Study Shows Benefits of FFVs and Low Carbon Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

According to a newly released study from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), increased use of lower-carbon liquid fuels in light-duty vehicles would lead to larger and faster reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than EPA’s recently finalized EV-forcing tailpipe emissions standards.

The study, conducted by the non-profit Southwest Research Institute, found that, “Lowering the carbon intensity of liquid fuels can reduce CO2 emissions faster than [electric] vehicles can displace the existing fleet.” With a modest fuel carbon intensity reduction of just 1.25 percent per year nationwide, “the cumulative CO2 benefit from 2027 to 2032 would be 77 percent larger than required by the EPA standards.” The study notes that “this CO2 benefit could be achieved with a dramatically smaller on-road BEV fleet” than is anticipated by EPA under the new tailpipe standards.

“Not only are EPA’s tailpipe standards based on the false premise that battery electric vehicles somehow have zero GHG emissions impacts, but the agency also failed to consider alternative solutions—like lower carbon liquid fuels—that could achieve the same goals more quickly and cost-effectively,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This study shows that a nationwide move to reduce carbon intensity by just 1.25 percent per year would almost double the carbon savings expected by EPA under the tailpipe regulation, while allowing more light-duty vehicle and fuel options for consumers. The study also provides startling projections of the liquid fuel demand destruction and surge in electricity consumption that could result from EPA and California vehicle standards.”

A second study by the research institute shows that if the existing fleet of flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) used modestly larger amounts of E85, substantial GHG emissions reductions could be achieved. And, if those FFVs used only E85, GHG emissions would be reduced by up to 54 million metric tons per year—equivalent to almost 40 percent of EPA’s estimated GHG savings in 2035 from the new tailpipe standards.

“Right now there is no incentive in these tailpipe regulations for flex fuel vehicles,” said Cooper. “We’re just saying let’s think about how to better encourage auto makers to look at the full range of options out there for reducing emissions.”

Comment from Cooper.
RFA CEO Geoff Cooper 2:26

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

RFA Mourns Loss of Industry Pioneer

Cindy Zimmerman

Bob Reynolds received a LIfetime Appreciation Award from RFA in 2015

The Renewable Fuels Association this week mourned the passing of ethanol industry pioneer Bob Reynolds, whose 40-plus-year career trajectory made him one of the nation’s top experts on fueling the internal combustion engine. Reynolds was profiled as part of the organization’s 40th anniversary series in 2021 and received numerous industry awards. His family reports that he passed away peacefully Thursday morning after a short battle with cancer.

Reynolds, who was president of his company Downstream Alternatives, received the RFA Lifetime Appreciation Award in 2015 and the industry continues to benefit from his work in developing fuel standards and technical guidelines for auto manufacturers.

It was Reynolds who brought the ethanol industry into the National Conference of Weights & Measures and ASTM International, recognizing the importance of producers having a seat at the table when standards and regulations are being developed. For this work, he was recognized with the ASTM Award of Appreciation in 2006, and ASTM Awards of Excellence in 2009, 2010 and 2014.

Listen to interviews with Reynolds below to hear his perspectives on the ethanol industry now and then.
RFA 40th Anniversary feature
Ethanol Report 7-29-21 (14:49)
Interview from 2015 National Ethanol Conference
Interview with Bob Reynolds, RFA Award Winner

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Report on EV Push Back

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association and National Farmers Union have joined in a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s light- and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards, which they say essentially mandate battery electric vehicles while ignoring other technologies such as low-carbon ethanol and flex fuel vehicles.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report, RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper discusses the lawsuit and others like it that question the legal authority for EPA to even take such an action, and how RFA is demonstrating the real world value of higher ethanol blends combined with hybrid technology on the road.

Ethanol Report 6-21-24 17:25

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, Electric Vehicles, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

ASTM International Honors Steve Howell

Cindy Zimmerman

Steve Howell at 2024 Clean Fuels Conference

Clean Fuels Alliance America is proud to announce that long-time industry technical expert Steve Howell, MARC-IV (M4) Consulting, was honored with the prestigious Eagle Award at the semi-annual ASTM International D02 Committee meetings in Austin, Texas this week.

The Eagle Award honors sustained multiple and significant contributions to the standardization process in ASTM D02 Committee and subcommittees. Howell has spearheaded technical efforts on behalf of the biodiesel industry since its inception in the mid-1990s. As Chair of the Biodiesel Task Force since 1994, he’s been instrumental in securing consensus fuel standards for biodiesel in diesel or home heating oil applications for ASTM and the International Standards Organization (ISO).

“I can’t think of anyone who has been more influential in the technical aspects of biodiesel use and the development of biodiesel standards than Steve Howell,” said Teresa Alleman, D02 First Vice-Chair and Quality Specialist at HF Sinclair Midstream. “His tireless efforts, and unique ability to develop a consensus among parties, that are in many cases diametrically opposed, places him in a very special group of people. The Eagle Award is one of the highest honors from ASTM, and this recognition is well-deserved.”

Howell said activity on fuel quality standards for biodiesel blends over B20 (20% biodiesel)—and the research and technical data to support them—is at an all-time high. The recent increase stems from the need to lower the total metals and phosphorus levels in B100 (100% biodiesel) to maintain support for B20 in today’s diesel engines as well as the new aftertreatment systems slated for introduction in 2027.

“Clean Fuels, the national trade association representing biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, heavily invested in the engine testing that provided the data we used to ballot a new low metals grade into ASTM D6751, the standard for biodiesel,” said Howell. “That testing showed B20 with lower metals had no adverse effects on NOx and aftertreatment systems over the full useful life of diesel engines, which is increasing to 435,000 miles.”

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance

SAF Coalition Welcomes Ten New Members

Cindy Zimmerman

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition this week welcomed ten new companies and organizations into its membership, bringing its total count to more than 50. Those joining the coalition include recognized leaders in energy, aviation, aerospace and SAF production.

The SAF Coalition, founded in April 2024, supports policies that will expand the supply of low-carbon, commercially competitive SAF and create jobs while increasing U.S. fuel production and innovation. Its membership includes airlines and aircraft operators, agricultural enterprises, aircraft and aircraft equipment manufacturers, airports, technology developers, labor unions, and biofuel producers.

The Coalition’s ten new members are:
• Biotechnology Innovation Organization
• EarthOptics
• Honeywell
• Infinium
• Marquis Sustainable Aviation Fuel
• National Air Carrier Association
• Shell
• SkyNRG
• Southwest Airlines
• Syzygy Plasmonics

BIO, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, SAF

Clean Fuels Sues EPA Over Heavy-Duty Truck Rule

Cindy Zimmerman

Clean Fuels Alliance America is the latest group to file a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency over emissions standards.

Clean Fuels asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3. In the final rule, EPA evaluated a range of potential alternative fuel and engine configurations for 2027-2032 heavy duty vehicles. However, the agency specifically declined to consider biodiesel and renewable diesel in combination with existing engines that are already widely available.

“EPA put its thumb on the scale to favor electric and hybrid vehicles that are not guaranteed to be widely available in the timeframe addressed by this rule,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “The agency refused to consider the increasing availability of biodiesel and renewable diesel as an achievable, affordable technology for meeting the goals of the heavy-duty truck rule by 2032.”

Multiple organizations have filed lawsuits against aspects of EPA’s recently finalized emissions standards representing biofuels producers, farmers, truckers, car dealers, and the oil industry.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, EPA

Brazil Upholds 18% Tariff on U.S. Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Despite appeals from the U.S. government, ethanol exporters and importers, Brazil’s Ministry of the Economy (CAMEX) has chosen to continue its 18 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol.

U.S. ethanol interests, with support from the Brazil Association of Fuel Importers (ABICOM) and the U.S. government, previously submitted comments advocating for permanent tariff removal during a public consultation period that ended on April 11.

In a joint statement, the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy, reacted to CAMEX’s decision.

“This tariff has placed a heavy financial burden on Brazilian consumers in a misdirected effort to protect the domestic Brazilian ethanol industry, which enjoys free and increasing access to the U.S. market. The U.S. industry remains united in seeking parity with Brazilian exports with reciprocal market access and will seek to take additional measures to rectify this unfair tariff treatment. We are committed to striving for fair and balanced trade in ethanol with Brazil.”

Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade

NCGA and AFBF File Second Lawsuit Against EPA

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency was hit with another lawsuit today over its emissions standards, this time challenging the agency’s heavy-duty vehicle emissions standards for model years 2027-2032.

The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and the American Petroleum Institute filed the lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals claiming EPA exceeded its authority with “targets that rely too heavily on electrification and do not fully appreciate the role low-carbon fuels like ethanol play in the transportation sector.”

“EPA has tried to impose a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing climate change by prioritizing electric vehicles over other climate remedies like corn ethanol,” said Minnesota farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle.

The groups also noted that EPA’s standard will put America’s farmers and their livestock at risk and would have a devastating impact on America’s truckers and the supply chain. “Small business truckers makeup 96% of trucking and could be regulated out of existence if the EPA’s unworkable heavy-duty rule comes into effect,” said Todd Spencer, president, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

This is the third lawsuit filed against EPA over its emissions standards in the past week.

AFBF, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

RFA and NFU File Separate Lawsuit Over EV Mandate

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association and National Farmers Union have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging recently finalized light- and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards.

This action is separate from the lawsuit filed last week by National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, and American Petroleum Institute to “ensure that ethanol producers and farmers have a strong and independent voice in the proceedings.”

RFA and NFU claim in the lawsuit that “EPA clearly lacked the authority to adopt the regulation, which essentially mandates the production of battery electric vehicles while, at the same time, ignoring other technologies—like low-carbon ethanol and flex fuel vehicles—that reduce emissions from light- and medium-duty transportation.”

“EPA grossly exceeded its statutory authority by finalizing regulations that effectively mandate the production of EVs, while blatantly excluding the ability of flex fuel vehicles and low-carbon, high-octane renewable fuels like ethanol to achieve significant vehicle emissions reductions,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “By relying on the false premise that battery electric vehicles have ‘zero emissions’ and no impact on the climate, the regulation essentially forces automakers to swiftly ramp up the production of EVs and phase out liquid-fueled vehicles that could actually deliver the same—or better—emissions reductions. America’s ethanol producers and farmers would be severely injured if EPA’s regulation were allowed to stand.”

Electric Vehicles, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NFU, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Farmers, Car Dealers and Oil Companies Sue Over EV Push

Cindy Zimmerman

An unlikely coalition of farmers, car dealers, and the oil industry have joined together to push back against the push for mandated electric vehicles.

The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation and six auto dealers representing 16 brands and collectively operating dozens of dealerships in major markets across the country joined the American Petroleum Institute today in filing a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s light-duty and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards for model years 2027-2032. The groups said EPA exceeded its congressional authority with the regulation and rendered a decision that values one tool for fighting climate change over others.

NCGA and AFBF argue that the emissions standards, which require 68% of new passenger vehicles and 43% of new medium-duty trucks and vans to be electric by 2032, “ignore the proven benefits corn ethanol offers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions” and will hurt farmers by driving up the cost of farm vehicles and forcing farmers to “rely on a charging network that does not yet exist in rural areas.”

AFBF, Ag group, corn, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA