The U.S. ethanol industry is in a much better place compared to a year ago when production was nearing a record low and plants were closing as a result of efforts to contain COVID-19. In this edition of The Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper provides an update on where the ethanol industry is today, …
NBB Discusses 2021 Policy Priorities for Biodiesel Industry
National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Donnell Rehagen and Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik hosted a video conference briefing with reporters last week to discuss the industry’s policy priorities for the coming year. Paul Winters, NBB Director of Public Affairs and Federal Communications, moderated the discussion. Kovarik said they were disappointed with EPA’s recent decision to extend the renewable …
New EPA Chief Pledges to Get RFS Back on Track
The day after the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020 until 2022, Administrator Michael Regan told the Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit they are focused on getting the program back on track. “More transparency, more certainty in the decisions that we’ve made and looking at fuel …
Broad Coalition Supports MN Clean Fuels Standard
A broad coalition representing automakers, biofuel producers, farmers, electric vehicles, and conservation advocates is endorsing new legislation that would implement a clean fuels standard statewide in Minnesota, which would be the first for a Midwestern state. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) are both members of the coalition, which is facilitated by the Great …
Nebraska E30 Demonstration Study Released
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Ethanol Board released the details of a new study on higher ethanol blends on Monday. The E30 Demonstration was conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Engineering Department. The yearlong demonstration involved 50 non-flex fuel vehicles (non-FFVs) from the State of Nebraska to determine adaptability, economic feasibility, and environmental impact of using E30. Twenty-six …
Vilsack Sees Future for Renewable Fuels
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack sees a continued need for biofuels in the future. “Most of you will still be around 20 or 30 years from now and I think you’re still going to have a need for and a higher demand for renewable fuels,” said Vilsack in a virtual appearance concluding the 2021 Commodity Classic Special Edition last …
Ethanol Report 3-4-21
This edition of the Ethanol Report explores ethanol’s role as a “net-zero hero” with highlights from the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC). The report includes remarks from David MacIntosh, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc.; Stefan Unnasch with Life Cycle Associates; and Michael Berube, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, who all spoke at the 2021 NEC. In addition, we …
Vilsack Stresses Importance of Strong RFS
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack started his first full week of work Monday addressing the National Farmers Union’s virtual convention, the first of many appearances he will likely be making to agricultural organizations. As secretary under the Obama Administration for eight years, Vilsack made an effort to attend as many agriculture and biofuel related events as possible each year. Secretary …
Secretary Vilsack Back at USDA
Former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack became current secretary under the Biden Administration this week, returning to the job he held for eight years under President Obama. Secretary Vilsack was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday, sworn in virtually by Vice President Harris on Wednesday, and held his first press call with reporters Thursday morning. The first issue Vilsack addressed …
LCFS and RFS – Conflict or Complement?
Do Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) policies conflict or complement the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)? That was the question Dr. Jarrett Whistance with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri was called on to answer at last week’s National Ethanol Conference. Whistance, who is Program Lead for Biofuel Market and Policy Analysis at FAPRI-MU, said …