The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the finalized rule for required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2019, and biomass-based diesel for 2020. The key elements of the final rule include maintaining the “conventional” renewable fuel volumes, primarily met by corn ethanol, at the current 15-billion gallon level set by Congress for 2019; increasing …
ACE Completes 6th Mexico Ethanol Workshop
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty traveled to Mexico City this month for the sixth and final ethanol technical workshop held this year for Mexican petroleum equipment installers and retailers. The workshops were a joint effort of the U.S. Grains Council and the Mexican Association of Service Station Suppliers (AMPES) to educate retail station owners about …
Ethanol Groups Blast EPA for Chevron Waiver
A report out yesterday that EPA granted Chevron a 2017 hardship waiver earlier this year is causing some pre-Thanksgiving heartburn for ethanol producers. “While Chevron and other refiners enjoy their record profits and “economic hardship” waivers from EPA on Thanksgiving, many farmers and ethanol producers in rural America are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet,” says American …
ACE Talks Ethanol with Farm Broadcasters
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) participated in the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s famous Trade Talk this year for the first time. ACE CEO Brian Jennings says they were thrilled with the experience of being able to meet and talk with dozens of farm broadcasters around the country all in one place. The main topic of discussion was …
Ethanol Stakeholders Comment on High Octane Fuel
Ethanol stakeholder groups submitted comments Friday to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the proposed SAFE Vehicles Rule, emphasizing the benefits for fuel economy and emissions reductions from the use of high-octane fuels, which can be attained with higher blends of ethanol. “Ethanol delivers the highest octane at the lowest cost, allowing automakers …
Concerns Raised About E15 Rulemaking Delay
Ethanol interests have been raising concerns this week about the Environmental Protection Agency delaying the start of the rulemaking process for year-round E15 until February 2019, which would make the timeline for getting it approved before next summer very tight. “EPA ought to speed it up, or otherwise it’s going to look like the president wasn’t serious about his announcement,” …
New Editorial Themes for Ethanol Today in 2019
The bimonthly industry trade magazine Ethanol Today, published by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), has released a new lineup of editorial themes and event sponsorship opportunities for 2019. The publication’s themes cover a wide range of topics, including clean fuel and high octane ethanol market opportunities; trade; an update on ethanol-related policy and legislative issues; plant technology; business optimization; …
Ethanol Stakeholders Welcome E15 Announcement
Christmas came very early this year for ethanol stakeholders who have been pressing for sales of E15 to be allowed year round, as President Trump announced he was instructing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate a rulemaking process that would extend the summer Reid Vapor Pressure waiver to E15. “What it really means is that we’re helping our farmers,” …
E15 Announcement Expected Today
President Donald Trump is heading to Council Bluffs, Iowa later today for a Make America Great Again Rally this evening, but before he leaves he is expected to make an announcement the ethanol industry has been waiting a long time to hear – that he is directing EPA to start rulemaking on year-round sales of 15% ethanol blends (E15). The …
Webinar Series on Ethanol Plant Cooling Systems
An upcoming series of webinars hosted by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) will help educate ethanol plant management and staff on how to address cooling system capacity issues, which, according to statistics published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration and other agencies, result in lost revenue of $500 million. The series, titled “Essential Knowledge, Disciplines, and Practices for Managing …