Iowa E15 Sales Set Record in 2020 Despite Pandemic

Cindy Zimmerman

Higher ethanol blends seem to have weathered the 2020 pandemic well despite an overall drop in fuel consumption, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.

In Iowa, sales of E15 (15% ethanol) jumped 24% and set a new record in 2020. Meanwhile, E15 and E85 flex fuel data from Minnesota and California show that 2020 sales volumes generally held steady, even as COVID-19 crushed overall fuel demand.

“The recent state-level data on E15 and flex fuel consumption offers great news for consumers, ethanol producers, and anyone else who cares about cleaner air and lower prices at the pump,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

Iowa retailers sold 60.59 million gallons of E15 in 2020, up from 48.96 million gallons in 2019 and more than double the 2017 volume of E15 sales.

E15 sales grew in Iowa despite a 14.3% drop in the state’s overall motor gasoline consumption from 2019 levels. The plunge in Iowa gasoline demand mirrored the national trend, which saw a 13.5% reduction in 2020 compared to 2019.

Recent data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce show 2020 E15 sales were down just 4% from 2019 sales levels, despite the pandemic, and the California Air Resources Board shows sales of E85 dropped only 0.6% from 2019. In contrast, California’s overall gasoline consumption fell 18.5% in 2020.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

REG and Optimus Partner to Deliver Biodiesel to Fleets

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Energy Group fleet customers in Iowa, Washington, D.C. and Massachusetts are ramping up the use of B100 (100% biodiesel) in their fleets and REG is helping fleets achieve their sustainability goals and reach near-zero emissions through a partnership with Optimus Technologies.

With Optimus’ new technology, biodiesel is now able to be utilized as B100, while REG is providing the fuel and investing in infrastructure by providing turnkey services including storage tanks, dispensers and logistics solutions that provide a simple, low-cost total carbon reduction strategy.

“Delivering sustainable fuel directly to customers is a key element of REG’s downstream strategy and it is exciting to see the demand growing for B100,” said Bob Kenyon, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing for REG. “It has been common in the past to see fleets utilizing blends of B5 to B20 in their fleets, but the capability of offering B100 as a finished fuel is an attractive lower carbon fuel solution for our customers.”

The B100 system from Optimus Technologies is an innovative and cost-effective approach for fleets to improve on their emissions targets, as REG biodiesel reduces carbon by up to 88% compared to petroleum diesel.1 Vehicles are equipped to run on B100 through a simple vehicle add-on that works in conjunction with the conventional diesel vehicle components for exceptional performance. The system starts and shuts down the engine on conventional diesel, operating on 100% biodiesel only after the vehicle has reached optimal operating conditions. This allows fleets to operate on B100 year-round.

REG has seen great customer success with the B100 technology in the City of Ames fleet. Across the country in Washington, D.C., the Department of Public Works (DPW) has also piloted the B100 technology. Broco Oil, a residential, commercial and emergency fueling provider in the Boston, Massachusetts area, will begin piloting B100 later this year.
Read more from REG.

Biodiesel, REG

Nebraska Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum Features CEO Panel

Cindy Zimmerman

The 16th Annual Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum last week, hosted by the Nebraska Ethanol Board and Renewable Fuels Nebraska, featured an industry CEO panel that discussed some of the most pressing topics in the renewable fuels space.

Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) interim director Pam Miller moderated the panel with American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, National Corn Growers Association’s Jon Doggett, and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper.

Opening remarks from the panel gave a positive outlook for the industry under the Biden Administration and the role ethanol can play in the low carbon future.
NE Emerging Issues Panel opening remarks (25:38)

One question posed to the panel was about what happens with the Renewable Fuel Standard after 2022, which is the point when the law no longer requires EPA to set specific volume obligations.
NE Emerging Issues Panel on RFS volumes after 2022 (8:27)

Videos from last week’s forum are posted on YouTube.

ACE, Audio, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, NCGA, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS

States File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case

Cindy Zimmerman

The states of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Virginia have jointly filed an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court case supporting the position of the Biofuels Coalition made up of the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and American Coalition for Ethanol.

The Coalition welcomed the support from the states, as well as other biofuel and agriculture groups that have filed amicus briefings in support of them in the case HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al., v. Renewable Fuels Association, et al.

Recognizing that “the renewable fuel and agriculture industries are the cornerstone of the economies of many states,” today’s brief from the states concludes that “the judgment of the court of appeals should be affirmed.”

“These industries—and the rural economies that they anchor—have grown over the past 16 years in reliance on the promise of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” according to the states’ brief. “And all States have an interest in the environmental benefits and energy independence that the RFS promises to achieve. But the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent trend of freely granting small-refinery exemptions has undermined these promises.”

In the latest Ethanol Report podcast, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said the Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments on the case at the end of April. “And that keeps us on track for hopefully a decision sometime by the middle of summer at the very latest.”

ACE, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, NFU, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

NBB Files Amicus Brief in Supreme Court SRE Case

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court this week in the pending case on small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

In the case HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al. v Renewable Fuels Association et al, NBB argues that small refinery exemptions destroy demand and limit future growth of biodiesel and renewable diesel under the RFS.

NBB asks the Supreme Court to affirm the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in order “to respect the appropriate limits Congress placed on refiners’ eligibility for small refinery exemptions, and to restore the conditions that allowed biomass-based diesel production to flourish, with all the attendant environmental, economic, and energy security benefits that Congress intended in enacting the RFS.”

Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s Vice President of Federal Affairs, added, “Biodiesel and renewable diesel producers appreciate EPA’s recognition that exemptions are only temporary mechanisms to transition small refineries into the RFS program. The agency has a duty to fully account for any exemptions it grants and ensure that the RFS volumes it sets each year are fully met. Continued misuse of small refinery exemptions is a direct threat to the U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry and the 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in annual economic activity it supports. We look forward to working with EPA to get the RFS program back on track and support continued growth of the biodiesel industry.”

NBB estimates that small refinery exemptions granted since 2017 directly destroyed demand for more than 550 million gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel in the RFS advanced biofuel category. Arguments in the Supreme Court case are expected to be heard at the end of this month.

Biodiesel, NBB

Ethanol Report 3-31-21

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. ethanol industry is in a much better place compared to a year ago when production was nearing a record low and plants were closing as a result of efforts to contain COVID-19.

In this edition of The Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper provides an update on where the ethanol industry is today, in terms of working with the new EPA, getting COVID relief for producers, the Supreme Court case on small refinery waivers, and what 2022 means for the RFS.

Ethanol Report 3-31-21 (21:54)

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

New Kemin Product to Help Biofuels Industry Low Carbon Efforts

Cindy Zimmerman

Kemin Biofuels has expanded its enzyme portfolio with ZyloCell™, a unique dry cellulase for use in bioethanol plants that breaks down cellulose in corn kernel fiber for a low-carbon fuel source as an alternative to liquid enzyme formulation.

“The biofuels ingredients align with Kemin’s focus on sustainably transforming the quality of life by protecting the future of our planet. We are excited to offer this bioethanol solution to the industry,” said Penny Woods, Marketing Director, Kemin Biofuels.

“Cellulosic ethanol presents not only a financial opportunity for ethanol producers – the lower carbon fuel may result in a price premium under the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and the federal Renewable Fuel Standard – but it also provides biofuels producers a low-carbon fuel alternative,” said John Phillips, Business Manager, Kemin Biofuels.

According to the company, ZyloCell provides 12 month stability for longer shelf life without refrigeration, takes less storage space, and allows for easier handling and accurate dosing.

Learn more about Kemin Biofuels.

Cellulosic, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News

CHS Grows Access to Higher Ethanol Blends

Cindy Zimmerman

In January, CHS registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as an E15 manufacturer with the goal of making E15 fuels more accessible to the company’s Cenex® branded retail locations. Now, CHS will continue to expand access to higher ethanol blends by offering E15 through 10 additional fuel terminals starting in April 2021.

CHS plans to offer E15 at Nustar terminals in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa. CHS currently offers E15 through its McFarland, Wis., terminal.

“As the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, expanding options for ethanol blended fuel is important for our Cenex brand retailers and our farmer-owners,” says Akhtar Hussain, director of refined fuels marketing, CHS. “CHS has always been committed to offering ethanol blended flexible fuels throughout its network of 1,450 Cenex brand retail facilities. Expanding access of Cenex brand E15 at these select terminals further demonstrates that commitment.”

Find a Cenex location near you.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

NBB Discusses 2021 Policy Priorities for Biodiesel Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

NBB LogoNational Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Donnell Rehagen and Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik hosted a video conference briefing with reporters last week to discuss the industry’s policy priorities for the coming year. Paul Winters, NBB Director of Public Affairs and Federal Communications, moderated the discussion.

Kovarik said they were disappointed with EPA’s recent decision to extend the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program’s compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020 until 2022. “It’d be nice if these small refiners and others who continue to complain about the program and apply for small refinery exemptions can wrap their head around the fact that the law’s been on the books for 15 years and is not going away,” he said.

The U.S. market for biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and bioheat® grew to 3 billion gallons in 2020; the industry’s goal is to grow the market to 6 billion gallons by 2030. NBB’s policy priorities for 2021 include stability in the Renewable Fuel Standard; and support in any infrastructure, energy, or climate legislation for biodiesel’s ability to reduce carbon and pollution.

Listen to the briefing here: NBB Press Briefing 31:25

Audio, Biodiesel, Bioheat, NBB

Biofuels Coalition Files Brief in Supreme Court Case

Cindy Zimmerman

The Biofuels Coalition, comprised of Renewable Fuels Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Farmers Union filed a response brief this week in the Supreme Court case HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al., v. Renewable Fuels Association, et al.

In the brief, the coalition argues in support of the challenged Tenth Circuit decision, which held that only small refineries that have remained continuously exempt from obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard program are eligible for future extensions of the compliance exemption.

“We believe the Tenth Circuit got it right the first time, and we will continue to defend the court’s ruling and stand up for the farmers and renewable fuel producers harmed by the granting of these illegal waivers,” the coalition said. “We strongly believe the Tenth Circuit Court’s ruling is consistent with both the Clean Air Act and Congressional intent.”

The coalition underscored that the statute only authorizes extensions of the initial temporary exemption that Congress granted to all small refineries at the start of the RFS program. The brief also maintains that the structure and purpose of the temporary exemption were meant to serve as a “bridge to compliance” for all refineries, rather than a permanent regulatory relief program, as the refineries argued in their opening brief.

EPA announced last month that it had reviewed the Tenth Circuit’s decision and now supports the court’s interpretation. Oral arguments will be held on April 27.

ACE, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA