President Donald Trump gave Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue a happy birthday Thursday when he signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 with many members of the agricultural community in attendance. “Mr. President, it is a great birthday present not only for me, but for all of agriculture, to give the producers, the ranchers, and farmers across America the peace of …
Ethanol Report for 2018
2018 has been a busy and interesting year for the ethanol industry and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper reviews the top stories of the year in ethanol, including the new leadership at RFA, President Trump’s interest in the industry and E15, small refinery waivers, record exports …
Happy 11th Anniversary RFS2!
Eleven years ago today, President George W. Bush signed the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) into law with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Since then, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the United States has experienced cleaner air, greater energy security, revived economic activity in rural areas, and more affordable choices at the pump. …
Export Exchange Generates $400 Million in Sales
The recent 2018 Export Exchange in October has generated $403 million in sales of U.S. coarse grains and co-products, including distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and feed grains, according to the organizers. Grain buyers from 35 countries attended the conference in Minneapolis, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy to offer an …
Ethanol Exports Exceeding Expectations
U.S. ethanol exports are on a roll. For the third time this year, American ethanol exports have reached record numbers, with the total hitting 1.69 billion gallons (bg) on a rolling 12-month basis, according to Growth Energy. As of October this calendar year, exports totaled 1.41 billion gallons, already more than the total for 2017 with an additional two months …
RFA Releases Latest FFV Guide
The 2019 Ford F-250 SuperDuty is just one of the many models of flex fuel vehicles (FFV) available today that are capable of running on fuel blends containing up to 85 percent ethanol (E85), according to the Renewable Fuels Association’s latest FFV brochure. More than 24 million vehicles on U.S. roads today are E85 compatible and the brochure compiles the …
Ontario to Adopt E15 by 2025
U.S. ethanol stakeholder groups cheered news that Ontario, Canada will be adopting the use of 15% ethanol by 2025, according to its recently released Province of Ontario’s Environment Plan. Growth Energy, U.S. Grains Council, and Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) issued a joint statement on the news. “As one of the largest markets for ethanol, this is a huge milestone for …
EPA Finalizes RFS Renewable Fuel Volumes
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the finalized rule for required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2019, and biomass-based diesel for 2020. The key elements of the final rule include maintaining the “conventional” renewable fuel volumes, primarily met by corn ethanol, at the current 15-billion gallon level set by Congress for 2019; increasing …
Study Finds Refiners Can Increase Octane Without Ethanol
A new Energy Information Administration (EIA) study has found that U.S. petroleum refineries would be able to produce gasoline with a higher minimum octane rating (95 Research Octane Number, or “RON”) beginning in 2022 without using more ethanol meet such an octane standard. The study, conducted by oil industry consulting firm Baker & O’Brien, determined “refiners would simply increase reformer …
RFA CEO Calls Out Big Oil’s E15 Hypocrisy
In an editorial this week, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper called out the hypocrisy of oil interests when it comes to allowing year round sales of 15% ethanol, E15. Noting that “hell hath no fury like Big Oil scorned,” Cooper debunks all of the oil industry’s dire warnings in response to President Trump’s recent decision calling …