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 …
California Ethanol+Power Seeking Sugarcane Growers
California Ethanol + Power (CE+P) has announced a new sugarcane production program for Imperial Valley farmers to produce feedstock for a planned low-carbon ethanol production and biomass energy campus set to begin construction this year. CE+P will engage with the local farming communities to secure formal commitments to grow the first 20,000 acres of sugarcane feedstock for Sugar Valley Energy, …
Ethanol Report 1-28-21
In this edition of the Ethanol Report, we hear from three Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) staff members about the organization’s efforts in advocacy, safety, and education. Troy Bredenkamp is RFA’s brand new Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs in the Washington D.C. office and he could not be coming on board at a more critical time for the …
EPA Directed to Report on 2017 Court Order
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is directing the Environmental Protection Agency to submit a status report every 60 days “on its progress in complying with the court’s remand” stemming from the July 2017 ruling in a case regarding the improper waiver of 500 million gallons of 2016 renewable fuel blending requirements under the Renewable …
China Starting to Buy U.S. Ethanol
Reports that China is buying U.S. ethanol again sent a positive message to the industry Tuesday that the Phase One trade agreement promises may yet be met. During an investor call, Archer Daniels Midland Co-Chief Financial Officer Ray Young said they believe China has already made commitments “in the first half of the year for U.S. ethanol equal to the …
Iowa Governor Supports Higher Biofuels Blends
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds once again addressed the annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit this week, something she has done every year as governor, as well as multiple years prior as lieutenant governor, but the first time in a virtual format. Gov. Reynolds said she was looking forward to working with the new Biden Administration to grow demand for biofuels around …