The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it is denying petitions for small refinery exemptions for past compliance years, the so-called “gap-filling” petitions for the 2011-18 compliance years. “This decision follows President Trump’s promise to promote domestic biofuel production, support our nation’s farmers, and in turn strengthen our energy independence,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “At the EPA, we …
Ethanol Industry Hopeful for US-Brazil Trade
U.S. ethanol stakeholder organizations are less than thrilled that Brazil’s tariff-rate quota (TRQ) has been extended now for another 90 days, but they are hopeful continued discussions will lead to a resumed free trade situation with that country. “The Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association believe the 90-day extension of the TRQ …
Corn Use for Ethanol Estimate Lowered
The August derecho that charged across the Midwest has taken its toll on the latest crop estimates in USDA’s September World Agricultural Supply and Demand report. Corn production is forecast at 14.9 billion bushels, down 378 million from last month on a lower yield forecast and reduction in harvested area. Corn supplies are reduced from last month, as a smaller …
Corn Growers Help Grow Higher Ethanol Blends
Building out the infrastructure needed for future mid-level blends of ethanol continues to be a priority of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), which is why they have worked with Wayne Fueling Systems over the last three years to produce and sell pumps certified for fuel containing up to 25 percent ethanol. Thanks to this key partnership, NCGA has supported …
POET Partners with FBN on Sustainability Initiative
Farmers Business Network (FBN) has announced a new initiative called GRO Network, which matches farmers who use environmentally friendly practices with buyers who pay a premium for low-carbon corn. POET, the world’s largest producer of biofuels, has joined GRO Network as a key customer in the market for verifiable Low-Carbon Grain. “At POET we know that agriculture is the key …
Farmers and Ethanol Producers Defend Year Round E15
Ethanol producers and corn growers have provided support against the oil industry’s latest effort to undermine the expansion of E15 (gasoline containing 15% ethanol). The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and National Corn Growers Association on Friday filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit supporting and defending EPA’s 2019 regulation allowing year-round availability of …
Groups Say Proposed Rule Would Penalize Ethanol Blends
The Urban Air Initiative (UAI), a coalition of state corn grower organizations, and the American Coalition for Ethanol, and the Clean Fuels Development Coalition filed comments last week opposing a proposed EPA rule they say would penalize ethanol for its lower carbon profile. In a notice of proposed rulemaking, EPA is proposing to penalize the current Tier 3 test fuel …
House Members Urge Direct Aid For Biofuels Producers
Members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus spearheaded a letter Friday to House leadership requesting additional resources for the biofuels sector in the next piece of coronavirus relief legislation. Representatives Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave Loebsack, (D-IA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL), co-chairs of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, led the letter with 31 members of Congress to Senate Majority …
July WASDE Lowers Corn Production
USDA’s July World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) for the 2020/21 U.S. corn outlook is for sharply lower supplies, reduced feed and residual use, increased food, seed, and industrial use, and lower ending stocks. For 2020/21, corn production is forecast 995 million bushels lower based on reduced planted and harvested areas from the June 30 Acreage report. Corn beginning …
Corn and Ethanol Groups Challenge EPA to Correct Study
A coalition including the Urban Air Initiative (UAI), 10 state corn grower organizations and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) are pressuring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to correct its recent “Anti-Backsliding” study. The coalition says the study is based on faulty modeling data that fails to recognize the role of ethanol in reducing pollution. The study is required under …