Members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus will hold a virtual town hall “An Open Discussion with Congressional and Industry Leaders on the Challenges, Opportunities and Next Steps for the Ethanol Industry” today at 5 PM Eastern time. Participating in the meeting will be Biofuels Caucus members Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), and Rodney Davis (R-IL). …
Ethanol Report 6-11-20
One year after President Trump visited Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) to celebrate allowing E15 to be sold in the summer months, the ethanol industry is facing its toughest year ever, despite the fact that sales of E15 have indeed increased significantly. In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, we take a look back at President Trump’s visit and …
A Year’s Worth of Growth in E15
A year ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, at the direction of President Donald Trump, issued a final rule allowing retailers to sell 15% ethanol (E15) gas year-round in all parts of the country. That action created an increase in sales of E15 to more than 450 million gallons in 2019. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) economist Scott Richman says the …
Ethanol Interests Challenge EPA Study Results
The U.S. ethanol industry is questioning a Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “anti-backsliding” study released Friday on the air quality impacts of renewable fuels which also determined no further action is needed to mitigate any potential adverse impacts on air quality from the use of renewable fuels. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) immediately raised concerns about EPA using a discredited modeling …
Ethanol Report 5-29-20
As America gets moving again, ethanol is ready to fuel summer adventures. Ethanol production is slowly climbing back up after hitting historic lows due to coronavirus restrictions keeping people from traveling. Now that people are getting back on the road and in the water, Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Industry Affairs Robert White talks about some of their summertime …
Ethanol Report 5-15-20
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the U.S. ethanol industry, slashing production by half and leading to the idling of scores of plants across rural America. But there are positive signs that demand is starting to increase again. Meanwhile, Congress is considering a new aid package with help for biofuels, the Renewable Fuel Standard is facing …
Ethanol Report 4-30-20
Ethanol producers are literally in the battle of their lives for the survival of the industry, as losses continue to mount from restrictions on travel put in place due to COVID-19. The latest production data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending April 24, ethanol production dropped another 4.6%, or 26,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 537,000 …
Ethanol Production Continues Decline
The latest production numbers for the week ending April 17 continue to reflect the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the ethanol industry. According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production declined 1.2%, or 7,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 563,000 b/d—the lowest level since the EIA began reporting ethanol production statistics in 2010. Production was 46% …
Demo Site Picked for Ethanol Industry Pollinator Program
The ethanol industry is celebrating Earth Day with the announcement that Trenton Agri Products (TAP) in Nebraska will become the first demonstration site for a new ethanol industry initiative to expand pollinator habitat in key production regions. TAP will establish a 5-acre pollinator plot this spring near the entrance to their facility to increase awareness and encourage local farmers to …
SAFE Vehicles Rule Misses High Octane Opportunity
Ethanol groups are calling the final Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule setting corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) and CO2 emissions standards for model years 2021-2026 passenger cars and light trucks a “missed opportunity to provide a pathway for high octane, low carbon fuel.” American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said EPA specifically requested comments on the role …