The 34th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference is accelerating forward with plans for a live and in-person event August 18-20 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ACE Senior Director of Operations and Programming Shannon Gustafson says the theme of the conference is Accelerate and they are planning a wild ride for the conference this year to celebrate being back in person. …
SCOTUS Disappoints Biofuels Coalition with Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court today overturned a 2020 appellate court ruling that struck down three improper small refinery exemptions granted by previous EPA administrators, disappointing the coalition of renewable fuel and farm groups that brought the case. However, the industry remains hopeful that other elements of the original ruling that were unchallenged will discourage future abuses of the exemption program. …
USDA Announces Pandemic Aid for Biofuels Producers
Pandemic aid for biofuels producers may soon be on its way. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced implementation of additional aid to agricultural producers and businesses as part of the USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, including $700 million for biofuels producers adversely impacted by travel restrictions last year. “USDA is honoring its commitment to get financial assistance to producers …
Chief Ethanol Joins Carbon Capture Effort in Nebraska
Chief Ethanol is joining the effort to develop carbon capture and permanent sequestration (CCS) in Nebraska. Chief Industries, Inc. is partnering with Catahoula, one of the largest investors in midstream infrastructure in North America, on carbon capture and sequestration projects at ethanol plants in Hastings and Lexington, with the goal to reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of each facility significantly. …
Golden Grain Energy Holds Big Bin Bash
Golden Grain Energy (GGE) in Mason City, Iowa is now home to the world’s largest grain bin, built by Sukup Manufacturing Co. The bin measures 165 feet in diameter with a peak height of 155 feet, 7 inches and boasts a capacity of 2.2 million bushels. GGE held a Big Bin Bash this week to celebrate completion of the bin …
RFS Integrity Act Introduced in Senate
U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week introduced the bipartisan RFS Integrity Act of 2021 to “provide more certainty for rural America by bringing transparency and predictability to EPA’s small refinery exemption process.” The bill would require small refineries to petition for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) hardship exemptions by June 1st of each year. This change …
Ethanol Groups Comment on USDA’s Climate Strategy
The ethanol industry responded this week to USDA’s request for information regarding the role for “climate-smart agriculture” and biofuels in combating climate change. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) offered a number of recommendations, including: As directed by Congress, USDA should actively coordinate and consult with EPA on implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard, especially with regard to the analyses and …
SCOTUS Hears Arguments in Biofuels Coalition Case
The biofuels industry had its day in the Supreme Court April 27 to present oral arguments in the case of HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al. v. Renewable Fuels Association, et al over small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The case was decided unanimously last year by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which …
Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in Waiver Case
Oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court are scheduled for Tuesday morning in the case of HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al. v. Renewable Fuels Association, et al over small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The case was decided unanimously last year by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which held that only small …
Renewable Fuels Part of Climate Plan
Industry organizations are pleased to see renewable fuels are included in the 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target under the Paris Agreement. The fact sheet for the plan includes “spurring research, development, demonstration, and deployment efforts that drive forward very low carbon new-generation renewable fuels for applications like aviation, and other cutting-edge transportation technologies across modes.” Renewable Fuels Association President …