The Supreme Court will determine whether the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is the only proper court to litigate challenges to small refinery exemptions, a decision welcomed by biofuel advocates. At issue is whether the venue for challenges by small oil refineries seeking exemptions from the requirements of the Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard program lies exclusively in the …
RFA Calls New California LCFS Updates Fundamentally Flawed
The Renewable Fuels Association says proposed regulations updating California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard are “fundamentally flawed” and could significantly restrict the future use of low-carbon ethanol in the state. In comments submitted last week to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman asserts that renewable fuel producers and California consumers will both suffer if CARB moves …
Export Exchange 2024 Concludes
Export Exchange 2024, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), wrapped up Wednesday in Fort Worth as trade teams began visits across the country to key components of the agricultural value chain. “We are incredibly excited to see the impact that this week will have in the coming year as international stakeholders …
Ethanol Report with New RFA Chair
The Renewable Fuels Association recently held its annual membership meeting in Milwaukee and elected new officers, including Jeff Oestmann with Aztalan Bio. Oestmann has been actively involved in the ethanol industry for nearly 30 years and is excited to take on this new leadership role for RFA. In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, Oestmann discusses the current state …
RFA Surpasses $200 Million in HBIIP Grant Support
Over the past year, the Renewable Fuels Association has helped fuel retailers and distributors apply for more than $200 million in USDA grant funding under USDA’s Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) during the final application window for the program which closed September 30. The project applications facilitated by RFA represent the addition of nearly 6,300 higher-blend (E15-E85) dispensers in …
House Bill Introduced For Year-Round E15
Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN), together with Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Sharice Davids (D-KS), have introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act which would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends up to 15 percent. The bill is …
RFA Elects New Leadership
The Renewable Fuels Association elected new officers and board members at its annual membership meeting this week in Milwaukee. Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Aztalan Bio, near Johnson Creek, Wisc., was elected chair. Oestmann’s long career in ethanol and agriculture includes leadership roles at Granite Falls Energy, Syngenta, and East Kansas Agri-Energy. “It’s a true honor to step into the role …
RFA Reports Membership Growth
The Renewable Fuels Association had a growth spurt this week, adding three new associate members to its rolls. The new companies are Nataqua, iRely, and Antora Energy Nataqua is an early-stage company transforming CO₂ into ethanol with innovative technology that utilizes CO₂ gas, liquid water, and affordable industrial electricity. Their efficient process converts CO₂ exhaust streams directly into ethanol, which …
Ethanol Report on Election Issues
No matter what happens in November, there will be a new president in January and a new administration that could be radically different than the current one, and that could mean a big difference in the outcome of policy issues for the ethanol industry. In this edition of the Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper discusses …
RFA Seeks Update on EPA Feedstock Audits
The Renewable Fuels Association is asking the Environmental Protection Agency for an update on the investigation into certain biofuel feedstock imports and also urged the adoption of stricter feedstock verification requirements for imported used cooking oil (UCO) and tallow. In a letter this week to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper noted that monthly tallow and …