RFA Supports Challenge to EU Maritime Fuel Regulation

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association has filed a petition to support a legal challenge brought by European ethanol producers against the European Union FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which considers crop-based biofuels to have the same emission factors as the least favorable fossil fuel pathway and effectively bans the use of renewable, crop-based marine fuels as a tool for decarbonizing the maritime sector.

RFA’s application to intervene in the proceedings supports the challenge brought by ePURE, a trade association representing European ethanol producers, and Pannonia Bio, one of Europe’s largest ethanol producers. Their application seeks to annul the relevant provisions of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which was adopted by the EU in 2023 and is set to take effect in 2025.

“The FuelEU Maritime regulation is unlawfully biased against crop-based biofuels and it harms ethanol producers around the world by denying them access to an emerging low-carbon fuel market,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “In addition, the EU’s maritime regulation is entirely inconsistent with other programs, like the Renewable Energy Directive, in which the EU has confirmed the low-carbon benefits and sustainability of crop-based biofuels.”

David Carpintero, Director General of ePURE said the FuelEU Maritime regulation jeopardises the EU’s ability to meet ambitious decarbonisation targets. “Given the importance of achieving Europe’s goals for climate change mitigation, energy independence, food security and strategic autonomy, the EU should make better use of proven domestic solutions such as renewable ethanol.”

“Europe will be a climate laggard when the global maritime and aviation markets harmonise around solutions such as sustainable crop-based biofuels that the EU has ruled out but that are affordable, scalable and have low carbon intensity,” said Mark Turley, CEO of ClonBio Group, the owner of Pannonia. “EU investors like Pannonia are now choosing the USA for new investments in large part because EU transport decarbonisation policies are unstable.”

However, Cooper said the regulation would even hamper the ability of U.S. producers to sell low-carbon fuels to maritime shippers in the United States. “Because the regulation also applies to ships arriving at EU ports, it will affect the fuel choices made by EU-bound ship operators when they refuel outside the EU,” he said. “In this way, the regulation directly discourages development and use of low-carbon marine fuels here in the U.S.”

advanced biofuels, Carbon, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Report on GREET Model Delay

Cindy Zimmerman

GREET is the word that has still not been heard from the Biden Administration as the ethanol industry anxiously awaits a decision on a modified lifecycle analysis model that will be used to assess the eligibility of feedstocks for new tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently joined two dozen other biofuel and farm groups calling on the Treasury Department to swiftly resolve any questions standing in the way of efforts to scale up U.S. production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

In this edition of the Ethanol Report, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack explains why the administration was unable to meet the March 1 deadline, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman discusses how the latest Census of Agriculture refutes any notion of land use change involving corn for ethanol, and RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper talks about where we are now.

Ethanol Report 3-28-24 26:28

2024 National Ethanol Conference Virtual Newsroom

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

Blue Biofuels Makes First Cellulosic Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Florida-based Blue Biofuels (BIOF) announced this week that a significant milestone has been made in advancing its Cellulose-to-Sugar (CTS) technology towards commercial scale with the production of its first batch of cellulosic ethanol, utilizing the cellulosic sugars created from biomass on its CTS pilot line.

Entering into the next phase, BIOF has embarked on the funding process to establish production capacity for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in collaboration with Vertimass. BIOF is evaluating prospective locations in Florida capable of accommodating both SAF and cellulosic ethanol production facilities.

Building upon existing partnerships, BIOF is also engaged in multiple discussions to expand its off-take agreements for biofuels. In addition to its established off-take arrangement with World Energy Sustainable Products, LLC, BIOF remains committed to forging new partnerships to meet the growing market demand for sustainable energy solutions.

aviation biofuels, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, SAF

Defenbaugh Carries on Family Tradition

Cindy Zimmerman

Nicholas Defenbaugh, a senior at Orion Technical College and a maintenance technician at Big River Resources, was one of eight students and young professionals who attended the recent 2024 National Ethanol Conference under the Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship program.

Nicholas is carrying on a family tradition working at the plant in Burlington, Iowa which was started by his grandfather Ray Defenbaugh who passed away in 2020. “I got into the industry when I was 17 and I’ve loved it ever since,” Nicholas said.

Ray Defenbaugh, who is considered a pioneer in the ethanol industry, served on the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) board from 2005 until his death, and also served on the boards of other national and state corn, ethanol and grain organizations.

NEC24 Nicholas Defenbaugh, Big River Resources 1:11

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

Zeakal PhotoSeed Corn Could Help Meet SAF Demand

Cindy Zimmerman

ZeaKal recently announced groundbreaking PhotoSeed™ technology in corn, designed to improve the crop’s oil and sustainability profile without compromising yield or protein.

In first year replicated field trials, PhotoSeed increased corn oil composition by an average of 23 percent. PhotoSeed enhances a plant’s photosynthetic capacity, capturing more CO2 and sunlight. This additional carbon capture increases oil production without taking away the energy necessary to maintain modern yields. Despite tremendous demand, previous efforts to boost oil content without compromising yield have eluded agribusinesses. ZeaKal now introduces the first viable solution.

ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed hybrid corn, grown in collaboration with the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center in a glasshouse setting.

Han Chen, co-founder and CEO of ZeaKal, emphasized the imperative for accelerated innovation to meet the escalating demand for sustainable corn oil production. “This trait technology allows us to elevate the overall value of U.S. corn and creates a differentiated, value-added product that addresses industry demand,” said Chen. “U.S. farmers need innovation faster if we hope to compete in a challenging global commodity market. While we cannot change sunlight availability and geography for our growers, we can bring a latitude advantage to them through genetics.”

Corn, occupying 90 million acres in the United States and ranking among the most crucial crops globally, serves as a cornerstone for food, feed, and fuel feedstocks. The FAO forecasts a 70% surge in global demand for sustainable food and feed, and other projections indicate that renewables will constitute 43% of total energy within a decade. Together, this underscores the urgency for plant-based energy, which offers inherent benefits for aviation fuel and renewable diesel that other innovations cannot offer.

Learn more in this interview with Chen:
Zeakal CEO Han Chen interview 10:55

Audio, aviation biofuels, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, renewable diesel, SAF

Nebraska Farmer Advocates for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Jan tenBensel at 2024 ACE DC Fly-in

When Nebraska farmer Jan tenBensel visits Capitol Hill offices, he represents a lot of voices as chairman of both the Nebraska Ethanol Board and the National Corn Growers Association Ethanol Action Team, but he believes it’s important for all ethanol advocates to make their voices heard wherever they are.

“The importance of advocacy is that everybody can do it,” said tenBensel during the recent American Coalition for Ethanol DC Fly-in. “Call your Senator or your Congressman, send letters,” he said. “But advocacy doesn’t have to be just in Washington. It can be in your hometown – talk to your retailer, your local gas station, your local co-op about adding E15, E30, E85.”

Listen to this interview with tenBensel.
Jan tenBensel, Nebraska 7:53

2024 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album

ACE, Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

Groups Urge EPA to Issue E15 Emergency Waiver

Cindy Zimmerman

With ongoing challenges to America’s energy security and summer just around the corner, advocates for agriculture and renewable fuels are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to authorize the summer sale of gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol before May 1.

The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, and National Sorghum Producers sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan to act swiftly on an emergency waiver for E15 sales.

“New and ongoing conflicts across the globe continue to pose risks to the United States’ transportation energy supply. In addition to the conflict in Ukraine, now extending into its third year, the recent unrest and volatility in the Middle East present additional challenges to American energy security. In particular, attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have already had a disruptive effect on the transit of fuel in the region, raising the specter of constrained supply and increased gasoline prices at home,” the groups wrote.

Last month, EPA approved the long-delayed petition from eight Midwest governors allowing summertime sales of E15, but not until 2025, leaving this summer in limbo. When asked about it at Commodity Classic on March 1, EPA Administrator Regan said, “The record speaks for itself in terms of what we did in 2022 and 2023,” Regan said in response to a reporter question. “So I will approach this year the way I have in previous years.”

EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs director Rod Snyder elaborated further to ethanol supporters in Washington DC. “If you look at both 2022 and 2023, the market impacts from the war in Ukraine as well as other various global factors were really creating supply pressures that allowed us to justify those emergency waivers for two years in a row. It is too early for me to speculate exactly what we can or should do for 2024, but I want to reassure you that we are already talking with the Department of Energy about market conditions and how they compare to the prior years,” said Snyder.

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

Lawmakers Pressure Administration on Brazil Ethanol Tariff

Cindy Zimmerman

Last week, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) led two letters to the Biden administration – one to President Biden and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai urging greater action in developing new markets for biofuels exports, and a second to Tai and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack specifically requesting work toward a full repeal of the Brazilian tariff on American ethanol.

The National Corn Growers Association strongly supports the action. “Opening new markets and reducing barriers to existing markets for biofuels is crucial to growing demand for corn growers,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are highly appreciative of Reps. Feenstra and LaHood for standing up for farmers, and we hope it will provide a roadmap for USTR as it works to address some high stakes trade issues like the current ethanol tariff in Brazil.”

The Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, Doug McKalip, said at last month’s National Ethanol Conference that he had been in discussions with the Brazilian secretary of agriculture to get the 18% tariff on U.S. ethanol eliminated and open that market back up for the industry. “The secretary promised to me that he would go back, meet with the Brazilian CAMEX (Chamber of Foreign Trade), and put together a proposal for us on how they might change their direction.”

McKalip also said he hoped to meet with Brazilian officials again at the WTO Ministerial meeting earlier this month. “This is a serious situation…it’s not a situation that we can stand, and not a situation that we can allow to continue.”

NEC24 USTR Ambassador Doug McKalip - remarks 21:00
NEC24 USTR Ambassador Doug McKalip - press 4:36

Audio, Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, NCGA, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade

EPA Committee Gives Ag Seat at the Table

Cindy Zimmerman

EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently responded to recommendations from the agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) on how EPA can best support the agriculture sector’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals.

FRRCC consists of representatives appointed by the agency that provide independent policy advice and information on a range of environmental issues that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities and among the results of their recommendations to EPA is the recent creation of EPA’s Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, headed by the agency’s agricultural advisor Rod Snyder.

One of the 30 members of the FRRCC is Iowa cattle producer Bill Couser, who was selected out of more than 560 applicants. “We basically get three or four challenges every year and our job is to come together with a white paper to help EPA improve its methods of reaching out to rural America,” said Couser in a recent interview.

Couser says he was pleased to be able to host both Administrator Regan and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack together on his ranch shortly after both were appointed to the current administration. “It’s the first time in my career that I saw the heads of those two offices in the same room together. We always met with the staff,” Couser said. “We finally have a seat at the table.”

Listen to this interview with Couser from the recent American Coalition for Ethanol DC Fly-in.
Bill Couser, Iowa 5:34

ACE, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Farm and Biofuel Groups Urge Adoption of GREET Model

Cindy Zimmerman

It has now been almost three weeks since Biden administration officials failed to meet a March 1 deadline to adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s GREET model for the calculation of SAF tax credits (40B) under the Inflation Reduction Act, and groups representing farmers and ethanol producers who would benefit are getting impatient.

A letter was sent this week to Treasury Department Secretary Janet Yellen by 26 organizations across 13 states, including the Renewable Fuels Association, Clean Fuels Alliance America, National Corn Growers Association, and various state corn grower groups.

“We are disappointed that the administration did not fulfill its commitment to release a modified GREET model by March 1, but we appreciate the importance of getting the modeling right. At the same time, we caution against contradictory changes to GREET that would stack unwarranted penalties on agricultural feedstocks, cut rural America out of a promising green energy market, and undermine any realistic path to achieving U.S. SAF goals.”

There has been nothing more said by officials since Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told attendees at the Commodity Classic on March 1 that they were “going to take a few more weeks – and I mean weeks, not months – to make sure that the guidance is correct.” Vilsack has made several appearances in the past few weeks but has not mentioned anything further.

In this interview, South Dakota farmer Ron Alverson with Dakota Ethanol gives a good explanation of the GREET model and the importance of including climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices and making sure land use change is evaluated correctly.
Ron Alverson, South Dakota 7:58

ACE, Ag group, Audio, aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA