RFA Campaign Promotes E15, Thanks Leadership

Cindy Zimmerman

This week leading up the Memorial Day Weekend, the Renewable Fuels Association is launching a campaign with paid advertising across multiple Midwest states and on social media promoting the benefits of the lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 blend. The ads also thank the Biden administration for ensuring E15 remains available this summer to provide relief to consumers facing record gas prices.

“Thanks to decisive action by President Biden, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack, U.S. drivers will be able to save money throughout the summer driving season with E15,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Drivers choosing E15 can save up to 40 cents or more per gallon at a time when gasoline prices—and oil refinery profits—are reaching record highs. Using E15 will not only save money, but also cut down on pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while bolstering American energy security. It’s the right option for cost-conscious drivers at the right time, and we’re working hard to grow E15’s availability in more markets nationwide.”

E15 is currently available at nearly 2,600 stations across 31 states.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Panamanian Delegation Learns About US Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Panama group visits USGC headquarters

Panamanian stakeholders were in the United States last week to learn more about the economic and environmental benefits of implementing ethanol blend policies and to become familiar with the various aspects of the ethanol industry and the opportunities to complement local ethanol production with imports.

Led by the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) Latin America regional ethanol consultants, Juan Diaz and Carlos Suarez, the group visited Washington, D.C., before traveling to Iowa to see the ethanol industry in action. While in Washington, the group visited USGC headquarters and
had the opportunity to hear from other organizations including the National Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels Association, and Growth Energy.

In Iowa, the group visited the Iowa Corn Growers Association in Des Moines, several convenience stores, POET’s bioprocessing facility in Jewell, and ended up on the farm of Will and Cassie Cannon, who also hosted Gov. Kim Reynolds Biofuel Access Bill signing this week. Cannon talked about the visit during his remarks when the governor visited the farm.

“When we hosted the group last week, they asked my why is ethanol good, why should they consider it in Panama,” Cannon said he gave them three answers. First, he said, was the amazing productivity of the American farmer to grow corn. “My second answer is that ethanol is a way to lower our emissions and clean our environment,” said Cannon. “Number three, it’s a way to lower prices and make it easier on family budgets.”

Cannon said a fourth reason is national security. “And so that’s why I’m really proud as a farmer to contributing to ethanol.” Listen to Cannon’s remarks as he introduces Gov. Reynolds.
Iowa governor signs biofuels access bill 10:35

Audio, corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, USGC

New Study Shows Biodiesel Benefits at the Local Level

Cindy Zimmerman

Clean Fuels Alliance America has just released the latest results of a groundbreaking study on the air quality benefits of biodiesel, particularly in the context of underserved Environmental Justice communities.

The latest study from Trinity Consultants, conducted on 15 high-risk air quality communities coast-to-coast, reinforces that switching to biodiesel results in substantial health benefits. Specifically, the benefits include decreased cancer risk, fewer premature deaths, reduced asthma attacks and fewer lost workdays. B100 can achieve these benefits by reducing pollution in applications among the hardest to decarbonize –heavy-duty transportation and residential heating.

Expanding on Phase 1, completed last year, the report focused on communities in Phoenix; Las Vegas; Houston; Detroit; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Chicago; St. Louis; Indianapolis; Cleveland/Akron/Canton, Ohio; Boston; Buffalo, New York; Port of Elizabeth, New York/New Jersey; Charlotte, North Carolina; Philadelphia and the District of Columbia. The majority of the sites are named in the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report as among the “most polluted cities.”

The Trinity study found that replacing diesel fuel with biodiesel in Washington D.C. alone could reduce the symptoms of asthma (such as needing to use an inhaler) by nearly 13,000 incidents per year. It also found that annual lost workdays could be reduced by almost 5,700, representing close to $1.5 million in economic activity. Overall, the economic benefit of improved health in the Washington, D.C., area would total over $262 million each year.

Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen said, “Although we’ve seen a decrease in diesel particulate matter overall thanks to improving technologies, a large gap remains between EJ and non-EJ communities. The time to act is now. Biodiesel and renewable diesel can make a difference in quality of life today – not waiting decades into the future.”

Learn more from Clean Fuels Alliance America.

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance, renewable diesel

FEW to Feature Ethanol Producer Keynote

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2022 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) will feature a Producer Keynote Address for the first time in its 38 year history.

The address will be given by Todd Becker, President, CEO and Director of Nebraska-based Green Plains Inc. Under Becker’s leadership, Green Plains is transforming its fleet of ethanol plants into more diversified biorefineries. Recently, Green Plains announced that ongoing product and technology innovation has led to the unprecedented production of greater than 60 percent protein concentrations at its Wood River biorefinery.

With a focus on ethanol’s role in lowering the carbon intensity of transportation fuels, the general session will also include Bruce Rastetter, CEO of Summit Agricultural Group, with an update on the planned Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, which will capture and permanently store up to 20 million tons per year of carbon dioxide from dozens of Upper Midwest ethanol plants. Earlier this month, Summit completed its equity fundraising, which resulted in more than $1 billion in total equity commitments.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor will kick off the FEW with a policy update, followed by a panel of industry association leaders to unpack the industry’s top policy and regulatory achievements, challenges and objectives. This year’s policy roundtable includes: Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Growth Energy; Troy Bredenkamp, Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, Renewable Fuels Association; and Brian Jennings, CEO, American Coalition for Ethanol.

The 2022 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) is June 13-15 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Iowa Governor Signs Biofuels Access Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the Biofuels Access Bill into law on Tuesday morning surrounded by farmers and biofuels supporters on a family farm outside of Prairie City. The bill makes Iowa the first state in the nation to adopt an E15 standard and expands access to higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel across the state, lowering fuel prices for consumers.

“I’ve never been prouder than I am today to be the Governor of the number one ethanol and biodiesel-producing state in the country,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Iowa’s biofuel production powers our economy and fuels the world, and this historic bill sets the stage for the single largest expansion of biofuels in our state’s history. We’re sending a message that can’t be ignored: America’s energy is growing right here in Iowa’s fields.”

Gov. Reynolds made the bill a top priority this year and it received strong bipartisan support in the state legislature. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says the legislation is “nation-leading policy that will greatly expand consumers’ ability to find lower-cost biofuels at pumps across the state. Iowa is now the first state to have an E15 program and the first state to incentivize B30. Iowa is now truly the leader in both biofuels production and biofuels policy.”

The bill increases a Biodiesel Production Tax Credit from 2 to 4 cents per gallon while updating the state’s Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program to increase access to higher blends of biofuels. It extends current fuel retailer tax credits for B11 and higher, while introducing new credits for higher blends like B20 (7 cpg) and even B30 (10 cpg).

“Iowa joins the ranks of Illinois, Minnesota and others with some of the most forwarding-thinking legislation that values the production and use of biodiesel,” said Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen. “Along with renewable diesel, it is our nation’s best option here-and-now to decarbonize the heavy-duty transportation and home heating oil sectors.”

Gov. Reynolds’ bill signing took place on land farmed by Will and Cassie Cannon. Listen to remarks from the event here:
Iowa governor signs biofuels access bill 10:35

Audio, Biodiesel, corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

RFA Hits Back at Ad Attacking RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Chief Economist Scott Richman hits back at a new ad campaign by an oil refiners coalition that blames high gas prices on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in a blog post explaining the inconvenient truth that refiners are making record profits while consumers pay at the pump.

“Here’s what’s really going on: as the marketplace anxiously awaits the final RFS volumes for 2020-2022, oil refiners are attempting to divert attention away from their unprecedented profit margins and the impact those margins have on gas prices,” writes Richman. “Once again, at a time when ethanol is clearly saving drivers money at the pump, oil refiners and their allies are trying to mislead policymakers and the public about the real causes of higher gas prices.”

Read Richman’s explanation of gas price economics.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

USDA Corn Outlook for Lower Production, Higher Prices

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates released Thursday report the 2022/23 U.S. corn outlook is for lower production, domestic use, exports, ending stocks, and higher prices.

The corn crop is projected at 14.5 billion bushels, down 4.3 percent from last year. The corn yield is projected at 177.0 bushels per acre, 4.0 bushels below the weather adjusted trend presented at USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum in February. The very slow start to this year’s planting in the major corn producing States and the likelihood that progress by mid-May will remain well behind normal reduce yield prospects. Despite beginning stocks that are up relative to a year ago, total corn supplies are forecast to decline 2.7 percent to 15.9 billion bushels.

Total U.S. corn use in 2022/23 is forecast to fall 2.5 percent on declines in domestic use and exports with corn used for ethanol unchanged relative to a year ago on expectations of flat U.S. motor gasoline consumption. With total U.S. corn supply falling more than use, 2022/23 U.S. ending stocks are down 80 million bushels from last year. The season-average corn price received by producers is projected at $6.75 per bushel, up 85 cents from a year ago and if realized would be the highest since $6.89 reached during 2012/13.

corn, USDA

The 35th ACE is Coming up in Omaha

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) 35th annual conference is coming up August 10-12 in Omaha with a whole slate of topics guaranteed to inform ethanol producers and the broader industry about the current market and policy dynamics at play, as well as to equip producers with practical insights they can implement to improve their operations.

“The ACE conference is designed to make good use of the attendee’s time by incorporating a variety of general sessions and breakouts in a condensed day-and-a-half agenda,” said Katie Muckenhirn, ACE Vice President of Public Affairs. “I was pleased with the feedback from biofuel professionals offering to share their technical expertise and insight at this year’s event and we’re working on incorporating many of those ideas into an agenda that provides resourceful takeaways.”

This year’s general session coverage will feature new uses and markets for ethanol, farm-to-biofuel carbon market opportunities, trade developments, and an energy market outlook, as well as insight on the ethanol retail marketplace and future demand opportunities. Further, more intimate breakout sessions will cover the latest in technology updates, strategic planning advice, and ways for ethanol plants to lower their carbon score and raise their profitability.

More specifically, sessions will include information on sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen market potential, carbon capture and storage, getting the most out of your co-products — like distillers corn oil, carbon intensity scoring, hiring practices and labor challenges, IT security, driving value to agriculture through low carbon solutions, tax credits in new project investments, and more. ACE has also invited key officials at the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to speak during the event.

“Central to the discussions we plan to host this year is how can we set the industry up for success to continue playing an integral role in the climate conversation and evolving to take advantage of new technologies and markets,” Muckenhirn added. “The 35th anniversary event theme ‘intensity’ encompasses this focus; we encourage you to turn it down for carbon and turn it up for us by joining ACE this summer in Omaha.”

Find out more at ethanol.org/events/conference.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Events

RFA Welcomes Mikayla McKenna to Communications Team

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association welcomes Mikayla McKenna as new Communications Manager based in the St. Louis office.

McKenna’s experience includes interning with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), the American Feed Industry Association and the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

”We’re pleased to have Mikayla join the team at RFA,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “As someone who was raised on a farm, excelled at her university studies in agriculture and has shown herself to be an excellent communicator, Mikayla brings a valuable background to the organization as we deal with the many opportunities and challenges facing the industry. We know Mikayla will hit the ground running and look forward to the many contributions she has to offer.”

McKenna earned an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Communications and International Agriculture at Iowa State University, where she was involved in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council, the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee, Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, the Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team, the Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow Club, and taught as an agricultural communications peer mentor. McKenna’s outstanding involvement and leadership led her to receive the Fall 2021 Iowa State CALS Council Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences senior award. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree from Oklahoma State University in International Agriculture, focusing on international trade and agricultural policy.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Nebraska Renewable Fuels Month Features Student Social Media Campaign

Cindy Zimmerman

May is Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska and high school students took on the mission of educating their peers about reducing their energy use and carbon footprint through the Field to Fuel student social media contest. Students were tasked with planning a one-week social media campaign to promote Renewable Fuels Month – a celebration recognized in May by Nebraskans and sponsored by Nebraska Ethanol, Nebraska Corn, Nebraska Soybean, and Renewable Fuels Nebraska.

Aditi Rai, a junior at Elkhorn South High School, received first place honor this year for her social media content, which will be featured on the Nebraska Ethanol Board’s social media throughout Renewable Fuels Month. Rai also received $1,000 from the Nebraska Ethanol Board, which she plans to donate to her school’s Unified Green Team – a club dedicated to recycling and taking care of the community.

“When I first heard about the competition, I wasn’t sure,” Rai said. “I didn’t know much about renewable fuels or designing a social media plan. However, it was really a valuable experience. I learned a lot about renewable fuels and even more things I can do to help the environment.”

Renewable Fuels Month recognizes the importance of renewable biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. The month of May typically kicks off the summer driving season, making it a great time to fuel up on biofuels to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.

Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News