The author of a 2022 land use change study out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison that caused negative headlines for the ethanol industry is moving to Michigan. Tyler Lark will join the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences in August as an assistant professor after spending the last six years as a scientist in the University …
Iowa Governor Vetoes Pipeline Bill
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds made corn growers and ethanol producers in her state happy today with her veto of a bill passed by the state legislature that would have limited the future for carbon sequestration pipelines. In her explanation for vetoing the bill, Gov. Reynolds said the bill would set a troubling precedent. “For example, the bill would block a …
Awards Presented at #FEW25
Several ethanol industry leaders were honored for their years of service and commitment during the awards presentation at the 2025 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo Tuesday. Rick Schwarck, president and cofounder of Absolute Energy, received the Distinguished Service Award for a career defined by advocacy and innovation. A longstanding leader in the ethanol sector, Schwarck has earned accolades including …
RFA CEO Calls for Unleashing American Ethanol
In keynote remarks today at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in Omaha, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper stressed the need to “unleash” American ethanol for energy independence and the rural farm economy. “If there was ever an energy sector that needs to be let off the leash and allowed to run free, it is today’s …
Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grants Hit Record
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) last week awarded $1 million in cost-share grants to support the installation of E15 at 91 additional retail fuel sites across Iowa. This milestone brings the total number of E15 projects awarded this fiscal year to a record 388, by far the most grants in a year since RFIP’s inception. RFIP has awarded …
April U.S. Ethanol Exports Stay Strong
U.S. ethanol exports moderated in April but remain strong, according to the latest report from the Renewable Fuels Association. Ethanol exports declined 12% in April to 172.3 million gallons (mg), about 8% below year-ago levels. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 704.9 mg, marking a 10% increase over the same period last year. Canada remained the top destination despite a 15% …
ALCO Energy Canada Installs Whitefox ICE®
Whitefox Technologies announces the successful installation of the Whitefox ICE® membrane dehydration system at ALCO Energy Canada in Aylmer, Ontario. This project increases ALCO’s ethanol production capacity by just over 50 million liters per year (13.5 million gallons/year), an increase of 15%, while also making the plant operate more efficiently throughout distillation and dehydration. Representing Whitefox’s 18th installation and first …
USDA Peru Trade Mission Includes Ethanol
A USDA trade mission arrived in Lima, Peru today to work on expanding market access and boosting U.S. agricultural exports to address the $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru. Export prospects are focused on a number of commodities including beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, ethanol, wine and distilled spirits. “I am honored to lead this delegation to Lima as we …
RFA Headlines This Week’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop
The Renewable Fuels Association will have a strong presence at the 2025 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo this week June 9–11 in Omaha. In addition to RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper’s Tuesday morning keynote address, RFA also has four other staff members speaking at the conference. On the Expo floor, RFA will showcase the importance of flex fuel …
Ethanol Report on Current Issues
There is quite a bit happening right now that impacts the ethanol world. That includes tariffs and trade, the One Big Beautiful Bill, E15 legislation in California, small refinery exemptions, and EPA’s pending proposal to set Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and beyond. In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper …