A new study released by the Renewable Fuels Association this week documents the economic and environmental benefits of the world’s first plug-in electric hybrid flex fuel vehicle (PHEFFV), concludes that it offers distinct advantages over fully electric vehicles. Last year, RFA converted a 2022 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to a flex fuel vehicle capable of operating on gasoline …
FEW Awards Honor Industry Leaders
Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy Management and former Renewable Fuels Association chair, was recognized with this year’s Women in Ethanol Award (WIE) at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) Tuesday. McCaherty was awarded this honor during the second annual award ceremony. Ethanol Producer Magazine recognized women within the ethanol industry and highlighted the crucial role women play …
Sustainable Aviation Caucus Created in Congress
Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) this week announced the creation of the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus (CSAC). Co-chaired by Davids and Johnson, the caucus will work to reduce the aviation industry’s environmental impact and maximize its financial sustainability. By accessing federal policy, holding forums, and bringing together public and private partners, the caucus will play a key …
Iowa RFA Criticizes Sierra Club Report
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is blasting a report from the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter this week claiming the Summit Carbon pipeline project in the state will need over three billion gallons of water and threatens to drain the aquifer. “Today’s ‘so-called’ study from the Iowa Sierra Club is no more based in reality than the report they released …
U.S. Ethanol Exports Jump in April
For only the second time in history, U.S. ethanol exports in April exceeded the 200-million-gallon (mg) mark, increasing 34% to 214.2 mg, the highest volume since the record set in March 2018, according to the latest Trade Monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association. Canada continued to be the largest importer for the 37th consecutive month, taking in 62.3 mg, …
Ethanol Exports Bright Spot in USDA Outlook
The latest USDA export outlook has overall agricultural exports expected to be lower this year, but one of the bright spots in the forecast is ethanol, according to USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer. “For ethanol, we’re talking about a $3.5 billion export value rising to $4 billion in 2024,” said Meyer. “That’s about a 15 percent increase year over year …
Fluid Quip Installs New System at CVEC Ethanol
Fluid Quip Technologies (FQT) announces the installation of its Distillers Corn Oil (DCO) Technology™ at the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant in Benson, Minnesota. FQT’s DCO Technology™ enhances the mechanical separation of distillers’ corn oil from whole stillage, directing it into the thin stillage stream and clarifying the stream to reduce fine solids before reaching the evaporation and oil …
Lallemand Acquires BASF Bioenergy Enzymes Business
BASF has sold its San Diego-based bioenergy enzymes business, including the Spartec® product portfolio and technologies in development, to Lallemand subsidiaries, Danstar Ferment AG and Lallemand Specialties Inc. Lallemand will integrate the business and associated employees in its Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) business unit. LBDS has partnered with BASF’s bioenergy business since 2017, jointly developing the expression of …
Ethanol Exports Set Records and Celebrate Anniversary
U.S. exports and total usage of ethanol hit record highs last week, just as the Energy Information Administration marked the first anniversary of including ethanol export estimates in its Weekly Petroleum Status Report. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) was instrumental in getting EIA to include the additional data, according to RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman. “Prior to May 2023, EIA’s …
45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit Guidance Issued
The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance Friday for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. The guidance divides transportation fuel into two broad categories – sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and non-SAF transportation fuel and notes that a taxpayer must have a signed registration letter from the IRS “dated on or before …