Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) this week for the first time since 2012 and he thanked them for the work they have been doing on the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCCP started in South Dakota in 2021 and recently received a $35 million investment through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service …
NASDA CEO Ted McKinney Sees Potential in SAF
Former USDA Under Secretary and currently CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Ted McKinney is optimistic about the future of sustainable aviation fuel as a market for U.S. biofuels, provided they have the opportunity under the upcoming 45Z tax credit. “Our ethanol and our soy diesel and renewable diesel and all the folks that are doing …
Court Decision Impacts RFS Small Refinery Exemptions
Ethanol industry leaders are disappointed and surprised by a U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit order on Friday vacating most of the EPA’s 2022 denials of petitions for small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard obligations, and remanding those petitions to EPA for further proceedings. While the court’s opinion remains under seal and is unavailable for public review the coalition …
Ethanol Report on DC Board Meeting
Renewable Fuels Association board members had the opportunity this past week to meet with administration officials and lawmakers in both Houses and from both sides of the aisle to talk about priorities for the ethanol industry. The event included a timely talk with USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small about tracking climate-smart farming practices and hearing from EPA Administrator Michael …
Corn Grower Testifies on Farm Financial Conditions
The president of the Minnesota Corn Growers told the House Agriculture Committee Tuesday that farmers in her state and across the country need the support of a reauthorized and strengthened farm bill. “Unless conditions change, I believe we’re heading into a perfect storm, a storm that I don’t think will be fully appreciated until early next year when farmers try …
ACE Announces Conference Agenda
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has announced the agenda for the upcoming 37th annual event taking place August 14-16, at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District. “Our conference agenda is packed with dynamic sessions, insightful speakers and networking opportunities, making it the premier destination for anyone passionate about advancing biofuels,” said Katie Muckenhirn, Vice President of Public …
Chevron Reversal Could Impact EPA Clean Air Rules
One of the federal agencies likely to be most impacted by the recent Supreme Court decision that reversed the Chevron deference is the Environmental Protection Agency, which was the one responsible for the original case decision in 1984. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper says it’s still too early to tell exactly what the reversal could mean for …
Ethanol Report on California and E15
It has been nearly 15 years since the Environmental Protection Agency approved the sale of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) for 2001 model year cars and older, and nearly every state in the nation now sells it, often at a discount to regular gasoline. The only state that bans the sale of E15 is California, despite the fact that the …
Study Shows Benefits of FFVs and Low Carbon Ethanol
According to a newly released study from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), increased use of lower-carbon liquid fuels in light-duty vehicles would lead to larger and faster reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than EPA’s recently finalized EV-forcing tailpipe emissions standards. The study, conducted by the non-profit Southwest Research Institute, found that, “Lowering the carbon intensity of liquid fuels can …
RFA Mourns Loss of Industry Pioneer
The Renewable Fuels Association this week mourned the passing of ethanol industry pioneer Bob Reynolds, whose 40-plus-year career trajectory made him one of the nation’s top experts on fueling the internal combustion engine. Reynolds was profiled as part of the organization’s 40th anniversary series in 2021 and received numerous industry awards. His family reports that he passed away peacefully Thursday …