Michael Regan Confirmed as EPA Administrator

Cindy Zimmerman

Michael Regan has officially been confirmed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 66-34 vote Wednesday by the U.S. Senate. Regan comes to EPA after serving as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

During his confirmation hearing, Regan emphasized that the “RFS is definitely a priority for this administration.” U.S. biofuels organizations are thrilled with his confirmation.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said, “In his previous position, Mr. Regan built a strong track record of listening to all stakeholders to find practical, science-based solutions to the environmental issues impacting the people of North Carolina. We welcome a similar approach to problem-solving as he takes the helm at EPA, and we appreciate the outreach he has already conducted to renewable fuel stakeholders.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said they look forward to working with Regan “to address the long to-do list he inherits with respect to the RFS, including reining-in Small Refinery Exemptions, restoring 500 million gallons remanded to EPA by the D.C. Circuit Court from the 2017 Americans for Clean Energy Inc. decision, and promptly moving forward on the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume Obligations.”

National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik added, “The Renewable Fuel Standard is a vital supportive policy for U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers. Every year, these fuels meet more than 90 percent of the RFS’s goals for advanced biofuel production and use, achieving measurable reductions in transportation sector carbon emissions. As our industry pursues a vision to sustainably increase production over the next decade and support emergence of sustainable aviation and marine fuels, we look forward to working with Administrator Michael Regan.”

ACE, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NBB, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS

Dakota Ethanol Surpasses One Billion Gallons

Cindy Zimmerman

Dakota Ethanol has surpassed one billion gallons of ethanol production at its 90 million-gallon-per-year facility in Wentworth, South Dakota.

Dakota Ethanol began production in September 2001 with a nameplate capacity of 40 MGY by its parent company Lake Area Corn Processors, with a membership of over 1,000 local farmers, investors, and community members. The expansion to running at a 90-million-gallon rate has allowed for improved operational efficiencies, which have been important in improving the plant’s carbon intensity (CI) score. The plant continues to focus on operational efficiencies to reduce costs and improve CI revenues the plant receives from shipping its ethanol to low carbon markets in the western U.S.

“I’m proud of how Dakota Ethanol has been able to utilize and monetize its lower-than-average CI through plant efficiencies,” said Ron Alverson, a Dakota Ethanol board member and former president of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “There’s more opportunities ahead for the plant to further reduce its CI, including proving our area growers produce corn more efficiently than the default CI the marketplace currently assigns to raising a bushel of corn. I have no doubt many producers can achieve zero carbon ethanol in the future if properly accredited for their contributions to decreasing lifecycle greenhouse gases.”

Dakota Ethanol produces 90 million gallons of ethanol from 30 million bushels of locally grown corn each year. The plant employs 45 full-time individuals, many who have been with the company since startup.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Fuel Ethanol Workshop Moves to Des Moines

Cindy Zimmerman

The 37th International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo will now be held in Des Moines, Iowa, July 13-15.

The event, which is scheduled to be in person, was originally planned for Minneapolis. Last year, FEW was delayed until September due to the pandemic and was ultimately a virtual event.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW

Nebraska E30 Demonstration Study Released

Cindy Zimmerman

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Ethanol Board released the details of a new study on higher ethanol blends on Monday.

The E30 Demonstration was conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Engineering Department. The yearlong demonstration involved 50 non-flex fuel vehicles (non-FFVs) from the State of Nebraska to determine adaptability, economic feasibility, and environmental impact of using E30. Twenty-six vehicles were fueled by E15, and 24 were fueled by E30.

Gov. Ricketts discussed the project during his Monday morning press briefing and introduced Nebraska Ethanol Board Executive Director Roger Berry and UNL research lead Rajib Saha.

Nebraska Gov. Ricketts E30 Demo press conference (10:57)

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Vilsack Sees Future for Renewable Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom VilsackU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack sees a continued need for biofuels in the future.

“Most of you will still be around 20 or 30 years from now and I think you’re still going to have a need for and a higher demand for renewable fuels,” said Vilsack in a virtual appearance concluding the 2021 Commodity Classic Special Edition last week. “The reality is, this industry is going to be around for quite some time.”

The secretary said USDA will continue to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and work with the Environmental Protection Agency and Congress to maintain its integrity going forward.

Listen to Secretary Vilsack’s full comments on renewable fuels.
Secy Vilsack comments on renewable fuels (4:04)

Hear the secretary’s full remarks from the Commodity Classic closing session moderated by NAFB president Gale Cunningham:
2021 Classic - Secretary Vilsack (48:53)

If you missed it last week, you can still register by March 12 and watch more than 50 archived sessions on-demand until April 30, 2021.

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Commodity Classic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS, USDA

U.S. Ethanol Exports Hit a Record-High January

Cindy Zimmerman

China and India helped ethanol exports accelerate in January to hit a record high for the month, according to Renewable Fuels Association analyst Ann Lewis.

American shippers rallied at the start of the year with ethanol exports surging 48% ahead of December volumes to 164.6 million gallons (mg). This marks a record-high for January exports. Three-quarters of shipments were destined for just five countries, with spikes in purchases by India and China sufficient to supplant Canada as our largest customers. India imported nearly ten times its December offtake, buying a record 53.2 mg. China boosted its imports by 81% to 22.7 mg—more U.S. ethanol imported by the country than in 2020 alone and its largest draw since Feb. 2018.

January was the first time in eight months that the U.S. had no ethanol imports.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS) also increased in January, up 9% from December but still 6% below year-ago levels. U.S. DDGS exports to Mexico perked up 18% to a ten-month high but shipments slowed to South Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports

US Ethanol Groups Support Canada Clean Fuel Reg

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy submitted joint comments regarding Canada’s proposed Clean Fuel Regulation.

“The proposed regulation takes a market-based approach to driving carbon reductions in the Canadian fuels market, providing an attractive model for other countries to follow,” the organizations said. “Canada should be applauded for showing global leadership on the implementation of a clean fuel standard, and it is encouraging to see both the United States and Canada taking steps to slash greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Renewable fuels have already played a crucial role in jump-starting decarbonization efforts in both countries, and policy initiatives like Canada’s clean fuel standard will further accelerate those efforts.”

In separate comments filed by RFA, Vice President for Regulatory Affairs Kelly Davis stressed support for Canada’s technology-neutral approach to reducing carbon-based emissions and the important role ethanol can play. “Ethanol is already reducing climate change emissions from the transportation sector and there is room for more growth,” wrote Davis. “RFA believes that renewable fuel, especially ethanol, can further decarbonize passenger cars and light-duty trucks today. Promising research and development initiatives show ethanol can also power medium-duty and heavy-duty engines in the future as well.”

RFA also reiterated the call for more information on Canada’s proposed lifecycle analysis model and for Canada to consider reciprocity, or an efficient conversion process for the ability to use other LCA models currently utilized in other jurisdictions.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Teachers Learn about Feeding and Fueling the World

Cindy Zimmerman

Over 30 science teachers from across the country recently participated in the first Nourish the Future: Feeding and Fueling the World, a workshop sponsored by National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Using supplies mailed to them ahead of time, this group engaged in a variety of lessons to understand more about the science of food production and sustainable fuels.

Robyn Allscheid, NCGA Director of Research and Productivity, greeted the teachers and talked about NCGA’s support for education and how she got involved in this career. “We’d like to help students become aware of all the careers related to agriculture,” Allscheid said. “Helping students see what opportunities are out there in agriculture is important to bringing on the next generation of scientists and researchers.”

The focus of the workshop was on the role of science in increasing yield for food and fuel and stewarding the environment. This workshop will be offered several more times this year with information provided on the NTF website and social media channels.

corn, Education, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

Ethanol Report 3-4-21

Cindy Zimmerman

This edition of the Ethanol Report explores ethanol’s role as a “net-zero hero” with highlights from the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC).

The report includes remarks from David MacIntosh, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc.; Stefan Unnasch with Life Cycle Associates; and Michael Berube, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, who all spoke at the 2021 NEC. In addition, we have comments from Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper, Chief Economist Scott Richman, and VP of Industry Relations Robert White.

Ethanol Report 3-4-21 (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, carbon capture, Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

House Biofuels Caucus Announces Two New Bills

Cindy Zimmerman

The co-chairs of the House Biofuels Caucus have introduced two new pieces of legislation to increase access to biofuels and to fully recognize the environmental benefits.

Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act, which would expand access to higher blends of biofuels. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) was the lead sponsor of the Adopt GREET Act, which will direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update its greenhouse gas modeling for ethanol and biodiesel.

The Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act would authorize $500 million over 5 years for infrastructure grants for fuel retailers and direct the EPA Administrator to finalize a proposed rule to repeal E15 labeling requirements warning drivers about E15’s potential impact on cars, which may confuse and deter drivers from using E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol. The bill would also direct the EPA Administrator to finalize provisions from the same proposed rule to allow certain existing Underground Storage Tanks (UST) to store higher blends of ethanol.

The Adopt GREET Act would require the EPA to update its greenhouse gas modeling for ethanol and biodiesel by requiring the EPA to adopt the Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model for both fuels. EPA would then be required to update its modeling every five years or report to Congress to affirm its modeling is current or otherwise explain why no updates were made.

Both bills are backed by the ethanol industry.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News