Like everyone else, ethanol producers will be happy to see the end of 2020 with hopeful hearts that 2021 will be a better year. In this edition of the Ethanol Report, we take a ride back through the year starting with the high hopes for a great year in January and February, into the devastating impact of COVID-19 restrictions on …
COVID Relief Bill Passes with Aid for Biofuels Producers
Agricultural and biofuels groups as well as farm state lawmakers are pleased that the new COVID relief package passed by Congress last night includes help for producers excluded from previous aid legislation. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) says relief includes the Paycheck Protection Program for Producers Act. “The bill also includes funding to allow the Department of Agriculture to provide additional …
Brazil Tariff Decision ‘Devastating’ For US Ethanol
Brazil’s decision to impose a 20 percent tariff on all U.S. ethanol imports is devastating for the U.S. ethanol industry, according to organizations that work to promote ethanol exports. The leadership of the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association say the action jeopardizes the future of cooperation and coordination between the U.S …
RFA Gives Ethanol Industry Update
As Congress continues to negotiate a new COVID-19 aid package, the pandemic continues to batter the U.S. ethanol industry and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) wants lawmakers to know the challenges producers are facing. With losses from the pandemic nearing $4 billion, the ethanol industry continues to fight for implementation of the Tenth Circuit Court decision nationwide, and prepares to …
Biofuels Included in Ag Talks Roadmap for Trade
Farmers for Free Trade held a virtual press conference Tuesday to release a new report on the challenges and solutions for American agriculture on trade, supply chains and global competitiveness. The report is the culmination of a series of Ag Talk discussions across rural America and includes recommendations to drive demand for U.S. agricultural products at home and abroad. Recommendations …
Ethanol Report 12-15-20
A new analysis released by the Renewable Fuels Association shows the devastating impact COVID-19 pandemic restrictions continue to have on ethanol producers, with losses nearing $4 billion. RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman authored the white paper which shows ethanol production dropped by two billion gallons between March and November this year, which meant a 700-million-bushel decline in the use of …
Basse Expects China to Purchase Ethanol Soon
Dan Basse of AgResource Company presented his 8th annual agricultural outlook American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) virtual CSS and Seed Expo this week. While 2020 was rough on the ethanol industry, Basse believes renewable fuels will benefit under a Biden administration. “I think initially they’ll try to lean green so I think it’s favorable for the U.S. ethanol industry,” he …
Registration Open for 2021 National Ethanol Conference
Registration is now open for the Renewable Fuels Association 26th annual National Ethanol Conference to be held in a fully digital format February 16-18. Early bird registration is being offered before January 19 for significant savings on a packed program that already comes at a lower rate compared to 2020’s event. “These rates for the National Ethanol Conference, along with …
McKinney: China Needs to Buy More Ethanol
China is lagging behind in its purchases of energy products under the Phase One agreement, but USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney says they could get there with more ethanol and distillers grains (DDGs). During a virtual appearance at the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) annual conference this week, McKinney updated attendees on ag trade with …
EPA Misses 2021 RFS Deadline
For the first time under the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency missed the November 30 statutory deadline for publishing the final rule for next year’s Renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In fact, EPA never even issued a proposed rule for the 2021 RVOs. “And even if a proposed rule was released today, it would be …