A new study finds last year’s many challenges reduced the positive impact of biofuels on the Iowa economy, but the production of ethanol and biodiesel still accounts for nearly $4 billion in state GDP. The study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), found the state biofuels industry also supports 37,000 …
Senators Ask EPA to Take Action on RFS Issues
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), along with more than a dozen others, sent a letter this week asking the Environmental Protection Agency to take immediate action on Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) related issues. Those issues include reviewing small refinery waivers, issuing a proposed rule for the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation, and advancing the proposed E15 streamlining …
Ethanol Exports were Bright Spot in 2020
U.S. ethanol exports were the bright spot in an otherwise dark 2020 for the industry. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol exports totaled 1.33 billion gallons in 2020, down 9 percent from 2019 and the lowest volume since 2016, according to official government statistics released today. Still, the annual volume was the fourth-highest on record and nearly one out …
AFBF Economist Sees Challenges for Ethanol Industry
The ethanol industry is continuing to feel the impact of COVID-19 as the pandemic enters a second year of global disruption. American Farm Bureau Federation chief economist John Newton, speaking Thursday at the virtual 57th annual Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau Annual meeting, said ethanol production has taken a major hit in the last year. “From the beginning of 2020 …
Senators Reintroduce Adopt GREET Act
Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) this week reintroduced the Adopt GREET Act which would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update its greenhouse gas modeling for ethanol and biodiesel. Specifically, the bill would require EPA to adopt the Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model for both fuels. EPA …
RFA’s Young Professionals Network Growing Fast
The Renewable Fuels Association Young Professionals Network is only six months old, but it has already hit 100 members. The YPN was formed last summer to bring together innovative and dedicated young professionals from across the country who are 39 years old and younger and employed full time by a company in the U.S. ethanol industry. Since its inception, the …
EPA Administrator Nominee Says RFS is Priority
The nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency says the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will be a priority for the new administration. “You have my commitment that we will look at the RFS program and we will introduce some transparency into that program,” nominee Michael Regan said Wednesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works …
SIRE Board Elects New Director Kevin Ross
Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) has elected Kevin Ross as a member of the plant’s board of directors, effective last Friday. Following the resignation of The Honorable Hubert M. Houser from the Board in December 2020, the Board’s Nominating Committee invited SIRE unit holders to suggest persons to fill Mr. Houser’s Board vacancy for the remainder of his term, through …
Vilsack Addresses Plans for Biofuels
As Secretary of Agriculture during the entire Obama Administration, Tom Vilsack from Iowa was known to be a champion of biofuels. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday, the former secretary pledged to continue his support of the industry – and make small refinery exemptions rare again. “The waiver system was designed for small refineries that were …
U.S. Ethanol Wins Appeal in Peru Tariff Case
The U.S. government has won an appeal on a countervailing duty case brought against U.S. ethanol in Peru, reversing a previous decision that applied a 15-cent per gallon duty and resulted in loss of market access in the country. The Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy participated extensively in this case, arguing at hearings in both the …