NCGA Cobcast on Corn, Ethanol and the RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest episode of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Cobcast podcast features a discussion on how the Renewable Fuel Standard changed the corn industry and made ethanol one of the most important markets for corn.

The podcast features agricultural economist Scott Irwin from the University of Illinois; Julie Busse, a member of the NCGA ethanol team; and Bradley Schad, CEO of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association. They’ll provide some important context about ethanol’s history as a fuel, and also tell us how you can get involved with critical efforts to secure its future.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

corn, Ethanol, NCGA, Podcasting

Iowa Ethanol Needs Carbon Capture to Benefit from SAF

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa corn farmers and ethanol producers celebrated the start of production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) this week at LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels but a new study shows the state needs carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to reap benefits from increased use of ethanol-to-jet SAF.

“Today and every day going forward, American farmers and ethanol producers are losing demand until we get carbon capture and sequestration online,” stated Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) executive director, who was in Georgia to witness the LanzaJet grand opening. “LanzaJet is proving that SAF from ethanol is here today. Now it is up to us to produce a qualifying ethanol feedstock. Iowans need to realize that CCS is the key to the new market. Regardless of individual views on carbon policy, our business is making the products our customers want and right now we can’t do that.”

Currently, no Iowa ethanol plant has a carbon intensity score low enough to qualify as a SAF feedstock and only one plant in the entire country is using CCS to produce SAF-friendly ethanol. By contrast, Brazil produces over 7 billion gallons of ethanol with a carbon score expected to qualify for SAF production.

A new study by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) has found that fully maximizing the potential of the SAF production in Iowa will have a generation impact.

To meet the demand, DIS projects that Iowa would build:

11 new 200-million-gallon-per-year ethanol plants
5 new ethanol-to-jet SAF production facilities
3 new facilities that convert soybean oil, fats and greases to SAF.

“The construction and ongoing operations of these facilities hold the promise to fundamentally transform rural Iowa in ways even bigger than the current biofuels industry,” stated David Miller, DIS chief economist and report author. “We have the opportunity to set the stage for the next 25 years when corn production will rise to 20-21 billion bushels per year based on current acres. No other market but SAF can utilize that corn. If we do not embrace low carbon ethanol to unlock SAF, we are likely to lose 20 million acres of corn across the Midwest and the $10 billion in farm income those acres create. What will our legacy be?”

IRFA held a press call this week to introduce the study. Listen to it below.
Iowa SAF Study press call 29:00

Audio, aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, SAF

LanzaJet Opens First Ethanol to SAF Plant

Cindy Zimmerman

LanzaJet made history this week opening the world’s first ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Soperton, Georgia.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined LanzaJet at Wednesday’s event. “As we transition to SAF, this will not only create new climate smart commodity markets for American producers, but it will also help American companies such as LanzaJet corner the market of a valuable, emerging industry, while revitalizing rural communities like Soperton with agriculture front and center in the effort. LanzaJet’s facility will help accelerate the SAF industry and provide new economic opportunities for producers for a more sustainable future.”

Listen to Vilsack’s comments here:
Sec. Vilsack at LanzaJet opening 22:37

LanzaJet is a member of the Renewable Fuels Association and RFA CEO Geoff Cooper congratulated the company on this historic achievement. “We hope Lanzajet’s Freedom Pines biorefinery is the first of many facilities across the country to use low-carbon ethanol as a feedstock to produce SAF, and we look forward to working with our partners in the biorefining and airline sectors to facilitate rapid growth in the sector,” said Cooper. “Our nation’s farmers and ethanol producers stand ready to serve this growing market, with production capacity and transportation infrastructure already in place to meet future demand. But for that vision to become a reality, we need the Biden administration to embrace sound science and swiftly finalize the modeling tools that will be used to determine eligibility for crucial SAF tax incentives.”

Audio, aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, SAF, USDA

EPA Data Shows Clean Fuels Industry’s Record Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

Clean Fuels Alliance America this week welcomed the release of Public Data for the Renewable Fuel Standard by the Environmental Protection Agency, including final production volumes for 2023.

EPA’s data shows that U.S. production of biomass-based diesel – including biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and heating oil – reached 4 billion gallons in 2023. Both domestic production and use of advanced biomass-based diesel grew by 1 billion gallons in 2023, compared to 2022.

“The clean fuels industry achieved what EPA said could not be done – namely continued growth of advanced biodiesel, renewable diesel, SAF and heating oil from sustainably sourced feedstocks,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels.

In June 2023, EPA finalized Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023, 2024 and 2025 that provided only moderate increases in the biomass-based diesel and non-cellulosic advanced volumes each year. EPA established a mere 60-million-gallon increase in biomass-based diesel volumes for 2023 and only a 530-million-gallon increase for 2024 and 2025. Clean Fuels advocated increased growth of 500 million gallons for the biomass-based diesel category each of the three years.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, biomass, Clean Fuels Alliance, RFS

Senators Introduce Farm to Fly Act

Cindy Zimmerman

Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate this week would help accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Farm to Fly Act, sponsored by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA, Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), would use existing USDA programs to allow further growth for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation sector and create new markets for American farmers.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said they strongly support the Farm to Fly Act. “We truly appreciate Sen. Moran—along with cosponsors Sens. Klobuchar and Ernst—and their effort to move forward this important legislation that creates more clarity and stability around the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) made from U.S. crops,” said Cooper. “This bill helps position SAF for takeoff by ensuring the best available science and modeling tools are used to calculate the carbon benefits of homegrown renewable fuels.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Max Miller (R-Ohio), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill), Angie Craig (D-Minn), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Brad Finstad (R-Minn), Mike Flood (R-Neb) and Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa). This legislation is also supported by a number of aviation, agriculture and energy leaders.

aviation biofuels, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, SAF

Donnie Wahlberg Teams with Clean Fuels for Bioheat® Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

The founder of the band New Kids on the Block is helping Clean Fuels Alliance America promote the new heating fuel on the block – Bioheat®.

Donnie Wahlberg visits his childhood home in Dorchester, MA

Actor and Boston native Donnie Wahlberg, known for his deep ties to the Boston community, is excited to promote a cleaner, warmer future with Bioheat® fuel, an eco-friendly and sustainable home heating solution derived from plants, including soybeans.

“I have two sons. When they come to Boston to visit my family, and they see that big oil tank in the basement, they are like, ‘What is this?’ How great is it that I can now tell them, ‘You know what’s in there, vegetable oil,’” said Wahlberg. “It’s changing right under our noses we just have to realize that it’s right there. To know that my kids know that I am from an older generation, even though I don’t look it, but I care, and I’m doing my part to help protect their future and their children’s future and that means everything to me.”

Bioheat® fuel is a renewable energy source that blends traditional heating oil with biodiesel, significantly reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact. Wahlberg’s partnership with Clean Fuels is driven by a shared commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions and fostering environmental responsibility.

biofuels, Bioheat, Clean Fuels Alliance

Ethanol Report From Washington DC Auto Show

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association is hoping its concept Plug-in Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel Vehicle (PHEFFV) will be a stand out at the 2024 Washington, D.C. Auto Show.

Known on the auto circuit as the official “Public Policy Show”, the 10-day Washington, D.C. Auto Show is preceded by an official gathering of automotive industry leaders, government officials, and media contacts to address the current state of the country’s essential automotive sector and its future initiatives.

RFA Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development Robert White is at the show and talks about the great story they have to tell there about the benefits of the PHEFFV in this episode of The Ethanol Report.

Ethanol Report 1-18-24 20:11

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.

Choose an option to subscribe

Ethanol Report

RFA Showcasing Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel Vehicle in DC

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is set up at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show this week to showcase its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel Vehicle (PHEFFV). RFA has conducted tailpipe emissions analysis, comprehensive life cycle greenhouse gas assessment, overall cost of ownership analysis, and convenience testing for the vehicle, a converted 2022 Ford Escape.

“With the Flex Fuel Power Initiative, we’re showcasing a balanced and flexible path to lower emissions. This vehicle offers an innovative solution that hasn’t been done before,” says Robert White, RFA Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development. “Our PHEFFV demonstrates the potential of flex fuel vehicles fueled with low-carbon ethanol to enhance reliability while lowering emissions, providing a unique and mindful approach to sustainable transportation.”

The PHEFFV is a concept vehicle that combines the benefits of a flex fuel vehicle (FFV), capable of operating on up to 83% ethanol, and a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The vehicle provides a lower-cost, lower-emissions solution for consumers. The Escape has already surpassed 27,000 miles exclusively fueled by low-carbon E85, an alternative fuel containing 51% to 83% ethanol, by utilizing an eFlexFuel conversion kit.

Listen to White preview what they are doing at the DC Auto Show:
RFA's Robert White on PHEFFV at DC Auto Show 2:23

Audio, automotive, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

RFA Urges California to Promote More FFVs

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association is urging California to promote the sale of more flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on up to 85 percent low-carbon ethanol when considering amendments to the Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) regulations.

In comments to the California Air Resources Board, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman pointed out that E85 is increasingly popular with drivers in the Golden State, with sales topping 100 million gallons in 2022, up from roughly 60 million gallons in 2021. He also noted that the number of E85 retail stations in the Golden State has increased rapidly with over 400 stations offering E85 in California and approximately another 200 on the way.

“E85 has consistently sold for a discount to California reformulated gasoline of between $1.50 and $2.00 per gallon, which provides a strong incentive for consumers with flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) to purchase the product,” Richman wrote. “This is evidenced by the rapid growth of E85 sales even as the number of FFVs in California has remained relatively stable or even declined.”

Likewise, the emissions reduction seen with ethanol is important. On average, the carbon intensity of ethanol sold in the state is approximately 40 percent less than the California gasoline baseline, with some ethanol sold in California approximately 70 percent lower.

In the final analysis, Richman wrote, CARB should require all new vehicles with internal combustion engines sold in the state to be flex-fuel capable, beginning as early as model year 2026.

“The recent growth in E85 sales is a prime success story of California’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions while simultaneously reducing criteria pollutants, displacing petroleum, and offering consumers an affordable, practical, and equitable option in complementing the state’s electrification goals. As part of potential amendments to the ACC regulation, a policy to require flex-fuel capability in new ICE vehicle sales in California is necessary to build on this success and can be a significant component in the state’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and beyond.”

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

RFA Offers Recommendations for SAF Emissions Modeling

Cindy Zimmerman

With the deadline to update the GREET model looming on March 1, the Renewable Fuels Association is offering recommendations for ensuring that the best available science and data are used in determining eligibility for the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit established in the Inflation Reduction Act.

RFA sent a letter today to an interagency administration working group containing detailed comments and recommendations, including analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of different modeling tools, methodologies, and data sets being considered by the IWG for inclusion in the soon-to-be-updated “40B GREET model.”

“One of the most promising forms of SAF involves the conversion of ethanol to jet fuel,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Ethanol has key advantages as a feedstock for SAF, as it is cost-competitive with petroleum-based fuels and is by far the largest-volume biofuel produced in the U.S, with output of nearly 16 billion gallons per year.”

RFA also urges the administration to ensure the new model is informed by actual observations and empirical data from the post-2005 period of biofuel expansion and said it should also take a practical approach to integration of climate-smart agriculture practices.

“In order for the full potential of the IRA to be realized, it is imperative that the proper lifecycle analysis modeling framework be adopted by the Treasury and IRS,” the letter concludes. After slight modifications are made by the IWG to include more current data and information, “…the resulting 40B GREET should be determined to satisfy the CAA section 211(o)(1)(H) criteria.”

Click here to read the letter.

aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA