ACE Conference 2026

House Hearing to Focus on High Octane Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will be holding a hearing this morning on “High Octane Fuels and High Efficiency Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities.” The hearing will take a look at the potential for high octane fuels and the vehicles designed for them to further the goals of the Renewable Fuel Standard and Corporate Average Fuel Economy/Greenhouse Gas programs. Members will also examine the impact a potential transition to high octane fuels and vehicles could have on refiners, biofuel producers, automakers, fuel retailers, and consumers.

“High octane fuels have the potential to allow for the greater use of ethanol and other octane enhancers in the gasoline supply while increasing the miles per gallon in new cars,” said Chairman John Shimkus of Illinois.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor will testify at the hearing today and will stress the benefits of higher octane, mid-level ethanol blends and the need for a stable RFS to maintain market access. “Biofuels must be part of any long-term plan for engine efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction. However, any discussion of our future fuel mix cannot turn back the clock on the RFS,” says Skor.

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) CEO Bob Dinneen submitted written comments yesterday to the subcommittee, noting that the oil industry supports moving to a higher-octane standard, but only to the degree the standard can be met with petroleum. “This stance taken by the oil industry underscores precisely why we need the RFS in the first place—left to their own devices, refiners would meet a new octane standard not by increasing the use of low-cost, low-carbon ethanol, but by cramming more dirty and costly aromatic hydrocarbons into our gasoline,” added Dinneen.

The hearing begins at 9:00 a.m. EST in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building and webcast live at energycommerce.house.gov.

Energy, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, RFA, RFS

Ethanol Industry Pleased with POTUS Support of E15

Cindy Zimmerman

President Trump’s comments Thursday confirming that the administration is working on allowing year-round sales of 15% ethanol blends (E15) sparked a flurry of press releases from ethanol supporters.

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen called it “welcome news to consumers across the country, farmers who have worked to build value-added markets here at home in the face of increased uncertainty in export markets, and the investment community that has received conflicting signals regarding future markets for next generation biofuels.”

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor applauded President Trump “for embracing a common-sense fix to create a level playing field for cleaner, more affordable fuel options during the summer driving season. The White House clearly understands that RVP relief will expand a growing market for America’s farmers while letting consumers pick the fuel of their choice.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings says allowing year-round sales of E15 is also “the quickest way to take pressure off (Renewable Identification Number) RIN prices. E15 blending nationwide will increase ethanol blending which will increase the supply of RIN credits and help bring down their price.”

RIN prices have dropped nearly 50 percent so far this year to a low of 40 cents, but refiners are still asking for waivers from their obligations to blend ethanol into their fuel. There were new reports this week that the country’s two largest oil companies, Chevron and Exxon, are seeking small refinery waivers, which RFA’s Dinneen calls “extremely troubling.”

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Kevin Skunes says they appreciate the president’s support, but says EPA still needs to “stop granting small refinery exemptions, giving extremely profitable refiners a pass on meeting their RFS obligations and destroying demand. We remain opposed to further demand destruction through a RIN price cap or other policies that undermine the RFS.”
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw says “Since the end of last year, the EPA has eliminated over a billion gallons of ethanol demand through black box exemptions and RIN prices have dropped by two-thirds. Meanwhile, most refineries are enjoying record profits…It’s time to help farm country.:

ACE, corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, Iowa RFA, NCGA, RFA, RFS

President Trump Supports Year Round E15 Sales

Cindy Zimmerman

At a White House meeting with governors and members of Congress Thursday, President Donald Trump said he supported allowing the year-round use of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15).

“This is no guarantee, but we’re going to raise it up to 15 percent, which makes a lot of people happy,” said the president prior to a meeting with lawmakers on agricultural trade issues. “We’re going to go to 12 months, which makes a lot of farmers very happy.”

Trump called the current situation where retailers are unable to sell E15 in the summer months “unnecessary and ridiculous” but said there will be a “transition period” which will be “complicated.”

“It’s going to solve a problem and we’re going to be also helping the refineries,” Trump said. “We’re very close to getting that done.”

Listen to Trump’s E15 comments here: Trump comments on E15

Senators and governors from states including Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, North and South Dakota were in that meeting with President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to discuss recent trade actions and how farmers may be impacted.

President Trump talked about NAFTA, China, the European Union, and his philosophy on tariffs in his full remarks prior to the start of the meeting: Trump talks farm trade issues

Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

House Ag Committee Unveils Agriculture and Nutrition Act

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) today introduced the first draft of a new farm bill, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2).

““The farm bill keeps faith with our nation’s farmers and ranchers through the current agriculture recession by providing certainty and helping producers manage the enormous risks that are inherent in agriculture,” said Rep. Conaway. “The farm bill also keeps faith with these families by not only maintaining SNAP benefits but by offering SNAP beneficiaries a springboard out of poverty to a good paying job, and opportunity for a better way of life for themselves and their families.”

Conaway introduced the bill along with House Ag Committee Vice Chair Glenn Thompson (R-PA).

Listen to the press conference: House Ag farm bill introduction

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, farm bill, Government

Biodiesel Board Wants EPA Records

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to end the “secrecy” surrounding small refiner exemptions requested and issued under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to find out more.

“The EPA’s decision to grant upwards of 25 exemptions, with at least one significant waiver in the dark of night to a large and profitable refiner, raises urgent questions as to what else might be going on behind closed doors,” said Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s vice president of federal affairs. “Transparency and certainty are key to maintaining a competitive market for biodiesel, and it is critical we understand the impact any waivers could have on the industry and fuel choice for consumers.”

NBB is asking for specific information regarding the waivers, including the number of petitions for small refinery waivers received and granted going back to 2015, as well as the total volume of renewable fuel involved in those, and the names of all refineries that have submitted and granted exemptions.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted a FOIA request to EPA last week asking for the same information, following news reports that the agency has granted small refinery waivers to large companies.

“Large, profitable companies were not intended to be protected through the small refinery exemption. The current absence of transparency is undermining both the intent and benefits, including jobs and rural economic investments, of the effective program,” Kovarik said.

Biodiesel, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NBB

Ag Secretary Says RFS Waivers Create Demand Destruction

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue had the opportunity to give his opinion about the EPA granting numerous Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers to refiners during a Senate Agricultural Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.

While the purpose of the hearing was to review USDA’s FY2019 budget request, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) brought up the RFS waiver issue and pointed out that he and several other farm state senators sent a letter this week to the president asking that EPA cease granting waivers. Sec. Perdue said he agrees.

“As you know, we have a statutory volume of 15 billion gallons, and those waivers reduce that gallon for gallon,” said Perdue. “That is demand destruction.”

The secretary says USDA has requested information from EPA about the waivers granted and “the administrator has promised to have that as soon as they can gather that information.”

Listen here: Blunt/Perdue - RFS waivers

Industry organizations were pleased to hear Sec. Perdue’s words and thanked him for his support. “President Trump and EPA Administrator Pruitt would be wise to listen to Secretary Perdue because he’s right about the fact that EPA’s so-called “hardship” waivers to wealthy refiners destruct demand for ethanol and break the president’s promise to maintain the RFS,” said American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings. “Secretary Perdue is demonstrating the kind of leadership rural America expects from the administration so we express our sincere thanks for speaking out and standing up.”

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) CEO Bob Dinneen (@ethanolBob) tweeted his thanks to Sec. Perdue. “Thank you, @SecretarySonny for fighting for value added agriculture and farmers by strongly advocating for a 15 billion gallon #RFS. @EPAScottPruitt needs to stop the demand destruction and work with you to assure the year round use of E15. #RFSWorks”

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA, RFS, USDA

Crappie Masters Showcases Ethanol in Texas

Cindy Zimmerman

The seventh stop on the 2018 Crappie Masters Tournament Trail was in Emory, Texas this past weekend, showcasing the use of E10 (10 percent ethanol) fuel in fishing boats.

Texas is home to four ethanol biorefineries, including two owned and operated by White Energy in Plainview and Hereford. White Energy CEO Greg Thompson is proud that the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is again the co-title sponsor of the Crappie Masters tournament this year. “The Crappie Masters Tournament is the only competition that highlights and promotes awareness of ethanol in marine engines. In fact, every winning team the past three years has used E10 in their boats,” said Thompson, in a post on the RFA blog.

“While many consumers understand the numerous benefits of ethanol in vehicles, there continues to be misinformation about the fuel’s use in marine engines,” Thompson says. “There are 12 million recreational boats in the U.S. and all of them are compatible with E10!”

At the same time, Thompson notes that boaters should be aware that while E10 is approved for use in all marine engines, higher ethanol blends, such as E15, are not. “This should not be a concern for consumers. Federal regulations require higher ethanol blends be clearly labeled at the pump. In the six years since E15 has been offered, there has not been a single reported case of E15 misfueling in a marine or any other engine.”

Next stop on the Crappie Masters Tournament Trail is Sunrise Beach, Missouri this weekend on April 14. This will be the first leg of the Missouri State Championship, presented by Spike-It, which will wrap up in September.

Boats, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

#RFSWorks Takes Twitter by Storm

Cindy Zimmerman

The hashtag #RFSWorks was trending on Twitter yesterday morning as farmers, ethanol and biodiesel producers, organization leaders, and dozens of other stakeholders sent on-line messages to President Trump and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as promised.

Quad County Corn Processors was one of many ethanol plants that joined in the Twitter storm. “@realDonaldTrump, please remember your promises to rural America. The #biofuels industry keeps breaking down restrictive barriers, and our reward is more barriers and regulations (hurdles you and @EPAScottPruitt promised to do away with). Stand up for the RFS! #RFSWorks #ethanol.”

Many of the tweets took aim at EPA for granting dozens of small refiner hardship waivers, impacting demand for both ethanol and corn.

“Backdoor RIN waivers=demand destruction for corn, ethanol and defy #RFSworks. Listen to farmers/ranchers/rural America @realDonaldTrump! We remember your promises to support the RFS! Remind @EPAScottPruitt of those promises,” tweeted former National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president and Iowa farmer Pam Johnson.

President Trump reportedly met with Pruitt and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Monday afternoon to again consider what can be done to appease oil refiners complaining about the price of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS), which have dropped 50% so far this year, yet still remain true to his promise to uphold the RFS.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS

Ethanol Safety Seminars Earn RFA 6th TRANSCAER® Award

Cindy Zimmerman

For the sixth consecutive year, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has received a TRANSCAER® National Achievement Award for hosting a series of seminars last year on ethanol safety and emergency responders.

In addition, RFA Technical Services Manager Missy Ruff received the TRANSCAER® Individual Achievement award for work on both RFA’s new ethanol safety DVD that was released last year and for the ethanol safety seminar and webinar efforts. She previously received the award in 2015, 2013, and 2012. The awards are in recognition of extraordinary achievement by an individual person, company, organization or a team in support of the TRANSCAER® initiative.

In 2017, RFA held 35 ethanol safety seminars and four Train the Trainer events, which trains emergency responders on how to properly respond to an ethanol incident. Additionally, 622 emergency responders completed RFA’s online Ethanol Emergency Response Course in 2017, for a combined nearly 1,000 since the program was launched in August 2016.

Since December 2010, RFA has hosted 230 ethanol safety seminars across 39 states, along with 13 Train the Trainer events, and has trained more than 7,700 emergency responders in total.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, safety

Corn and Ethanol Advocates Tweeting #RFSWorks

Cindy Zimmerman

Today from 7-10 AM central time agriculture and ethanol advocates will be participating in a Twitter Townhall, prior to the scheduled meeting today at the White House regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The effort grows out of news last week that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, already under fire for getting a sweet condo deal from the wife of an oil lobbyist, has been handing out dozens of small refiner hardship waivers to allow them out of their RFS obligations.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is calling on members to take action. “While the White House weighs options, the EPA continues to undermine and mess with the RFS, granting questionable RFS waivers to refiners with no transparency and failing to provide regulatory parity for higher blends of ethanol. The EPA continues to check-off the items on Big-Oil’s wish list while gutting corn and ethanol demand and undermining the President’s commitment to the RFS in the process.”

Advocates will be using the hashtag #RFSWorks, tweeting to @realDonaldTrump and/or @POTUS, @EPAScottPruitt and members of Congress this morning. The president is expected to meet this morning with Pruitt and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to discuss the issue again. The industry is encouraging the administration to consider real solutions, including RVP parity that would allow year-round sales of ethanol blends greater than 10 percent.

NCGA notes that since discussions about appeasing oil interests by capping Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices started in January, RIN prices have fallen 50 percent.

Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA