Bill Northey is at last free to take the job at USDA that he was nominated for almost six months ago after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) lifted his hold on the nomination and allowed the confirmation Tuesday. The Senate confirmed Northey on a voice vote to become USDA’s undersecretary for farm production and conservation as Sens. Cruz, Pat Toomey (R-PA), …
Industry Groups Anxious About White House RFS Meeting
Biofuels and agricultural groups are anxiously awaiting the outcome of a meeting today between President Trump and four Republicans senators over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Trump will be meeting with Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Pat Toomey (R-PA), who want to see changes in the RFS to protect refiners, and Iowa Sens. Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst, who want …
Generating D3 RINS from Corn Kernel Fiber
Producing cellulosic ethanol from corn kernel fiber is where many ethanol plants are heading. But getting EPA approval on that type of project is not always easy. Jim Ramm of EcoEngineers explained why he believes this is the future of the industry at the 2018 National Ethanol Conference. “It makes sense as an industry to maximize the return on the …
RFA Chairman Pleased With Conference Turnout
The 2018 National Ethanol Conference (NEC) saw a great turnout of people supporting the renewable fuels industry. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Chairman Mick Henderson said exports continue to be a priority, as well as creating parity for E15 in domestic markets. Henderson said being a part of a trade organization like RFA is important when it comes to affecting policy. …
Sen. Cruz Rally Disappoints Ethanol Industry
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) held a rally at Philadelphia Energy Solutions with refinery workers from along the East Coast to continue his attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), much to the disappointment of the ethanol industry. “Senator Cruz’s efforts to secure a so-called ‘win-win’ solution to protect refining jobs are entirely misdirected,” said Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO …
Why Ethanol Should Care About Electric Vehicles
It might be surprising to see electric cars on the agenda at the National Ethanol Conference. But that was the subject of a panel discussion at the recent meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The panel included Tammy Klein, Future Fuel Strategies; Eva Rigamonti, Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA)/Steptoe & Johnson; and Leslie Hayward, Securing America’s Future Energy …
Corn Growers are Ethanol Strong
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and a number of state corn grower groups put in an Ethanol Strong showing at the National Ethanol Conference last week. Ten state corn grower organizations sponsored the NEC luncheon which featured political strategists Donna Brazile and Mary Matalin, two fellow New Orleans Catholics who hold different political views but are very close friends. …
Syngenta Enogen Footprint Growing
In the past two months, Syngenta has announced two agreements with major ethanol producers to use Enogen® corn enzyme technology at their plants, continuing to grow the footprint of this biotech corn output trait designed specifically to enhance ethanol production. In December, Green Plains Inc. of Nebraska partnered with Syngenta to expand its use of Enogen® corn across its 1.5 …
Minnesota Ethanol Industry Remains Strong
A new study by ABF Economics shows the Minnesota ethanol industry contributed $2.17 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2017. The industry produced 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol, 3.9 million tons of dried distiller’s grains with solubles and 256 million pounds of corn oil, which in turn generated $7.13 billion in gross sales for the state’s businesses, while …
Nebraska Ethanol Board to Host Emerging Issues Forum
Registration is now open for the Nebraska Ethanol Board’s Emerging Issues Forum, scheduled for April 12-13 in Omaha. Agenda topics on the program include: Biofuel Policy Panel Discussion: Trump Administration Impacts on Ethanol Production and Marketing Carbon Counting and Accessing LCFS Markets: Agronomic Input Modeling and Accounting Fractionation and Separation Technology Options Bio-Based Products and Projects Trade Policy and the …