Ethanol Report RFA 40th Anniversary – Bob Dinneen

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association was born in 1981 and RFA is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year by spotlighting some of the pioneers in the ethanol industry who were there at the beginning, like Bob Dinneen.

One of the leading authorities on the history of the U.S. ethanol industry didn’t get his start working for the energy or agriculture sectors. Bob Dinneen grew up in the suburbs of Boston before finding his way to our nation’s capital. It was actually softball that brought Dinneen to the ethanol industry and to RFA in 1987 and he has been with RFA ever since, serving as president and CEO from 2001 to 2018 and currently the organization’s senior strategic advisor.

Listen to Dinneen’s reflections and memories in this edition of The Ethanol Report.

Ethanol Report 8-16-21 (14:49)

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

ACE Calls on President to Set Maximum RFS Volumes

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is urging President Joe Biden to set the maximum statutory volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard in the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume Obligation rulemaking and pursue all options to ensure uninterrupted market access for E15.

In a letter to President Biden, ACE CEO Brian Jennings said, “We recognize your goal is to electrify the vehicle fleet in the future, but the inconvenient truth is there are hundreds of millions more people driving vehicles capable of using low-carbon substitutes to petroleum such as E15 and E85 today than any other alternative. Since this reality will exist well into the future, increasing the use of ethanol today will immediately reduce GHGs while the production of electric vehicles (EVs) ramps up.”

Jennings cited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released last week, which makes the case for policies that drive CO2 removal, such as through the sequestration of carbon with climate-smart farming practices and biofuel production, to lower the Earth’s temperature.

ACE will kick off its 34th Annual Conference Wednesday in Minneapolis where much of the discussion will focus on ethanol’s role in a low carbon future.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, Ethanol News

RFA Urges Biden to Support Biofuels Over Foreign Oil

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) sent a letter to President Biden last week supporting the Administration’s call for an investigation into the true causes of recent higher gas prices. The letter also underscored that the solution to higher pump prices is not more oil from OPEC+, but rather increased production and use of home-grown fuels such as ethanol.

“Rather than hoping Iraq, Iran, Venezuela and other OPEC+ countries will provide the cure to escalating gas prices in the United States, we urge your administration to pursue a real and immediate solution to higher pump prices—increased production and use of low-carbon renewable fuels like ethanol,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Using more domestically produced ethanol would not only result in lower fuel prices for consumers, but it would also support your goals related to clean energy, climate change, and jobs.”

In the letter, RFA encourages the Biden Administration to finalize already delayed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2021 and 2022, take action to ensure consumers have year-round access to E15, and work with Congress to ensure upcoming legislation includes incentives to increase FFV production and expanded infrastructure for higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Oil, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Wrap-up Report on Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Activities

Chuck Zimmerman

RFA st Sturgis Motorcycle RallyThe Renewable Fuels Association has completed its on-site activities at the Buffalo Chip Campground during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. To wrap things up I talked with Robert White, VP of Industry Relations, RFA. Official numbers of bikers is not ready yet but looks like it could be a record.

The educational and promotion activities and sponsorships that RFA invests in has helped more and more people understand ethanol better, especially as it relates to pumping it into the tank of their motorcycles. But putting more gas blended with ethanol into motorcycles is just part of the ultimate value of this project. All of these people in Sturgis and at The Chip will be going home to talk with friends and neighbors and they all have cars, trucks, lawn mowers, boats and other gas powered equipment which can run on an ethanol and gas blend.

Robert say there was a steady flow of bikers filling up their gas tanks at the Free Fuel Happy Hours promotion this week. They pumped hundreds of gallons of fuel each day and handed out great t-shirts like the ones in the photo. This event offered the perfect opportunity to talk directly with motorcycle owners about ethanol and to answer their questions. I’ll be sharing some more interviews with bikers about this in coming days. So, take a listen to my interview with Robert to learn more.

Wrap-up Interview with Robert White, Vice President of Industry Relations, Renewable Fuels Association
Interview with Robert White, RFA 7:01

There are lots of photos from this year’s event and activities. I hope you enjoy them and feel free to share. 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photo Album

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

International Visitors to Sturgis Rally Love Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

Sturgis Attendee from HungaryThe annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attracts visitors from all over the world. During the Free Fuel Happy Hours, educational and promotion efforts by the Renewable Fuels Association are conducted at the Buffalo Chip Campground. I spoke with one of the bikers who is a return visitor from Hungary. He says that in Hungary, fuel blended with ethanol up to 10 percent is common and he has always used it in his motorcycle. You can hear what’s he’s got to say here.

Sturgis vistor/motorcycle rider from Hungary loves ethanol
Sturgis visitor from Hungary :38

Free Fuel Happy HoursDuring the Free Fuel Happy Hours promotion RFA supplies important information for bikers, like this display showing that all motorcycle manufacturers warranty the use of a 10 percent blend of ethanol in their machines. On hand, are staff and board members who answer questions for anyone wanting to learn more.

The Free Fuel Happy Hours take place this week Monday – Thursday, 10am to 1pm, at the permanent fuel pump at the Buffalo Chip Campground.

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

ACE Welcomes Rep. Angie Craig to Annual Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) will give a special address during the 34th annual American Coalition for Ethanol conference next week in Minneapolis. Rep. Craig will be featured during the morning general sessions on Thursday, August 19, welcoming attendees and providing an update on biofuel issues from her perspective on Capitol Hill.

“Increasing the use of ethanol expands markets for family farmers, supports economic growth in rural America, and reduces carbon emissions,” said Representative Angie Craig. “I’ve seen firsthand how Minnesota’s rural communities have grown due to the expansion of biofuels and that’s why I look forward to addressing the ACE conference crowd of ethanol producers and family farmers about the work being done in Washington to expand and protect the marketplace for low carbon biofuels.”

Representative Craig has supported several key biofuels policy and legislative issues this session, including sponsoring and cosponsoring important bills like the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act and RFS Integrity Act.

The 2021 ACE conference takes place August 18-20 at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot. For more information about the event, visit ethanol.org/events/conference.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, Ethanol News

SD Governor at Sturgis Rally

Cindy Zimmerman

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem saddled up to ride into the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on horseback, then traded her real horse for a steel horse to lead the Legends Ride, an annual charitable event that is co-sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association.

The governor appreciates RFA’s ethanol promotion efforts at the rally each year. “Ethanol is critical to our economy…it’s a priority for my administration,” she said. “I would like to see more of a focus on diversified American energy and ethanol is a big part of that.”

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem comments on ethanol promotion and importance to state
SD Gov. Noem at Sturgis - ethanol :25

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

Groups Urge Fair Analysis for Aviation Fuel Tax Credit

Cindy Zimmerman

A group of agricultural and biofuels organizations is urging Congress to make sure an accountable life cycle analysis is used in developing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit.

The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers Association, and National Farmers Union sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means outlining recommendations

“Numerous members of our respective organizations are poised to produce SAF or sustainable feedstocks for SAF. Many others are looking to work toward participation in the full value chain in the relatively near future. We recognize the importance of decarbonizing the aviation sector with low carbon liquid fuels. Because biomass feedstocks are essential SAF sources, it is imperative that the tax credit properly account for the lifecycle emissions of these sources and the petroleum products these new fuels will replace.

“We urge you to make the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the lead agency in establishing a regularly updated LCA for any SAF credit. Across our federal government, DOE has the best resources, expertise, and current ability to assess lifecycle emissions fairly and scientifically.”

The letter also pointed out that carbon intensity estimates under the International Civil Aviation Organization for some SAF sources are “wildly inaccurate and incorrectly penalized” and cannot be supported.

Congress is considering new legislation to establish a tax credit to promote and develop robust domestic SAF production in an effort to decarbonize transportation and reduce aviation emissions.

aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Sustainability

Ethanol Rides Into Sturgis Again

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association is back at the Buffalo Chip Campground this week to host the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally festivities. RFA will once again host “Free Fuel Happy Hours” to help educate motorcycle enthusiasts about the benefits of using ethanol-blended fuels, and will also sponsor the annual Legends Ride on Monday, Aug. 9, which will feature South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. This will be the 13th year that RFA has participated in the rally.

The popular Free Fuel Happy Hours at the rally offers a free tank of 93 octane E10 (10% ethanol) for motorcycles and a commemorative t-shirt. The free tank giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Thursday August 9-12 at the CrossRoads area of the Buffalo Chip Campground at a fuel station donated by the RFA in 2017. RFA will also have a presence throughout the campground with banners, videos on the jumbotrons, and addressing the concert crowd each night.

RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White and other RFA representatives will be on hand during the Free Fuel Happy Hours to answer any questions as motorcycle riders fill up and help educate them about the benefits of ethanol. This year, White will also speak to a group of several hundred female motorcycle enthusiasts as part of the rally’s Women’s Day program on Tuesday, Aug. 10.

Listen to a preview interview with White here:
Sturgis preview interivew with Robert White, RFA 5:00

Follow Robert White on Twitter at @fuelinggood for live updates. Click here for the official program guide, sponsored by RFA.

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

Ethanol Groups React to Biden Clean Cars Plan

Cindy Zimmerman

As President Biden joined auto makers at the White House Thursday to announce a plan that includes a goal for electric vehicles to comprise 50% of new vehicle sales by 2030, ethanol groups were quick to remind him that low-carbon liquid fuels like ethanol will still be needed to reduce GHG emissions from internal combustion engines.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper:

“We agree with the Biden administration that action needs to be taken now to begin aggressively reducing GHG emissions from transportation. But decarbonizing our nation’s fuels and vehicles is going to take an all-of-the-above approach that stimulates growth in all available low-carbon technologies. The overarching goal should be to reach net-zero emissions as quickly as possible without dictating the pathway to get there or putting all our eggs into one technology basket. We believe any plan to decarbonize the transportation sector should recognize the massive opportunity for low-carbon liquid fuels like ethanol to reduce GHG emissions from internal combustion engines in the near term.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings:

“Pledges to make more electric vehicles in the future will do little to reduce GHG emissions until and unless the way we generate electricity in the U.S. undergoes expensive and prolonged changes. The environmental impacts, technical hurdles, and supply chain roadblocks for critical minerals needed for EV batteries also need to be understood and remedied before EVs could make meaningful reductions in GHGs. Meanwhile, nearly 100 percent of all U.S. light-duty vehicles on the road today use liquid fuels. Scientists indicate corn ethanol is already 50 percent cleaner than gasoline. If we want to get serious about tackling climate change sooner rather than later, government officials and automakers ought to be taking steps right now to help ensure motorists have greater access to low-carbon alternatives to gasoline such as E15 and E85. Each increased gallon of ethanol used in the U.S. today reduces GHGs and the Administration can take steps today through the Renewable Fuel Standard to push more ethanol into the marketplace.”

RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman commented on RFA’s response to President Biden’s newly announced plan during an interview.

RFA Economist Scott Richman comments on Biden clean cars plan 3:07

ACE, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA