Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa is possibly the biggest supporter of ethanol in Congress, but he can always use more information to share with his colleagues who may disagree. During the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Fly-in this week, Golden Grains Energy chairman Dave Sovereign, who is also a farmer and a fuel retailer near Cresco, Iowa, gave the senator …
ACE DC Fly-in Kicks Off With EPA Official
Environmental Protection Agency Senior Agricultural Advisor Rod Snyder was happy to be able to join the American Coalition for Ethanol to kick off the organization’s first fly-in since 2019, but he unfortunately had little to say about the most important issue on the industry’s plate – allowing sales of E15 this summer. “While I can’t comment specifically at this time, …
Ethanol Watching Carbon Pipeline Future in Iowa
The Iowa House approved a bill last week that would restrict the use of eminent domain by carbon pipeline companies and thereby “create a de facto ban on new projects that allow Iowa ethanol producers to install carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology,” according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The legislation would require pipeline companies to obtain voluntary …
Ethanol Report with More #NEC23 Highlights
The centerpiece of the 2023 National Ethanol Conference was a new concept vehicle that runs on both electricity and up to 85 percent ethanol. In this edition of The Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association VP of Industry Relations Robert White talks about the new Flex Fuel EV, which has already become a trade show star. We also hear from Jeff …
USDA Under Secretary Supports US Ethanol in Panama
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor is on a trade mission to Central America-Dominican Republic and supporting U.S. ethanol on the way. The mission included Taylor witnessing a memorandum of understanding signing between the U.S. Grains Council and the Panamanian Sugar Cane National Industry on ethanol blending. “Our U.S. industry and the Panamanian industry are …
Second Part of Iowa Carbon Study Released
The second part of a study looking at potential impacts if Iowa prevents carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects was released this week by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), finding that farm income could drop by more than $1 billion annually. DIS concluded: “Ethanol production in the state of Iowa has brought tens of …
Nuseed Launches 2023 Carinata Program at Classic
Look, up in the sky! It’s a mustard seed! It’s a cover crop! No, it’s super Carinata sustainable aviation fuel! Once a lowly Ethiopian mustard seed with little to offer for human consumption, this plant is growing in popularity as a certified sustainable non-food cover crop that can be used as a low-carbon feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). “Carinata …
Consumers Continue to Support Ethanol
The Renewable Fuels Association revealed the results of its latest consumer focus group research at the recent National Ethanol Conference. Phillip Morris of the Locust Street Group conducted a round of focus groups for RFA in late January with consumers in Ohio, Florida and California. This was the third time this research has been conducted for RFA, previously in 2019 …
Rabobank Analyst Sees Potential in SAF
The sky seems to be the limit for the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and can be a real opportunity for farmers, according to RaboResearch Senior Grains & Oilseeds Analyst Owen Wagner. Wagner was at Commodity Classic last week talking about how sustainable aviation fuel fits into the landscape for commodity demand. “This (SAF) is not just for vegetable …
Secretary Vilsack Excited About SAF
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Commodity Classic for the 10th time last week with the theme of new opportunities and markets for farmers and one he is excited about it sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). “I get electric cars, you know, you drive them and if the charge runs out, you pull off the side of the road, pick …