Glacial Lakes Energy Calls for E30 Approval

Cindy Zimmerman

As the battle to get E15 (15% ethanol blended fuel) fully approved for year round sales continues, one South Dakota ethanol producer is calling on Congress to double the blend and move up to E30.

Opening the door to 30% ethanol blends would save consumers billions of dollars at the gas pump and reduce imported oil by as much as one billion barrels per year, according to officials at Glacial Lakes Energy.

In a letter to the South Dakota Congressional delegation, GLE CEO Jim Seurer said 30% ethanol blends are providing significant price savings and that a national E30 program would far surpass the equivalent amount of oil the Biden Administration is proposing to release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Moreover, it would offset the lost imports of Russian oil, and establish a more sustainable energy strategy. And, at the height of the gasoline price run up, 94 octane E30 was selling at 40 cents less than even 10% blends, and more than one dollar less than premium.

“As champions of the domestic ethanol industry, we hope you can support our call for an expanded ethanol program that would potentially triple what the SPR drawdown would provide and unlike such a drawdown, it would be replenished every year,” according to the letter. “Nationwide E30, rather than just E15, represents a reduction in imported oil of one billion barrels annually.”

“While all of us in the ethanol industry want to take that first step with 15% blends year-round, the higher the ethanol blend the more the benefits”, said Seurer. “Despite the announcement that EPA will allow E15 to be used this summer, it is a temporary measure still requiring a long-term solution.”

Since E30 does not increase vapor pressure, GLE argues there is no legal prohibition to an E30 blend. The letter asks their members of Congress to help break down regulatory barriers by first demanding EPA conduct a cost benefit analysis for increasing ethanol blends which they have not done in decades.

Read the letter.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Illinois Governor Signs Biodiesel Use Bill Into Law

Cindy Zimmerman

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker this week signed into law a bill that incentivizes increasing blends of biodiesel by extending the current B10 sales tax exemption until 2023 and then increasing the biodiesel blend level subject to the tax exemption to B13 in 2024, B15 in 2025 and B19 in 2026.

The legislation was spearheaded and guided through the legislative process by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) with support from Clean Fuels Alliance America and several of its member companies, including REG and ADM. Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen applauded the effort and the collaborative nature of the work by those involved.

“This law continues to build on the biodiesel leadership that Illinois, through ISA, has demonstrated in the past,” Rehagen said. “This innovative tax exemption program in Illinois, which has been in place since 2003, has drawn hundreds of millions of gallons of biodiesel into the state.”

“The successful passage of our biodiesel legislation is a proud accomplishment for the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) and the 43,000 soybean producers in our state,” said Illinois Soybean Association Chairman, Steve Pitstick.

Illinois is currently fourth in biodiesel production and third in consumption with 160 million gallons consumed annually. Efforts to pass this legislation were aided by the Trinity Health Benefits Study that included the city of Chicago which found that switching to B100 would decrease diesel particular matter-related cancer risks by up to nearly 1,600 cases and result in over 31,000 fewer or lessened asthma attacks per year and save over $677 million per year in avoided health care costs.

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance

Corn Ethanol Energy Balance Keeps Improving

Cindy Zimmerman

A new analysis shows how corn ethanol’s energy balance is positive and continues to improve.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association’s analysis, corn ethanol now provides nearly three times the energy used to produce it, with some biorefineries approaching a four-to-one energy ratio. This continuing improvement in energy balance reflects improved efficiencies in corn production and ethanol processing.

“Our nation’s corn farmers and ethanol biorefineries have been working harder and smarter to improve productivity, and that clearly shows in these new numbers,” said RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman. “This is an important message for policymakers and regulators who should note the progress our industry and its suppliers are making when it comes to sustainability and energy conservation, and it should set the record straight as some detractors continue to dredge up decades-old allegations.”

Richman noted that estimates of the average energy balance ratio for corn ethanol have increased sharply over time. In RFA’s previous analysis, released in March 2016, the association conservatively found the average energy balance ratio of corn ethanol was likely in the range of 2.6 to 2.8, with the top quartile of dry mill biorefineries averaging 3.2 to 3.4.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

RFA Offers E15 Fact Check List

Cindy Zimmerman

Media coverage of President Biden’s announcement last Tuesday that consumers will continue to have access to lower-cost 15% ethanol fuel this summer contained a great deal of misinformation, despite the best efforts of the ethanol industry to get the facts out.

In a blog post Monday, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says “many reporters and editorial boards covering the news swallowed the oil industry’s talking points—hook, line, and sinker—without bothering to check the facts or talk to third-party experts who could give an unbiased perspective.”

This was especially true when it came to the reporting on E15 and air quality. Numerous media outlets falsely reported that EPA had previously “banned” E15 sales in the summertime due to “smog concerns. A little bit of homework would have quickly led reporters to understand that E15 has lower volatility than today’s regular gasoline and reduces emissions of the pollutants that can lead to smog.

Cooper offered a fact check list for some of the more common misconceptions – or downright falsehoods – about E15 and the action taken by the president last week.

Allowing summer sales of E15 is not new
E15 was sold year-round in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Thus, allowing year-round sales of E15 in 2022 (as President Biden has pledged to do) is really nothing new. It will not place new or unexpected demands on the marketplace. Rather, the action will simply keep an existing market for ethanol (and corn) open, while also ensuring that consumers who have enjoyed three years of uninterrupted access to E15 will continue to have the choice to purchase E15 all year long in 2022.

E15 sales were not restricted in the summertime due to “smog concerns”
The real reason E15 sales were restricted in the summer (prior to 2019) is because the fuel was held to a far more restrictive vapor pressure standard than regular gasoline, the result of an antiquated regulation.
As an oxygenate, ethanol has a long history of reducing smog and improving urban air quality.

E15 does not lower fuel mileage per gallon
E15 offers a lower cost per mile traveled, even when its slightly lower energy density is considered.

E15 does not increase greenhouse gas emissions or damage engines
E15 reduces GHG emissions compared to regular gasoline.
E15 is legally approved for use in more than 96 percent of all cars, pickups, SUVs, and vans on the road today.
Not a single confirmed case of “engine damage” or inferior performance has been reported since E15’s introduction a decade ago.

Allowing E15 to be sold in the summer months is not a mandate and will not impact food prices
E15 is not being required or mandated in any way.
Summertime E15 sales in 2022 will have little discernable impact on corn prices and no impact on food prices.

Read more from RFA here.

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

Tennessee Corn Supports E15 Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board is pleased with President Biden’s announcement last week that 15% ethanol fuel can be be sold this summer in an effort to reduce gasoline prices.

“E15 can currently be found in the state of Tennessee at select gas stations in cities like Knoxville, Murfreesboro and Clarksville,” said George McDonald, president of the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board. McDonald is also a fourth-generation family farmer at Catesa Farms. “This news will bring more opportunities for corn to be used as a renewable resource and will benefit not just consumers paying less for gas, but will also greatly benefit our corn farmers.”

E15 also has the potential to reduce emissions and pollution for the immediate future. While some may just be hearing about E15 for the first time, American drivers have logged nearly 20 billion miles on E15 so far. According to Unleaded 88 and the Renewable Fuels Association, E15 has provided several benefits to American consumers and their cars made from 2001 up to now:
● This gas has higher octane levels, which help to boost horsepower and efficiency, along with better engine performance.
● E15 burns cleaner and reduces toxins, making it more environmentally friendly.
● Ethanol helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%-50% compared to petroleum.

“We hope that by sharing the hard facts of the benefits of what all E15 has to offer, we can mitigate any concerns and dispel any myths about using this type of gasoline,” said Carol Reed, executive director of the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board. “This news has the potential to help the everyday consumer, local economy, corn farmers, environment, air and so much more.”

The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board helps to advocate for Tennessee corn growers and educate consumers on good environmental practices utilized by Tennessee farmers, as well as the economic value of Tennessee corn and value-added corn products.

corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

SAF Coalition Welcomes President’s Remarks

Cindy Zimmerman

The Business Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel was pleased to hear President Joe Biden’s support for the goal of increasing SAF production when he spoke last week at an ethanol plant in Iowa.

“I’ve set a goal of zero-carbon for aviation sector, for example, by 2050. I’ve spoken with the leading heads of all major airlines. It’s going to require billions of gallons of sustainable aviation fuel. And you simply can’t get to net zero by 2050 without biofuels,” said President Biden. “Aviation isn’t a case where you blend in a little bit of biofuel. It’s where — it’s called “drop in” — meaning 100 percent biofuel.”

“President Biden’s remarks are the latest signal that this Administration is committed to working on all fronts to increase Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and adoption,” stated the coalition in a press release. “The Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel applauds the holistic approach taken by the Biden Administration to advance SAF production from all angles: research and development, feedstock and supply chain expansion, and new and existing national policy.”

The administration has proposed a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit to advance cleaner and more sustainable fuels for American aviation.

Listen to the President’s remarks last week in Menlo, Iowa.
President Biden Iowa E15 announcement (31:03)

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Sustainability

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Features E15

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest episode of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers features last week’s big announcement on summer sales of E15.

Host Spencer Chase interviews Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) on the announcement, followed by a panel discussion on the future of ethanol policy and agriculture’s current relationship with the EPA featuring Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, Courtney Briggs with the American Farm Bureau, and United Soybean Board Chair Ralph Lott.

Newsmakers is also available as a podcast and/or you can sign up to get free access to Newsmakers.


AFBF, Agri-Pulse, Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Soybeans, Video

Canola Oil Proposed as Advanced Biofuel Feedstock

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) pathways for biofuels produced from canola/rapeseed oil. The agency issued a proposed notice of rulemaking this week and is providing an opportunity for comment on the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis of these pathways.

EPA’s assessment considers diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, naphtha, and liquefied petroleum gas produced from canola/rapeseed oil via a hydrotreating process and proposes to find that these pathways would meet the lifecycle GHG emissions reduction threshold of 50 percent required to qualify to generate RINs for advanced biofuels (D5) and biomass-based diesel (D4) under the RFS program.

The U.S. Canola Association (USCA) is pleased with the action, which was announced by the White House this week as part of a package to help lower gas prices for consumers. “Growing demand for lower carbon fuels makes the proposed canola oil pathways important as the United States seeks to diversify its long-term energy sources,” said Andrew Moore, canola grower and president of the USCA, which petitioned the EPA in 2020 to approve canola oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel.

The new canola oil pathways for biofuels would give parity among vegetable oils and fats in the market, give canola farmers new channels for their crops in times of surplus production and provide renewable fuel producers diversified feedstock options.

Clean Fuels Alliance America also applauded the action. “We greatly appreciate EPA’s commitment to approving new RFS pathway petitions for renewable fuels that can provide greenhouse gas benefits as well as reduce reliance on foreign oil,”said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels. “With current diesel fuel shortages and high prices for foreign oil, homegrown biodiesel and renewable diesel are crucial to keep the economy moving.”

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, biojet fuel, canola, Clean Fuels Alliance

Ethanol Report on E15 Waiver

Cindy Zimmerman

President Joe Biden visited the POET Bioprocessing facility in Menlo, Iowa this past week to formally announce an emergency waiver to allow 15% ethanol blended gasoline (E15) to be sold this summer. The waiver is one of several actions the administration is taking to ease the price of gasoline for consumers.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, we hear some of the remarks from President Biden and then talk with Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper about what the announcement does and does not mean, and just what fell on Biden’s lapel while he was talking.

Ethanol Report 4-14-22 (24:41)

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

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

DDGS Mistaken for Bird Poop on Biden’s Lapel

Cindy Zimmerman

It turns out it was fake news that bird droppings hit President Joe Biden on the lapel during his appearance at an Iowa ethanol plant Tuesday. Instead of being a by-product of a bird, it was a co-product of an ethanol plant, the high protein animal feed known as distillers dried grain with solubles or DDGS.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper was an eyewitness in the distillers grains barn with President Biden and he confirmed it was definitely DDGS responsible for spotting the POTUS lapel. “We did see something falling from the ceiling and it landed right there on his lapel and I can confirm it was not a bird dropping,” said Cooper, who took this photo at the event which shows the mound of DDGS off to Biden’s left side and the spot on his jacket. It came just as President Biden started to talk about products made in America and the amount of corn used at the Menlo, Iowa POET plant.

The moment went viral when it was assumed the speck that suddenly appeared on the president’s shoulder came from a bird and quickly overshadowed the purpose of the appearance, which was to announce an emergency waiver to allow summertime sales of E15. The Des Moines Register was first to report the actual culprit which has given some media outlets a chance to learn about distillers grains for the first time. Even Snopes has issued a fact check on the claim now and White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield tweeted, “If you guys knew your way around a corn silo at all, you’d know it was corn.”

Cooper says it provides a great opportunity for the ethanol industry to explain how each bushel of corn used in ethanol production generates about 17.4 pounds of DDGS to be used as feed for both dairy and beef cattle.

RFA CEO Geoff Cooper confirms DDGS on Biden lapel (3:30)

Audio, Distillers Grains, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, livestock feed, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA