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Ethanol Report 8-14-20

Cindy Zimmerman

In this episode of The Ethanol Report, we cover a number of different topics on the ethanol front.

First, we head to South Dakota for the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where the Renewable Fuels Association once again provided free fuel and ethanol education for bikers, with the new addition of ethanol-based hand sanitizer as a giveaway. RFA’s Robert White, former RFA chairman Mick Henderson, and Minnesota farmer brothers Austin and Evan Ludowese were there.

We celebrate the 15th anniversary of President George W. Bush signing the Energy Policy Act of 2005 creating the Renewable Fuel Standard with comments from RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper, current RFA chairman Neil Koehler with Pacific Ethanol, past RFA chair Randy Doyal of Al-Corn Clean Fuel, and RFA chief economist Scott Richman.

Finally, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler provides an update on gap-year small refinery waiver requests and Renewable Volume Obligations for 2021.

Ethanol Report 8-14-20 (19:11)

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.

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Audio, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA, RFS, Sturgis

Young Minnesota Farmers Promote Ethanol at Sturgis

Cindy Zimmerman

Austin and Evan Ludowese from south central Minnesota have been proud to help promote the good news about ethanol at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally since 2015.

Austin, who was an intern with the Renewable Fuels Association in 2015, says a lot has changed since then. “I think you have more people who understand what ethanol is and are more willing to put it in their bikes at ten percent levels,” he said.

Both brothers are helping out at the RFA Sturgis promotion this week and have been impressed to see people snapping up the ethanol-based hand sanitizer giveaway. “I was shocked,” said Evan. “That was leaving the tables faster than the t-shirts or the coozies or any of the little jeeps.”

RFA VP of Industry Affairs Robert White interviewed Austin and Evan about their experience at Sturgis this year.
Interview with Austin and Evan Ludowese, MN farmers

RFA at 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photos

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Motorcycle, RFA, Sturgis

EPA Reviewing RFS Gap Year Waiver Requests

Cindy Zimmerman

During a visit to Wisconsin this week, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler was once again questioned about the status of so-called “gap year” waiver requests from refineries asking for relief from their Renewable Fuel Standard obligations from previous years.

Because the petitions go back as much as eight years, Wheeler said he is not sure how long it will take to review them. “One question that I personally have is how can you prove an economic harm in 2012 if you’re still in existence today?”

Wheeler says determining Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) under the RFS for 2021 is also proving to be challenging due to the economic impact of COVID-19. “People are still not driving as much as previous years, we take that into account when we set the RVO,” said Wheeler. “We’re still going through all the data to try to figure out what the impact COVID is going to have on the RVO.”

The administrator added that EPA has been proud to be able to meet the deadline for the RVO proposal the previous three years of the administration but “it does not look like we’re going to be on time this year.”

Listen to Wheeler’s comments here:
EPA Admin Andrew Wheeler 8-11-20

Audio, Biodiesel, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News

President Considering Reciprocal Tariffs on Brazil Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

President Donald Trump was asked about efforts to lower or eliminate Brazil’s tariffs on U.S. ethanol during a press conference this week.

“I think that as far as Brazil is concerned, if they do tariffs, we have to have an equalization of tariffs,” President Trump responded. “It’s called reciprocal tariffs and you may be seeing something on that very soon.”

Pres. Trump on Brazil ethanol tariffs

According to the Renewable Fuels Association, Brazil’s existing tariff rate quota (TRQ) is set to expire at the end of August, and some Brazilian industry and government officials have suggested that all U.S. ethanol should be subject to a tariff of at least 20 percent beginning in September.

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper wrote a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer this week to follow up on the president’s comments. “While we would strongly prefer a return to the free and fair two-way ethanol trade relationship that we enjoyed with Brazil between 2012 and late 2017, it has become clear that the Brazilian ethanol industry (and some of the nation’s political leaders) no longer share our desire for free and open markets. Regarding ethanol trade, Brazil has chosen a path of protectionism and obstruction; unfortunately, at this point, it appears we have no choice but to respond in kind.”

Cooper noted that U.S. fuel ethanol exports to Brazil have fallen dramatically under the country’s TRQ and 20 percent over-quota tariff. Brazil’s protectionist policies caused 2019 U.S. ethanol exports to Brazil to fall 33 percent compared to 2018, and shipments continue to slide in 2020. By some estimates, Brazil’s trade barriers have already resulted in the loss of demand for nearly 350 million gallons of U.S. ethanol valued at nearly $400 million since late 2017.

Meanwhile, Cooper said, U.S. imports of duty-free Brazilian ethanol are surging; year-to-date U.S. imports of Brazilian ethanol are at a seven-year high and nearly triple the five-year average volume for the same period.

Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, RFA, Trade

Ethanol Hand Sanitizer in Big Demand at Sturgis

Cindy Zimmerman

The atmosphere is a little different this year for the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally at the Buffalo Chip Campground, but ethanol is still in big demand – especially hand sanitizer.

Former Renewable Fuels Association Chairman Mick Henderson with Commonwealth Agri-Energy in Kentucky says the hand sanitizer gives them a whole new discussion point with motorcycle riders as they fill up their bikes with E10 during RFA Free Fuel Happy Hours. “A hand sanitizer that you can put in your fuel?” said Henderson. “And you just get this wide eyed look!”

The hand sanitizer RFA is providing at Sturgis was made by Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) and Henderson says his plant in Kentucky is making its own product as well. Sanitizer is made from a non-fuel high grade of alcohol and has helped some producers weather the dramatic downturn in production this year caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

Listen to RFA’s Robert White interview Henderson at Sturgis: Interview with Mick Henderson, Commonwealth Agri-Energy

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Motorcycle, RFA, Sturgis

House Members Urge Direct Aid For Biofuels Producers

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus spearheaded a letter Friday to House leadership requesting additional resources for the biofuels sector in the next piece of coronavirus relief legislation.

Representatives Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave Loebsack, (D-IA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL), co-chairs of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, led the letter with 31 members of Congress to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.

“Biofuels production is a major piece of the rural economy in our districts, and we urge you to explicitly include much-needed assistance for the sector in the next piece of coronavirus relief legislation. For example, language requiring the Secretary to provide a per-gallon payment to producers for renewable fuels produced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This mandate from Congress is necessary to ensure that the United States Department of Agriculture has the statutory authority they deem necessary to provide aid to the biofuels sector, and to guarantee assistance for the farmers and plant workers.”

The House passed Heroes Act includes language to provide a per-gallon payment to biofuels producers for fuel produced during the COVID-19 emergency. The bipartisan Biofuels Caucus supports the inclusion of this language in the next Coronavirus relief bill. After the Senate failed to find a way forward last week on the next coronavirus economic relief package, President Trump signed an executive order over the weekend taking action on economic relief and it is not clear yet what steps Senate leadership will take this week.

Read the letter here.

Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Senator Introduces Adopt GREET Act

Cindy Zimmerman

Senate John Thune (R-SD) this week introduced the Adopt GREET Act, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update its greenhouse gas (GHG) modeling for ethanol and biodiesel.

Specifically, the bill would require EPA to adopt either the Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse Gas and Regulated Emissions and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model or the 2019 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) methodology within 90 days of enactment. For biodiesel, EPA would be required adopt the GREET Model. 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.

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said they have long urged EPA to adopt the GREET model. “Current data from the GREET model indicate that corn ethanol’s carbon intensity is approximately 50 percent less than petroleum gasoline providing significantly more greenhouse gas reduction benefits than when the RFS was enacted over a decade ago. Senator Thune’s legislation is another pointed reminder that EPA must do better in its treatment of ethanol’s greenhouse gas benefits compared to gasoline. Updating EPA’s antiquated modeling would be a step in the right direction to underpin the scientific and economic opportunity for ethanol use to increase via low carbon fuel markets.”

The Adopt GREET Act is co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Joni Ernst (R-IA).

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News

RFA Promoting Ethanol at 80th Sturgis Rally

Cindy Zimmerman

The 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally gets underway in South Dakota this weekend, and the Renewable Fuels Association will be setting up once again at the legendary Buffalo Chip Campground to spread the good news about ethanol and motorcycles.

“We know things will look a little different at Sturgis this year, thanks to COVID, but one thing that remains the same is the fact that ethanol is a great fuel choice,” said RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White. Despite COVID, the annual event is still expected to draw at least 250,000 bikers this year, about half its normal attendance.

RFA will again sponsor the 13th annual Legends Ride on Aug. 10 starting in downtown Deadwood, with White participating and actor Tom Berenger as the ride captain. On display will be the custom E-85 bike featured on an episode of “American Chopper,” as well as the RFA flex-fuel Jeep Wrangler, designed and built by Kenny Hauk and featured on the Amazon Prime series Hauk Machines.

As a special benefit for bikers, RFA will again host Free Fuel Happy Hours at the rally, providing a free tank of 93 octane E10 (10% ethanol) for motorcycles, a ceremonial t-shirt and ethanol-based hand sanitizer. The free tank giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 11-13, at the CrossRoads area of the Buffalo Chip Campground. The fuel station that will feature the Free Fuel Happy Hours was donated by the RFA in 2017. RFA will also have a presence throughout the campground with banners, videos on the jumbotrons, and addressing the concert crowd each night.

This will be the 12th rally for RFA’s White, who will be on hand during the Free Fuel Happy Hours to answer any questions as motorcycle riders fill up on the high-octane fuel. Several RFA members will also be in attendance to help educate riders about the numerous benefits of ethanol.

In this interview, White talks about why this promotion has been so successful for RFA, and what to expect this year.
Sturgis promotion interview with Robert White, RFA

RFA at 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photos

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Motorcycle, RFA, Sturgis

Ethanol Celebrates 15th Anniversary of the RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) commemorated the 15th anniversary of President George W. Bush’s signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which created the Renewable Fuel Standard, by releasing a new report detailing how the policy has driven innovation in the ethanol industry to benefit the nation. President Bush signed the act August 8, 2005.

“As you’ll see in this report, the RFS has been a smashing success,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “In addition to decreasing reliance on imported petroleum, the RFS has reduced emissions of harmful tailpipe pollutants and greenhouse gases, lowered consumer fuel prices, supported hundreds of thousands of jobs in rural America, and boosted the agricultural economy by adding value to the crops produced by our nation’s farmers.”

The report details how ethanol and co-product output has quadrupled in 15 years as ethanol consumption has more than tripled, enhancing U.S. energy security while saving consumers money at the pump. According to the report, the use of ethanol has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cleaned up air pollution, the number of jobs supported by the industry has more than doubled, and ethanol has contributed substantially to the agriculture sector, supporting corn prices and farm incomes.

The report also includes historical perspective from RFA Senior Strategic Advisor Bob Dinneen, who led RFA through this important policy change. “We’ve probably all seen the Schoolhouse Rock version of ‘How a Bill Becomes a Law’,” Dinneen writes. “It does a great job of explaining the legislative process. But it cannot capture the circuitous adventure and machinations that occur before an idea materializes into legislative language. That is particularly true when it comes to the 2005 Energy Bill and the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

Link to report

RFA’s Cooper held a press call to discuss the success of the RFS, including comments from RFA Chairman Neil Koehler, Pacific Ethanol; Randy Doyal, Al-Corn Clean Fuel; and RFA Economist Scott Richman.
RFA 15th anniversary of the RFS media call

Q & A portion
RFA RFS anniversary call Q&A

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Ethanol Production Up and Down in July

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. ethanol production took a step back last week, after taking two steps forward the week before.

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending July 31, ethanol production moderated by 2.8%, or 27,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 931,000 b/d—equivalent to 39.10 million gallons daily. Production remained 10.5% below the same week in 2019 as a result of the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 0.4% to 932,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.29 billion gallons.

Production dropped the week ending July 17, after steadily increasing since an historic low was hit April 24 when more than half of the ethanol industry’s production capacity was shut down. The week ending July 24, ethanol production recovered and increased by 5.5%, or 49,000 barrels per day (b/d).

The COVID-19 pandemic has already resulted in $3.4 billion in lost revenues for the U.S. ethanol industry this year, according to an economic analysis by RFA, and damages could reach nearly $9 billion into 2021.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA