The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline—gasoline that uses a 15 percent ethanol blend—to be sold during the summer driving season. EPA’s emergency fuel waiver will go into effect on May 1 when terminal operators would otherwise no longer be able to sell E15 in the effected regions of the country …
Ethanol Report on E15 Action & Energy Analysis
Good news for the ethanol industry continues this week as governors from eight Midwest states take action to allow the year-round sale of lower-carbon, lower-cost E15 in their states. And a new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) shows that corn ethanol’s energy balance keep getting better. In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, we talk with RFA …
Eight Midwest States Request Permanent E15 Waiver
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and seven other Midwest Governors sent a joint letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan Thursday formally requesting a permanent Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver that will allow each state to continue selling E15 year-round without restriction. The federal Clean Air Act gives governors the specific authority to make this formal request. Joining Gov. Reynolds were Pete …
New Study Shows Impact of RFS on Biofuels Production
Purdue University recently released the first comprehensive study on the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on the expansion of biofuels production in the U.S. The RFS was established in 2005, and was expanded and extended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Purdue agricultural economist Farzad Taheripour led the study which examined the economic impact of …
Rail Disruptions Impacting Ag and Biofuels
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) heard about how agricultural and biofuels producers are being impacted by rail service challenges during a two-day hearing this week. USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh told the board how rail disruptions are impacting farmers, ranchers and consumers. “Elevators are full and therefore cannot purchase more grain from farmers, and livestock operations are unable to …
Iowa Biofuels Access Bill Heads to Governor
The Iowa legislature yesterday passed the Iowa Biofuels Access Bill, sending it to Governor Kim Reynolds for signing. Gov. Reynolds originally proposed the bill this year to increase consumer access to higher biofuel blends like E15 and B20. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw called it a victory for consumers in the state. “Every person in Iowa deserves …
Nebraska Incentivizes Higher Ethanol Blends for Retailers
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts last week signed into law a bill that will provide incentives to retailers who sell higher blends of ethanol. Gov. Ricketts says the legislation will help to grow Nebraska agriculture and attract investment in our rural communities. “Increasing the use of ethanol saves drivers money at the pump, cleans up our environment, and creates opportunities for …
Glacial Lakes Energy Calls for E30 Approval
As the battle to get E15 (15% ethanol blended fuel) fully approved for year round sales continues, one South Dakota ethanol producer is calling on Congress to double the blend and move up to E30. Opening the door to 30% ethanol blends would save consumers billions of dollars at the gas pump and reduce imported oil by as much as …
Corn Ethanol Energy Balance Keeps Improving
A new analysis shows how corn ethanol’s energy balance is positive and continues to improve. According to the Renewable Fuels Association’s analysis, corn ethanol now provides nearly three times the energy used to produce it, with some biorefineries approaching a four-to-one energy ratio. This continuing improvement in energy balance reflects improved efficiencies in corn production and ethanol processing. “Our nation’s …
RFA Offers E15 Fact Check List
Media coverage of President Biden’s announcement last Tuesday that consumers will continue to have access to lower-cost 15% ethanol fuel this summer contained a great deal of misinformation, despite the best efforts of the ethanol industry to get the facts out. In a blog post Monday, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says “many reporters and editorial boards …