A new analysis by scientists at the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory has determined that the carbon footprint of corn ethanol improved by 23% between 2005 and 2019, and by 2019 was reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 44-52% compared to gasoline. The research, published in the academic journal Biofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining, also determined that “corn ethanol alone …
Export Exchange 2022 Dates Set
The biennial Export Exchange had to be cancelled last year, and again this year, due to the pandemic, but it will get back on its every even year schedule in 2022. The event, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy, will be held next Oct. 12-14, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “COVID dictated we cancel Export …
RFA’s Davis Reappointed to Commerce Advisory Committee
Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Kelly Davis has been re-appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC), which provides direction on issues related to the exportation of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services. “I look forward to continuing the good work of the Renewable Energy and Energy …
EPA Asks Court to Vacate Last-Minute Refinery Waivers
The Environmental Protection Agency has filed a motion asking the the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to vacate and remand three last-minute small refinery exemptions granted to Sinclair by the previous administration. The filing says the Trump administration’s EPA “…granted exemption extensions that EPA now believes are ‘outside the scope of the EPA’s statutory authority.’” Renewable Fuels …
Happy Silver Anniversary to Al-Corn
Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, MN, is celebrating 25 years of successful operations this week. On April 29, 1996 the process of converting corn into ethanol began with the first corn being ground. Originally constructed as a 10 million gallon a year facility, Al-Corn has undergone a series of expansion and modernization projects and now produces 125 million gallons annually. …
Ethanol Groups Comment on USDA’s Climate Strategy
The ethanol industry responded this week to USDA’s request for information regarding the role for “climate-smart agriculture” and biofuels in combating climate change. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) offered a number of recommendations, including: As directed by Congress, USDA should actively coordinate and consult with EPA on implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard, especially with regard to the analyses and …
Ethanol’s Day in the Supreme Court – Podcast
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week on the appeal of a case over the Small Refinery Exemption program under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The case was decided unanimously last year by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which held that only small refineries that have remained continuously exempt from obligations under the RFS are …
Agri-Pulse Doing Deep Dive into Biofuels
Agri-Pulse is investigating how the biofuels industry has changed and where it’s headed in season two of the farm policy news outlet’s Deep Dive podcast series. “The renewable fuels industry has a strong impact on farmers, rural communities and almost all consumers who fuel up with at least 10% ethanol in their gasoline tanks,” says Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant. “As …
MN Bio-Fuels Association Turns Ten
The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association is celebrating 10 years of representing Minnesota’s ethanol industry. “We are very happy to reach an important milestone in celebrating our 10-Year anniversary as an organization in Minnesota. MN Bio-Fuels was formed to represent Minnesota’s ethanol and other renewable fuel producers. We have and will continue to represent the industry at the local, state and federal …
Indiana Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting E15
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb this week vetoed legislation that would have a negative impact on sales of 15% ethanol fuel (E15) in the state. “I am vetoing SEA303 due to its requirement of a duplicative label at every pump that distributes E15 blends of fuel in the state,” Gov. Holcomb wrote in his veto message to the Indiana State Senate. …