During its first quarter meeting this week, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Board of Directors elected its Officers and Executive Committee for 2021. Dave Sovereign, Chairman of Golden Grain Energy’s Board, accepted the nomination of President of the ACE Board. He replaces Duane Kristensen, who served as the President of ACE’s Board of Directors for the past three years. …
NEC Panel to Discuss Ethanol’s Role in Future Autos
With all the buzz about electric vehicles and ideas that the combustion engine is on the way out, where does ethanol fit in the future picture of automobiles? That question will be addressed next week at the digital 2021 National Ethanol Conference during one of several panels on hot topics in the industry. Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Industry …
RFA Opposes Extending RFS Compliance Deadlines
In a virtual public hearing this week, the Renewable Fuels Association opposed the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed extension of the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard compliance deadlines, calling it a last minute favor to oil refiners made by former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on his way out the door. In his testimony, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman said, “All …
Commonwealth Agri-Energy Producing High Purity Alcohol
Kentucky-based Commonwealth Agri-Energy (CAE) is increasing production of high-purity alcohol that meets and exceeds U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)-Grade. General Manager Mick Henderson says CAE undertook a major expansion in 2018 to increase fuel ethanol production to 45 million gallons per year which allowed them to quickly transition a portion of production to higher purity. “When the pandemic came to our door, …
Senators Reintroduce Biofuels Infrastructure Bill
Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) this week reintroduced bipartisan legislation to create a renewable fuel infrastructure grant program and streamline regulatory requirements to help fuel retailers sell higher blends of ethanol. The Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act would authorize $500 million over 5 years for infrastructure grants for fuel retailers and direct the Administrator …
Biofuels Impact on Iowa Economy Still Strong
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 …