USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky will be a keynote speaker on the final day of the 24th annual National Ethanol Conference to be held Feb. 11-13 in Orlando. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Deputy Secretary Censky in particular, has been an effective voice and determined advocate for farmers and renewable fuel producers,” said Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO …
EPA Nomination Advances to Full Senate
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) voted 11-10 along party lines Tuesday to advance the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. “Mr. Wheeler has served as deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency since April of 2018, when the Senate confirmed his nomination with bipartisan support,” said Committee Chair Senator John …
Growth Energy Sues Over Small Refinery Exemptions
Growth Energy has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to address small refinery exemptions in its 2019 renewable volume obligation (RVO) rulemaking issued late last year. “EPA’s inaction on addressing lost gallons due to small refinery exemptions in this rulemaking is a clear violation of law,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “In doing nothing …
Novozymes’ Bioenergy Business Grew in 2018
2018 was a very good year for Novozymes’ Bioenergy business with 12% organic sales growth, on top of a strong 11% growth in 2017, according to the company’s latest annual report. Tina Sejersgård Fanø, Executive Vice President, Agriculture & Bioenergy says growth in the sector was driven by the launch of new yeast products – Innova Drive and Lift – …
Ethanol Production Lower, Stocks Higher
For the week ending January 25, ethanol production was lower while stocks were higher. According to the latest Energy Information Agency (EIA) data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production decreased 1.8% (down 19,000 barrels per day, or b/d) to an average of 1.012 million b/d—or 42.50 million gallons daily. The four-week average for ethanol production remained at 1.023 …
Iowa Biofuels Industry “Hurting but Hopeful”
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw told the 2019 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit last week that 2018 was his toughest year yet working for the biofuels industry. “With forces inside of EPA and the West Wing trying to convince President Trump to gut the RFS, there were months when I went to sleep wondering if a tweet the …
RFA Asks EPA to Use Reset Rule to Restore Lost RFS Gallons
With the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee scheduled vote next week on the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be administrator of EPA, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) CEO Geoff Cooper sent a letter to Wheeler this week to provide input on the agency’s upcoming RFS reset proposal. RFA is asking Wheeler to use the reset rule as an opportunity to …
Advanced Biofuels USA’s Ivancic Appointed to MD Clean Energy Group
The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) appointed Advanced Biofuels USA executive director Joanne Ivancic to serve on its 2019 Advisory Council. The council consists of 50 energy industry representatives and exists to develop a work plan for the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) and set the framework for activity of the organization, “I look forward to doing just that here …
Independent Study Finds Vehicle Emission Testing Unreliable
The Urban Air Initiative (UAI) has released the results of an independent study that finds “many of the test fuels used in emissions research studies do not reflect the makeup of consumer fuels, limiting the ability of ethanol to be used to reduce emissions and improve vehicle efficiency.” The study, titled Effects of Ethanol Blends on Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions: A …
Groups Submit Comments on E15 by 2025 in Ontario
Growth Energy and the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) jointly submitted comments to the Canadian Province of Ontario supporting the expansion of biofuels blending to implement a 15 percent renewable content in gasoline by 2025. “For decades now, North American farmers and ethanol producers have continued to benefit from tariff-free borders,” the comments noted. “With an existing North American supply chain, …