The American Coalition for Ethanol‘s new Vice President of Public Affairs Katie Muckenhirn is excited about her expanded role with the organization to support the nation’s ethanol producers. Muckenhirn, whose maiden name is Fletcher, will continue to manage the organization’s media relations, while assuming a larger role in ACE’s public policy efforts and planning of ACE’s Washington, D.C. fly-in and …
Biofuels Groups Frustrated by EPA RFS Delays
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday additional extensions for oil refiners to comply with already delayed Renewable Fuel Standard obligations from 2019 and 2020, which were previously extended in April, further frustrating biofuels organizations still waiting for the agency to issue 2021 and 2022 RFS rules or the 2023 volumes or announced decisions on pending small refinery exemptions. Renewable Fuels …
ACE Supports Policies to Help Ethanol Reach Net-Zero
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Board of Directors voted this month to support new policies that credit farmers and ethanol producers for activities helping ethanol reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The resolution supports the adoption of policies at both the state and federal level that “recognize ethanol is part of the climate and health solution while …
ACE Communications Director Takes on Public Affairs Role
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has elevated Communications Director Katie (Fletcher) Muckenhirn to a new role of Vice President of Public Affairs at the organization’s office based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Muckenhirn will continue to manage the organization’s media relations, while assuming a larger role in ACE’s public policy efforts and planning of ACE’s Washington, D.C. fly-in …
Midwest Governors Call for E-15 solution
Seven Midwestern state Governors have sent a joint letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan requesting immediate guidance on how they can continue to sell 15 percent ethanol-blended fuel (E15) year-round without restriction. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds spearheaded the letter which was also signed by the governors of Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The governors’ letter follows …
Ethanol Groups Comment on USDA Climate Program
Ethanol organizations provided comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture this week on the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) program. According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), USDA should “prioritize projects that will help farmers and downstream processors -like ethanol biorefineries – measure, verify, and monetize carbon sequestration and emissions reductions that result from new technologies and more efficient practices.” …
Senators Request White House Meeting to Talk Biofuels
Sen. John Thune (R-SD), along with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and several Senate colleagues, are requesting a meeting with President Biden and representatives of his cabinet to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard and promote biofuels as a key solution for America’s energy and climate agenda. The senators made a similar request in July and received no response. “Mr. President, biofuels …
Meet the New GREET
The U.S. Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) has just released its latest update to the Greenhouse gas and Regulated Emissions and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model, the standard tool used to audit the energy and environmental effects of transportation fuels such as ethanol and gasoline. The 2021 GREET model includes a number of significant updates, especially for …
MN Working Toward Clean Fuel Standard
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz last week directed state agencies to explore ways to reduce climate change impacts from transportation fuels through a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) in the state. The state Departments of Agriculture and Transportation will lead the process to engage a broad cross-section of stakeholders statewide to identify shared goals and opportunities. The agencies will provide a report …
Ethanol Blended Gas Lowers Carbon Even More
New research was released this week showing that gasoline blended with ethanol lowers carbon intensity (CI) even more than what is currently believed. The research, conducted by Transport Energy Strategies (TES) and THiggins Energy Consulting, found that blending ethanol into gasoline enables a reduction of aromatics in the fuel, and since aromatics have a high CI, their reduction further decreases …