EIA to Add Ethanol Export Data to Weekly Report

Cindy Zimmerman

Starting with the Weekly Petroleum Status Report released on June 1, 2023, with data for the week ending May 26, 2023, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) will begin showing Fuel Ethanol and Motor Gasoline Blending Component exports estimates separate from Other Oils exports estimates.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) welcomed the announcement after advocating over the past decade for the inclusion of ethanol export estimates in EIA’s weekly report to provide market participants with a more complete picture of current supply/demand conditions.

“This is a critically important improvement to EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report. A major data gap is finally being filled,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “For years, the exclusion of ethanol export data in EIA’s weekly report created uncertainty and put ethanol buyers and sellers at a disadvantage in a competitive marketplace. Historically, ethanol export estimates have lagged other ethanol supply and demand data by 6-8 weeks, leaving market participants in the dark regarding overall ethanol consumption conditions. At long last, EIA is adding the missing puzzle piece to provide the market with a complete picture.”

RFA began pressing EIA to add ethanol export data to the weekly report in 2011, as rising export volumes began to represent a significant component of ethanol’s supply and demand balance. Most recently, RFA’s Chief Economist Scott Richman sent a letter to EIA Administrator Joseph DeCarolis again urging the agency to add weekly ethanol export data. After sustained engagement and communications between RFA, EIA, and other stakeholders over the years, EIA has now secured approval to add ethanol exports to its weekly regime.

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

RFA Welcomes Tad Hepner as VP of Strategy and Innovation

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association welcomes Tad Hepner as Vice President of Strategy and Innovation to lead the development and implementation of a wide range of initiatives focused on building demand and new markets for ethanol and other bio-products made by the association’s member companies.

Prior to joining RFA, Hepner led North American biofuels and derivatives business development efforts for Clariant, a Swiss multinational specialty chemical organization with technology applications in catalyst, second generation cellulosic biofuels, and new conversion biotechnologies. Hepner also held various positions at POET, ranging from scientific research to technology and business development. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of South Dakota and an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Sioux Falls.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

U.S. Exports of Ethanol and DDGS Up in March

Cindy Zimmerman

According to the latest Renewable Fuels Association trade analysis, U.S. ethanol exports in March increased by 27% to a ten-month high of 132.3 million gallons (mg). Canada was the top destination for the 24th consecutive month with 43% share of March exports at 56.6 mg, a 34% bump over February, representing the largest monthly volume of U.S. ethanol exports to a single country to date.

Other major global customers in March included India (22.8 mg, up from zero to a 13-month high), the European Union (12.8 mg, +104%), the United Kingdom (8.7 mg, -11%), Peru (7.9 mg, +89% to an 11-month high), and Mexico (5.9 mg, +9%). Notably, exports considerably curbed to South Korea (5.2 mg, -50%), the Philippines (2.2 mg, -62%), and Jamaica (2.1 mg, -67%), while Brazil again remained essentially absent from the market with a 16% tariff on U.S. ethanol in place. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports total 354.1 mg, lagging 10% behind last year at this time and marking the smallest first-quarter exports since 2016.

March U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS) were 17% higher at 898,086 metric tons (mt) and Mexico remained the number one destination for the ninth consecutive month, with imports tallying 209,812 mt, a 23% leap over February volumes and a ten-month high.

Mexico, South Korea (127,685, +7%), and Turkey (103,346 mt, +153%) together captured half of our global market in March. Indonesia (68,832 mt, +43%), Vietnam (53,259 mt, up a tick), and Canada (48,360 mt, +4%) imported sizeable volumes as well. Year-to-date DDGS exports total 2.43 million mt, coming in 16% below last year at this time and representing the smallest first-quarter exports since 2019.

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

K-State and Scoular Partner for Crush Facility

Cindy Zimmerman

A partnership between Kansas State University and Scoular will provide Kansas farmers with a canola and soybean crush facility to help create a renewable fuel market for oilseed on the Great Plains.

Scoular plans to renovate a grain processing facility near Goodland that it purchased in 2021 to crush canola and soybean seeds for use as renewable fuel feedstock. The recommissioned facility will add 40 new jobs to the Goodland area and provide access to the renewable fuels market. Scoular will also help with transportation flow by intaking and exporting product through its already-established process for loading and unloading railcars and trucks. The Goodland facility will be upgraded to improve dumping speeds and boost traffic circulation. Through these efforts, the company will be directly helping farmers.

Read more from K-State.

biofuels, canola, Soybeans

Verbio Acquires South Bend Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Verbio North America Holdings Corporation has acquired South Bend Ethanol in Indiana, making it the company’s second U.S. production facility following the successful commissioning of its Nevada, Iowa plant. Verbio intends to subsequently expand and develop the plant into a modern biorefinery at an estimated total investment of $230 million.

“We are excited about the opportunity to integrate the production of ethanol with renewable natural gas
(RNG) in the state of Indiana,” comments Stefan Schreiber, Executive Board Member for North America
of Verbio AG, the German based parent company. “We believe this transaction provides an excellent path
for Verbio to further strengthen its North America business and growth strategy. The site offers a
competitive location as well as existing infrastructure and meets our requirements for access to the natural
gas grid, electricity, feedstock sources and water supply.”

Verbio will retain the assets of the existing ethanol plant and seek to improve yields and reduce energy
consumption over the next several months. The investment will incorporate additional equipment and
processes necessary to produce value-added by-products, such as liquid fertilizers. Further, the Inflation
Reduction Act of 2022, aiming to boost investments in climate protection and clean energy in the United
States, offers provisions that will benefit the Verbio project.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RNG

May is Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska

Cindy Zimmerman

May is the month to celebrate Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska, highlighting the importance of renewable biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, especially for the Cornhusker State.

Fueled by Nebraska, a partnership of Nebraska biofuels organizations, and the Nebraska Soybean Board, is leading the initiative this month to celebrate renewable fuels as we head into the summer driving season. Gov. Jim Pillen will make the official declaration of May as Renewable Fuels Month later this week.

“Nebraska agriculture is well-positioned to greatly impact the country’s transition to be less carbon-intensive. While new technologies find their footing, corn and soybeans grown right here in Nebraska will continue to feed and fuel the world for a long time,” said Sherry Vinton, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. “Please celebrate this hard work with us throughout May. Fill up with biofuels, save money, and tell others of the importance of renewable fuels to our state and communities.”

Ethanol is the third largest Nebraska agriculture commodity, and the use of a 10% blend saves Nebraskans $275 million per year. Nebraska is also the second largest producer of ethanol in the country. For soybean growers in the states, biodiesel adds 70 cents per bushel to the value of soybeans while reducing lifecycle emissions by 86% compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Soybeans

Ethanol Report on E15 Summer Waiver

Cindy Zimmerman

After waiting until the very last minute, the Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline — gasoline blended with 15% ethanol — to be sold during the summer driving season this year. A decision had to be made before April 30 so terminal operators would still be able to sell the blend after May 1.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, Renewable Fuels Association Senior Vice president for Government and Public Affairs Troy Bredenkamp talks about the waiver and what comes next to avoid the same situation next year. The report also includes audio with EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), and Rep. Rusty Johnson (R-SD) from a House Agriculture Committee hearing held April 19.

Listen to or download the Ethanol Report – and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Ethanol Report 4-28-23 22:44

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

EPA Agrees to Allow Summer E15 This Year

Cindy Zimmerman

After weeks of intense lobbying by ethanol supporters, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to use its existing authority to provide continued access throughout the summer months for E15, literally at the very last moment to allow continued sale of the fuel from terminals after April 30th

EPA announced today that the 15% ethanol fuel blend will be exempted from summer volatility requirements that effectively block sales from June 1 to Sept. 15 throughout much of the country. As it did last year, EPA cites conditions similar to last year and “determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available.”

EPA’s emergency fuel waiver will go into effect on May 1 when terminal operators would otherwise no longer be able to sell E15 in the affected regions of the country and will last through May 20 which is the statutory maximum of 20 days. EPA will continue to monitor the supply with industry and federal partners, and the Agency expects to issue new waivers effectively extending the emergency fuel waiver until such time as the extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances due to the war in Ukraine are no longer present.

Ethanol stakeholder organizations welcomed the news. “We join consumers across the nation in thanking EPA Administrator Regan for taking action to combat potential fuel shortages and higher gas prices this summer,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “U.S. gasoline inventories are even tighter than they were a year ago, and Putin’s war on Ukraine continues to wreak havoc on global fuel supplies. EPA’s action allowing summertime E15 will help extend gasoline supplies, prevent fuel shortages, protect air quality and reduce carbon emissions.”

“We appreciate Administrator Regan’s timely action to prevent a disruption in E15 availability,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “EPA’s action will help address fuel supply constraints and ensure drivers continue to have access to a lower-cost fuel choice that cuts emissions.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings thanked the agency but added a permanent remedy to expand consumer access for E15 long term is still necessary. “This annual drama of threatened summertime E15 sales, followed by last-minute reprieves, has got to end. It’s wearing on retailers selling E15 today and is a major reason more marketers aren’t offering it,” Jennings. “Consumers could be saving 5 to 15 cents per gallon and emissions could be reduced if Congress would fix the problem and pass legislation making E15 legal year-round.”

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

ACE Opens Registration for 36th Annual Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

“Everything Counts” is the theme for the 36th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference, August 23-25, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center and registration is now open.

“ACE continues working to ensure farmers and ethanol producers are in a position to obtain valuable clean fuel credits for the many steps they are taking to improve ethanol’s carbon score,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “We encourage ethanol producers and industry members to join us in the Twin Cities this summer to discuss these and other initiatives ACE is working on to increase the value of and demand for ethanol.”

“For nearly four decades, biofuel stakeholders have utilized the ACE conference as an opportunity to not only have candid conversations about the latest technology developments and market updates, but also about where the industry is headed and aspires to be,” said Katie Muckenhirn, ACE Vice President of Public Affairs. “We’re developing an event agenda that encompasses what industry leaders need to know and explores topics aimed at framing the continued future success of this industry.”

The conference provides two days of general sessions, including updates from ACE leadership, and topics like new uses and markets for ethanol producers, the retail marketplace for E15 and E85, farm-to-biofuel carbon market opportunities, and trade developments. The conference also offers breakout sessions with subjects covering the latest in technology updates, strategic planning advice, as well as ways for ethanol plants to lower their carbon score and raise profitability.

This year’s event also includes the option to attend the Minnesota Twins versus Texas Rangers game on the evening of August 24. Stay tuned for more agenda details and event announcements over the coming months. For more information about the event, or to support the conference via a sponsorship, please contact Katie Muckenhirn at kmuckenhirn@ethanol.org or visit ethanol.org/events/conference.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, Ethanol News

RFA Welcomes New Director of Environment, Health & Safety

Cindy Zimmerman


The Renewable Fuels Association has named ethanol industry veteran Justin Schultz as its new Director of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S). In this role, he will serve as a resource to member companies on EH&S and regulatory issues, interact with key regulatory agencies, lead RFA’s member committees focused on EH&S issues, and oversee other activities that support the association’s mission.

Before joining RFA, Schultz worked for Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy since 2009. He has managed regulatory, safety, and compliance issues for the Council Bluffs, Iowa, biorefinery. His duties included managing programs regulated by OSHA , FDA, SEC, and other federal and state agencies, as well as investor relations and interacting with state and federal legislators and regulators on industry policy issues. He also has served seven years on the Pottawattamie County board of supervisors and holds the rank of Major in the Iowa Army National Guard. Schultz has also been an active member of RFA’s Young Professionals Network since its inception. Schultz received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree from American University in Washington.

“I am thoroughly excited to be joining the RFA team for this incredible opportunity—I’m truly honored and grateful,” Schultz said. “With my unique set of skills and experience, I hope to bring a fact-based, real-world perspective to the regulatory agencies and policy makers whose decisions affect RFA’s members. Our industry has some tough challenges and some big opportunities ahead, and I am eager to hit the ground running!”

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA