*Updated with audio interview* The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) has just released a study on the impacts of increased electric vehicle penetration on U.S. biofuels, agriculture and the economy. Proposals to ban internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 and 2050 served as the economic models for the study, along with a base case provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s …
Biden Wants Zero Emissions by 2025, or 2050
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden expressed support for “complete zero emissions by 2025” by transitioning away from oil during the debate with President Donald Trump Thursday night. “Because the oil industry pollutes significantly,” said Biden. “It has to be replaced by renewable energy over time.” Biden mentioned solar and wind energy, but renewable fuels were not specifically mentioned by either …
Ethanol Report 10-16-20
October 1 began a new fiscal year for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and brought a new chairperson for the board. Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy Management, is the first female chair for the RFA and she is taking on the role during a challenging time with lots of optimism. In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, we …
Ethanol Groups Help with New HBIIP Grants
Trail’s Travel Center in Albert Lea, Minnesota was one of the recipients of grants announced Thursday as part of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, or HBIIP. They were helped out in the application process by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “We would like to sincerely thank the Renewable Fuels Association and Cassie Mullen for their incredible support and guidance …
Meet New RFA Chair Jeanne McCaherty
The new chairperson of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has only been CEO of Guardian Energy Management since 2016, but Jeanne McCaherty has become an industry leader in that very short time. In addition to serving on the board for RFA, she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Renewable Product Marketing Group and the Minnesota Biofuels Association. …
USDA Announces New Biofuels Infrastructure Grants
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue was in Albert Lea, Minnesota on Thursday to announce $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to recipients in 14 states. The initial $22 million in HBIIP investments are projected to increase ethanol demand by nearly …
Ethanol Remains Top Priority with New NCGA President
It’s a new year for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) with new president John Linder of Edison, Ohio who took over the post on October 1. Linder, along with his brother, Mike, and wife, Cheryl, run a fifth-generation farm raising corn, soybeans, soft red winter wheat and soybeans for seed in central Ohio. In addition to traditional row crop …
Ethanol Report 9-30-20
The coalition of farm and ethanol groups behind the case against Small Refinery Exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that was decided in January is still waiting for EPA to implement the court decision after eight months. Meanwhile, ethanol producers and farmers are still waiting on the administration to make good on promises made a year ago. And at …
Secretary Perdue Says Congress Must Approve Ethanol Aid
Despite estimates that ethanol producers could lose up to $8 billion this year, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue says he has no authority to make payments to plants through the Commodity Credit Corporation under the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2). The secretary confirmed that he believes Congress has to approve any aid for ethanol …
Ethanol Coalition Urges EPA to Fully Restore RFS
The coalition of farm and ethanol groups behind the case against Small Refinery Exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that was decided in January is still waiting for EPA to implement the court decision or even communicate the intention to do so after eight months. The four associations representing farmers and ethanol producers – the Renewable Fuels Association, American …