A bill was introduced this week in the Iowa state legislature that supporters of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) projects in the state hope will address some of the concerns of landowners. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh introduced the bill which “reforms the permit process to be less confrontational, expands the ability to voluntarily negotiate with landowners on …
Iowa Ethanol Stagnation Blamed on Lack of CSS
Iowa ethanol production has remained stagnant for the past three years and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association puts the blame on the blocking of carbon capture and sequestration technology usage in the state. Iowa’s ethanol plants produced 4.6 billion gallons of ethanol in 2025, matching its output level from the past two years. Iowa accounts for 28% of total U.S. …
Gevo Announces New Leadership and Growth Planning
Gevo has announced the addition of agricultural industry veteran Greg Hanselman as executive vice president, operations and engineering as the company prepares for the retirement of Chris Ryan, Gevo’s long-time chief operating officer, in June of 2026. Hanselman is expected to assume the role of chief operating officer upon Dr. Ryan’s retirement. Hanselman comes to Gevo from previous roles in …
Nebraska CO2 Pipeline Gives Edge Over Iowa Ethanol
Iowa ethanol producers are losing their winning edge to Nebraska with the start of CO2 shipments on the Tallgrass Trailblazer pipeline last week, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IowaRFA). Mid America Agri Products/Wheatland (MAAPW) last week became the first plant to start carbon dioxide capture at its Madrid, Nebraska facility with volumes to be transported on the Tallgrass …
Iowa Governor Vetoes Pipeline Bill
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds made corn growers and ethanol producers in her state happy today with her veto of a bill passed by the state legislature that would have limited the future for carbon sequestration pipelines. In her explanation for vetoing the bill, Gov. Reynolds said the bill would set a troubling precedent. “For example, the bill would block a …
FEW Panel to Highlight New Market Opportunities
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings will moderate a panel at next week’s 2025 Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) spotlighting how agricultural conservation practices can create new markets and profit opportunities for ethanol producers and farmers. Titled “Turning Agricultural Practices into Low-Carbon Farming Success,” the panel will explore how the ACE-led Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects are helping …
Iowa Awaits Governor Decision on Carbon Pipeline Bill
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds may hold the fate of the state’s ethanol industry in her hands as ethanol advocates and farmers are urging her to veto a bill restricting carbon sequestration pipelines. “It’s happening. Nebraska is doing it. North Dakota is doing it. Indiana is doing it. Illinois projects are moving forward. Brazil is doing it big time. It’s happening,” …
California Receives LCFS Comments
This week was the final deadline to provide comments to the California Air Resources Board regarding proposed modifications to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The Renewable Fuels Association filed comments on the proposal Monday. In its comments and an attached analysis, RFA said empirical data clearly undermine CARB’s rationale for including the new sustainability requirements for grain-based ethanol. CARB …
South Dakota Law Creates Concern for Carbon Pipeline
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden last week signed a law which prohibits eminent domain for a pipeline that carries carbon oxide, which would be the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline that ethanol producers are hoping will lower their carbon score. “It’s very unfortunate that, despite our approvals in Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota, South Dakota changed the rules in the middle …
OAL Rejects Portions of CARB LCFS Amendments
California’s Office of Administrative Law (OAL) last week notified the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that recently adopted amendments to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) were being rejected, preventing the changes from taking effect. According to CARB, the rejection was due to “inconsistencies of specific regulatory amendment provisions with the clarity standard.” CARB has 120 days to revise …