ACE Submits Land Use Change Analysis to SAF Group

Cindy Zimmerman

Ron Alverson and Brian Jennings

In advance of the March 1 expectation for the modified GREET model to be announced, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings sent a letter this week to members of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Interagency Working Group tasked with determining the changes.

Accompanying ACE’s letter was an analysis prepared by Ron Alverson of the ACE board of directors comparing modeled estimates of land use change (LUC) to what has occurred in the real world.

“As the much-anticipated deadline nears for 40B GREET for SAF, I stress the importance of GHG credits for climate-smart agriculture practices and a final methodology based on real-world observations of land use change instead of inflated assumptions generated from unreliable economic models,” Jennings wrote. “ACE believes carbon credits for climate-smart agriculture are essential because they incentivize on-farm practices which can reduce or even prevent land use change-related emissions.”

The ACE letter also references a recent USDA decision to provide $25 million for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) led by ACE. The funding will help farmers adopt reduced tillage, nutrient management and cover crops on nearly 100,000 acres across 167 counties surrounding 13 ethanol facilities partnering with ACE in a 10-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

“Our USDA-RCPP project can help members of the Interagency Working Group minimize or even control land use change if you ensure GREET is used to provide carbon credits for climate-smart ag practices, not only for 40B, but also for the 45Z clean fuel production credit,” said Jennings.

ACE, aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, SAF

Senate Introduces Ocean-Going Renewable Fuels Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) this week introduced the Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act to allow companies to preserve Renewable Identification Number credits (RINs) under the RFS program for renewable fuel, when the fuel for use is in ocean-going vessels.

The legislation designates renewable fuel used in ocean-going vessels as an “additional renewable fuel” (similar to jet fuel) under the Renewable Fuel Standard. This will enable biodiesel and renewable diesel producers to preserve Renewable Identification Number credits (RINs) in the RFS program, when the fuel is used in ocean-going shipping.

Clean Fuels Alliance America strongly supports the legislation, along with the Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana Soybean Associations, and other groups seeking to increase use of low-carbon fuels and reduce carbon emissions in international shipping and travel.

“The international shipping industry is seeking to decarbonize and clean fuels like biodiesel and renewable diesel are available today to help,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels. “This commonsense legislation will enable biodiesel and renewable diesel producers to meet the low-carbon fuel demand from shipping companies operating on both coasts and the Great Lakes. It will open new markets to American clean fuel producers and their farmer partners.”

The RFS currently excludes “fuel used in ocean-going vessels” from the definition of transportation fuels and from refiners’ and blenders’ obligations. Refiners and blenders are currently required to retire RINs from any biodiesel and renewable diesel used in vessels with Class 3 engines operating in international waters, including the Great Lakes. In 2023, 6.8 million D4 RINs were retired under this rule.

Kovarik talked about the legislation, which has already been introduced in the House, during his policy update at the recent Clean Fuels Conference.
Clean Fuels Conference - Kurt Kovarik Remarks 8:52

Audio, Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance, renewable diesel

Southwest Invests $30 Million in LanzaJet SAF Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

Sustainable fuels technology company LanzaJet today announced a $30 million investment by Southwest Airlines for the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility and collaborate on the corn stover to ethanol technology company SAFFiRE Renewables.

LanzaJet plans to undertake project development efforts for the SAF production facility in the United States, with Southwest as the anchor SAF offtaker. The biorefinery is expected to utilize LanzaJet’s pioneering technology, which is capable of scaling production to the levels needed to decarbonize aviation through widely available and sustainable feedstock, emerging commercial residue-based feedstock solutions, and promising economics. LanzaJet will also support Southwest’s efforts to commercialize SAFFiRE’s technology that processes corn stover into ethanol.

​“The U.S. is an incredibly important market for us – it’s our home, where our technology originated and scaled, the site of our and the world’s first commercial ethanol-to-SAF plant, and an important opportunity to support the existing U.S. biofuels and ethanol industries with our leading ethanol-to-SAF technology,” said Jimmy Samartzis, Chief Executive Officer of LanzaJet. ​“The alignment of Southwest and LanzaJet is a powerful combination that has the potential to integrate the SAF value chain and to double-down on the US ethanol, aviation, and biofuel industries. Our work together will lead us closer to meeting aviation’s decarbonization goals by continuing to scale SAF production in the United States, while also tapping into the U.S. ethanol industry’s potential to catalyze the next generation of SAF production.”

The U.S. facility to be developed by LanzaJet is also intended to enable the opportunity to convert SAFFiRE’s cellulosic ethanol into SAF.

LanzaJet recently opened Freedom Pines Fuels – the world’s first commercial-scale ethanol-to-SAF plant, located in Soperton, Georgia, which serves as a blueprint for utilizing first-of-its-kind innovation to scale SAF production and enables LanzaJet’s aspiration for 1 billion gallons of SAF production by 2030.

Samartzis spoke just last week to the National Ethanol Conference – listen to his comments.
NEC24 Jimmy Samartzis, LanzaJet 19:36

2024 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, aviation biofuels, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, SAF

Beth Calabotta Grant Winner Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

The Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation has awarded the Beth Calabotta Sustainable Education Grant to Pranab Adhikari.

Adhikari is currently pursuing a computer science degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also works as a data analyst intern at the City of Madison where he is involved in overseeing the implementation of initiatives such as the B100 biodiesel pilot programs actively contributing to the operation of almost 500 diesel assets on blends of B5, B20 and B100. This grant provides Adhikari the opportunity to attend this year’s Clean Fuels Sustainability Workshop where he will share his work with industry and scientific leaders in the field.

“The journey into biomass-based diesel is not just a career choice for me, it’s a personal commitment to environmental stewardship and the promotion of sustainable alternatives,” Adhikari wrote in his application. “My experience has taught me that the intersection of technology and alternative fuels is where innovation thrives, and it is this intersection that I aim to explore and contribute to in my future endeavors.”

The Beth Calabotta Sustainable Education Grant was established in 2018 to help 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 sustainability made a lasting impact on the industry.

Biodiesel, biofuels, biomass, Clean Fuels Alliance

B20 Club of Illinois Celebrates Ten Year Milestone

Cindy Zimmerman

The B20 Club of Illinois is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year with a new milestone in adoption of biodiesel with 110 million gallons of biodiesel blends of 20% and higher used by members in the state since 2014.

The B20 Club is an award-winning partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program and the American Lung Association. It represents a diverse group of Illinois fleets, companies and organizations dedicated to cleaner air and more sustainable operations through production and use of biodiesel.

Starting with a handful of fleets in 2014, the B20 Club has since grown to 30-plus members, representing a cross section of the transportation industry. Fleet members represent municipalities, park districts, fuel suppliers, mass transit operators, trucking companies, utility companies, marine vessel operators, environmental companies and more. Affiliate members include not-for-profits, government agencies and other organizations that support B20 as a high-quality fuel source. Associate members encompass biodiesel producers and marketers.

“By fueling with biodiesel, our members have prevented significant levels of harmful pollutants from entering the air over the past ten years, including more than 123,000 pounds of particulate matter and 196,000 tons of carbon dioxide and equivalents (CO2e). That translates to an estimated $25 million in heath related savings and a carbon reduction equivalent to planting more than 3.3 million trees,” said Bailey Arnold, director of clean air initiatives at the Lung Association and program lead for the B20 Club of Illinois.

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance, Soybeans

Ethanol Report on 29th NEC

Cindy Zimmerman

The 29th National Ethanol Conference held in San Diego California last week may go down as one of the best and most timely industry meetings ever, setting the stage for major decisions that hang in the balance this year, including year-round availability of E15 and a revised GREET model that will determine ethanol’s role in sustainable aviation fuel.

The Renewable Fuels Association was pleased to welcome USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to the NEC this year, as well as Doug McKalip, Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative. This edition of the Ethanol Report includes comments from both of them, as well as RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, RFA Chairman Erik Huschitt of Badger State Ethanol, Dr. Michael Wang with Argonne National Laboratory, and RFA Senior VP, Industry Relations & Market Development Robert White.

Ethanol Report 2-26-24 19:10

2024 National Ethanol Conference Virtual Newsroom

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, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

RFA Chair Optimistic About Future for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association board chairman Erik Huschitt says there are both big challenges and big opportunities right now for the ethanol industry but he remains optimistic about the future.

“I’m optimistic because I know science is on our side,” said Huschitt, who is CEO of Badger State Ethanol. “And I know that the brilliant people and the passion in this room will not be overcome by any politician naysayer that exists in the marketplace.”

Huschitt says most people in the ethanol industry are “time tested” by the ups and downs they have experienced over the years. “Being in the ethanol industry, nothing comes in a straight line and nothing is easy,” he said.

Listen to an interview with Huschitt and his remarks at the National Ethanol Conference.
NEC24 RFA Chairman, Erik Huschitt, CEO of Badger State Ethanol address 5:10

NEC24 RFA chair Erik Huschitt, interview 4:52

2024 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

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

ACE Reacts to E15 Waiver Approval, Prepares for DC Fly-in

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) reacted to the Biden Administration’s EPA announcement this week to allow the sale of E15 year-round in eight Midwest states, but not until the summer of 2025.

“As the saying goes, ‘better late than never,’ but EPA had a legal responsibility to approve E15 year-round in these states more than a year and a half ago, so postponing the effective date to April 28, 2025 is disappointing,” said ACE CEO Brian Jennings.

Jennings says ACE continues to actively support bipartisan legislation in Congress to permanently enable all Americans to benefit from the cost savings and cleaner emissions of year-round E15 and that will be the biggest priority issue during the organization’s March 14-15 DC fly-in. “E15 is really the timely, urgent topic right now,” said Jennings during an interview at the National Ethanol Conference this week. “We think we’re getting closer and closer to the point where that’s going to get adopted but we need to continue to mobilize support for that.”

E15 was also part of ACE’s comments this week to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding its 2024 proposed amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), but they primarily focused on the proposed “sustainability criteria” for crop-based biofuels. “We are gravely concerned about the direction that CARB is taking this program,” said Jennings. “They want to go to the point where they are requiring ethanol producers to essentially track every bushel of corn that’s delivered to their facility.”

Listen to the full interview with Jennings here:
ACE CEO Brian Jennings 8:44

ACE, Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

EPA Announces E15 Waiver Approval for 8 States in 2025

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday approval of requests from state governors to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for gasoline-ethanol blends containing 10 percent ethanol in their states, but delays the effective date to April 28, 2025.

“After review of the emissions modeling results presented by the governors in their requests, EPA is removing the 1-psi waiver in the following states: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin,” EPA states, adding that the delay in implementation is “due to concerns over insufficient fuel supply with an earlier effective date, consistent with statutory provisions.”

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack previewed the announcement earlier this week at the National Ethanol Conference, adding that he believes the approval will ultimately go beyond the eight Midwestern states. “We understand higher blends need to be supported which is why I am confident that 2025 we will have E15 across the country and this summer we will likely see waivers as we have the last couple of summers,” Vilsack said in remarks. Regarding the delay until 2025, he told reporters, “I think it’s important to have the justification for the expansion locked down solid so that if there are any concerns expressed about it as often the oil industry provides, that we’re in a position to defend this as strongly as we can.”

NEC24 Vilsack E15 waiver comments 2:10

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper called the delayed approval a good news, bad news situation. On one hand, the EPA decision finally allows retailers in these eight states to sell E15 year-round. But on the other hand, it delays implementation until 2025, creating uncertainty and confusion about the availability of E15 this coming summer. “Summertime is just around the corner, what’s the marketplace going to do with E15 come June 1?” said Cooper. “Long term we’ve got to resolve this in a way that provides certainty in the marketplace and stability.”

NEC24 Cooper E15 waiver comments 1:08

RFA Chairman Erik Huschitt, CEO of Badger State Ethanol, is of the opinion that 2025 is better than never. “If we have to wait until 2025 it’s an embarrassment of our political leadership that they can’t get it done earlier,” said Huschitt. “We’ll take it in 2025…as long as we have a clear path we’ll show a little more patience.”

NEC24 Huschitt E15 waiver comments :21

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

#RFANEC 2024 Wraps Up in California

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association wrapped up its 2024 National Ethanol Conference Wednesday in San Diego with RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper calling it one of the most successful ever.

“This has been a great event, lots of energy, lots of enthusiasm coming out of this conference for the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Cooper. “We had the most people here than we have had in 8 or 9 years.”

While at the conference in California this week, RFA submitted comments to the California Air Resources Board on proposed amendments to that state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

“One of the particular areas of concern that we have is around new what they are calling sustainability requirements for crop-based biofuels,” said Cooper. “We think that would put unnecessary and complex new burdens on ethanol producers without any benefits whatsoever to the program.”

In addition, Cooper says they urged CARB to approve sales of the lower-carbon E15 fuel blend. “This is the last state out of all 50 states that has yet to approve E15 and if they care about reducing carbon emissions, the simplest, lowest cost way to do that in the near term is approve E15.”

Hear more about the 2024 NEC in this interview.
NEC24 RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, interview 9:58

Find audio from all the panels and presentations and hundreds of photos from the NEC in the virtual newsroom for the event.

2024 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA