The theme of the recent 30th National Ethanol Conference was Back to Our Roots and it was a celebration of how the industry started and how it’s going. One panel featured a walk down memory lane with some industry pioneers who talked about the early days and how the roots of the ethanol industry were firmly planted by farmers. Included …
EPA Releases Final Rule for E15 Waiver Delay for SD and OH
The Environmental Protection Agency has released the final rule to extend the date for Ohio and nine counties in South Dakota for year-round E15. In response to a request from the Governors of Ohio and South Dakota, EPA renewed the extension of the effective date of the removal of the 1-psi volatility waiver because the agency “finds that there would …
U.S. Ethanol Groups Working With Viet Nam
Leaders from the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and Growth Energy this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Petrolimex, the largest petroleum distributor in Viet Nam, to promote the implementation of greater ethanol usage in that country. The MOU follows the Viet Nam Ministry of Industry adopting a directive in December 2024 that aims to boost …
Ethanol Exports Start Strong in 2025
Coming off a record-breaking 2024, U.S. ethanol exports kicked off 2025 with momentum, according to the latest trade monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association. Ethanol exports increased two percent in January to reach a nine-month high of 198.1 million gallons (mg), fueled by surging shipments to India, which tripled its imports to 35.1 mg, the highest in four years. …
Iowa’s Elite Octane Celebrates Billion Gallon Milestone
On Friday, Atlantic, Iowa-based Elite Octane celebrated reaching the milestone of producing its billionth gallon of ethanol. With its 53 employees, Elite Octane has paid more than $1.6 billion to local corn farmers since commencing operations in 2018, nearly all funds received within 60 miles of Atlantic, Iowa. The over 300 million bushels of corn were processed into more than …
State Attorneys General Support Nationwide E15
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird last week led a letter signed by 16 state attorneys general urging Congress to pass a bipartisan bill that will allow nationwide access to year-round E15 gasoline. Iowa’s AG was joined by Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia. The States urge …
RFA Promotes Flex Fuel Conversion Kits at #Classic25
Since most car makers stopped selling flex-fuel vehicles, it’s hard to find a new car or truck these days that is made to run on up to 85% ethanol fuel. But at Commodity Classic, the Renewable Fuels Association was demonstrating how you can do-it-yourself. Robert White, RFA Senior VP for Industry Relations & Market Development, had a brand new 2025 …
Scholarship Winners Enjoy NEC Opportunity
The Renewable Fuels Foundation made it possible for eight young people interested in furthering a career in the ethanol industry to attend the 2025 National Ethanol Conference in Nashville recently. Most of this year’s recipients are already working in the industry and are members of the Renewable Fuels Association’s Young Professionals Network (YPN). The Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship is open …
EIA Confirms 2024 Record Ethanol Production and Exports
The latest data from the Energy Information Administration show U.S. ethanol production hit a record 16.22 billion gallons (bg) in 2024, spurred by rising domestic consumption and record exports of 1.92 bg, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Domestic usage increased to 14.26 bg, the highest level since 2019, reflecting the continued expansion in the number of retail stations …
Farm to Fly Act Reintroduced in House
The bipartisan Farm to Fly Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House last week to foster the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) within existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, allow for greater collaboration, and ensure USDA’s SAF definitions reflect eligibility for American agricultural crops. The bill was introduced by Reps. Max Miller (R-OH), Mike Flood (R-NE), Brad Finstad …