The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) provided an ethanol industry update on Friday, presenting a history of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and its success, how small refinery waivers have undermined production, progress on recovery after COVID, a new consumer attitudes survey, and more. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper discussed the RFS in an historical context and how the biofuels …
E15 in Court
The D.C. Circuit Court heard oral arguments this week in a case brought by oil refiners challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2019 rulemaking allowing the year-round sale of E15. The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association argued as intervenors in support of the rule that oil refiners are seeking to block American drivers from year-round …
Ethanol Exports Drop in February
After a big start to 2021, U.S. ethanol exports took a dive in February, dropping 38% after January’s volume set a record high for the month. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Senior Analyst Ann Lewis shared the numbers in RFA’s latest Trade Monitor report. Exports were 101.7 million gallons (mg), with half destined for just three countries. However, exports spiked to …
Iowa E15 Sales Set Record in 2020 Despite Pandemic
Higher ethanol blends seem to have weathered the 2020 pandemic well despite an overall drop in fuel consumption, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. In Iowa, sales of E15 (15% ethanol) jumped 24% and set a new record in 2020. Meanwhile, E15 and E85 flex fuel data from Minnesota and California show that 2020 sales volumes generally held steady, even …
Nebraska Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum Features CEO Panel
The 16th Annual Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum last week, hosted by the Nebraska Ethanol Board and Renewable Fuels Nebraska, featured an industry CEO panel that discussed some of the most pressing topics in the renewable fuels space. Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) interim director Pam Miller moderated the panel with American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings, Growth Energy CEO Emily …
States File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case
The states of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Virginia have jointly filed an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court case supporting the position of the Biofuels Coalition made up of the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and American Coalition for Ethanol. The Coalition welcomed the support from the states, as …
Ethanol Report 3-31-21
The U.S. ethanol industry is in a much better place compared to a year ago when production was nearing a record low and plants were closing as a result of efforts to contain COVID-19. In this edition of The Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper provides an update on where the ethanol industry is today, …
Biofuels Coalition Files Brief in Supreme Court Case
The Biofuels Coalition, comprised of Renewable Fuels Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Farmers Union filed a response brief this week in the Supreme Court case HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al., v. Renewable Fuels Association, et al. In the brief, the coalition argues in support of the challenged Tenth Circuit decision, …
EPA Extends RFS Compliance Deadlines
The first decision by the new administration that impacts biofuels is a disappointment to the industry. Late Tuesday afternoon, the Environmental Protection Agency extended compliance deadlines for the Renewable Fuel Standard, a move proposed under the Trump Administration that is opposed by biofuels supporters. EPA finalized a rule to extend the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program’s compliance deadlines for 2019 …
RFA Urges New EPA Admin to Support RFS
The Renewable Fuels Association is urging new EPA Administrator Michael Regan to “stay the course” on the Renewable Fuel Standard, as the policy faces renewed attacks from oil refiners. In a letter to Regan, RFA responds to several assertions about the RFS and RIN credits made by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM). “Contrary to the refiners’ claim that …