Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), with a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter this week urging the EPA to update an outdated environmental analysis on ethanol in order to improve foreign sales opportunities. Peer-reviewed science conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has affirmed U.S. ethanol lowers greenhouse gas emissions between 39 to 43 percent …
Ethanol Report on 2019 Crappie Masters
With retail sales of E15, or 15% ethanol, now approved in the summer months, some oil industry-backed organizations are issuing dire warnings about damage to boat engines – but E15 is clearly labeled as NOT approved for marine use. However – 10 percent ethanol is perfectly fine and the Crappie Masters Tournament Trail has been educating boaters about ethanol use …
Biofuel Interests Increase Pressure to End Waivers
As biofuel interests stepped up the pressure on the administration to end Small Refinery Exemptions this week, news reports say President Donald Trump has ordered a review of the policy that has resulted in dozens of waivers in the last two years causing the loss of more than two billion gallons of ethanol demand. The National Corn Growers Association is …
Industry Hopes to Stop Small Refinery Waivers
Biofuel organizations are hopeful that legislation introduced last week by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will help stem the tide of Small Refinery Exemptions that have caused demand destruction for both ethanol and biodiesel. The RFS Integrity Act of 2019 aims to provide “more certainty for rural America by bringing transparency and predictability to EPA’s small refinery …
Ethanol Report on Presidential Visit
The Renewable Fuels Association was thrilled to host President Donald J. Trump as he visited the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) ethanol plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa on June 11 to celebrate year round sales of E15 (15% ethanol). This Ethanol Report podcast includes some of the president’s remarks at the plant and interviews with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, SIRE …
FEW High Octane Award Goes to Steve Vander Griend
Steve Vander Griend, Technical Director of the Urban Air Initiative, received the High Octane Award this week at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW). The High Octane Award is presented each year by BBI International and Ethanol Producer Magazine to a person whose passion and unstoppable pursuits have significantly benefited the ethanol industry. Vander Griend was recognized for his dedication and …
Behind the Scenes with President Trump at Iowa Ethanol Plant
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) CEO Geoff Cooper and Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy CEO Mike Jerke shared their thoughts about President Donald Trump’s behind the scenes tour of the ethanol plant Tuesday. Jerke and Cooper met the president as he arrived at the plant and escorted him in to meet some local farmers and plant employees and learn more about ethanol. …
RFA Ready for President Trump Visit to Ethanol Plant
President Donald Trump will visit the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) ethanol plant later this afternoon and the Renewable Fuels Association is ready to welcome him and thank him for supporting farmers and the industry. SIRE, an RFA member company, operates a state-of-the-art ethanol biorefinery that produces approximately 130 million gallons of high-octane fuel ethanol per year, along with more …
Husker Ag Hits Billion Gallon Milestone
Husker Ag LLC in Plainview, Nebraska recently produced its one-billionth gallon of ethanol, a milestone noted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “I couldn’t be more proud of the work that the staff has delivered over the last three years to achieve the goals set forth by the Board of Directors to increase gallons, improve our yield and lower our …
Elite Octane Celebrates Opening and E15
The grand opening of the Elite Octane ethanol plant in Atlantic, Iowa got an extra celebratory boost on Friday with the announcement that E15 can now be sold year round. Guest speakers including Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds welcomed the news just hours after it was announced. “Increased demand for E85 and E15 means that we …