Next week, the Renewable Fuels Association and TRANSCAER® will be holding the first of three ethanol safety webinars for ethanol emergency response teams. The webinars are scheduled for April 4, May 23, or July 25. The “Train the Trainer” webinars are funded through a Federal Railroad Administration/TRANSCAER® grant. A single webinar can train a group of individuals, who can then …
Iowa Blender Pump Program Demand Exceeds Funding
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) is already out of funding for 2018, but many more retailers are interested in offering higher blends in the state. During the third of its four scheduled meetings, the RFIP board awarded funds to 15 projects for retailers around the state to install the necessary equipment to offer higher blends of ethanol and …
Ethanol and Biodiesel Groups Oppose PES Settlement
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) both submitted comments to the Department of Justice yesterday opposing the proposed bankruptcy settlement agreement with Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES). RFA commented that the proposed settlement agreement, which covers the refiner’s Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for January 2016-April 2018, should be rejected “because the terms are patently unfair, unreasonable, …
Ethanol Report on Custom Ethanol Chopper
Several hundred lucky motorcycle lovers got the chance to see a brand new, E85-capable American Chopper designed by Paul Teutul, Jr. when it was unveiled at East Kansas Agri-Energy on Saturday. The rest of the world will have to wait until the sweet ride officially debuts on the new season of the Discovery Channel’s American Chopper this summer. Discovery Channel …
Growth Energy Formally Protests PES Settlement
Growth Energy has filed comments with the Department of Justice formally objecting to a proposed bankruptcy settlement between the Carlyle Group’s Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would absolve the refinery of key obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The proposed settlement sends the wrong message to industry stakeholders, implying that there are …
ACE 10th Fly-in Conquers the Hill in the Snow
Neither snow nor rain kept the American Coalition for Ethanol fly-in teams from completing their appointed rounds last week on Capitol Hill. While the federal government was shut down for the snow, Congress was still open and surprisingly few pre-arranged meetings were cancelled. ACE members were even able to sit down with several members of Congress, including Sen. Heidi Heitkamp …
Ethanol on China’s Draft Retaliation List
Following action by President Trump yesterday to impose tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese imports, China is making its list of what U.S. products will be the target of retaliation. The list reportedly includes agricultural products such as U.S. pork, modified ethanol, wine, fruits and nuts, and soybeans are expected to be as well. “We’re disappointed that China …
Sen. Ernst Visits ACE Ethanol Champions
Senator Joni Ernst has earned the title of “ethanol champion” for her work on behalf of the industry to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), but she took the time today to visit with people she thinks are the real champions – the grassroots farmers, producers, retailers and investors who make up the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). “You are …
ACE Fly-in Takes Off Despite Bad Weather
Nearly all of the members registered to attend the 10th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Fly-in are here and ready to hit The Hill in D.C. despite very inclement weather that has shut down the government. ACE CEO Brian Jennings says this year is the most critical for the industry in all the ten years they have been coming …
Sec. Perdue Comments on RFS and RINS
Not much was said publicly during National Ag Day on Tuesday about the continuing RFS/RIN price dispute which is still being discussed at the very highest levels of government. But Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue did give an update during his remarks at the National Press Club Ag Day event. “We’ve been in fairly intense discussions about the solution,” said Perdue. …