Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins heard a lot about the ethanol industry’s need for year-round, nationwide E15 during her trip to Iowa yesterday, starting with her visit to the Elite Octane ethanol facility in Atlantic, Iowa. “We’re very bullish for the next three years with President Trump leading the way. The seeds of policy change to drive profitability for our …
Ag and Biofuels Groups Seek Exemption to Shipping Rules
The United States Trade Representative‘s office is holding public hearings this week on proposed actions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance that would result in new fees being imposed on Chinese vessels. The first hearing was held on Monday, March 24 and the second will be on Wednesday, March …
Supreme Court Hears Arguments in SRE Venue Case
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case that will determine where challenges to small refinery exemptions (SREs) decisions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) should be brought. The renewable fuels industry argued in favor of the petitioner, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the case versus Calumet Shreveport Refining, and other refineries. The Renewable Fuels Association …
Ethanol Report on Industry Roots
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 …