Cellulosic biofuel and retail fuel companies have joined the effort to urge the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to pass legislation that would extend the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15) and allow sales of higher blends year-round across the nation. The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act was introduced by …
Ethanol and Biodiesel Groups Testify on Trade Issues
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) both testified at a U.S. Department of Commerce hearing Thursday to provide input on a recent Executive Order concerning significant trade deficits. The NBB testified about the harm being caused to the U.S. biodiesel industry from increasing volumes of imports from Indonesia, while RFA was focused on China’s recent …
Fishing Tournament Owner Defends Ethanol Ad
As the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) expanded its boating and ethanol advertising campaign this week, the owner of a Missouri-based fishing tournament defended the ads against an attack by a boating organization. BoatUS sent out a scathing press release attempting to discredit RFA’s campaign and associated infographic by pointing out the “hard truth” as opposed to RFA “spin,” including: SPIN: …
Novozymes Expanding Nebraska Facility
On Tuesday, Novozymes announced a new $36 million investment at its Blair, Nebraska manufacturing facility, which produces enzymes for renewable fuels. “Nebraska’s biofuels industry has been a focus for my administration on trade missions because of the international investment we’ve seen here in Nebraska,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. In 2015, Governor Ricketts visited Novozymes’ headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark to …
Ethanol Groups Comment on EPA Regs
Eliminating the unnecessary regulatory barrier to year-round sales of E15 tops the wish list of reforms that the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) requested from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in comments to the agency Monday. “While there are a number of EPA regulations that need reforming, the most pressing is the agency-imposed restriction that denies consumers year-round access to E15,” …
USDA Boosts Corn Use for Ethanol Forecast
The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) global outlook for grains is forecasting an increase of 50 million bushels in the amount of corn used to produce ethanol this year. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Seth Meyer says factors contributing to the expected increase are higher gasoline consumption growth, reduced sorghum used to produce ethanol and higher expected blending. “We’ve been …
Branstad Signs Iowa Biofuels Infrastructure Bill
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed his last bills as governor of the Hawkeye State last week, including the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund bill (HF 643), which provides $3 million to fund the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program. “Governor Branstad has been exceptionally supportive of funding renewable fuels and this infrastructure program. We thank him whole-heartedly for his leadership,” said Grant Kimberley, …
Casey’s Offers E15 and E85 in Iowa
Casey’s General Stores recently announced intentions to open 17 stations with E15 and E85 in Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas. The first of seven Iowa stations, located in Pella, is now offering E15 and E85. “This opening marks a big milestone for E15,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Managing Director Lucy Norton. “Casey’s is more than just one of Iowa’s largest …
RFA Launches Ethanol and Boating Campaign
With summer just around the corner, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has launched an advertising campaign to explain the fact regarding ethanol usage in marine engines. The campaign kicked off with a two-page ad in the latest issue of Marina Dock Age, which is delivered to nearly every marina in the United States. The campaign will also feature educational outreach …
Secretary Perdue Shows Support for Renewable Energy
During his first visit to Iowa as Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue made his support for renewable energy and ethanol perfectly clear. “Do you know who I work for?,” the Secretary asked the local FFA officer who wanted to make sure he supported renewable energy. “I work for a fellow by the name of Donald J. Trump. Did you hear …