With all the buzz about electric vehicles and ideas that the combustion engine is on the way out, where does ethanol fit in the future picture of automobiles? That question will be addressed next week at the digital 2021 National Ethanol Conference during one of several panels on hot topics in the industry. Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Industry …
RFA Opposes Extending RFS Compliance Deadlines
In a virtual public hearing this week, the Renewable Fuels Association opposed the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed extension of the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard compliance deadlines, calling it a last minute favor to oil refiners made by former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on his way out the door. In his testimony, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman said, “All …
AFBF Economist Sees Challenges for Ethanol Industry
The ethanol industry is continuing to feel the impact of COVID-19 as the pandemic enters a second year of global disruption. American Farm Bureau Federation chief economist John Newton, speaking Thursday at the virtual 57th annual Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau Annual meeting, said ethanol production has taken a major hit in the last year. “From the beginning of 2020 …
RFA’s Young Professionals Network Growing Fast
The Renewable Fuels Association Young Professionals Network is only six months old, but it has already hit 100 members. The YPN was formed last summer to bring together innovative and dedicated young professionals from across the country who are 39 years old and younger and employed full time by a company in the U.S. ethanol industry. Since its inception, the …
EPA Administrator Nominee Says RFS is Priority
The nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency says the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will be a priority for the new administration. “You have my commitment that we will look at the RFS program and we will introduce some transparency into that program,” nominee Michael Regan said Wednesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works …
Ethanol Report 1-28-21
In this edition of the Ethanol Report, we hear from three Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) staff members about the organization’s efforts in advocacy, safety, and education. Troy Bredenkamp is RFA’s brand new Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs in the Washington D.C. office and he could not be coming on board at a more critical time for the …
China Starting to Buy U.S. Ethanol
Reports that China is buying U.S. ethanol again sent a positive message to the industry Tuesday that the Phase One trade agreement promises may yet be met. During an investor call, Archer Daniels Midland Co-Chief Financial Officer Ray Young said they believe China has already made commitments “in the first half of the year for U.S. ethanol equal to the …
Iowa Governor Supports Higher Biofuels Blends
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds once again addressed the annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit this week, something she has done every year as governor, as well as multiple years prior as lieutenant governor, but the first time in a virtual format. Gov. Reynolds said she was looking forward to working with the new Biden Administration to grow demand for biofuels around …
RFA Celebrates Decade of Ethanol Safety Training
The Renewable Fuels Association recently celebrated 10 years of its industry-leading safety training program that has reached thousands of first responders, rail shippers, ethanol plant workers and others, protecting the industry’s employees and saving lives in communities around the world. RFA Director of Technical Services Missy Ruff says that over the past decade, RFA has hosted 328 training events reaching …
Former Sen. Daschle Comments on Split Senate
Former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle shared his thoughts on a 50-50 split Senate during an appearance on a panel at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Summit Tuesday. He offered advice from his own experience in the 107th Congress in 2001, the only other time in history there was a split Senate. “It’s going to take good chemistry, it’s going …