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

ACE Opens Scholarship Program, Recognizes 2020 Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

As the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Scholarship Program opens for 2021-2022 academic year applications, the organization congratulates the 2020 scholarship recipients who each received a $1,000 scholarship through the program to help further their education.

Kaelyn Drury is from Blue Hill, Nebraska, and is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she studies Nutrition Science. Kaelyn is the daughter of Terry and Penny Drury. Her father is affiliated with ACE ethanol producer member Chief Ethanol Fuels with plants in Hastings and Lexington, Nebraska.
Cassidy Frericks is from Ashton, South Dakota, and is pursuing a degree in Corporate Communication at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. Cassidy is the daughter of Stacey and Anne Frericks. Her father Stacey is affiliated with ACE ethanol producer member Redfield Energy in Redfield, South Dakota.
Matthew Sperry is from Bath, South Dakota, and is pursuing a degree in Precision Ag and Agronomy at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. Matthew is the son of Scott and Kathy Sperry. His father is affiliated with ACE associate member South Dakota Corn Growers Association.

The ACE Scholarship Program was initiated in 2004, awarding $59,000 so far. Scholarships are available to employees and dependents of employees and shareholders of ACE ethanol producer, voting and associate member companies and organizations. For a copy of the 2021 scholarship application, or to make a financial contribution to the program, contact Shannon Gustafson or Nick Fosheim at the ACE office.

ACE, Education, Ethanol, Ethanol News

CLEAN Future Act Includes RFS Provisions

Cindy Zimmerman

Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday introduced the Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act, intended to achieve net zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050.

The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed the inclusion of certain provisions in the legislature that would help bring more transparency and integrity to EPA’s implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard. Those provisions include requirements that EPA take more expeditious action to approve new renewable fuel pathways under the RFS, set reasonable deadlines for the submission of any small refinery waiver petitions, and ensure more transparency in the refinery waiver petition process.

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said they will continue to work with the committee to promote the climate and environmental justice benefits that renewable fuels bring to the table. “In particular, we are eager to discuss the importance of fuel- and vehicle-neutral carbon performance standards that can aggressively and immediately reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector,” said Cooper.

Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Vilsack Stresses Importance of Strong RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack started his first full week of work Monday addressing the National Farmers Union’s virtual convention, the first of many appearances he will likely be making to agricultural organizations. As secretary under the Obama Administration for eight years, Vilsack made an effort to attend as many agriculture and biofuel related events as possible each year.

Secretary Vilsack addressed several important issues in his remarks, including “new, more, fairer and better markets.”

“More markets means making sure we have a Renewable Fuel Standard that is enforced and recognized and respected by the administration,” said Vilsack. “I’m pleased to see EPA’s recent announcement relative to waivers. We’re not going to see the kind of liberal use of waivers that were granted in the previous administration.”

USDA Secretary Vilsack addresses NFU convention 13:08

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

UK Embraces 10 Percent Ethanol Petrol

Cindy Zimmerman

“Motorists across the UK are set to shift to a greener fuel with the introduction of E10 at petrol stations in September 2021,” announced a February 25 GOV.UK press release.

That announcement is very welcome news to ethanol producers in the United States, according to a joint statement from Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the U.S. Grains Council. “The United Kingdom’s introduction of an E10 ethanol blend comes amid a global push to decarbonize the transportation sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is a welcome announcement that will benefit the health of U.K. residents, create more jobs, and accelerate the country’s goal of a zero-emissions future. It is also another example of how biofuels like ethanol are being used to help countries achieve their climate targets.”

Transportation fuel in the UK currently has either no ethanol or up to five percent, known as E5. UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says, “the small switch to E10 petrol will help drivers across the country reduce the environmental impact of every journey, as we build back greener.”

The UK government included an informational video about the benefits of E10 in its formal announcement.


Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Video