The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is supporting the Next Generation Fuels Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) in September, as “the next step in corn farmers’ efforts to build on the success of the RFS.” NCGA leadership is urging members to contact their Congressional representatives and ask them to support the legislation. The introduction of the bill …
McKinney: China Needs to Buy More Ethanol
China is lagging behind in its purchases of energy products under the Phase One agreement, but USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney says they could get there with more ethanol and distillers grains (DDGs). During a virtual appearance at the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) annual conference this week, McKinney updated attendees on ag trade with …
Ethanol Industry Critical to Vaccine Distribution
The ethanol industry will be playing a critical role in getting a vaccine for COVID-19 distributed quickly around the nation and the world. That is because ethanol plants are responsible for capturing roughly 40 percent of the national supply of CO2, as much as 3.5 million tons annually – and CO2 makes dry ice, which is used for transporting things …
Corn Groups Join Ethanol Plants to Distribute Sanitizer
State corn grower organizations have been partnering with local ethanol producers this year to distribute hand sanitizer. The National Corn Growers Association gave a few examples of how farmers have been helping out. The Illinois Corn Growers Association partnered with other farm groups to distribute sanitizer to retailers to keep them in the field through the critical planting period. “I …
Ontario to Increase Ethanol Content in Gas to 15%
Canada’s most populous province has made a commitment to gradually increase the required ethanol content in gasoline to 15 percent by 2030. Renewable Industries Canada (RICanada) welcomed the release of Ontario’s Environment Plan “Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-In-Ontario Environment Plan” and the move to 15% ethanol in gasoline. RICanada estimates the province’s move to 15% …
NFU Disappointed by EPA Failure to Set 2021 RVOs
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is disappointed by the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to meet the November 30 deadline to issue 2021 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “By punting a decision on 2021’s RVOS to the next administration, EPA is introducing yet more uncertainty to the biofuels industry – uncertainty that most farmers and …
Less Flex Fuel Vehicle Offerings for 2021
The annual Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) analysis of vehicle owner’s manuals and warranty statements finds almost all new 2021 automobiles are approved for E15 gasoline, but very limited offerings for flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of operating on fuel blends containing up to 85% ethanol. Only Ford and General Motors are offering FFVs in model year 2021 with 11 models …
EPA Misses 2021 RFS Deadline
For the first time under the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency missed the November 30 statutory deadline for publishing the final rule for next year’s Renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In fact, EPA never even issued a proposed rule for the 2021 RVOs. “And even if a proposed rule was released today, it would be …
Ethanol Production Closer to Pre-COVID Levels
Weekly ethanol production is edging closer to pre-COVID levels. According to the latest data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending November 20, ethanol production increased almost 3% to 990,000 barrels per day and the highest production since the end of March. However, production remained 6.5% below the same week last year. The four-week average ethanol production …
Ethanol Report 11-25-20
2020 has been the year of going virtual for meetings and conferences. In fact, one of the very last live, in-person events to be held this year was the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) 25th annual National Ethanol Conference in Houston. The 26th annual NEC however, will be an all digital format. Information about the conference can be found on the …