The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has congratulated Iowa ethanol producer Absolute Energy for celebrating its 10th anniversary. The company was formed in early 2006 and began construction of its St. Ansgar, Iowa, ethanol plant in June 2006. Production began February 2008 with an initial production capacity of 100 million gallons per year, but grew over time to its current capacity …
House Hearing Attacks #RFS
The House Oversight Subcommittees on Interior and Healthcare, Benefits and Administrative Rules held a joint hearing Wednesday to ostensibly examine the Renewable Fuel Standard but was basically an attack on the law. EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality Director Chris Grundler provided testimony at the hearing and attempted to explain the purpose and intent of the RFS, including what …
Trump and Cruz Rumble Over #Ethanol in Miami
The topic of ethanol came up in last week’s GOP debate in Miami, although it is unlikely to play a big role in the Florida primary this week. During the debate, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) boasted that he campaigned against ethanol in Iowa because he wants to cut the size of government programs. “When I went to Iowa and campaigned …
#FlexMyChoice Fighting for FFV Future
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) launched a new campaign at the 2016 National Ethanol Conference (NEC) designed to help the industry voice support for flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). The “Flex My Choice” effort is aimed directly at automakers, auto dealerships, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to the fact that automakers have begun to limit FFV models as the government …
China Leads in U.S. Ethanol Exports
According to Ann Lewis, research analyst with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), U.S. ethanol exports increased by 7 percent over December 2015 kicking off 2016 with a strong start. Using U.S. data, the increase marked a 14-month high with the industry shipping 87.1 million gallons (mg), with China taking the lead with a third of the market at 29.4 mg—rivaling …
RFA: Corn Ethanol Net Energy Improves
A new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) finds that the net energy balance of corn-based ethanol at dry mill ethanol plants averages between 2.6 to 2.8, a improvement over previous estimates. Recent estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), found net energy gains between 2.1 to 2.3. However, RFA says its analysis uses more current dry mill …
#FlexMyChoice Massages at #Classic16
Visitors to the 2016 Commodity Classic had the opportunity to voice their support for Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and relax their aching muscles at the same time at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) booth. It was the first opportunity for RFA to get their recently launched “Flex My Choice” campaign in front of the agriculture industry and Vice President of …
US Ethanol Production Sets Records
New records were set in 2015 for U.S. ethanol production and blending according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Last year ethanol production hit a record high of 14.81 billion gallons while refiners and blenders integrated a record 13.69 billion gallons into the U.S. gasoline supply. The industry’s monthly average output in December 2015 also crested the 1 …
Minnesota Biofuels Promotes E15 to Drivers
The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) spent an hour Tuesday at a retail station in St. Paul rewarding drivers who fueled up with E15. The association joined with a local radio station at St Paul’s Tobasi Stop Minnoco to educate drivers and present those who switched to E15 with prizes such as $25 in cash, passes to the Minnesota Zoo and …
Auto Industry Veteran Joins RFA
A veteran auto industry specialist has joined the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) as the organization’s new Technical Director. Tracey King, who spent 17 years as a technical specialist with Chrysler, will serve as the RFA’s top liaison to the automakers and will focus on forging the path to future high octane fuels and optimized spark ignition engines. Previously, King worked …