Clean Fuels Awards Presented

Cindy Zimmerman

The annual Clean Fuels Awards honoring outstanding contributions of a diverse group of individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel were announced this week at the Clean Fuels Conference in Fort Worth.

John Bullock, Darling Ingredients

The Impact Award was presented Tuesday to John Bullock, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Darling Ingredients.

Darling is a world leader in “upcycling” animal byproducts to their highest value through the creation of new markets including renewable fuels. With a passion for agriculture, Bullock spearheaded Darling’s entry into the renewable diesel market in 2013, aiming to optimize the utility of its waste fats. In collaboration with its 50/50 joint venture, Diamond Green Diesel, the company has transformed into a major player in the global renewable diesel market and is poised to become a leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel.

John Bullock Award Remarks 2:34

Industry Partnership Award this year goes to ASTM International for its ongoing collaboration with the Clean Fuels technical team and the greater fuels industry to regularly revise and improve fuel standards, including ASTM D6751, the specification for biodiesel.

PepsiCo receives the Clean Fuels Inspiration Award, honoring its steadfast progress in decarbonizing one of the largest private fleets in North America.

2024 Clean Fuels Conference Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance

Secretary Vilsack to Speak at National Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association is proud to announce that USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will speak at the 2024 National Ethanol Conference in San Diego. Sec. Vilsack will speak to nearly 1,000 conference attendees Tuesday morning, Feb. 20.

“We are truly honored to have Secretary Vilsack joining us at this year’s conference, and we look forward to hearing his perspective on the future of renewable fuels and the farm economy,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Under his leadership, USDA continues to embrace sustainable innovation and pursue new market opportunities for America’s farmers and ethanol producers. With crucial SAF tax credit modeling decisions looming, new funding opportunities for biofuels infrastructure, and important new initiatives for climate-smart agriculture, this is the perfect time to welcome Secretary Vilsack to NEC and thank him for his tireless efforts and dedication.”

Vilsack was confirmed as the 32nd Secretary of Agriculture in 2021 to serve under President Joe Biden after serving in the same role for eight years under President Barack Obama, from 2009 to 2017. The last time he spoke at the National Ethanol Conference was 2016 in Houston.

The National Ethanol Conference will be held February 19-21 in San Diego. Click here for more information and registration.

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

Clean Fuels CEO Optimistic as Industry Faces Headwind

Cindy Zimmerman

On the MainStage at the 2024 Clean Fuels Conference, Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen, provided a state of the industry report noting that it is a very transformative time for clean fuels, biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

“We are facing a serious headwind right now with the low RVOs set by the EPA as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard. I see the recent downturn and the impact that these low RVOs have had on our producers. But please, do not despair. We have faced this and arguably worse before and we’ve come out on top.”

A large component of Rehagen’s remarks focused on demand from the rail industry and other markets.

Listen to his opening remarks and press availability below:
Opening remarks with Donnell Rehagen 3:03
Press Conference with Donnell Rehagen 21:58

2024 Clean Fuels Conference Photo Album

Audio, aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, biofuels, Bioheat, biojet fuel, Clean Fuels Alliance, RFS, SAF, Soybean, Sustainability

Preview of 2024 Clean Fuels Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

2024 Clean Fuels ConferenceIt’s time for the 2024 Clean Fuels Conference. This year the conference is located in Ft. Worth, TX.

The Clean Fuels Conference connects key players of the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industry for one can’t-miss event. Clean fuels for land, sea and sky come together for a week of expert sessions, exhibits and showcases. Attendees include clean fuels producers and marketers, distributors, feedstock providers, fleet managers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), ESG officers and members of the media.

Listen in to a preview interview with Donnell Rehagen, CEO, Clean Fuels: Interview with Donnell Rehagen

During the conference, lots of photos will be available here: 2024 Clean Fuels Conference Photo album

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, Soybeans

Biofuels Industry Mourns Loss of Bill Northey

Cindy Zimmerman

The tributes began pouring in as soon as the shock wore off Monday when the news broke that former Iowa Agriculture Secretary and USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey had died at the age of 64.

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) where Northey served as CEO shared the news of his passing. “The state of Iowa, and all of agriculture, has lost a great leader who has left his mark on future generations and will be greatly missed. Bill was a tireless advocate for agriculture and a beloved leader for the entire AAI staff and organization.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said in a statement that his family has been friends with the Northeys for over two generations.
“Bill Northey was a dear friend and fierce advocate for the family farmer. As Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture and Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at the United States Department of Agriculture under President Trump, Bill’s commitment to agriculture, biofuels and conservation were unmatched,” said Grassley.

Northey frequently attended the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit while he was state agriculture secretary and often presented his biofuels marketer of the year awards there. “Bill has always been a thoughtful but forceful leader for farmers and rural America. He was an incredible friend to ethanol and biodiesel producers because he saw the big picture,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “This wasn’t just about turning a profit – this was about preserving a way of rural life.”

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper offered condolences on behalf of the entire ethanol industry. “Bill was a passionate and tireless advocate for agriculture and renewable fuels. He dedicated his career to creating a better future for farmers in Iowa and across the country, and he played an important role in the success of the U.S. ethanol industry,” said Cooper.

Funeral arrangements are pending and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags to be at half-staff until Northey is buried.

“Bill was a great leader whose work ethic and passion for Iowa agriculture was unmatched. Iowans and farmers around the country were fortunate to have such a rock-solid advocate and friend,” said Reynolds. “Kevin and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers to Cindy and their family.”

Northey served as Iowa ag secretary for 11 years, from 2007 to 2018, before becoming USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation under President Trump. A fourth-generation farmer, Northey was president of the National Corn Growers Association in the mid-1990s.

The last interview we did with Northey was in 2021 at the inaugural Tech Hub LIVE conference in Des Moines where he talked about ethanol as a low carbon fuel, ag technology and the future.

Tech Hub Live 2021 interview with Bill Northey (6:12)

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, obituaries, USDA

Iowa Ethanol Production Up, Biodiesel Steady

Cindy Zimmerman

In 2023, Iowa ethanol production increased to a record-breaking 4.6 billion gallons, up from the previous record of 4.5 billion gallons in 2022, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).

“Given relatively stable ethanol demand over the last few years, it was a pleasant surprise to crunch the numbers and find Iowa ethanol producers again increased production,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “It is a testament to the innovation and efficiency of both Iowa corn growers and ethanol producers. Looking forward, in order to provide opportunities for further growth in the short term we need to see year-round E15 finalized quickly. But we also have the opportunity to unlock a new market, sustainable aviation fuel, that can drive massive biofuels growth for the next three decades.”

IRFA also reports Iowa biodiesel production last year remained steady at 350 million gallons, nearly the same as the 349 million gallons produced in 2022. Reflecting the expansion of soybean crush capacity nationally and in Iowa, soybean oil increased to 77 percent of the feedstock for Iowa biodiesel production.

The IRFA compiled production information from industry surveys, public reports, and other industry sources.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

Report: Biofuels Needed for MN Clean Transportation Standard

Cindy Zimmerman

A working group report shows biofuels must be included in a fuel- and technology-neutral Clean Transportation Standard (CTS) for Minnesota to achieve its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals.

“The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association is committed to working with the legislature to ensure any CTS program is fuel- and technology-neutral so that we can meet GHG reduction targets while offering market opportunities to our state’s robust renewable fuel industry,” said Executive Director Brian Werner.

A CTS work group established by the Minnesota legislature last year met over the last 6 months and submitted a final report to the state legislature today with recommendations on how to reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of all fuels used for transportation in Minnesota. The work group has 40 members, including MN Bio-Fuels Executive Director Brian Werner.

“The final report makes it clear that any CTS program must take into consideration Minnesota’s unique characteristics, such as our abundant farmland, resilient farmers, and thriving bioeconomy. That means in order to meet the GHG reduction targets the CTS program must tap into the strength and ingenuity of our state’s agriculture and bioprocessing sectors while supporting communities in rural Minnesota,” Werner said.

In 2023, the Minnesota legislature established the work group and set initial targets for CI fuel reduction of at least 25 percent by 2030, 75 percent by 2040, and 100 percent by 2050.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News

International Grains Council Considers Biofuels Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman

International Grains Council photo

The United States hosted the 59th International Grains Council Session and 2024 Grains Forum this past week in New Orleans, Louisiana. The IGC discusses world grain market developments, monitors changes in national grain policies and provides critical grain and oilseed market information and analysis to its members.

The event kicked off with a Mississippi river tour sponsored by the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA), ending at Cargill’s Westwego export terminal. IGC and the United States then hosted the 2024 Grains Forum “Biofuels market outlook and grains market development,” which assessed the current situation of the global biofuels sector and implications of the further developing energy industry will be for food and feed sectors. FAS Administrator Daniel B. Whitley kicked off the session. He was joined by the Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, who highlighted how agricultural sectors can take advantage of the growing global demand for energy by embracing new technologies and innovations in biofuel development.

The forum also included numerous roundtable discussions on topics such as opportunities for biofuel development in global markets, grain and oilseed market outlooks and biofuel perspectives, the impact of biofuels uses on grains trade, and long-term prospects for biofuel development. Throughout the meetings, the U.S. delegates were able to showcase the importance of climate-smart agriculture in future opportunities for biofuels markets.

Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, International, Soybeans

Nebraska Retailers Urged to Apply for HBIIP Grants

Cindy Zimmerman

Nebraska is one of 22 states that recently received a portion of $19 million awarded recently by USDA under the Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) with 16 retail locations receiving grants. The Nebraska Ethanol Board is urging retailers across the state to take advantage of the program during the current signup period.

Launched in July 2023 with a $450 million budget, HBIIP aims to boost sustainable fuel markets by supporting ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure improvements. USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand access to domestic biofuels. These grants will support the infrastructure needed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. There are three quarterly application windows left, and the program ends Sept. 30, 2024. The next application deadline is March 31, 2024.

Check out the Nebraska Ethanol Board’s HBIIP 101 for application deadlines, resources for grant writing and technical support, webinars, and tips on making the application process easier.

E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

2024 NEC Scholarship Awards Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

2023 National Ethanol Conference scholarship winners and Foundation board members

The Renewable Fuels Foundation announces eight 2024 recipients of the Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship, which annually offers opportunities for students and young professionals to attend the National Ethanol Conference (NEC), which takes place this year February 19-21 in San Diego.

This year’s scholarship winners are:
– Nicholas Defenbaugh, senior at Orion Technical College and a maintenance technician at Big River Resources
– Troy Hurren, first-year Ph.D. researcher at UC Riverside’s Center for Environmental Research and Technology
– Adam Loker, junior in agricultural communications at Southern Illinois University
– Kabirat Nasiru, data and statistics analyst at the National Science Foundation
– Trevor Pfeifer, staff accountant at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy in Council Bluffs
– Diana Ramirez, Ph.D. candidate in agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University
– Jordan Devries, master’s degree student in horticulture at Michigan State University
– Sally Schmidt, master’s degree student in agriculture communications at the University of Missouri

“The Foundation is thrilled to offer a record number of scholarships for our 2024 conference,” said Delayne Johnson, chairman of the Renewable Fuels Foundation and CEO of Quad County Corn Processors. “Our event’s theme this year is ‘Powered by Partnerships’; through our scholarship program, we are proud to partner with the next generation of thought leaders, innovators, and industry influencers. Reviewing these applications and learning about these young people’s goals and accomplishments was an eye-opener—and a true source of optimism for the future of the U.S. ethanol industry. We look forward to interacting with them at the National Ethanol Conference, and the great things they will do with the knowledge they gain and the networking they conduct.”

Now in its 15th year, the NEC scholarship program is named in honor of Robert “Bob” Sather, an educator who helped found RFA member company Ace Ethanol in Wisconsin. Sather was a longtime chairman of the Renewable Fuels Foundation, whose mission is to meet the research and education needs of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry. The aim of the Bob Sather Memorial Scholarship is to reach young adults aspiring to a career related to renewable fuels, open new doors for them, and present new perspectives on ethanol’s place in our world today and in the future. Scholarships totaling nearly $120,000 have been awarded to more than 60 students and young professionals since the program began.

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