— White Energy of Plano, Texas has appointed Brian Steenhard as Chief Financial Officer, joining Greg Thompson, who became CEO of White Energy in September. “Brian will be a tremendous asset to White Energy. He has a strong track record of successfully increasing revenues and generating value for ethanol and energy companies,” Thompson said. Steenhard has extensive experience in the …
Ethanol Industry Submits High-Octane Comments
Ethanol industry stakeholders submitted comments this week to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding the Midterm Reivew of 2022-2025 CAFE and GHG standards and how high octane ethanol blends can help clean the air. Comments from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) encouraged the agencies to consider the beneficial impacts of high-octane, low-carbon (HOLC) …
Senators Call on EPA to Keep RFS Strong
Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are leading a bipartisan group of 38 senators in calling for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as the Environmental Protection Agency works toward finalizing biofuels volume requirements for 2018. In a letter to EPA Scott Pruitt this week, the senators urged “the continued implementation of the RFS as intended by Congress …
Groups Urge Trump to Stop EPA Changes to RFS
Biofuels stakeholder organizations have sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to “act quickly to prevent actions” at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that threaten to undermine future growth of the biofuels industry under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “If the proposed changes are finalized, EPA’s actions would cause severe harm to our industry, undermining your efforts to …
Crappie Masters Tourney Educates Boaters on Ethanol
The Crappie Masters Tournament Trail recently ended its 2017 season with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) as co-title sponsor of the event in an effort to educate boaters, conservation enthusiasts and consumers about using ethanol in boats and other marine applications. The 2017 tournament trail kicked off in January and ran through late September, with 18 events in multiple states, …
It’s Pink at the Pump Month in Iowa
Over 30 Iowa E15 retailers are pretty in pink this month, participating in the 2nd annual Pink at the Pump™ campaign to raise funds for breast cancer support services and research while increasing consumer awareness about E15. “As a breast cancer survivor, I encourage everyone to make a difference in someone’s life by choosing to use E15 and reduce the …
Rumors Send RIN Markets Plunging
A news report this week that EPA was considering a policy change to count ethanol exports toward Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) caused their prices to dive on the market. That, on top of EPA’s announcement this week that further cuts in the volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) were being considered, caused some to question the administration’s commitment …
Tri-State Governors Conference Highlights Biofuels
There was a big focus on biofuels at the 15th annual Tri-State Governors’ Conference in Sioux City, Iowa this week. The governors of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota get together for this biannual event to discuss the issues impacting their respective states and the Siouxland region, and since the three states together produce almost half of the nation’s ethanol, that …
Ethanol Report on EPA RFS Notice
The Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018 on July 5, the comment period just ended on August 31, and then this week EPA gave notice that it is seeking comment on options for further reductions in the biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel volumes. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) …
EPA Proposes Further Cuts in Biofuels Under RFS
The Environmental Protection Agency surprised the biofuels industry Tuesday by issuing a notice asking for comment on further reducing volume obligations for some fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The EPA Notice of Data Availability (NODA) suggests a reduction of the 2018 advanced biofuel volume requirement from the proposed level of 4.24 billion gallons to 3.77 billion gallons, …