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

Biofuels Included in New USDA COVID Aid Program

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA has unveiled a new initiative for farmers, ranchers and biofuels producers impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions – Pandemic Assistance for Producers (PAP).

USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new programs. The Department will also develop rules for new programs that will put a greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and organic producers, timber harvesters, as well as provide support for the food supply chain and producers of renewable fuel, among others. Existing programs like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will fall within the new initiative and, where statutory authority allows, will be refined to better address the needs of producers.

During a press availability with farm broadcasters, Vilsack said they are in the process of putting together details on relief for biofuels producers.
Secy Vilsack on pandemic aid for biofuels producers (:34)

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said aid for biofuel producers is sorely needed. “ACE members are enormously grateful Secretary Vilsack is ensuring a portion of the unspent funding USDA received from previous stimulus bills and the CCC will go to biofuel producers who have been fighting to survive since the pandemic became widespread in the U.S,” said Jennings. “We understand no one will be made whole for the historic losses they experienced due to the coronavirus pandemic, but something is better than nothing and we now know biofuel producers will not be left behind.”

Learn more about the program details from USDA.

ACE, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

New EPA Chief Pledges to Get RFS Back on Track

Cindy Zimmerman

The day after the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020 until 2022, Administrator Michael Regan told the Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit they are focused on getting the program back on track.

“More transparency, more certainty in the decisions that we’ve made and looking at fuel volumes and things like that,” said Regan when asked about the role of biofuels in climate solutions. “EVs are very important but we’re going to need a suite of options for our transportation agenda and biofuels, especially advanced biofuels, are part of that agenda.”

Regan’s :52 comment on biofuels comes at 13:12 in the interview.

Ag and Food Policy Summit - EPA Admin Michael Regan (23:45)

advanced biofuels, Agri-Pulse, Audio, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News