ACE Releases Conference Agenda for 36th Annual Event

Cindy Zimmerman

The agenda for the 36th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference is now available for the event taking place August 23-25, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.

“Our conference agenda is packed with dynamic sessions, insightful speakers, and countless networking opportunities, making it the premier destination for anyone passionate about advancing the biofuels industry,” said Katie Muckenhirn, Vice President of Public Affairs. “You’ll see our conference theme ‘Everything Counts’ carried throughout the agenda – from the myriad of pursuits to help drive down ethanol’s carbon intensity to how each individual’s contribution to moving this industry forward makes a difference.”

Participants can expect to delve into cutting-edge technologies, policy developments and market trends that are shaping the biofuels sector. The lineup of experts and thought leaders will explore innovative strategies to boost production, enhance efficiency and maximize policies that support biofuels.

Keynote speaker for the conference will be Tom Kloza, Global Head of Energy Analysis, OPIS, who will give his “Ethanol Outlook in a Changing Energy Market Landscape.”

Session topics include:
Untangling and Maximizing IRA Biofuel Incentives
Cultivating Progress: Climate-Smart Farming for Carbon Markets
Real Time CI Scoring for Ethanol Producers
Unlocking Corn Oil Extraction and Utilization Advancements
Workforce Evolution: Harnessing the Power of your Current Workforce and the Future Role of AI Technology
The Journey to Capture, Store, and Utilize Carbon
Outlook for Exports

Learn more about what’s in store in this interview with Katie.
2023 ACE Conference preview interview with Katie Muckenhirn, ACE 6:34

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

RFA Safety Programs Win National Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA Director of Safety and Technical Programs Missy Ruff receives RFA’s 2022 National Achievement Award from TRANSCAER Chairman Paul Holt, of Union Pacific

The Renewable Fuels Association has been honored for the 11th consecutive year with the National Achievement Award from TRANSCAER, a national hazardous materials safety coalition, for its outstanding safety programs. In addition, TRANSCAER honored Missy Ruff, RFA’s Director of Safety and Technical Programs, with an Individual Recognition Award for her efforts administering the programs.

In 2022, more than 1,200 attendees were trained via 37 training opportunities supported by RFA. Since its inception in 2010, RFA’s safety program has been responsible for training over 15,000 individuals and conducting over 400 training sessions and events. RFA has trained individuals from all 50 U.S. states and 40 other countries. In addition, RFA so far in 2023 has held training sessions in Sioux City, IA; Edmond, Okla.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Independence, Mo.; Lincoln, Neb.; and Cheyenne Wyo., as well as a series of “Train the Trainer” webinars. In April, RFA updated its award-winning Emergency Response website, which is a go-to resource for the first responder community.

“Training emergency responders is not just a responsibility, but a crucial investment in ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Erica Bernstein Fischer, Director, Training & Community Outreach, CHEMTREC/TRANSCAER. “The Renewable Fuels Association’s commitment to providing comprehensive training programs for emergency responders demonstrates their dedication to preparedness. Being recognized with a National TRANSCAER Achievement Award shows their exceptional efforts in equipping responders with the knowledge and skills needed to handle renewable fuels incidents safely and effectively.”

RFA’s Ruff has served on the TRANSCAER executive committee and as chair of the National TRANSCAER Task Group, the managing body for initiatives undertaken by the organization. The TRANSCAER initiative is focused on assisting communities prepare for and respond to possible hazardous material transportation incidents. Its members include volunteer representatives from the chemical manufacturing, transportation, distribution, hazardous material storage and handling, emergency response and preparedness, and related service industries as well as the government.

RFA currently offers online ethanol safety training programs and “train the trainer” sessions. For more information on the programs overall, visit www.ethanolresponse.com.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, safety

Ethanol Report on DC Meetings

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association held a board meeting in Washington D.C. this past week where members from around the country had the opportunity to discuss issues important to ethanol with lawmakers and administration officials.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report, we hear from RFA board chairman Erik Huschitt, CEO and General Manager of Badger State Ethanol, who talks about the issues facing the industry and what he heard from ethanol champions in the nation’s Capitol.

Ethanol Report 7-21-23 19:22

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

Everything Counts at the 2023 ACE Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The theme for the 36th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference coming up next month in Minneapolis is “Everything Counts” for an industry focused on improving its carbon footprint.

“Every little improvement, from climate smart farming to carbon capture and efficiency improvements, they all count toward improving ethanol’s carbon score,” said Katie Muckenhirn, ACE Vice President of Public Affairs.

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, which Muckenhirn says they hope will be a fun time for all. “Registration rates rise here August first and we encourage everyone to lock in those rates and register as soon as they can,” she said.

The ACE Conference will be held August 23-25, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center. Click here for more information and registration.

Learn more about what’s in store in this interview with Katie.
2023 ACE Conference preview interview with Katie Muckenhirn, ACE 6:34

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, Ethanol

EPA Denies Small Refinery Petitions

Cindy Zimmerman

On Friday, EPA announced its decision denying 26 petitions seeking small refinery exemptions (SREs) from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for one or more of the compliance years between 2016 and 2023.

Consistent with the April and July 2022 Denials of Petitions for RFS Small Refinery Exemptions, the action announced today applies EPA’s current interpretation of the Clean Air Act SRE provisions, consistent with a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit holding in Renewable Fuels Association et al. v. EPA. The Tenth Circuit held that SREs may only be granted when a small refinery’s hardship is caused by compliance with the RFS program. After reviewing more than a decade of RFS market data and confidential information submitted by petitioning small refineries, EPA concluded that none of the 26 SRE petitions demonstrated disproportionate economic hardship caused by compliance with the RFS program.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper thanked the Biden Administration for keeping its promises to restore integrity and certainty to the RFS program. “Under their leadership, the RFS is finally working as intended to drive increased production and use of low-carbon renewable fuels. Today’s action is consistent with the Tenth Circuit Court’s landmark decision and honors the administration’s longstanding commitment to implementing the RFS in a way that is fair, transparent, and focused on growth. As a result of today’s announcement, drivers will enjoy greater access to cleaner, American-made, lower-cost renewable fuels.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings also welcomed the decision. “ACE members are grateful the Biden EPA is fulfilling its commitment to apply the law with respect to Small Refinery Exemptions, consistent with the Agency’s previous actions in April and June of 2022 and the Tenth Circuit Court’s ruling that small refinery exemptions may only be granted when a small refinery’s hardship is caused by the RFS program itself. Upholding the RFS in this way helps the program serve as an effective tool to maximize the use of cleaner biofuels available here and now.”

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

Ethanol Supply Strong, Exports Decline

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. ethanol production declined slightly the week of July 7, but was still 2.7% more than the same week last year and 1.0% above the five-year average for the week, according to the latest analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association. Ethanol stocks were reported at 22.658 million barrels, a jump of 398,000 from the week before, but a drop of 948,000 barrels on the year.

While there were zero ethanol imports recorded for the 31st consecutive, U.S. ethanol exports declined to an estimated 51,000 b/d (15.0 million gallons for the week), the lowest volume in nearly 2 years.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Clean Fuels Foundation Highlights Biodiesel Benchmarks

Cindy Zimmerman

The Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation commemorated significant developments for biodiesel during the recent board meeting held in Washington, D.C. last month, including successful implementation of B100 EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants and advancements in modeling techniques that have led to lower land use scores for biodiesel feedstocks and other advanced biofuels.

The Foundation has played a pivotal role in elevating national awareness of B100 (100% biodiesel use in vehicles) through its groundbreaking efforts in securing the first B100 EPA DERA grants in 2020, collaborating with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the District of Columbia. As a result, over 130 B100-powered vehicles, ranging from snowplows to trash haulers, now form an integral part of these fleets.

The impactful DERA projects showcase the immense potential of B100 as a carbon reduction strategy garnering attention from major fleets while prompting adoption of the technology in several national locations. Such achievements underscore the Foundation’s commitment to driving sustainable advancements in the biofuel industry and transforming transportation with cleaner alternatives.

According to Veronica Bradley, Director of Environmental Science for Clean Fuels, the Foundation’s research modeling projects have helped lower the indirect land use change carbon intensity of soybean oil for biodiesel from 62 g CO2e/MJ to 9 g. “I believe it has room for even further improvement as the agricultural industry lowers its carbon footprint. These accomplishments are a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to advancing sustainable practices in the biofuel industry.”

The Foundation offers educational tours for Congressional staff and members, with recent tours held in Maryland and Louisiana and another scheduled for September in California.

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance

USDA Expands Crop Insurance for Camelina

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the expansion of crop insurance for camelina in direct response to the anticipated increase in demand for the crop for biofuel production.

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding crop insurance for camelina by allowing written agreements in select counties in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. In addition, the fall planted practice was expanded to Harper County, Kansas, which paved the way for the expansion in the Great Plains. RMA collaborated with stakeholders to make this expansion possible.

The camelina crop insurance policy offers Actual Production History coverage, which insures a producer’s historical yield. Only camelina grown under contract with a processor is eligible for coverage, and the price in the contract is used to establish the insurance coverage. Producers that are interested in planting and insuring camelina should speak to their crop insurance agent about additional details, including upcoming sales closing dates for their area and the written agreement process.

The changes to the camelina crop insurance pilot program are now available on the USDA Risk Management Agency website.

aviation biofuels, biofuels, feedstocks, SAF

Biofuel and Farm Groups Join Tailpipe Emissions Letter

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuel groups and farmer organizations were among some 100 transportation fuel stakeholders who sent a letter this week urging the Biden administration to reverse course on its proposed tailpipe emissions standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

“We share the goal of reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the broader economy and, specifically, those from energy production, transportation, and use by society,” the letter states. “EPA’s proposals inhibit the marketplace from identifying the most efficient, lowest cost opportunities to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles and greatly restrict consumer choice. We are concerned that such a prescriptive policy is not in the best interest of the consumer or of U.S. energy and economic security.”

The letter also expressed concerns with EPA’s narrow focus on electric vehicles to achieve compliance and highlighted the benefits of evaluating a broader range of emissions reductions pathways.

“A diversified portfolio of vehicle and fuel technologies that meets the multitude of transportation needs of Americans and makes meaningful GHG reductions can be achieved while also allowing new zero-emission vehicle, and specifically battery electric vehicle, technologies to advance,” the signatories wrote. “Improved crop yield, innovative biofuel and refined product processing, and manufacturing efficiency tied with carbon capture each represent promising advancements for current liquid and gaseous fuels to continue to accelerate emissions reductions.”

While the majority of the groups signing the letter were petroleum manufacturers, marketers and retailers, the American Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), Clean Fuels Alliance America, and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) were among the farm and biofuel groups included.

NCGA vice president of public policy Brooke Appleton participated in a press conference on the issue with leaders from the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. Listen to her comments here:

API press call - Brooke Appleton, NCGA (3:17)

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

South Dakota Ethanol Plant Explosion

Cindy Zimmerman

Onida Fire Department photo

An explosion rocked Ringneck Energy ethanol plant in Onida, South Dakota Sunday causing major structural damage to the facility.

No one was injured at the plant but DRG Media Group reports there were six employees working at the time. “The explosion occurred in the ethanol production side of the plant,” said Onida Volunteer Fire Department Chief Caleb Shepherd. “Major damage to the facility. It will be out of operation for quite some time.”

The South Dakota Fire Marshal’s Office will begin an investigation on Monday.

Ethanol, Ethanol News