Scott McPheeters has officially joined the Nebraska Ethanol Board as the business representative, appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts last month and sworn in by the state legislature last week. McPheeters has a family farm operation southwest of Gothenburg, producing food-grade white and yellow corn for Frito-Lay, as well as soybeans and alfalfa hay. His family also has rangeland for beef …
NFU Honors Merle Anderson
Ethanol industry pioneer Merle Anderson was one of three individuals honored this week with the National Farmers Union (NFU) Meritorious Service Award for outstanding leadership and service to family agriculture. Anderson is Chairman Emeritus of the board of directors for the American Coalition for Ethanol, which he co-founded in 1977. Known as the “Father of Ethanol”, Anderson grew up on …
Governors Ask Trump to Support Biofuels
The Governors’ Biofuels Coalition sent a letter to President Trump Monday asking him to support efforts to expand biofuel production and to help the states “harvest its economic and environmental benefits.” “We write on behalf of governors from states across the nation who believe that two of America’s great treasures are agriculture and renewable fuels,” the governors wrote. The letter …
ACE Adds New Communications Director
Former bioenergy magazine editor Katie Fletcher has joined the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) staff as Communications Director. Fletcher has been a writer for Ethanol Producer Magazine and Biomass Magazine and editor for Pellet Mill Magazine. “We are excited that Katie Fletcher is bringing her exceptional communication skills, experience in agriculture and biofuels, and enthusiasm for ethanol to the ACE …
Enogen Corn Footprint Growing
Recently appointed head of Syngenta Enogen Ron Wulfkuhle was at the recent National Ethanol Conference to talk about his new job and the increasing footprint of Enogen corn. Wulfkuhle, who was formally head of GreenLeaf Genetics, says he jumped at the chance to step into this role at the end of last year. “It’s a really cool place to be …
ACE DC Fly-in During Ag Week
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is holding its annual Washington, DC fly-in March 22-23 during National Ag Week – the first week of spring. ACE Director of Strategic Projects Shannon Gustafson says there will be lots going on in the nation’s capitol that week so it is a great time for ethanol supporters to be there. “We are trying …
Bipartisan Bill Would Allow E15 Sales All Year
U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) this week introduced legislation that would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver to ethanol blends above 10 percent, which would allow retailers across the country to sell E15 and other higher ethanol blends all year. “It would also ensure a fair playing field for higher ethanol blends, …
RFA CEO Speaks Out
After sending the ethanol industry into an uproar this week over his talks with a Trump administration adviser about potential changes to the point of obligation under the RFS, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen visited the Commodity Classic in San Antonio to talk about the issue. “We remain opposed to changing the point of obligation because we …
#Ethanol Controversy Talk at #Classic17
The controversy that erupted this week within the ethanol industry over alleged backroom deals with the Trump administration to change the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has generated a lot of discussion this week at the annual Commodity Classic in San Antonio. The event is the annual meeting for thousands of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum farmers from around the country. …
White House Denies RFS Change Plans
After a day of volatile grain trading based on news stories, the White House late Tuesday denied that there was an executive order in the works to change the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Wednesday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) made inquiries about the matter and issued a statement. “Based on conversations my staff and I had, there’s no reason to believe …