The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today highlighted newly available court documents which show how EPA “inappropriately granted Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance exemptions to certain small refineries that did not even qualify for the waivers, and that there was division within the Trump administration about its new approach to small refinery hardship exemption requests.” Specifically, the briefs and supporting documents …
No More Iowa Nice
No more Mr. Iowa Nice Guy. That was a message delivered during a press conference with representatives of Iowa’s corn, ethanol, biodiesel and soybean producers in response to the Supplemental Proposal for Renewable Fuels Volumes released Tuesday by EPA. Iowa Corn Growers Association CEO Craig Floss quoted one farmer who is outraged over the proposal. “No more Iowa Nice, now …
USDA Lowers Corn Use for Ethanol Outlook Again
The October World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates out today from USDA once again lowered its 2019-20 outlook for U.S. corn production, exports, use for ethanol, and ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 13.779 billion bushels, down 20 million as a decline in harvested area more than offsets an increased yield forecast. Corn supplies are forecast down sharply from …
Corn and Ethanol Producers Waiting for Relief
Ethanol producers and corn farmers held a telephone press conference Wednesday to spotlight recent research on the impacts of ethanol plant closings, a new survey on voter attitudes about ethanol, and a potential White House agreement to promote further renewable fuels use. The main message from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, new National Corn Growers Association President …
Corn Growers Urge President to Uphold RFS
As harvest is getting into high gear at the end of a difficult year, corn farmers are urging President Trump to follow the law and keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) whole. Leaders of corn grower organizations in 23 states sent a letter to the president last week, calling on him to stop the harm caused by waivers and restore …
Farmer Leaders Call Out EPA for Biofuels Demand Destruction
In the wake of new plant closures, corn and soybean farmer organization leaders held a press conference Thursday to discuss the current situation in the biofuels industry created by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overuse of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Participants in the call were: Kelly Nieuwenhuis, farmer from Primghar, Iowa and president of …
Japan Deal is Good for Grains and Ethanol
The U.S.-Japan trade agreement signed by President Donald Trump this week “will solidify our longstanding partnership for the future and create a platform for growth into new sales and new sectors, including the potential for sales of U.S. ethanol,” according to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Japan is one of the largest and most loyal U.S. corn customers, having bought …
Biofuels Industry Still Awaits Waiver Package
It’s been almost a month since President Donald Trump tweeted that “Farmers are going to be so happy when they see what we are doing for Ethanol” and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue told crowds at Farm Progress Show about “small refinery waiver mitigation efforts” underway that President Trump “really wants to announce himself.” Secretary Perdue expressed the frustration that many …
USDA Lowers Corn Use for Ethanol
The September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates out Thursday from USDA reduced the outlook for U.S. corn production and for the amount of corn used to produce ethanol. This month’s 2019/20 U.S. corn outlook is for reduced production, lower corn used for ethanol, and slightly higher ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 13.799 billion bushels, down 102 million …
Corn Growers Support E15 in Court Motion
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) this week filed a motion in support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the final rule allowing for year-round sales of E15, opposing an effort by the oil industry to challenge the rule. If successful, the oil industry’s lawsuit would overturn the E15 rule. NCGA and its farmer members have been long-time advocates …