Verbio has begun construction to convert its South Bend ethanol plant into the second integrated biorefinery plant in North America. The facility will incorporate both the production of renewable natural gas (RNG) and bioethanol using an innovative production approach. The company, a subsidiary of Europe`s leading biofuels and bioenergy producer Verbio SE, had received approval for its expansion proposal from …
Corn Growers Disappointed in GREET Model Update
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) farmer leaders are expressing concern about the final guidance on eligibility for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel 40B tax credits released by the Biden administration this week. Specifically, NCGA is concerned with updates made to the Department of Energy’s GREET model, which requires farmers to bundle the use of no-till practices, enhanced efficiency fertilizers and cover …
Farmer Consultant Digs Into SAF Tax Credit Guidance
Iowa farmer and consultant Mitchell Hora, Continuum Ag, spent some time Wednesday morning breaking down the 40B sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit guidance released this week for farmers hoping to be eligible. To qualify under the guidance, corn farmers have to do cover crop, no-till, and enhanced efficiency fertilizer, while soybean farmers are required to cover crop and no-till. …
Ethanol Industry Reacts to SAF Guidance
Now that the 40B sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit guidance and modified GREET model has been released, the ethanol industry may have scored a ticket to fly but there’s still a few mechanical problems to sort out before take off. The new 40B GREET model will recognize GHG reductions from carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), renewable natural gas, and …
Treasury Releases Guidance for SAF Credit
Late Tuesday afternoon the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) finally released guidance on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Credit established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The guidance released today will “catalyze innovation in the aviation industry and incentivize the production of cleaner and more sustainable aviation fuels,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during …
Indigo Ag and Red Trail Energy Partner for Low CI Corn
Sustainable agriculture company Indigo Ag and North Dakota bioethanol producer Red Trail Energy (RTE) have announced a collaboration to source low carbon intensity (CI) corn to support farmers using sustainable practices and benefit from emerging clean fuels market tax credit programs. Utilizing Indigo’s proven measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) and remote sensing capabilities, RTE will work with Indigo Ag to …
RFA Concerned About Loss of USDA Reports
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is urging USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to reconsider its plan announced last week to discontinue all County Estimates for Crops and Livestock beginning with the 2024 production year. “With the rapid emergence of state and federal climate policies that will compel ethanol producers to carefully track certain feedstock characteristics, the availability of robust …
WASDE Increases Corn for Ethanol Use
USDA’s April World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) released Thursday forecasts greater corn used for ethanol and feed and residual use and smaller ending stocks. Corn used for ethanol is raised 25 million bushels to 5.4 billion based on data through February from the Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report and weekly ethanol production data as reported by the …
Grassley Hearing GREET Model Update Rumors
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley is unhappy with what he has been hearing about the GREET model updates for sustainable aviation fuel expected soon from the Biden Administration. “We understand that this model might say that you can use (corn as a) feedstock but it will have to be grown in one of three conditions – minimum tillage, cover crops, or …
New Tailpipe Emissions Rules Would Impact Corn Demand
The National Corn Growers Association reports new tailpipe emissions rules would be a “major shock on demand for corn used to produce ethanol” that could result in potentially devastating impacts on farmers and the rural economy. EPA’s recently released final rule for multi-pollutant emissions standards for model years 2027 and later light-duty and medium-duty vehicles dictates that sales of non-electric …