ACE Talks GREET and HEFF at NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

Representatives from the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) talked with farm broadcasters at the recent NAFB Trade Talk about a number of topics, including GREET and HEFF.

ACE CEO Brian Jennings says they support requiring EPA to update its outdated lifecycle modeling for ethanol and biodiesel, by adopting the latest Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse Gas and Regulated Emissions and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model.

“The top scientists in the world developed this model to help estimate the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of all sorts of transportation fuels and technologies,” said Jennings. “So this is the gold standard scientific model.”

2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Brian Jennings, ACE 6:18

ACE Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty talked about his baby HEFF, which stands for Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel vehicle. “It’s a 2019 Ford Fusion hybrid that we had converted using converters Eflexfuel.com sells primarily just to see what the carbon intensity would be,” said Lamberty.

ACE launched the project in 2021 to disrupt the ‘EV-only’ narrative by showing a standard hybrid vehicle powered by ethanol blends can have lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions as low or lower than plug-in electrics.

Learn more in this interview with Lamberty.
2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Ron Lamberty, ACE 9:11

ACE, Carbon, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News

The RFS Really Did Shatter the “Blend Wall” for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

By Scott Richman, RFA Chief Economist

Not so long ago, renewable fuel critics claimed that due to purported infrastructure and vehicle constraints, the ethanol content in gasoline simply could not exceed 10.0%. They referred to this supposed limitation as the “blend wall,” and for several years that terminology found its way into virtually every debate about ethanol, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and higher-level blends.

But no one really talks about the “blend wall” anymore. Why?

Because ethanol’s blend rate has exceeded 10.0% every year since 2016 and hit a record 10.38% in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The experience of the past several years shows that the “blend wall” was nothing more than a fictional barricade. In fact, as this analysis shows, the U.S. market is on pace to consume some 630 million gallons of ethanol over and above the so-called “blend wall” this year, proving once again that the 10.0% threshold is not a real barrier.

Given this reality, critics changed their tune to say that the blend rate would not have exceeded 10% if not for the RFS, the primary federal program that has promoted the usage of biofuels since 2005. While this argument de-emphasizes other factors that have contributed to the rising blend rate, such as ethanol’s cost-competitiveness compared to gasoline and especially other sources of octane, it is consistent with the intent behind the enactment of the RFS.

Read more from the RFA Blog

Ethanol, Opinion, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Clean Fuels Conference Preview

Cindy Zimmerman

One of the first conferences of 2024 will be the Clean Fuels Conference, February 5-8, in Fort Worth, Texas.

The event, hosted by Clean Fuels Alliance America, is where the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industries will meet to learn the latest on the next generation of low-carbon fuel policies, feedstock development opportunities and decarbonization efforts from leading Fortune 500 companies, among other hot topics.

Clean Fuels Director of Outreach and Development Tom Verry was at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk last week in Kansas City where he gave a preview of the upcoming conference. “Our conference is really going to showcase how our industry has evolved, just over this past year,” said Verry. “Couple of industries we are really going to showcase are marine and rail, both getting a lot of pressure from their customers to reduce their carbon emissions.”

In this interview, Verry also talks about how the conference has evolved over the past 20 years.
2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Tom Verry, Clean Fuels 6:20

2023 NAFB Convention Trade Talk Photos

advanced biofuels, Audio, aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, Carbon, Clean Fuels Alliance

RFA at Farm Broadcasters Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

Each year at this time, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual convention provides an opportunity for the Renewable Fuels Association to connect with audiences around the country by doing interviews with agricultural reporters.

At the event this year were RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, VP of Industry Relations Robert White, and Communications Director Ken Colombini, and once again RFA was once of the convention sponsors welcoming members back to the Westin in Kansas City for their 80th anniversary.

RFA team at NAFB – Geoff Cooper, Robert White, Ken Colombini

Cooper and White spoke about numerous industry topics with dozens of reporters. In these interviews, Cooper gives a preview of the 2024 National Ethanol Conference coming up February 19-21 in San Diego. White provided an update on progress toward year-round E15, both on the state and national level.

2023 NAFB Trade Talk - RFA CEO Geoff Cooper 6:04

2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Robert White, RFA 2:23

2023 NAFB Convention Trade Talk Photos

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

Political Expert Charlie Cook Booked for NEC

Cindy Zimmerman

Charlie Cook, founder of The Cook Political Report and well-known political analyst for National Journal, has been confirmed to headline the luncheon at the 2024 National Ethanol Conference, Feb. 19-21 in San Diego, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The luncheon will be Feb. 20 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

“Elections have important consequences and implications for the renewable fuels industry, and we are excited to welcome Charlie Cook to the National Ethanol Conference to share his perspectives on what to expect in 2024,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Charlie’s track record of correctly predicting election outcomes is remarkable, and he takes a balanced, non-partisan approach that our attendees will surely appreciate. If there’s anyone who can truly make sense of what is sure to be a contentious and chaotic election cycle in 2024, it’s Charlie Cook.”

Cook founded the independent, nonpartisan Cook Political Report in 1984, serving as editor and publisher for 37 years, stepping down in 2021 and transitioning ownership and management of the venerable newsletter to Amy Walter. In addition to lecturing, Cook continues to write his weekly column for National Journal, while also serving as a political analyst for the publication. He is also a co-author of the 2020 and 2022 editions of The Almanac of American Politics. Cook has appeared on ABC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, and ABC’s This Week. Over the years, he has served as an election night analyst for CBS and CNN.

Click here for more information and to register for the 2024 NEC.

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

Ethanol Report on Veterans for Renewable Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman

The ethanol industry has a lot to celebrate for Veterans Day – including 15 percent of its workforce.

The Renewable Fuels Association is honoring its veterans this year by launching “Veterans for Renewable Fuels” (VRF), a new program to recognize and celebrate the contributions of military veterans in the industry and provide them with opportunities to network and support one another in their careers and personal lives.

In this edition of The Ethanol Report, we hear from five military veterans who are on staff or in leadership positions in the RFA. They include RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper, RFA Board Vice Chair and Aztalan Bio CEO Jeff Oestmann, RFA board member and president of Trenton Agri-Products Tony Leiding, RFA Director of Environment, Health and Safety Justin Schultz, and Robert White, RFA’s Senior VP of Industry Relations and Market Development. They talk about the new initiative and how their military service brought them to the ethanol industry.

Ethanol Report 11-10-23 22:03

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

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

Sustainable Education Grant Now Accepting Applications

Cindy Zimmerman

Applications are now being accepted for the Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant, established in 2018 to honor the National Biodiesel Foundation board member who passed away in 2017. The $2,000 annual award aims to support student scientists dedicated to sustainable research in topics such as biodiesel and renewable diesel research, development related to feedstock production and fuel production, environmental attributes, and general energy studies.

Caleb Moellenhoff, a previous grant recipient, described his experience, saying, “This grant helped me continue in the development of a novel biodiesel process. I believe biodiesel will revolutionize the industry through its superior sustainability, efficiency, and practicality. I was very thankful and excited for this opportunity.”

To qualify for the grant, students must complete an online application available on our website. If selected, the recipient must commit to participating in the Biodiesel Sustainability Workshop scheduled for March 11-14, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. Grant funds should be utilized for travel and attendance of the workshop, with the remaining funds applied to academic expenses. Full eligibility requirements and criteria are listed in the online application. We encourage all passionate student scientists interested in sustainability to apply for this unique opportunity.

The application deadline for the Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant is January 22, 2024. The winner will be announced in February 2024.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance

Sen. Tim Scott Checks the Biofuels Boxes

Cindy Zimmerman

According to Biofuels Vision 2024, Sen. Tim Scott is the first Republican presidential candidate to check all the boxes on important issues for the biofuel industry.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Vice President Brad Wilson, the president/general manager of the Western Iowa Energy biodiesel plant, thanked Sen. Scott for taking the time to travel across Iowa, tour a biofuels plant, and talk with farmers. “Scott clearly understands the importance of biofuels for the future of agriculture and rural America,” said Wilson. “While Sen. Scott deserves due credit for being first, there is plenty of time for other candidates to join him in supporting pro-biofuels positions that enhance American energy security and support good paying Iowa jobs.”

Of the presidential candidates campaigning in Iowa for the Republican nomination, Scott is the only one to take a positive position on all eight topics vital to the future of Iowa farmers and biofuels producers. All seven candidates check three of the boxes – envisioning a growing role for biofuels, support for a permanent, national year-round E15 fix, and opposing mandates for electric vehicles.

Biofuels Vision 2024 is a coalition of Iowa organizations and citizens who are committed to educating candidates in both parties about the importance of renewable fuels to Iowa and other Midwest states across the Midwest.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, politics

RFA Launches Veterans for Renewable Fuels Project

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association today announced the launch of Veterans for Renewable Fuels, a new initiative for military veterans and immediate family members working in the U.S. ethanol industry to recognize and celebrate the contributions of military veterans and provide them with opportunities to network and support one another.

According to the Department of Energy, nearly one out of every six workers in the ethanol industry is a veteran—three times the rate of the national labor force. The concentration of vets in the ethanol industry is higher than any other segment of the energy industry, according to DOE.

In conjunction with today’s launch of VRF, the group’s co-chairs sent a letter to President Joe Biden, thanking him for his commitment to domestic bioenergy, highlighting the role of veterans in the industry, and calling on the administration to “fully embrace the national security benefits of homegrown renewable fuels like ethanol.” VRF is co-chaired by RFA board members Jeff Oestmann, a former U.S. Marine, and Tony Leiding, a U.S. Army veteran.

VRF will be managed by two RFA staffers with military ties. Justin Schultz, RFA’s Director of Environment, Health and Safety, will be the staff lead on the project, and Robert White, RFA’s Senior VP of Industry Relations and Market Development, will be an advisor. Schultz is a decorated combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and White served seven years on active duty in the Army, culminating with three years at the U.S. embassy in Warsaw where he assisted the Polish military with accomplishing the requirements of NATO membership.

There are already plans for networking opportunities for members, including a swift boat naval history tour as a kickoff event in conjunction with the 2024 National Ethanol Conference in San Diego.

“We are extremely proud to unveil the VRF initiative just in time for Veterans Day,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, who served on active duty as an Army captain specializing in bulk petroleum supply and logistics. “When women and men in uniform leave the military and start searching for jobs, they want more than a paycheck. They’re looking for rewarding work and they want to join a team of dedicated professionals focused on a common mission. Many veterans have found just what they’re looking for in the ethanol industry, and we are truly honored to have them in our midst.”

Learn more about VRF in this interview with RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper.
VRF interview with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper 12:18

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

Farm to Fly Act Introduced in House

Cindy Zimmerman

The bipartisan Farm to Fly Act was introduced this week in the U.S. House by Congressman Max Miller (R-OH) “to create new, robust markets for American agricultural products and to strengthen domestic energy resources.”

The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Flood (R-NE), Angie Craig (D-MN), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA). The bill is intended to foster the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) within existing USDA programs and ensure SAF definitions reflect eligibility for American agricultural crops.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper expressed the ethanol industry’s support for the bill. “We applaud the determined efforts of Rep. Miller—along with cosponsors Reps. Flood, Craig, Finstad, Budzinski, Crockett, Hinson and Feenstra—to introduce this important legislation, which creates more clarity and stability around the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) made from U.S. crops. By ensuring the best available science and modeling tools are used to calculate the carbon benefits of homegrown renewable fuels, this bill helps position SAF for takeoff.”

The legislation is also supported by a wide range of agricultural organizations and the airline industry.

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