Ethanol Worth $2.1 Billion to MN Economy

Cindy Zimmerman

A new study shows Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2024, with 1.4 billion gallons of production generating $5.2 billion in economic activity and supported 18,434 jobs in the state.

“We know that ethanol produced in Minnesota is making our state more energy secure by displacing foreign imports and cleaning up our air because ethanol lowers greenhouse gas emissions. This report makes clear that the ethanol industry is also contributing to our economy through crop purchases, job creation, and state and local taxes,” said Brian Werner, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

The study, conducted by the University of Minnesota Extension, also found the industry produced several valuable co-products including 4.13 million tons of dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) and 463.8 million pounds of corn oil.

Of the $5.2 billion in economic activity generated in 2024, the study said $2.8 billion was generated from ethanol plants. The remaining $2.4 billion in economic activity, it said, were realized by industries in Minnesota involved in wholesale trade, crop production, real estate, utilities, professional and technical services.

The study said Minnesota’s ethanol industry generated $1.2 billion in income for Minnesota’s residents and paid $157.6 million in state and local taxes in 2024.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Global Ethanol Summit Date Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has announced its third Global Ethanol Summit (GES) will be held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 19-22.

GES seeks to elevate ethanol’s international visibility and ongoing successful initiatives as a viable decarbonization solution within the transportation and emerging new uses sectors.

“Prior GES events have been great successes for the Council and the U.S. biofuels industry, and we’re excited for what’s on the agenda for our domestic and international attendees this year,” said Alicia Koch, USGC director of global ethanol export development. “While details about accommodations and a formal agenda will be released in the near future, make sure to save the date for GES 2025 and we hope to see you in the nation’s capital this fall!”

The Council anticipates this year’s event will attract 450 attendees and the program will feature policymakers, ministerial level officials representing the agricultural environmental and energy sectors, researchers, ethanol producers and more to discuss the environmental, human health and economic benefits of ethanol use while fostering collaboration and trade.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, USGC

EPA Takes Action to Terminate EV Mandate

Cindy Zimmerman

In a major announcement Wednesday, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency will reconsider the Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles regulation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles which amounts to a mandate for electric vehicles (EV).

In addition to imposing over $700 billion in regulatory and compliance costs, these rules provided the foundation for the Biden-Harris electric vehicle mandate that takes away Americans’ ability to choose a safe and affordable car for their family and increases the cost of living on all products that trucks deliver.

“The American auto industry has been hamstrung by the crushing regulatory regime of the last administration. As we reconsider nearly one trillion dollars of regulatory costs, we will abide by the rule of law to protect consumer choice and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin.

The emissions standards review was included as part of a larger package of 31 deregulation actions Zeldin announced Wednesday. “Protecting and Bringing Back American Auto Jobs” is the fifth pillar of Administrator Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative.

Electric Vehicles, Energy, EPA

E15 Advocates Rally as House Passes Clean CR

Cindy Zimmerman

NCGA president Kenneth Hartman, Jr. with E15 supporters

Corn grower leaders joined Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) at a press conference on Capitol Hill Tuesday to push for passage of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 to allow nationwide, year-round access to E15.

The press conference was held as the House passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government for another six months without including E15 in the legislation that now goes to the Senate.

“We are very disappointed that extended access to E15 was not included in the continuing resolution,” said National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We appreciate the work of our allies in Congress who champion corn growers and our priorities and call on Congress to address this issue as soon as possible.”

Also present at the event were Reps. Nikki Budzinski (R-IL), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Mike Flood (R-NE), and Jim Baird (R-IN). Nearly 9,000 corn growers and advocates from across the country signed a letter that was sent last week to House and Senate leaders calling for action on the issue.

corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

Report Highlights Ethanol’s Importance to Nebraska

Cindy Zimmerman

A new comprehensive study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) details the significant economic and agricultural contributions of Nebraska’s ethanol industry in the state.

The 2021-2023 Economic Impacts of the Nebraska Ethanol and Co-Products Industry report reveals how ethanol production fuels job creation, supports corn growers, and bolsters rural development across the state. In 2023, that included ethanol production of more than 2 billion gallons, which contributed to a total industry impact of more than $6 billion across the state.

“This UNL study is a testament to the strength and resilience of Nebraska’s ethanol industry—and its unmatched importance to our state,” Nebraska Ethanol Board Interim Executive Director Ben Rhodes said. “From supporting thousands of jobs to driving demand for our corn crop, ethanol is a crucial pillar of Nebraska’s economy. We’re proud to see these impacts documented so clearly, and the NEB remains committed to advancing this industry’s success.”

The report highlights the record economic impacts of the industry during the years studied, including an all-time high of $8.18 billion in 2022. This includes the value of ethanol and co-products sold, as well as labor and tax effects. Nebraska’s 24 ethanol plants support 1,800 full-time equivalent employees, the report says, with average annual wages of nearly $80,000. Co-product value was also noteworthy, with existing and new co-product markets adding to 45% of ethanol value. That means that for every dollar of ethanol produced and sold, $0.45 of co-products were also sold.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Clean Fuels Foundation Awards Education Grant

Cindy Zimmerman

Courtney Videchak

The Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation has announced the recipient of this year’s Beth Calabotta Sustainable Education Grant is Courtney Videchak, a Mechanical Engineering PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. Videchak’s research inspired her to enroll in sustainability courses offered by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and the School of Environment and Sustainability.

Videchak’s dissertation is focused on creating fuel-specific engine calibrations optimized for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and a 50% (by volume) blend of the two fuels to decrease CO2 emissions and increase engine efficiency.

Videchak will attend Clean Fuels Alliance America’s 2025 Sustainability Workshop in Kansas City, Missouri, in April, where she will share her research and collaborate with industry and scientific leaders in the field. “Ultimately, the results of my work will hopefully encourage engine manufacturers to make these alternative fuels a primary consideration rather than an afterthought,” Videchak wrote in her application. “I am eager to attend the workshop to deepen my understanding of alternative fuel sustainability, a critical area for my future career. This opportunity would allow me to apply what I learn to my professional aspirations in renewable energy and low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels.”

The Beth Calabotta Grant was established in 2018 to support deserving students interested in clean fuels, science and research. The grant honors scientist and past Foundation director Beth Calabotta, whose legacy and dedication to biodiesel and sustainability tremendously impacted the industry.

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance, Education

South Dakota Law Creates Concern for Carbon Pipeline

Cindy Zimmerman

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden last week signed a law which prohibits eminent domain for a pipeline that carries carbon oxide, which would be the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline that ethanol producers are hoping will lower their carbon score.

“It’s very unfortunate that, despite our approvals in Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota, South Dakota changed the rules in the middle of the game,” said a statement from Summit Carbon Solutions. “This kind of regulatory uncertainty creates real challenges—not just for our project, but for the ethanol plants in South Dakota that now face a competitive disadvantage compared to their counterparts in neighboring states. While this presents obstacles, our project moves forward in states that support investment and innovation, and we will have more news on that soon.”

Gov. Rhoden claims the legislation, which only applies to carbon dioxide, does not kill the proposed project. “Rather than viewing this legislation as an obstacle to the proposed project…I encourage Summit and others to view it as an opportunity for a needed reset. Voluntary easements for this proposed project will still be able to move forward… In fact, without the threat of eminent domain, the opportunity might finally be available for trust to be rebuilt and for more productive conversations to occur between Summit and South Dakota landowners.”

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw called the action an “unnecessary roadblock” between Midwest corn farmers and much needed new markets. “The South Dakota law effectively bans carbon pipelines in the state,” said Shaw. “While this is horrible for South Dakota and unfortunate for nearby states, there are numerous opportunities to sequester and ways to get there that don’t include South Dakota. The demand for ultra-low carbon ethanol around the globe is so massive that, at the end of the day, no one state will be able to stop the ethanol industry from accessing that market.”

Carbon, carbon capture, Ethanol, Ethanol News

EPA Extends Compliance Deadline for RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

On Friday the Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule to extend the March 31 deadline for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance reporting for 2024.

The rule also updates the definition of “biodiesel” in the program to reference the most recent ASTM quality specifications, and Clean Fuels Alliance America expressed disappointment in response.

In December, EPA proposed a partial waiver of the 2024 cellulosic biofuel standard, anticipating a shortfall of available cellulosic (D3 or D7) RINs. EPA further proposed to delay compliance until the next quarterly reporting deadline, to give obligated parties an additional 90 days to plan 2024 compliance strategies. EPA today is taking no action on the partial waiver but is deferring the 2024 compliance deadline for an unspecified period until it finalizes a decision on the waiver.

“The biomass-based diesel industry needs policy certainty that supports our continued growth and significant contribution to American energy security,” said Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels’ Vice President of Federal Affairs. “In response to the proposed waiver of cellulosic volumes, Clean Fuels asked EPA to make decisions on outstanding small refinery exemptions to assess the potential impact on 2024 RIN availability. It is frustrating that EPA is delaying important program decisions and adding to uncertainty for our industry.”

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance, EPA, RFS

Iowa’s Elite Octane Celebrates Billion Gallon Milestone

Cindy Zimmerman

On Friday, Atlantic, Iowa-based Elite Octane celebrated reaching the milestone of producing its billionth gallon of ethanol.

With its 53 employees, Elite Octane has paid more than $1.6 billion to local corn farmers since commencing operations in 2018, nearly all funds received within 60 miles of Atlantic, Iowa. The over 300 million bushels of corn were processed into more than just ethanol. Elite Octane also produced more than 2 million tons of high protein animal feed and over 300 million pounds of corn oil as well. Additionally, 50 percent of all the water used in the ethanol production process is recycled water from the City of Atlantic that would otherwise be discharged down the river.

Elite Octane began its operations on July 1, 2018, and has the capacity to produce 150 million gallons of ethanol each year. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper congratulated the investors and staff for reaching such a significant milestone in only seven years. “Over the past seven years, they have worked tirelessly to support the local economy in Iowa, providing cleaner, lower-cost fuel ethanol and other coproducts. We are proud of their success and their impact on the American ethanol industry,” said Cooper.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, RFA

State Attorneys General Support Nationwide E15

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird last week led a letter signed by 16 state attorneys general urging Congress to pass a bipartisan bill that will allow nationwide access to year-round E15 gasoline.

Iowa’s AG was joined by Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia. The States urge Congress to swiftly pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 that promises nationwide access to year-round E15. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN) led introduction of the bills in each house.

“We thank these attorneys general, from Alaska to Florida, for their leadership on a matter of importance to the families in their state, and indeed all 50 states,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “They understand the importance of renewable fuels like U.S.-made ethanol in enhancing American energy independence, helping families save money at each fill-up, reducing pollution and bolstering the rural economy.”

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA