The Renewable Fuels Association submitted comments last week to the California Air Resources Board that identified several areas in CARB’s proposal and underlying analysis that need improvement. The top area of improvement cited by RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman is immediate approval of E15 for use in California. “Migrating all E10 to E15 in California today would result in approximately …
California E85 Sales Surpass 100 Million Gallons
California drivers set a new record buying E85 (85% ethanol) fuel last year, up 66 percent over 2021 and more than doubled the pre-pandemic record set in 2019, according to new data released by the California Air Resources Board. The Renewable Fuels Association reports that California drivers purchased over 103.5 million gallons (mg) of E85 flex fuel, up from about …
Consumers Continue to Support Ethanol
The Renewable Fuels Association revealed the results of its latest consumer focus group research at the recent National Ethanol Conference. Phillip Morris of the Locust Street Group conducted a round of focus groups for RFA in late January with consumers in Ohio, Florida and California. This was the third time this research has been conducted for RFA, previously in 2019 …
Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act Reintroduced
Legislation that would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10% was reintroduced in both the House and Senate this week. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led the reintroduction in the Senate of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act this week, as Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Rep. Dusty Johnson …
Rabobank Analyst Sees Potential in SAF
The sky seems to be the limit for the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and can be a real opportunity for farmers, according to RaboResearch Senior Grains & Oilseeds Analyst Owen Wagner. Wagner was at Commodity Classic last week talking about how sustainable aviation fuel fits into the landscape for commodity demand. “This (SAF) is not just for vegetable …
Secretary Vilsack Excited About SAF
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Commodity Classic for the 10th time last week with the theme of new opportunities and markets for farmers and one he is excited about it sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). “I get electric cars, you know, you drive them and if the charge runs out, you pull off the side of the road, pick …
RFA Brings Flex Fuel Plug-In Hybrid EV to #Classic23
The Renewable Fuels Association showed off its new 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at the Commodity Classic in Orlando last week, right down the road from where it debuted at the National Ethanol Conference the week before. The concept is to use this vehicle to demonstrate that ethanol (E85) and electricity can jointly power today’s vehicles. Students …
Lallemand Biofuels Supports Future of Ethanol Industry
The Renewable Fuels Association Young Professionals Network is itself very young, only started in the summer of 2020, but it is growing quickly thanks to strong industry support and the dedicated sponsorship of Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS). “We’ve always believed in the importance of gatherings like NEC where professionals can get together and exchange good ideas,” said LBDS …
Davis Hosts NEC Innovation and Transportation Panels
Kelly Davis’ involvement in the ethanol industry goes back 40 years and for the past decade she has served as Vice President of Technical & Regulatory Affairs for the Renewable Fuels Association, but this year’s National Ethanol Conference will be her last as a staff member. “I’m going to take the challenge of turning corn stover into ethanol,” Davis said …
#RFANEC Explores New Congress Opportunities
There are almost 100 new Members in the 118th Congress this year, which provides obvious challenges for biofuels interests, but also some opportunities. At the 2023 National Ethanol Conference, D.C. insiders provided an outlook for the new Congress and discussed the potential for legislation focused on transportation fuels during the New Congress, New Opportunities panel moderated by Troy Bredenkamp, Senior …