A new economic contribution study shows Iowa biofuels production has begun to reflect stagnant corn demand throughout the agriculture economy as the multiplying effects of corn and soybean purchases have been reduced due to lower commodity prices. Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) conducted the study, commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The study found: “Even though a variety of …
Ethanol Report on Aromatics Cancer Research
New research out of The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota has discovered links between breast cancer risk and exposure to carcinogens and aromatics from gasoline. The Biofuels Research Project at The Hormel Institute has been studying the carcinogenic effects of compounds originating from burning fossil fuels thanks to the support of organizations like the Renewable Fuels Association. RFA board member …
Research Finds Breast Cancer Risk Link to Aromatics
Research out of The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota has discovered links between breast cancer risk and exposure to carcinogens and aromatics from gasoline. Professor Leena Hilakivi-Clarke, PhD, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, is the author of a paper appearing in the scientific journal iScience titled “Aromatics from fossil fuels and breast cancer.” In a review of existing scientific …
Stakeholders and Congress Want 45Z Extension
Wednesday was the deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Treasury on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit and some members of Congress commented by introducing legislation that would extend the tax credit and limit it to renewable fuels made only from domestically sourced feedstocks. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced the bipartisan and bicameral Farmer …
Senators Advocate for Stronger RFS
Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a bipartisan group of 16 senators this week in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to “restore integrity, stability and growth to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the U.S. biofuel sector by raising Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) levels for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels.” In a letter to EPA Administrator …
Liquid Fuel Stakeholders Urge EPA to Set RFS Volumes
A diverse group of stakeholders, including petroleum refiners, fuel marketers and retailers, biofuels producers, and farmers, sent a letter to urging Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him to set robust, timely, and multi-year Renewable Fuel Standards for 2026 and beyond. “Since the enactment of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), our nation has benefited from increased energy security, an …
NCGA Hires Director of Biofuels
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recently announced the addition of Lane Howard to the organization’s staff as director of biofuels. “Ethanol is one of our marquee issues and is important to rural economies,” said Sean Arians, vice president sustainable production and value chain engagement at NCGA. “We are thrilled to welcome a professional of Lane’s caliber to manage this …
Ag Secretary Nominee Faces Questions on Biofuels Support
President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Agriculture faced questions about her support of biofuels during her Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) challenged Rollins’ previous support of policy against biofuels when she was CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation from 2003-2018. “To be clear, coming from Texas, I was a massive defender of fossil fuels …
Groups Oppose Plan to Lower Cellulosic RVOs
Biofuels organizations have submitted comments opposed to a proposed rule announced by EPA last month to partially waive the 2024 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement and revise the associated percentage standard under the Renewable Fuel Standard program due to a shortfall in cellulosic biofuel production. The Renewable Fuels Association comments that “retrospectively lowering RVOs destabilizes the RIN market, discourages investment, and …
CARB Exec Defends State’s Strict Clean Air Rules
During remarks to the 2025 Clean Fuels Conference Tuesday, the executive officer of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) made it clear the state is willing to fight to defend its clean air regulations against expected challenges under the new Trump administration. “I don’t want to be adversarial,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, who was appointed to head CARB in September …