The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) is celebrating 15 years of biofuels research this month. The Illinois Corn Growers Association was instrumental in fostering development of the Center in 2003 and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has worked closely with NCERC since its inception and continues partnering on various projects. NCERC Executive Director John …
Export Exchange 2018 is Underway
More than 200 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products from some 35 countries are in Minneapolis this week for Export Exchange 2018. The biennial educational and trade forum, co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and Growth Energy, offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to meet and build relationships with domestic suppliers of corn, distillers …
Cumberland Farms Joins Prime the Pump to Offer E15
Growth Energy and Prime the Pump have announced Cumberland Farms is the newest E15 retail partner to join the Prime the Pump program. The Massachusetts-based convenience store chain will begin offering E15 at more than 120 of its stores in the Northeast United States. The sites are spread across Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) markets, which will allow Cumberland Farms to sell …
Ace Ethanol Begins D3MAX Plant Construction
Construction of the first D3MAX facility at the Ace Ethanol facility in Stanley, Wisconsin has started, the companies announced this week. Ace Ethanol will be the first ethanol plant to integrate the patented D3MAX technology with its existing corn dry mill. Earlier this year, Ace Ethanol received approval from its board of directors and members to proceed with the design …
RFA Welcomes New Director of Government Affairs
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) officially welcomed Connor Hamburg to its staff this week as the Director of Government Affairs to focus on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the renewable fuel industry and rural America. “I am excited to join the RFA and look forward to advocating on behalf of the ethanol industry,” said Hamburg. “Ethanol producers—and the farmers who …
The Truth About E15 and Smog
The Trump Administration announcement last week that it will begin rulemaking to allow sales of 15% ethanol year-round generated quite a bit of mainstream media attention. Unfortunately, much of it suggested that the current restriction on summertime E15 sales stems from concerns that the fuel blend could result in “more pollution” and emissions that worsen smog. “In reality, E15 is …
Democrat Reps Ask EPA to Uphold RFS
Nearly 20 members of Congress are sounding the alarm about how small refinery waivers causing less ethanol to be blended into gasoline disproportionately impacts communities of color. Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Danny Davis (D-IL) and 17 of their colleagues sent a letter this week to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressing concern over how the widespread issuance of waivers …
RFA Offering Free E15 Webinar
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is holding a free webinar on Oct. 23 to discuss the recent proposal that will allow for year-round consumer access to 15% ethanol (E15). The one-hour webinar is designed to address some of the misinformation and confusion about what President Trump’s recent action means for fuel suppliers, retailers, and consumers. In addition to hearing from …
Export Exchange Pre-Tours Underway
The 2018 Export Exchange starts next week in Minneapolis, but many teams of international buyers are already here in the United States participating in pre-event tours around the Midwest. The tours include three teams from Mexico who will visit Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kentucky and Iowa to see U.S. corn, sorghum and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) production and supply …
Nebraska Ethanol Promotes Fuel the Cure
All during October Breast Cancer Awareness month, Nebraska drivers can fuel cancer research by choosing American Ethanol blends at retail stations around the state participating in the Fuel the Cure program. Fuel the Cure is a Nebraska awareness promotion designed to bring attention to the benefits of cleaner-burning American Ethanol blends available throughout the state. For every gallon of ethanol-blended …