California Fuel Retailers Welcoming E15

Cindy Zimmerman

As the California State Senate was voting to approve sales of E15 last week, the Renewable Fuels Association was in San Diego kicking off a major educational effort to help retailers and others in the transportation fuel industry prepare for the opportunity.

RFA Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development Robert White says they hosted three E15 workshops at the CFCA Summit, the annual trade show of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance.

“It was very exciting to see the interest level in those workshops…there were literally thousands of stations represented,” said White. “From small independents and mom and pops to major refiners, they were all in the rooms learning about what requirements there were, what the blending economics are, what the value proposition could be, not only for them to make more margin per gallon, but could they lower their price point for the consumer and perhaps become the price leader.”

White says they have eight more workshops scheduled over the next month around the state because they really want California retailers to be able to hit the ground running as soon as they are cleared to sell.

“We believe that E15 value proposition is going to be even stronger than it is here in the Midwest and parts of the East Coast and Southeast so that when one retailer starts to do that blending we think it’ll take hold a little bit faster than we’ve seen in other areas,” says White. “So here’s this strange scenario where the last state to legalize E15 could really become the poster child for the rest of the country.”

Exactly when the first E15 sales could start in California depends on several factors, the first of which is when, and whether, Governor Gavin Newsom signs the bill. “The governor can sign it and make it law. Or if he takes no action in 30 days, it still becomes law,” White says. “The only way it gets stopped is if he vetoes it. And we fully expect the governor to sign it. This has been one of his priorities.”

RFA has set up a website to provide information about selling E15 in California called E15forCA.com.

Listen to White’s interview here.
Robert White, RFA - E15 for CA (12:35)

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

Ethanol Industry Leads in Veteran and Women Employment

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA’s Veterans for Renewable Fuels visit Old Glory Distillery in Tennessee

The latest U.S. Department of Energy Employment Report shows the corn ethanol industry continues to lead in employing military veterans and maintaining a diverse workforce.

According to the report, veterans comprise 16 percent of the ethanol workforce, or one out of every six employees, which is higher than any other segment of the U.S. energy sector, 60 percent above the petroleum industry, and more than three times the national workforce average.

“It’s no surprise that so many military veterans have found a home in the ethanol industry. It’s a natural fit for workers who are mission-driven, innovative, and dedicated to strengthening America’s energy security,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, an Army veteran. “Through our Veterans for Renewable Fuels initiative, RFA recognizes the vital contributions of our large veteran workforce, and we are proud to employ so many former military service members.”

The DOE data shows the ethanol industry also outpaces its energy peers in other key categories. Women account for nearly one-third of the ethanol workforce, compared to 24 percent in petroleum fuels and 26 percent across the energy sector. Nearly a quarter of employees are age 55 or older, versus 18 percent in petroleum fuels and 19 percent across the energy sector, and workers with disabilities represent 4 percent of the ethanol workforce, four times more than petroleum fuels and double the overall energy sector.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Speakers Confirmed for Global Ethanol Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA CEO Geoff Cooper and Dr. Ernest Moniz to speak at Global Ethanol Summit

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) has confirmed keynote speakers for the upcoming Global Ethanol Summit (GES), Oct. 19-22 in Washington, D.C.

Among this year’s speakers are Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper and and Dr. Ernest Moniz, former Department of Energy undersecretary. As head of the nation’s oldest trade association for ethanol, Cooper will address ethanol’s future in the growing market. Moniz will be the keynote speaker on Oct. 21, presenting ethanol as a strategic decarbonization tool in the energy transition.

GES seeks to elevate bioethanol’s international visibility and ongoing successful initiatives as a viable decarbonization solution within the transportation sector. More than 450 ministerial-level officials and industry leaders, ethanol producers and refiners from more than 40 countries have been invited to attend with the goal of engaging a diverse group of international ethanol leaders about the benefits of expanding global use.

GES will begin with four general sessions on Oct. 20 and continue with breakout sessions and a panel focused on opportunities facing the biofuels industry today. Registration for GES is now open and hotel rooms with special event rates are available until Sept. 12.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, International, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade, USGC

California Senate Passes E-15 Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

By a unanimous vote, the California state Senate this week approved Assembly Bill 30 to legalize E15 immediately upon Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. That approval will officially make E15 sales legal in all 50 states.

The bill was sponsored by Assemblymembers David Alvarez and Heath Flora. “California’s regulatory agencies have reviewed the E15 gasoline blend for nearly eight years and have yet to issue any rulings,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “This unnecessary holdup has prevented California’s drivers from accessing a cleaner, more affordable fuel option that’s already approved across the country. AB 30 sends a clear message: Californians cannot afford to wait while bureaucracy stalls progress.”

“With today’s passage of AB30, California is taking a big step toward lower gas prices and a cleaner, more sustainable future for families across the state,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “Many other states have already seen the benefits of E15—healthier air, better engine performance, and cost savings at the pump. Now, California drivers are on the cusp of experiencing those same advantages, and we urge Gov. Newsom to sign the bill into law as quickly as possible. E15 will provide relief at the pump for Californians who continue to face the highest gas prices in the country.”

RFA’s Robert White leads E15 retailer seminar in California this week

State senate passage of the bill came as the Renewable Fuels Association began hosting a series of E15 educational workshops for California fuel marketers, equipment suppliers, and others at the California Fuels + Convenience Alliance (CFCA) Summit.

RFA’s Robert White talked about the initiative at last week’s Farm Progress Show. “Our goal is to make sure that we have a list of retailers ready to go, prepared and their equipment ready to go so all that’s left is to put some labels on and drop the fuel into the ground,” said White. “I think what we’re going to see is once that first retailer moves, the marketplace will move probably faster than any other market that we’ve seen just because of the price point. You know E15 is selling at a 9% discount nationwide. You add in all those other factors in California and it will be even more.”

Listen to White’s interview here.
FPS25 Interview with Robert White, RFA (6:46)

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

ACE Unveils E15 Cost Calculator at CFCA Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

With California on the cusp of approving sales of E15, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) introduced a powerful new tool this week at the California Fuels + Convenience Alliance (CFCA) Summit to help fuel marketers seize the opportunity: the E15 Cost Calculator, now live at FlexFuelForward.com, ACE’s digital hub tailored to fuel marketers.

The online calculator equips retailers with a resource to plug in real-time data to compare the costs and potential profits of selling E15 versus E10. It provides station-specific insights, including applicable state and federal tax credits, to show whether offering E15 can boost the bottom line.

“We’ve taken part in every trade show this organization has held since 2000, when California was gearing up to switch to E10, and this reminds me a lot of that,” said Ron Lamberty, Chief Marketing Officer of ACE. “What retailers wanted to know then is, ‘Can I make more money selling this new fuel?’ and ‘Can I sell it using my existing equipment?’ The questions are the same today. Fortunately, the answer to both is almost always ‘Yes,’ and these tools let retailers find that out using their own real-world numbers.”

The E15 Cost Calculator is the latest addition to FlexFuelForward.com, joining the Flex Check tool, which helps station owners quickly determine if their existing equipment is compatible with E15. These tools are available with the needs of independent retailers and small chains in mind, allowing them to assess their options on their own schedule.

“Single-store and small chain owners are in their stores all day and might not have time to do this kind of research during what others consider normal business hours,” Lamberty added. “That’s why we built this site and these tools—so they can get solid, specific answers when it’s convenient for them.”

The calculator can be used by marketers and retailers in all 50 states, and includes state-specific taxes and E15/E85 incentives in states that have them, making it a relevant and reliable resource for fuel retailers across the U.S.

ACE, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Retailers

Ethanol Stakeholders Testify at Brazil Section 301 Hearing

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Trade Representative office is holding a public hearing today regarding the Section 301 investigation of unfair trading practices on the part of Brazil in a number of areas, including ethanol market access and illegal deforestation.

Several U.S. ethanol industry stakeholders are testifying, including Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper.

“RFA strongly believes a thorough investigation is justified and necessary, and we commend the U.S. Trade Representative for bringing much-needed scrutiny to Brazil’s prejudicial and unreasonable actions,” Cooper said in prepared remarks.

“Over the past eight years, Brazil has implemented tariff and non-tariff barriers specifically designed to block U.S.-produced ethanol from entering the Brazilian marketplace. Whereas Brazil was once the world’s largest importer of U.S. ethanol, the market has disintegrated over the past five years due to the imposition of numerous barriers.”

Adding insult to injury, Cooper states, “Brazilian ethanol has had virtually unfettered access to the U.S. market for the past 14 years, facing only a 2.5 percent ad valorem duty. In fact, policies like the RFS and state low carbon fuel programs actually give preferential treatment to Brazilian sugarcane ethanol imports over U.S. grain-based ethanol.”

Cooper said RFA specifically supports continuing negotiations focused on permanently removing the Brazilian tariff on imported ethanol while fully enforcing the 50-percent tariff on Brazilian imports recently enacted by the Trump administration. RFA also supports working with Brazil to eliminate the unfeasible barriers that block U.S. ethanol producers from participation in the RenovaBio program, collaborating with EPA to implement adjustments to RFS compliance credit values for ethanol imported from Brazil, and removing Brazil’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) designation.

Also testifying in support of the investigation into ethanol market access today are representatives from the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council, and the National Corn Growers Association.

“Unfortunately, Brazil does not value a level playing field and unfairly penalizes U.S. corn growers,” Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. told the panel. “Over the past decade, Brazil has taken targeted trade actions aimed at evaporating current and future demand for U.S. farmers.”

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

Corn Growers Fuel Ethanol Innovation in Ag Equipment

Cindy Zimmerman

Deere introduced a concept 9.0-liter ethanol engine at Agritechnica in 2024

Support from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and its state corn grower associations is allowing Clemson University and John Deere to move forward on Department of Energy (DOE) project that could increase the use of ethanol in agricultural equipment.

The three-year effort, titled Development and Demonstration of a Low GHG Emissions Hybrid Power Module for Off-Road Vehicles, will develop and test hybrid ag vehicles powered by ethanol and ethanol-gasoline blends like E85 and E98. The work will culminate in the demonstration of a hybrid sprayer designed to reduce total cost of ownership by more than 10% while increasing functionality and lowering greenhouse gas emissions compared to today’s diesel machines.

Just last week at Farm Progress Show, Deere announced the approval of B30 biodiesel use across its entire portfolio of Tier 4 John Deere engines and said the company was exploring the use of higher ethanol blends in future engine solutions, including the development of a concept 9.0L ethanol engine that runs on E98 which was introduced last year at Agritechnica in Europe.

Deere has sent a 6.8L engine to Clemson, where it has been installed on a dynamometer. Researchers have baselined the engine on diesel combustion and are preparing for first fired operation on ethanol in the next few months. Modeling ethanol combustion through advanced computer simulations is also being done.

Thanks to corn grower contributions, Clemson was able to build out the vital subsystems—oil, coolant, fuel, intake, and exhaust—that make this Deere engine a dedicated ethanol research platform.

Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, E85, Equipment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

SD Corn Receives ACE Paul Dana Award

Cindy Zimmerman

South Dakota Corn Utilization Council accepts Paul Dana Award at 2025 ACE Conference

The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council received the American Coalition for Ethanol Paul Dana Award this year, in recognition of its creative E15 campaign targeting teenage drivers. ACE created the Marketing Vision Award 15 years ago in memory of Indy Racing League driver Paul Dana, who united the ethanol industry and led efforts to promote ethanol in motorsports on a national level. Each year the award is given to an individual, company, or organization exhibiting leadership in promoting the expansion of the availability of higher blends of ethanol to consumers.

“In South Dakota, the driving age is 14. So, that’s very young, very impressionable. They haven’t decided what they’re loyal to yet,” said Amanda Bechen, SD Corn Senior Director of Communications and Marketing.” So what we’ve done is we have placed ads in student newspapers. We’ve also partnered with the Drivers Education program to show them what unleaded 88 is.”

The “It’s Okay to Go Low” campaign focused on what truly resonates with everyday drivers, especially young teens, and that is price. The campaign promoted E15 in partnership with Kwik Trip/Kwik Star and the campaign helped build consumer confidence and drive real demand for E15.

At the ACE Conference in Sioux Falls, Bechen also participated in a panel on State-Led Strategies to Expand Ethanol Use, which included Nebraska Ethanol Board Executive Director Ben Rhodes, who gave an update on their E30 Fuel Demonstration project.

Interview with Amanda Bechen, SD Corn (3:42)
2025 ACE - Higher Blends panel (54:31)

2025 ACE Conference photo album

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

ACE Grassroots Award Honors Power by People Creator

Cindy Zimmerman

The world lost a talented creator last year and this year the American Coalition for Ethanol honored Greg Veerman with its Grassroots Award for his gifts to the ethanol industry.

“He really understood our industry in a way that others did not,” said ACE CEO Brian Jennings in presenting the award to Veerman’s wife Jane. “One of the many lessons Greg taught me is that telling your story isn’t good enough. You’re not going to make a compelling case. You have to show and tell your story and everything we did the last 15 years in terms of PR and websites and advertising and in any sort of public facing collateral had Greg Veerman’s fingerprints on it.”

Brian Jennings and Ron Lamberty present award to Jane Veerman, widow of Greg Veerman

Veerman was the creative force behind the ACE “Power by People” brand and he shared his insights as a speaker at ACE events, attended a few fly-ins, and was actively working on a new campaign to highlight ACE’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) work.

“He was a cool guy and he loved people. I mean, that was one of the things that he hammered into us on this power by people thing,” said ACE’s Ron Lamberty. “His job was to come and meet you, hear what you do, learn who you are and then tell you how cool you are and then tell the rest of the world how cool you are.”

In addition to his wife, Jane, Greg is survived by four children – Gus, Jude, Oliver and Phoebe. Both Oliver and Phoebe were able to join their mother at the ACE conference last month to accept the award for their father.

2025 ACE conference - Grassroots Award (8:17)

2025 ACE Conference photo album

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Report on FPS Biofuels Buzz

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol was in the spotlight at the 2025 Farm Progress Show with USDA predicting a record corn crop that needs to find a home through increased exports and domestic demand and the Renewable Fuels Association once again had a strong presence at the show held in the heart of the Corn Belt.

This episode of The Ethanol Report podcast features some of the voices contributing to the biofuels buzz at Farm Progress Show this year. USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden starts it off by highlighting the Trump Administration’s support for ethanol and growing export demand.

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper discusses EPA’s latest announcement on small refinery exemptions and how boosting ethanol markets can help farmers deal with a large crop and low prices. RFA Senior VP for Industry Relations and Market Development Robert White talked about helping prepare fuel retailers for E15 in California, and Director of Government Affairs Jared Mullendore showed off the flex fuel vehicles on display and shared how farmers can convert their own vehicles to run on higher ethanol blends.

Ethanol Report 8-29-25 26:57

2025 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Farm Progress Show, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA