United Airlines, Tallgrass, and Green Plains have announced a new joint venture called Blue Blade Energy to develop and commercialize a novel Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology using ethanol as its feedstock. If the technology is successful, Blue Blade is expected to proceed with the construction of a pilot facility in 2024, followed by a full-scale facility that could begin …
NEC Scholarships Awarded
The Renewable Fuels Foundation announces six 2023 recipients of the Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship to attend the National Ethanol Conference. Two students and four young professionals received the honor this year. Student scholarship recipients are Xueli Chen, who is working toward a doctorate from the Dept. of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University and serves as a research assistant at …
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to Receive RFA Industry Award
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will visit the upcoming National Ethanol Conference in Orlando next month to receive the Renewable Fuels Association annual Industry Award. Each year, the award is presented to an individual or entity who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the renewable fuels industry and the value-added agriculture sector. Gov. Reynolds’ accomplishments and determined leadership …
States Attorneys General Push EPA for Response on E15
A bipartisan coalition of seven Attorneys General sent a letter last week to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the Biden Administration to follow the law and respond to the request of their Governors and issue regulations allowing the sale of year-round E15 ethanol gasoline in their respective states. The letter was signed by the Attorneys General of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, …
Ethanol Report Preview of NEC
The 2023 National Ethanol Conference is coming up in less than a month now and there are so many reasons to attend February 28 – March 2 in Orlando. In this episode of the Ethanol Report, we hear from four Renewable Fuels Association staff members about some of the panels and issues that will be explored at the NEC. Jared …
National Ethanol Conference Announces Key Speakers
The Renewable Fuels Association has announced key speakers for the upcoming National Ethanol Conference in Orlando Feb. 28 – March 2. The featured luncheon speaker will be Salvatore “Sal” Giunta, the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, as the featured luncheon speaker at the 2023 National Ethanol Conference. Giunta will share his courageous story …
Most States Blending Over 10% Ethanol
The ten percent blend wall for ethanol is officially no more in the majority of the United States. According to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 35 states and the District of Columbia used more than 10 percent ethanol in transportation fuel in 2021. Minnesota and Iowa led the way with ethanol accounting for 12.6% and 11.6%, respectively, …
US Ethanol Stands Out at India Auto Expo
The U.S. ethanol industry was in the spotlight last week at the India Auto Expo in New Delhi which featured an Ethanol Pavilion for the first time. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the nation’s auto manufacturers organization, has partnered with the U.S. Grains Council to help support the implementation of ethanol across the country. The Grains Council, along …
Iowa Renewable Fuels Production Increases
Iowa remains the top producer of both ethanol and biodiesel with production increases last year according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. 2022 was another record year for Iowa ethanol production at 4.5 billion gallons, up from the previous record of 4.4 billion gallons in 2021. Observers credit fuel demand returning to pre-pandemic levels, Iowa ethanol plant efficiencies, and the …
Ethanol Advocate Appointed to U.S. Senate
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced last week that former Republican Governor Pete Ricketts will fill the state’s U.S. Senate seat vacated when Ben Sasse resigned on Jan. 8 to become president of the University of Florida. Ricketts was an outspoken advocate for ethanol during his two terms as governor. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper congratulated Ricketts on …