Legislation to change or repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard usually targets conventional ethanol, but companion bills introduced in Congress this week hit soy biodiesel as well. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced the GREENER Fuels Act (Growing Renewable Energy through Existing and New Environmentally Responsible Fuels Act). The legislation is backed by former Rep. Henry Waxman, …
Ethanol Production Going Strong
For the first month of 2018, the amount of corn used to make ethanol in the U.S. was down two percent from December 2017 but up one percent from January 2017, according to the latest USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report. Corn use for fuel alcohol totaled 476 million bushels in January 2018 with dry milling fuel production and …
E15 Now Available at 158 Iowa Stations
Iowa has added a dozen new E15 stations since the end of 2017, bringing the total statewide to 158 fueling stations. Iowa-based Casey’s General Store added the most new stations, including locations in Sioux Center, Akron, Cedar Rapids, and Lone Tree. Kum & Go, Kwik Star, and Key Cooperative each added two new stations at various locations across the state. …
Auto Expert Shares Thoughts on Ethanol at NEC
Participants at the 2018 National Ethanol Conference heard from renowned auto expert and commentator Marc Rauch, Executive Vice President and Co-Publisher of TheAutoChannel.com, on his efforts to educate the auto community and beyond on the use of ethanol in vehicles. Rauch shared a history of ethanol use around the world and myths that have been spread to negatively impact the …
Rail Issues Impacting Your Business
Rail continues to safely and efficiently serve as ethanol’s “virtual pipeline.” A panel discussion during the 2018 National Ethanol Conference focused on the important role rail transportation plays in the ethanol industry, including updates on regulatory developments, safety issues, and railcar fleet trends. The panel included moderator Kelly Davis, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Renewable Fuels Association; Mark Maday, Staff …
Ethanol and DDGS Exports Fall in January
U.S. ethanol exports dropped by half in January compared to December’s record high, according to government data released this morning and analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). January ethanol exports totaled 88.3 million gallons (mg), the lowest volume in four months. Despite the imposition of a tariff rate quota and 20% tariff in September, Brazil was the leading destination …
Nearly 50,000 Iowa Jobs Tied to Biofuels
A new study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), finds that nearly 50,000 Iowa jobs are supported by biofuels production. IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw says the study indicates how many livelihoods are at stake in the continuing efforts by Texas Senator Ted Cruz to convince the White House to …
Ethanol Plant Managers Write President
Managers at 150 U.S. biofuel refineries across the heartland have sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to “stand strong in defense of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).” The plant managers, which represent the majority of U.S. ethanol production, address proposals by oil refinery supporters to “cut, cap, or eliminate” Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), which they say “would …
ICM and The Andersons Collaborate on New Bio-refinery
ICM, Inc., and The Andersons, Inc., are partnering to own and construct a state-of-the-art bio-refinery in Colwich, Kansas. ELEMENT, LLC will be a 70 MGY bio-refinery combining ICM’s next-generation technologies, with the merchandising, risk management and logistics expertise of The Andersons. “The Andersons and ICM share a common vision. We strive to utilize our combined experience and expertise to build …
Study Shows Impact of RIN Price Cap on Corn Prices
A new analysis from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University shows that any action to artificially cap Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices in exchange for a waiver allowing year-round sale of E15 would result in reduced ethanol consumption, a drop in corn prices, and an effective cut of 5% to the Renewable Fuel Standard …