Welcome to the 2019 National Ethanol Conference

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) 2019 National Ethanol Conference is kicking off today in Orlando with the theme “Powered with Renewed Energy.” The annual golf tournament and networking tour are underway first off this morning. The tour is visiting Leu Gardens, an amazing 50-acre botanical oasis recognized as an historical landmark in Orlando. The venue includes palms, flowering trees, azaleas, …

AgWired Energy, Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Lowest Weekly Ethanol Production Since 2017

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol production for the week ending February 1 was the lowest the industry has seen in over 15 months. According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production fell to 967,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 40.6 million gallons per day, which was down 45,000 b/d (4.4%) from the previous week. This was the lowest weekly production …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Study Finds RFS2 Has Reduced GHG Emissions

Cindy Zimmerman

A new study finds that the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) has succeeded in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions more than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) original expectations. The analysis, conducted by Life Cycle Associates and commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Foundation, concludes that there has been nearly 600 million metric tons of GHG reduction since 2007, compared to EPA’s …

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USDA Deputy Secretary to Address National Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

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EPA Nomination Advances to Full Senate

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

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Growth Energy Sues Over Small Refinery Exemptions

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

EPA, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Novozymes’ Bioenergy Business Grew in 2018

Cindy Zimmerman

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 – …

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Ethanol Production Lower, Stocks Higher

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Iowa Biofuels Industry “Hurting but Hopeful”

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

RFA Asks EPA to Use Reset Rule to Restore Lost RFS Gallons

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

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