RFA Grows Stronger in 40th Year

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) welcomed more than 20 new members during its 40th year anniversary celebration this year.

“For four decades strong, RFA’s member companies have worked together to move the renewable fuels industry forward,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Whether innovating new technologies, shaping policies and regulations, or opening new markets, RFA’s members remain at the forefront of the low-carbon bioeconomy. This record of achievement was underscored in 2021, as RFA saw a record number of new member companies join the association. We welcome them to the team and look forward to working together to chart the industry’s course for the next 40 years and beyond.”

New producer members include Calgren Renewable Fuels, Gevo, Heron Lake BioEnergy, LanzaJet, Lincolnway Energy and Mid America Bio Energy. New associate members include Antea Group, Booster, Chase Nedrow, Clariant, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Cozairo, Data Gumbo, EcoEngineers, Farmers Business Network/Gradable, Honeywell, Navigator CO2 Ventures, Next Wave Energy Partners, Sorghum Checkoff, StepOne Tech America, and Terracon.

RFA celebrated its 40th year in 2021 with a series of podcast interviews with some of the industry pioneers who were there at the beginning, including Ron Miller, Bruce Heine, Bob Reynolds, Bob Dinneen, Randy Doyal, and Kelly Davis.

In the final Ethanol Report of 2021, Geoff Cooper takes a look back on the headlines for the ethanol industry during RFA’s 40th anniversary year.
Ethanol Report 12-22-21 (24:48)

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

Farm Broadcaster Mike Adams Retires

Cindy Zimmerman

Farm broadcaster Mike Adams, a powerful media voice for biofuel producers, hung up his headphones last week after nearly 50 years behind the microphone.

Adams has been a well-known face at national ethanol and biodiesel conferences over the past 20 years as host of daytime nationally syndicated agriculture talk shows. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper was proud to be invited as part of Adams’s final show, which aired December 23.

“Mike is a true professional who intimately knows his subject matter, and he always took an evenhanded and fair approach to reporting and analyzing the news of the day. He was never afraid to ask the tough questions, but always treated both his guests and his listeners with respect,” said Cooper. “Whether tuning in to his podcast, reading his insightful blog posts, or listening to his show live on their local station, listeners across the country have a better understanding of, and appreciation for, American agriculture and biofuels because of Mike Adams.”

Adams grew up on an Illinois grain and livestock farm abd started his radio career in Jacksonville, Illinois in 1974. He spent 27 years at the local station before becoming host of AgriTalk, a nationally syndicated program, in 2001. In 2018, Adams joined the American Ag Network to create a new syndicated program called Adams on Agriculture. Adams is a past recipient of the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year award, past NAFB President and a member of the NAFB Hall of Fame.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Report Reviews 2021

Cindy Zimmerman

2021 may have been a slight improvement over 2020 for the ethanol industry, but it will still be nice to put the year in the rear view mirror and focus on “Zeroing in on New Opportunities.”

That’s the theme of the 27th annual National Ethanol Conference, taking place February 21-23, 2022, in New Orleans. The Renewable Fuels Association just released the agenda for the conference which focuses on emerging ethanol markets, innovative new uses, and the role of renewable fuels in achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper talks about some of the challenges the ethanol industry has faced in 2021, as well as the opportunities opening up in the net-zero future and excitement about the upcoming NEC. Find out more information about NEC at nationalethanolconference.com.

Ethanol Report 12-22-21 (24:48)

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.

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

RFA Disappointed with EPA Vehicle Emissions Standards

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized new emissions standards for passenger vehicles but failed to recognize the importance of the fuels in those vehicles in paving the way for a zero emissions future, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.

“It appears EPA has again failed to recognize that the fuels we put into our engines can have as much—or more—impact on fuel economy and GHG emissions as the engine technologies themselves,” said RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper in a statement. “EPA had the opportunity to use this rulemaking as a tool for moving toward the adoption of high-octane, low-carbon (HOLC) liquid fuels, but chose not to open the toolbox. Research has proven that HOLC fuels can significantly improve fuel economy and reduce emissions from the light-duty vehicle fleet, while also reducing the harmful tailpipe pollution linked to heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. While this regulation is a missed opportunity, we will not give up on promoting an orderly transition to a higher octane fuels (98-100 RON) for all new internal combustion vehicles, establishing parity and consistency in the regulation of fuel volatility for ethanol and gasoline blends, and leveling the playing field for GHG emissions credit generation for all alternative fuel vehicles, including flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).”

According to EPA, the final standards for Model Years (MY) 2023 through 2026 “leverage advances in clean car technology to unlock $190 billion in net benefits to Americans, including reducing climate pollution, improving public health, and saving drivers money at the pump.”

The ambitious standards through 2026 also set the light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) program on track to provide a strong launch point for the Agency’s next phase of standards for MY 2027 and beyond. EPA is planning to initiate a separate rulemaking to establish multi-pollutant emission standards under the Clean Air Act for MY 2027 and later that will speed the transition of the light-duty vehicle fleet toward a zero-emissions future consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order, “Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks.”

EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

NBB Releases Study on Benefits of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive

Cindy Zimmerman

A new report released by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) calculates annual economic benefits of $15 billion and environmental benefits of $4.3 billion from U.S. biodiesel production. In 2020, the U.S. market for biodiesel and renewable diesel reached 3 billion gallons with support from the $1 per gallon tax incentive.

According to “The Economic Benefits of the Biodiesel Blenders’ Credit,” compiled by Capital Policy Analytics, letting the current tax credit expire at the end of 2022 “would harm the U.S. economy and the environment.”

“A significant body of research also demonstrates that the biodiesel tax credit easily passes a cost-benefit analysis, and that the environmental benefits alone from each gallon of biodiesel that replaces petrodiesel exceed two dollars a gallon, or more than double the cost of the credit,” the report continues.

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in economic activity each year. Every 100 million gallons of production supports 3,200 jobs and $780 million in economic opportunity. The new report estimates that expiration of the tax incentive would eliminate as many as 3,000 jobs in the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry. The total employment loss throughout the supply chain associated with production would be between 7,500 and 9,000 jobs.

Read the report.

Biodiesel, Environment, NBB

New Ethanol Emergency Response Videos Unveiled

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has released a new series of ethanol emergency response videos aimed at ensuring effective responses to ethanol incidents. The eight-episode series was developed in conjunction with TRANSCAER and funded through a federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration ALERT grant.

“It is important for us to get this critical safety response information out to as many people as we can, and in as many ways as we can,” said Missy Ruff, RFA Director of Safety and Technical Programs. “Through in-person seminars around the country, online webinars with participants around the globe, and this newly updated online learning program, we are ensuring that emergency responders have the resources they need to react quickly and safely to any emergency situation that may arise.”

The videos are also posted on the TRANSCAER learning management system website where emergency responders and others can take the course and receive a certificate of completion for four hours.

In 2021, more than 1,500 attendees were trained via 36 training opportunities supported by RFA. Since its inception in 2010, RFA’s award-winning safety program is responsible for training over 14,000 individuals and conducting 355 training sessions and events. Attendees represented 49 U.S. states and 28 other countries. For more information on RFA’s work in this area, visit the Ethanol Emergency Response website at www.ethanolresponse.com.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, safety

RFA Reviews 2022 Vehicles for Ethanol Use Approval

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association analysis of 2022 automobile models finds more approved to use up to 15% ethanol fuel (E15), but less flex fuel models that can use up to 85% (E85).

Based on current market share data, nearly 95 percent of new MY 2022 vehicles sold will carry the manufacturer’s unequivocal approval to use E15. For the 11th year straight, General Motors approves the use of E15 in all of its makes and models, while Ford is entering its 10th straight year of universal E15 approval. BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Stellantis, Subaru, Tata Motors, and Volkswagen also approve or recommend the use of E15. Notably, BMW and Mini go a step further by approving the use of gasoline containing up to 25% ethanol (E25) in their 2022 models. Only Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Volvo do not include E15 as a recommended fuel in their owners’ manual. However, E15 is legally approved by EPA for use in all vehicles built since 2001, covering almost 97 percent of all vehicles on the road today.

The news is not as positive for FFVs. According to a new brochure from RFA, only Ford and GM will offer FFVs for sale in MY 2022, and GM’s models are available only to fleet purchasers. The two manufacturers will offer just 11 models as FFVs in 2022. That’s down from more than 80 different models from eight manufacturers being available to consumers as recently as MY 2015. RFA continues to strongly advocate for the production of more FFVs and fairness in how alternative fuel vehicles are incentivized under fuel economy and greenhouse gas regulations.

Car Makers, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Defend the Blend Act Introduced in Senate

Cindy Zimmerman

Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) Tuesday introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit the EPA from reducing the minimum applicable volume of biofuels into transportation fuel after blending levels are finalized for any given year.

The Defend the Blend Act is co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Ron Kind (D-WI).

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the bill comes at a critical time. “Just last week, EPA proposed an unprecedented retroactive reduction to the 2020 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) that were finalized more than two years ago. The RFS was created to provide long-term market certainty for our nation’s ethanol producers and farmers. Going back in time to slash RFS volumes—long after they have been finalized—undermines the purpose and intent of program and destabilizes the marketplace. We thank Sens. Klobuchar, Grassley, Duckworth and Ernst for working together to ensure the integrity of the RFS is being maintained and EPA is being held accountable.”

“ACE thanks these bipartisan Senators for introducing the Defend the Blend Act to help ensure EPA and oil refiners follow the law when it comes to the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings. “In light of last week’s proposed retroactive cuts to the 2020 biofuel blending obligations, this bill makes clear that going back in time and revising targets that already self-adjusted not only goes against Congressional intent but is likely illegal. We need EPA to quit playing politics when it comes to administering the program and instead look to it as an important tool to immediately make progress toward decarbonization goals for the transportation sector.”

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

B100 Runs Over 600K Miles in Pilot Program

Cindy Zimmerman

B100 is one step closer to being a reality for commercial fleet operations thanks to the results of a pilot program this past year that tested the fuel in five class-8 over-the-road trucks.

The pilot was a collaboration between ADM, Optimus Technologies, Illinois Soybean Association, American Lung Association and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, and used the Optimus Vector System which allows engines to run on B100 fuel year-round. It started in February of 2020 and ended in July 2021 with the five trucks driving a total of 623,922 miles during the trial. The trucks used 73,186 gallons of B99.9, all being supplied through ADM’s Mexico, Missouri, soybean crush and biodiesel production facility, and ran in temperatures as low as -10F with zero operational challenges being reported.

“By using B100 in this study, we were able to reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 1,376,048 lbs and demonstrate the impact biodiesel can have on carbon reductions moving forward,” says Colin Huwyler, CEO of Optimus Technologies. “The results of this study, including the fuel mileage parity observed by the drivers, continues to demonstrate a pathway forward for B100 in the commercial trucking sector.”

The nearly 18-month project evaluated the Optimus Vector System in longer-haul over-the-road fleets. The system, already in use in shorter-mileage, local fleet applications, is expanding into long-haul, commercial fleets moving forward. The technology provides a cost-effective alternative to electrification for decarbonizing commercial fleets.

“Our U.S. supply chain depends on long-haul trucks and we don’t see that changing anytime soon,” says Steve Finn, VP of ADM trucking. “This study helps give us and other fleets the data they need to feel secure in implementing new fuel blends to add to their sustainability efforts without sacrificing efficiencies.”

The official results from the pilot will be released in 2022.

Biodiesel, NBB, Soybeans

“All In” for the 2022 Biodiesel Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Board is “All In!” for the 2022 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo coming up January 17-20 in Las Vegas.

It’s the 30th year for the NBB, the 19th year for the conference, and the second year it has been held in Vegas, appropriately as the industry is coming up aces in the age of decarbonization with not only biodiesel, but also renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. “During the event we’re going to remember some of our milestones, and give attendees the first peak at our new logo as we become Clean Fuels Alliance America,” said Brad Shimmens, NBB Director of Operations and Membership.

Carbon is the main attraction for many of the sessions at the conference, from Empowering Stakeholders to Seek Better Carbon Policies to Best Bets for Carbon Reduction Now at the Vehicle Technology Showcase.

Learn more about what’s on the table at the 2022 Biodiesel Conference from Shimmens in the interview below and find registration information at biodieselconference.org.

Biodiesel conference preivew with Brad Shimmens, NBB (3:05)

Audio, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB