As the presidential election nears, the ethanol industry is watching closely to see which candidate will be more supportive of the Renewable Fuel Standard. As Democratic candidate Joe Biden released a strong statement of support for the industry this week, the Trump Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency continues to drag its feet on important decisions like the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligations …
Ethanol Report 8-14-20
In this episode of The Ethanol Report, we cover a number of different topics on the ethanol front. First, we head to South Dakota for the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where the Renewable Fuels Association once again provided free fuel and ethanol education for bikers, with the new addition of ethanol-based hand sanitizer as a giveaway. RFA’s Robert White, former …
Ethanol Report 7-31-20
Ethanol exports have taken a hit this year due to the pandemic, but there are still reasons to be optimistic about this important market for the industry. In this episode of The Ethanol Report, we hear from Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) General Counsel Ed Hubbard, who doubles as the organizations international trade expert. We also learn about a new program …
Ethanol Report 7-15-20
U.S. ethanol production is slowly clawing its way upward to more normal levels after reaching record lows in April, but it remains significantly lower than a year ago and the industry is hoping Congress will soon get a new stimulus bill passed to provide some aid. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency is not making decisions on important ethanol issues, such …
Ethanol Report 6-25-20
Ethanol production is slowly coming back now after reaching record lows due to coronavirus restrictions that took a toll on transportation fuel consumption. But recovery is still a long way off and the uncertainty posed by the threat of EPA granting more small refinery exemptions is making it even more difficult. The Congressional Biofuels Caucus is doing all it can …
Ethanol Report 6-11-20
One year after President Trump visited Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) to celebrate allowing E15 to be sold in the summer months, the ethanol industry is facing its toughest year ever, despite the fact that sales of E15 have indeed increased significantly. In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, we take a look back at President Trump’s visit and …
Ethanol Report 5-29-20
As America gets moving again, ethanol is ready to fuel summer adventures. Ethanol production is slowly climbing back up after hitting historic lows due to coronavirus restrictions keeping people from traveling. Now that people are getting back on the road and in the water, Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Industry Affairs Robert White talks about some of their summertime …
Ethanol Report 5-15-20
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the U.S. ethanol industry, slashing production by half and leading to the idling of scores of plants across rural America. But there are positive signs that demand is starting to increase again. Meanwhile, Congress is considering a new aid package with help for biofuels, the Renewable Fuel Standard is facing …
Ethanol Report 4-30-20
Ethanol producers are literally in the battle of their lives for the survival of the industry, as losses continue to mount from restrictions on travel put in place due to COVID-19. The latest production data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending April 24, ethanol production dropped another 4.6%, or 26,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 537,000 …
Ethanol Report 4-16-20
The social-distancing and stay-at-home restrictions associated with COVID-19 continue to take a devastating toll on U.S. ethanol producers with about half of the industry’s capacity now idled. But the good news is how those ethanol producers, their farmer-owners and employees, have turned around and put those idled plants to good use by helping those on the front lines fighting the …