Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) is new to Congress this year, winning the seat from Rep. Steve King in Iowa’s 4th congressional district. That district includes includes Sioux City, Ames, Mason City, Fort Dodge, Boone and Carroll so agriculture and biofuels are a big deal for Feenstra. “I am truly passionate about biofuels and I will be the advocate to further …
Oregon to Allow E15 Sales
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed into law legislation enabling the sales of 15 percent ethanol blended fuel (E15) in Oregon. Under current law, Oregon requires that gasoline sold for use in motor vehicles be blended with up to 10 percent ethanol (E10). The new legislation sets 10 percent as a minimum, allowing for sale of fuel with higher concentrations …
IRFA Celebrates Monarch Habitat for Pollinator Week
Members of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) are celebrating Pollinator Week this year by highlighting the progress of their Monarch Fueling Stations. Pollinator Week is recognized internationally as a time to celebrate and educate about the important role pollinators play around the world. Since 2017 IRFA members have been planting Monarch Fueling Stations, and to date over 48 acres …
RFA Welcomes New Government Affairs Team Member
The Renewable Fuels Association welcomes Jared Mullendore to the organization’s staff as new Director, Government Affairs. Mullendore’s experience includes serving as district director for former Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), and on the staff of former Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA). “We are pleased to welcome Jared to our Government Affairs team in Washington, D.C.,” said RFA Senior Vice President for Government …
RFA CEO Analyzes RINs Analysis
Wells Fargo Crashes and Burns with New RINs Analysis Commentary by Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Association (Last week), equity analysts at Wells Fargo released a note to investors on the subject of the Renewable Fuel Standard and its compliance credit (RIN) market mechanism. We wouldn’t typically respond to an investment bank research note, but we felt compelled to reply to …
Congressional Democrats Urge Support for RFS
Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate are urging the Biden administration “reject any actions under discussion to exempt oil refiners of their obligations under the RFS and uphold your commitment to combating climate change and supporting our nation’s farmers.” Representatives Cindy Axne (D-IA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a letter with …
Farm Futures Summit Highlights Ethanol
The Farm Futures Business Summit being held this week in Iowa featured corn farmers and ethanol industry leaders on the first day of the program to shed light on the future of ethanol. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) sponsored the panel with Iowa corn farmer and NCGA Ethanol Action Team (ETHAT) member Kelly Nieuwenhuis, Renewable Fuels Association President and …
Grassley Challenges Biden Administration on Biofuels
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) gave a speech on the Senate floor yesterday challenging the Biden Administration’s support of biofuels in general and ethanol in particular. “Reuters reported the Biden Administration is considering ways to allow U.S. oil refiners to not meet their biofuels blending requirements,” said Grassley. “The same administration has proposed hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies for …
USDA Announces Pandemic Aid for Biofuels Producers
Pandemic aid for biofuels producers may soon be on its way. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced implementation of additional aid to agricultural producers and businesses as part of the USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, including $700 million for biofuels producers adversely impacted by travel restrictions last year. “USDA is honoring its commitment to get financial assistance to producers …
Seed Companies Apply to do Cleanup at Ethanol Plant
A coalition of six seed companies has applied to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) to address environmental contamination at the AltEn facility located near Mead, Nebraska. The AltEn ethanol facility has been shut down since February after a digester spill and has been under investigation for environmental contamination caused by misuse of treated …