NCGA President Filled With Ethanol Pride

Cindy Zimmerman

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president and Iowa farmer Kevin Ross had the chance last week to attend the National Ethanol Conference and celebrate recent wins with the industry, like the recent Tenth Circuit court decision.

“Just a fabulous result for us and everybody in the industry,” said Ross during an interview last week at the National Ethanol Conference. “And moving forward, they’re going to have to adjust the way they’re administering the SRE program.”

NCGA was one of the parties in the lawsuit over Environmental Protection Agency’s small refinery exemption (SRE) program under the Renewable Fuel Standard along with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and National Farmers Union.

Ross has been busy the past few months with multiple trips to the White House to celebrate trade deals, most recently a White House ceremony last month commemorating the signing of the phase one deal between the United States and China. “One of the biggest pieces for corn is really the biotech portion of the China deal,” said Ross. Another big piece of the deal would be increased access to the Chinese market for U.S. ethanol.

Ross discusses these topics and gives a preview of Commodity Classic in this interview, and below watch him get a tour of the RFA custom designed Flex Fuel Jeep Wrangler on display at NEC:
RFANEC Interview with NCGA president Kevin Ross, Iowa 5:43

2020 National Ethanol Conference photo album

Kenny Hauk, Hauk Designs, talks about custom built Jeep that runs on E85:


Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, National Ethanol Conference, NCGA, RFA, Video

Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics

Carrie Muehling

Bob McNally of Rapidan Energy Group provided an update on global energy markets and geopolitics at the 2020 National Ethanol Conference. McNally served as the top international and domestic energy advisor for President George W. Bush, holding the posts of Special Assistant to the President on the National Economic Council and Senior Director for International Energy on the National Security Council.

McNally looked at the history of oil and the impact of price volatility in that industry on ethanol and biofuels.

Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics – Bob McNally, Rapidan Energy Group
RFANEC Remarks from Bob McNally, Rapidan Energy Group 34:26

2020 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference

Energy Ag News 2/18

Cindy Zimmerman

  • Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.31 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year, according to a new study by ABF Economics. In 2019, the industry produced 1.31 billion gallons of ethanol, 3.6 million tons of dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) and 327 million pounds of corn oil. This generated $6.7 billion in gross sales for Minnesota businesses and supported 18,974 jobs last year.
  • The Nebraska Ethanol Board invites fuel retailers to E15 Workshop Feb. 20 at Hyatt Place in downtown Lincoln, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The workshop is free thanks to the event sponsors.
  • During the National Ethanol Conference, NextChem and Saola Energy announced a new collaboration to license technology for the production of Renewable Diesel from vegetable oils and residual fats to the international market.
  • According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending Feb. 7, ethanol production dropped 4.4%, or 48,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 1.033 million b/d—equivalent to 43.39 million gallons daily. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 1.4% to 1.048 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.07 billion gallons.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association has released its 2020 Ethanol Industry Outlook and handy Pocket Guide. Both contain key statistics, trends, insight, and analysis on the latest developments in the U.S. renewable fuels industry, as well as commentary on what to expect in 2020.
  • The Nebraska Ethanol Board will hold a board meeting in Lincoln on Wednesday, March 4 at 9:00 am. Agenda is posted on NEB website.
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    25th #RFANEC Focuses Forward on Future

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) just concluded an annual meeting that will be remembered for many reasons, including an appearance by the 43rd President of the United States, and the celebration of recent significant victories for the ethanol industry as it focuses forward on the future.

    RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says there is a lot of optimism and inspiration coming out of the 25th National Ethanol Conference. “I just continue to be very bullish about the intrinsic value proposition that comes with our product,” said Cooper in a wrap-up interview.

    He is also very optimistic that the 10th Circuit Court decision regarding EPA’s Small Refinery Exemption program will mean major changes in favor of the ethanol industry, as EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler recently commented. “It was encouraging to hear that Administrator Wheeler is clearly taking the decision very seriously…It’s been our view that this decision should broadly apply to every small refinery and every circuit court jurisdiction.”

    Listen to this NEC wrap up interview with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper
    RFANEC Geoff Cooper wrap up interview 6:18

    Photos, audio and video from the 2020 National Ethanol Conference, including presentations, can be found here:
    2020 National Ethanol Conference Virtual Newsroom

    Audio, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA, RFS

    ACE Leadership Attending Ethanol Plant Annual Meetings

    Cindy Zimmerman

    It’s annual meeting time for ethanol plants around the Midwest and American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings is attending many of them in the coming weeks to commend the producers for enduring a tough year, and provide an update on the opportunities and challenges ahead for growing the demand for ethanol.

    Jennings visited Golden Grain Energy in Mason City, Iowa last week and will be attending meetings at Adkins Energy, Absolute Energy, and the East Kansas Agri-Energy to come as well.

    “I’m always grateful for the opportunity to meet with members and discuss the pressing issues facing the industry,” Jennings said. “Our members work hard to ensure they provide a meaningful return to local shareholders, and I’m honored to highlight this effort by commending our members on the operational and financial progress they’ve been able to maintain despite several headwinds they’ve been confronted with.”

    ACE’s newly appointed Director of Member and Industry Relations, Nick Fosheim, is joining Jennings at some of these meetings to connect with members and inform them about his approach to fostering ACE’s partnerships with current and potential members, and his strategies to promote ACE’s efforts throughout the industry.

    And just around the corner, the ACE Washington, D.C. fly-in is coming up April 2-3. There is no fee to attend the fly-in, which includes industry updates and visits to Congressional offices. Information and registration can be found on-line.

    ACE, Ethanol

    Economic Impact of Ethanol Still Strong in 2019

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Despite numerous challenges last year, the ethanol industry still supported nearly 350,000 jobs and generated almost $43 billion in gross domestic product in 2019, according to the latest analysis conducted by ABF Economics and released at the National Ethanol Conference last week in Houston.

    “The U.S. ethanol industry was buffeted by several factors that forced producers to cut operating rates and, in some cases, shut plants—resulting in only the second decline in annual industry output in two decades,” the report noted. “This was primarily the result of regulatory concerns associated with the EPA’s continued support for small refinery exemptions, effects of the U.S.-China trade war, and declining gasoline demand. Nevertheless, the ethanol industry continues to make a substantial positive contribution to the American economy.”

    Read the full report and listen to an interview with RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman discussing the analysis.

    RFANEC Interview with Scott Richman, RFA Chief Economist 6:04

    Photos

    2020 National Ethanol Conference photo album

    Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

    Ethanol Report 2-14-20

    Cindy Zimmerman

    This episode of The Ethanol Report features some of the highlights of the 25th National Ethanol Conference this week in Houston, Texas.

    You will hear from Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper on the industry victories of the past two months, including the 10th Circuit Court decision, which EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler admits has the potential to totally change the small refinery exemption program under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Matt Morrison, the lead counsel in the case, summarizes the decision and potential impacts. And RFA Senior Strategic Advisor Bob Dinneen reflects on the 25th anniversary of the NEC, the 15th anniversary of the RFS, and getting to see President George W. Bush again.

    Ethanol Report 2-14-20 (26:12)

    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, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS

    USDA’s McKinney Optimistic About Ethanol Exports

    Cindy Zimmerman

    USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney says he will leave “no stone unturned” in his quest to increase U.S. agricultural exports, including ethanol.

    McKinney spoke to the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference Wednesday about the markets where he sees the most potential for ethanol, including China, Mexico, Brazil, and India.

    Listen to his remarks:
    RFANEC USDA Undersecretary Ted McKinney 23:13

    RFANEC USDA Undersecretary Ted McKinney interview 6:16

    2020 National Ethanol Conference photo album

    Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade, USDA

    Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy Receives RFA Industry Award

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) presented Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) with the 2020 Industry Award at the 25th annual National Ethanol Conference Wednesday. The award is presented annually to a member company that has provided a unique contribution to the industry’s success through technological, marketplace, or advocacy excellence.

    SIRE is being recognized this year for their critical role in hosting the President of the United States along with multiple cabinet officials, federal, state and local officials and national news media for a tour of their facilities and a celebration of new regulations permitting summertime sales of E15. The event convened industry leaders and policymakers, providing an opportunity for the Trump Administration to hear first-hand accounts of the positive impact that expanding the use of E15 would have, as well as accounts of the damage being done to the renewable fuels industry by the unprecedented number of small refiner exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

    Listen to RFA CEO Geoff Cooper present the award and comments from SIRE Chairman Karol King
    RFANEC Industry Award - SIRE 6:15

    2020 National Ethanol Conference photo album

    Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

    Implications of the 10th Circuit Court’s SRE Decision

    Cindy Zimmerman

    As the ethanol industry focuses forward in the new decade, a big bright spot is the very real potential that EPA’s generous allocating of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) may be coming to an end, thanks to the recent 10th Circuit Court decision.

    The lead counsel in the case brought by Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), National Corn Growers Association, and National Farmers Union outlined the potential impacts of the decision during the National Ethanol Conference on Tuesday. Matthew Morrison, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, referenced comments made by EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler last week that the decision has the potential to completely change the small refinery program.
    EPA Admin Wheeler comments on SRE court decision

    Listen to Morrison’s remarks here:
    RFANEC Remarks from Matt Morrison, RFA Counsel 23:00

    2020 National Ethanol Conference photo album

    Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA