U.S. exports of both ethanol and the co-product dried distillers grains were strong during the month of May, according to the latest analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Ethanol exports actually hit their highest level ever for the month of May at 154.4 million gallons (mg), but this was 28% decline from a near-record in April. Canada was the …
RFA CEO: Lark Changes Tune on Land Use Change
Blog post by Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO In early 2022, University of Wisconsin researcher Tyler Lark published a study claiming that U.S. farmers had converted several million acres of pristine grassland and other “seminatural areas” to cropland in response to the Renewable Fuel Standard and growth in ethanol production. The study was accompanied by a well-funded, …
SAF Roundtable in Vancouver
Representatives of the U.S. biofuels industry, including Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ed Hubbard, joined a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policy roundtable in Vancouver, Canada recently on the sidelines of a USDA agribusiness trade mission. The U.S. Grains Council and Advanced Biofuels Canada hosted the roundtable that included remarks from USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural …
Study Shows Benefits of FFVs and Low Carbon Ethanol
According to a newly released study from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), increased use of lower-carbon liquid fuels in light-duty vehicles would lead to larger and faster reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than EPA’s recently finalized EV-forcing tailpipe emissions standards. The study, conducted by the non-profit Southwest Research Institute, found that, “Lowering the carbon intensity of liquid fuels can …
Ethanol Report on EV Push Back
The Renewable Fuels Association and National Farmers Union have joined in a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s light- and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards, which they say essentially mandate battery electric vehicles while ignoring other technologies such as low-carbon ethanol and flex fuel vehicles. In this edition of the Ethanol Report, RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper discusses the lawsuit …
Brazil Upholds 18% Tariff on U.S. Ethanol
Despite appeals from the U.S. government, ethanol exporters and importers, Brazil’s Ministry of the Economy (CAMEX) has chosen to continue its 18 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol. U.S. ethanol interests, with support from the Brazil Association of Fuel Importers (ABICOM) and the U.S. government, previously submitted comments advocating for permanent tariff removal during a public consultation period that ended on …
RFA and NFU File Separate Lawsuit Over EV Mandate
The Renewable Fuels Association and National Farmers Union have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging recently finalized light- and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards. This action is separate from the lawsuit filed last week by National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, and American Petroleum Institute to “ensure that …
Study Shows Plug-in Hybrid Flex Fuel Vehicle Advantages
A new study released by the Renewable Fuels Association this week documents the economic and environmental benefits of the world’s first plug-in electric hybrid flex fuel vehicle (PHEFFV), concludes that it offers distinct advantages over fully electric vehicles. Last year, RFA converted a 2022 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to a flex fuel vehicle capable of operating on gasoline …
FEW Awards Honor Industry Leaders
Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy Management and former Renewable Fuels Association chair, was recognized with this year’s Women in Ethanol Award (WIE) at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) Tuesday. McCaherty was awarded this honor during the second annual award ceremony. Ethanol Producer Magazine recognized women within the ethanol industry and highlighted the crucial role women play …
U.S. Ethanol Exports Jump in April
For only the second time in history, U.S. ethanol exports in April exceeded the 200-million-gallon (mg) mark, increasing 34% to 214.2 mg, the highest volume since the record set in March 2018, according to the latest Trade Monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association. Canada continued to be the largest importer for the 37th consecutive month, taking in 62.3 mg, …