A news report this week that EPA was considering a policy change to count ethanol exports toward Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) caused their prices to dive on the market. That, on top of EPA’s announcement this week that further cuts in the volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) were being considered, caused some to question the administration’s commitment …
Ethanol Report on EPA RFS Notice
The Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018 on July 5, the comment period just ended on August 31, and then this week EPA gave notice that it is seeking comment on options for further reductions in the biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel volumes. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) …
EPA Proposes Further Cuts in Biofuels Under RFS
The Environmental Protection Agency surprised the biofuels industry Tuesday by issuing a notice asking for comment on further reducing volume obligations for some fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The EPA Notice of Data Availability (NODA) suggests a reduction of the 2018 advanced biofuel volume requirement from the proposed level of 4.24 billion gallons to 3.77 billion gallons, …
Crappie Masters National Champs Appreciate Ethanol
The recent 2017 Crappie Masters National Championship, sponsored in part by the Renewable Fuels Association, American Ethanol, and Bass Pro Shops, saw Missouri fishermen Paul Alpers and Phillip Haynes finishing on top. The partners fought unseasonably hot weather and dropping river levels as they brought in a two-day total weight of 21.89 pounds. They use ethanol in their vehicles and …
USDA Trade Mission Heading to Brazil
A USDA Foreign Agriculture Service trade mission to São Paulo and Recife, Brazil, is underway this week with ethanol industry leaders looking to expand their agricultural exports and further develop their business relationships in Brazil. “Brazil holds significant untapped market potential for U.S. exporters,” said Mark Slupek, deputy administrator of the Office of Trade Programs for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. …
Ethanol Report on E15 Hurricane Help
Fuel disruptions due to Hurricane Harvey were mitigated somewhat, thanks to an early end to the summer restriction on sales of E15 (15% ethanol fuel) that helped offset gasoline supply shortfalls and limit fuel price spikes. In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen talks about how this should make the EPA …
E15 Waiver Helped Ease Gas Supply Issues
This was the year that summer vacation ended early for E15 (15% ethanol fuel) to help offset gasoline supply shortfalls and limit hurricane-related fuel price spikes. Normally, it would have been this weekend before EPA’s summer restriction on selling E15 in 38 states was lifted, but right after Hurricane Harvey hit, the agency issued emergency fuel waivers allowing the fuel …
Ethanol Days of Summer Over
Labor Day marked the unofficial end of summer and the official end of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Ethanol Days of Summer Contest. According to RFA, more than 4,000 new users of E85prices.com registered and helped report prices for higher ethanol blends and conventional fuels during the three-month contest, which offered the chance to win $50 in free fuel per …
Ethanol Industry Calls for U.S. Response to Brazilian Tariff
U.S. ethanol producers are asking the government to develop an immediate response to Brazil’s recently implemented tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the U.S. Grains Council are calling on the Trump Administration to “immediately engage their Brazilian counterparts on the future of our relationships with regard to biofuels.” On August 23, 2017, Brazil’s Chamber …
High-Octane Ethanol Blends Can Help Meet GHG Standards
Ethanol organizations presented testimony to the EPA Wednesday that high-octane ethanol blends in optimized engines would be the lowest cost means for the country to meet 2022-2025 fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards. The testimony was provided during a hearing on Reconsideration of the Final Determination of the Midterm Evaluation (MTE) of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Model Year …