The latest data from the Energy Information Administration show that U.S. ethanol production and consumption rose nearly two percent in 2023 to reach their highest levels since 2019, while the blend rate hit a record 10.39 percent, pushing further above the hypothetical 10-percent “blend wall,” according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Once again, the ethanol blend rate exceeded 10% …
Ethanol Industry Partners for Progress
Powered by Partnerships was the theme of the 2024 National Ethanol Conference last week in San Diego and the partners for the ethanol industry now include some brand new alliances and former adversaries. The Partnering for Progress panel at the conference included representatives from the petroleum industry, car makers, airlines, convenience stores, and farmers. Much of the conversation centered around …
ACE Submits Land Use Change Analysis to SAF Group
In advance of the March 1 expectation for the modified GREET model to be announced, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings sent a letter this week to members of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Interagency Working Group tasked with determining the changes. Accompanying ACE’s letter was an analysis prepared by Ron Alverson of the ACE board of directors …
Southwest Invests $30 Million in LanzaJet SAF Growth
Sustainable fuels technology company LanzaJet today announced a $30 million investment by Southwest Airlines for the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility and collaborate on the corn stover to ethanol technology company SAFFiRE Renewables. LanzaJet plans to undertake project development efforts for the SAF production facility in the United States, with Southwest as the anchor SAF offtaker. The …
Ethanol Report on 29th NEC
The 29th National Ethanol Conference held in San Diego California last week may go down as one of the best and most timely industry meetings ever, setting the stage for major decisions that hang in the balance this year, including year-round availability of E15 and a revised GREET model that will determine ethanol’s role in sustainable aviation fuel. The Renewable …
RFA Chair Optimistic About Future for Ethanol
Renewable Fuels Association board chairman Erik Huschitt says there are both big challenges and big opportunities right now for the ethanol industry but he remains optimistic about the future. “I’m optimistic because I know science is on our side,” said Huschitt, who is CEO of Badger State Ethanol. “And I know that the brilliant people and the passion in this …
ACE Reacts to E15 Waiver Approval, Prepares for DC Fly-in
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) reacted to the Biden Administration’s EPA announcement this week to allow the sale of E15 year-round in eight Midwest states, but not until the summer of 2025. “As the saying goes, ‘better late than never,’ but EPA had a legal responsibility to approve E15 year-round in these states more than a year and a …
EPA Announces E15 Waiver Approval for 8 States in 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday approval of requests from state governors to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for gasoline-ethanol blends containing 10 percent ethanol in their states, but delays the effective date to April 28, 2025. “After review of the emissions modeling results presented by the governors in their requests, EPA is removing the 1-psi waiver in the following …
#RFANEC 2024 Wraps Up in California
The Renewable Fuels Association wrapped up its 2024 National Ethanol Conference Wednesday in San Diego with RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper calling it one of the most successful ever. “This has been a great event, lots of energy, lots of enthusiasm coming out of this conference for the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Cooper. “We had the most people …