The Renewable Fuels Association this week requested that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rehear the challenge brought by certain oil refineries seeking exemptions from the Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In November 2023, the Fifth Circuit determined it was the proper venue to hear a challenge brought by six small refineries who saw their RFS compliance exemption …
2023 Ethanol Production Expected to Top 2022
After hitting a year-end high the week of December 23, ethanol production moderated the last week of 2023 to a five week low of just over a million barrels per day, or 44.06 million gallons daily, according to the latest Energy Information Administration data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. That was 24% more than the same week last year …
Montana Becomes 49th State to Approve E15
As of January 1, Montana became the 49th state to allow retail sales of E15, with California now remaining as the only state to prevent the sale of 15% ethanol-blended fuel. The Montana Department of Labor & Industry last year approved updated state regulations based on the most recent National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) handbook which went into …
Ethanol Report on 2023
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says 2023 was one of the best years ever for the U.S. ethanol industry. In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, Cooper takes a look back at the year for ethanol and some of the battles won for producers who are optimistic for the new year. 27:10 The Ethanol Report is …
Mexico Rail Bridges Shut Down Impacts Exports
U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed two rail bridges this week that move freight between Texas and Mexico due to a surge in the influx of migrants through Mexico by train but the move is impacting exports of agriculture and ethanol. The Renewable Fuels Association joined dozens of commodity groups and other organizations in asking U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro …
Governors’ E15 Waiver Request Moves Forward
After months of delay, some action was finally taken this week on the request from eight states to allow year-round sales of E15. On Monday, EPA’s proposed rule was sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final review, which is the last step in the process before the rule is finalized and published. Renewable Fuels …
Most 2024 Vehicles Approved for E15
More new vehicles than ever are specifically approved by manufacturers to run on 15 percent ethanol blended fuel (E15). The Renewable Fuels Association just released its annual review of vehicle owner’s manuals and warranty statements and found that E15 is explicitly approved by the manufacturer for use in approximately 95 percent of model year 2024 cars and light trucks. “RFA …
Ethanol Report on SAF Guidance
The U.S. Treasury Department has released long-awaited guidance regarding the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit. The guidance clarifies that a soon-to-be-updated version of the Department of Energy’s GREET model will be among the methodologies used to determine eligibility for the tax credit. The administration has committed to finishing the GREET model updates by …
U.S. Treasury and IRS Release SAF Guidance
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today released guidance on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Credit established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The Treasury Department’s guidance provides important clarity around eligibility for the SAF Credit. The credit incentivizes the production of SAF that achieves a lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction of at least 50% …
Lawmakers Demand Action on E15 Waiver Request
A bipartisan, bicameral group of 22 lawmakers sent a follow up letter to the White House this week seeking swift action on regulations that would allow year-round sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) in eight Midwest states, as requested in April 2022 by the states’ governors. Congressman Brad Finstad (R-MN), Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), and …