EPA Proposes Further Cuts in Biofuels Under RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

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, …

Biodiesel, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Latest USDA Reports Increase Corn Forecast

Cindy Zimmerman

The September Crop Production report increased both corn and soybean production by about one percent compared to August, but two hurricanes in the past two weeks mean that data is already dated. Rainfall from Hurricane Harvey caused flooding in parts of southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana, impacting data collection activities for the September report, so NASS will collect harvested acreage …

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, RFS, USDA

EPA Waiver Should Relax Other E15 Restrictions

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is pleased with the EPA waiver this week of the summer low volatility gasoline requirement for 12 states due to concerns about fuel shortages from Hurricane Harvey, but they believe the agency should go further to relax other restrictions on the sale of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15). In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott …

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Biofuels Voices Comment on RFS Rule

Cindy Zimmerman

The comment period for the EPA’s proposed volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has officially ended and stakeholders in both the biodiesel and ethanol industries made their voices heard. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments “urging the agency to finalize the RVOs that were included in EPA’s first draft of the proposal that was submitted …

ACE, advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, corn, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NBB, RFA, RFS

Iowa RFA Urging Industry Comment on RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

The comment period for the EPA’s proposed volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) ends tomorrow, August 31. For those ethanol and biodiesel industry stakeholders who have not yet submitted comments, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has an easy way to do so by signing petitions to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. It’s time to make your …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, RFS

Mid-Missouri Energy Goes John Deere Green

Cindy Zimmerman

Mid-Missouri Energy (MME) in Malta Bend, Missouri is home to a new piece of equipment that has helped make the grounds around the ethanol plant a little greener. MME General Manager Chris Wilson won the John Deere ZTrak Z925M Flex Fuel commercial mower during a raffle at the Renewable Fuels Association 2017 National Ethanol Conference. The E85 used in the …

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA, RFS

The Hill Op-Ed: RFS Helps US Economy

Cindy Zimmerman

In an op-ed for The Hill today, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen questions why EPA’s 2018 renewable fuel standard (RFS) blending requirements proposal includes a request for public comments on “whether the proposed biofuel volumes would somehow cause “severe harm” to the economy.” “Of course, suggesting that ethanol and the RFS pose any “harm” at all—“severe” …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Remembering the Original RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen keeps a signed copy of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which included the original Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), hanging on the wall of his office as a reminder of how far the industry has come since then. It was signed 12 years ago this week by President George W. Bush …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Gov. Ricketts to Keynote ACE Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts will welcome the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) back to Omaha as keynote speaker for the 30th annual ACE conference, coming up Aug. 15-17. “The governor has served as a great advocate for Nebraska’s ethanol industry, and we look forward to hearing his perspective from recent meetings he’s had with President Trump and EPA Administrator Pruitt …

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, RFS

Ethanol Report on EPA Hearing and Court Decision

Cindy Zimmerman

Last week’s court decision on what EPA can consider when setting volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard was still fresh in mind as the industry provided feedback on the agency’s most recent proposals for next year during a public hearing in Washington D.C. this week. In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, Renewable Fuels Association president …

Audio, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA, RFS