As is tradition, the 30th annual National Ethanol Conference kicked off with the State of the Industry address from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, who highlighted the industry’s pivotal role in American agriculture and outlined how ethanol can once again help the farm sector thrive in the face of current economic challenges. Cooper reflected on the industry’s …
President Announces Reciprocal Tariffs on Brazil Ethanol
President Donald Trump signed a Memorandum Thursday ordering the “development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements” and that includes Brazilian tariffs on U.S. ethanol. The White House fact sheet on the plan notes “endless examples where our trading partners do not give the United States reciprocal treatment” and the first …
Brooke Rollins Confirmed as Agriculture Secretary
Brooke Rollins of Texas was confirmed as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture Thursday by a vote of 72-28. Rollins served in Trump’s previous administration as acting director of the Domestic Policy Council and oversaw the White House Office of American Innovation. She since co-founded and served as president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute. She has …
2025 Marks 30th National Ethanol Conference
The ethanol industry will be getting “Back to Our Roots” in 2025 with the Renewable Fuels Association’s 30th annual National Ethanol Conference, taking place in Nashville February 17–19. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the theme “Back to Our Roots” was chosen to reflect the ethanol industry’s humble beginnings, its incredible growth, and its enduring ties to American agriculture. …
RFA Reports 2024 Ethanol and Distillers Grains Exports
New statistical reports released this week by the Renewable Fuels Association show ethanol export volume and overall export value hit record highs last year. According to the reports, the value of the U.S. ethanol industry’s exports rose to a peak of $7.5 billion in 2024, fueled by a record 1.91 billion gallons of ethanol exported in 2024. Meanwhile, distillers grains …
Ethanol Report on Working with New Administration
President Donald Trump has been very busy since his inauguration issuing executive orders, making changes, and freezing funding, but how will his actions impact the ethanol industry? In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper comments on some of the actions President Trump has taken and where ethanol’s priorities stand in both …
President Trump Declares Energy Emergency
President Donald Trump made it clear in some of his first executive actions that he wants to make American energy great again, and that includes E15, but no mandate for electric vehicles. Specifically, President Trump said he wanted to revoke the electric vehicle mandate so Americans will be able to buy the car of their choice. The order under Unleashing …
Eight Scholarships Awarded for 30th NEC
The Renewable Fuels Foundation awarded eight young people the opportunity to attended the 2025 National Ethanol Conference with the Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship. The event takes place February 17-19 in Nashville and is the nation’s most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. Recipients are a mix of college students and members of RFA’s Young Professionals Network: Paige Madison …
Groups React to Climate Smart Ag Rule and GREET Model
Biofuel organizations welcomed the release Wednesday of USDA’s interim rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks, in addition to a beta version Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator, and the Department of Energy release of the 45ZCF-GREET model The rule establishes guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of corn, …
2024 Ethanol Exports Set New Record Before Year’s End
A record year for ethanol exports has already been declared, even before the official year-end data has been tabulated. The latest data released Tuesday by the Census Bureau has U.S. ethanol exports for 2024 totaling 1.72 billion gallons just through November, already surpassing the previous annual record of 1.67 billion gallons set in 2018. With one month of data to …