dr. Basil Gooden …
Year Round E15 Bill Hits Roadblock
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) told members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) meeting in Washington D.C. this week that her bill to allow year-round sales of E15 has hit a roadblock, in the form of Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE). “Senator Carper, as you know, is chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee,” said Fischer. “We’ve reached out to …
New EPA Ag Office Head Addresses ACE Fly-in
The head of EPA’s new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Rod Snyder addressed the 13th American Coalition for Ethanol DC Fly-in Thursday and had a lot to talk about of interest to ethanol stakeholders, not the least of which was updates to the GREET model for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. “It’s better to do something right …