Scholarship Winners Enjoy NEC Opportunity

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Foundation 2025 NEC Scholarship Winners

The Renewable Fuels Foundation made it possible for eight young people interested in furthering a career in the ethanol industry to attend the 2025 National Ethanol Conference in Nashville recently.

Most of this year’s recipients are already working in the industry and are members of the Renewable Fuels Association’s Young Professionals Network (YPN). The Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship is open to both students and young professionals.

The NEC scholarship program is named in honor of Robert “Bob” Sather, an educator who helped found Ace Ethanol in Stanley, Wisc. Neal Kemmet is the current Foundation chairman and general manager of Ace Ethanol. “As we look back to the roots of our industry, these newer members are sure to see how far our industry has come, and the great potential that lies ahead,” said Kemmet.

This year’s group included:
Nick Thone, grain manager and merchant at Aztalan Bio
Kate Littrel, executive assistant at Renewable Fuels Nebraska
Tim Daniel, co-founder of Rimba, sustainability compliance automation software
Alex Lowe, special projects manager at KAAPA Ethanol
Denae Reeves, compliance specialist at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy.
Bailey Masat, commodities and marketing manager at Redfield Energy.
Paige Madison, who is working toward a master’s degree in animal science at South Dakota State University.
Katherine Ludolph, a merchandiser assistant at East Kansas Agri-Energy studying agriculture business at Fort Hays State University.

Ludolph, who is both a student and an industry professional, comes from a family farm in Kansas and is brimming with enthusiasm for all aspects of the ethanol industry. “When you work for a small company, we have 45 employees, you wear many hats. I’ve done accounting. I run the scale house. I’m the backup to the backup. I also redid our website a couple years ago with a contact that I had, but it’s all about networking and knowing people and continuing to have people that are passionate about our industry willing to go out and use our voice to let people know who we are, what we are, and why we are important.”

Alex Lowe has a background in naval aviation and moved back to central Nebraska with his wife where he has been working for KAAPA Ethanol since October. He was fascinated to hear about the history of the industry during the Back to our Roots panel which included KAAPA Ethanol board member Rod Gangwish. “Seeing their perspective and seeing how things were back in the 80s, I only heard stories from my grandparents about it,” said Lowe. “It was interesting seeing the struggles they went through, how ethanol has saved the family farm.”

Denae Reeves joined SIRE recently after spending ten years in law. “So this is kind of a 180 for me,” she said. “I wanted to get back to my ag roots. My dad was a community banker, I grew up in FFA, and this just was appealing from that standpoint as well as the work life balance that it allowed me.”

RFA NEC Scholarship winner Katherine Ludolph (12:20)
Alex Lowe, special projects manager at KAAPA Ethanol
RFA NEC Scholarship winner Alex Lowe (2:46)
Denae Reeves, compliance specialist at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy.
RFA NEC Scholarship winner Denae Reeves (1:46)

Pictured:
Back Row: Renewable Fuels Foundation Chairman Neal Kemmet, Nick Thorne, Kate Littrell, Tim Daniel, Alex Lowe, RFF Vice Chair Wayne Garrett
Front Row: Denae Reeves, Bailey Masat, Paige Madison, Katherine Ludolph

2025 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

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

Sec. Rollins Applauded for E15 Support

Cindy Zimmerman

New U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins received a standing ovation from thousands of farmers across the country Sunday as she made an appearance at the Commodity Classic in Denver on the Trade Show Main Stage.

Rollins brought a message from President Trump. “He wants all of you to know that he hears you. He knows that times have been tough over the last four years. He will not forget you and he will never stop fighting you, and neither will. As your newly confirmed Secretary of Agriculture just two weeks ago, I will be your greatest champion in Washington, second only to the President,” said Rollins.

Rollins also received applause for her support of the year round sale of E15. “Our farmers play a critical role in fueling our nation and helping the United States reclaim energy dominance,” said Rollins. “On his very first day in office, President Trump took action to support the year round sale of E15 gasoline. And I am so looking forward to working with him and with my friend Lee Zeldin at the EPA to make more fuel with the best label, ‘Made in the USA’.”

USDA Sec. Rollins remarks 25:56

2025 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

EIA Confirms 2024 Record Ethanol Production and Exports

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration show U.S. ethanol production hit a record 16.22 billion gallons (bg) in 2024, spurred by rising domestic consumption and record exports of 1.92 bg, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

Domestic usage increased to 14.26 bg, the highest level since 2019, reflecting the continued expansion in the number of retail stations offering E15, together with waivers by the Environmental Protection Agency allowing E15 to be sold year-round. Ethanol exports surged increased by more than 500 million gallons, or 37%, over 2023.
“The official EIA data released today confirm that 2024 was a banner year for the U.S. ethanol industry,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Our nation’s ethanol producers helped lead the way toward American energy dominance, achieving record highs for both production and exports. The industry is excited to build on this success in 2025 by working with the Trump administration to rapidly expand domestic consumption and continue growing exports to international markets.”

For comprehensive information about 2024 exports, please see RFA’s U.S. Ethanol Trade Statistical Summary

At the recent National Ethanol Conference, RFA General Counsel Ed Hubbard moderated a panel on export opportunities with Everett Eissenstat with Squire Patton Boggs and Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains Council President and CEO, to examine the macro-level outlook for global trade under the new Trump Administration, as well as specific challenges and opportunities for expanding ethanol exports.
RFANEC Expanding Exports panel (45:18)

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

Farm to Fly Act Reintroduced in House

Cindy Zimmerman

The bipartisan Farm to Fly Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House last week to foster the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) within existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, allow for greater collaboration, and ensure USDA’s SAF definitions reflect eligibility for American agricultural crops.

The bill was introduced by Reps. Max Miller (R-OH), Mike Flood (R-NE), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Mike Bost (R-IL), Don Bacon (R-NE), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Mark Alford (R-MO), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN). A Senate version was introduced in January by Senators Moran (R-KS), Grassley (R-IA), Duckworth (D-IL), Ricketts (R-NE), Klochubar (D-MN), and Ernst (R-IA).

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper thanked them for introducing the bill. “RFA supports this important legislation, which would bring clarity and stability to the future of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) made from U.S. crops. By affirming SAF’s inclusion in USDA programs and ensuring the best science is used, this bill empowers domestic agriculture to participate in the emerging SAF market.”

SAF was a big topic of discussion at RFA’s recent National Ethanol Conference. Tim Hughes with the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative sat on a panel exploring ethanol’s role in aviation, as well as other heavy duty applications. He believes the opportunities for the sustainable aviation fuel is enormous on both a domestic and global scale.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty here in the United States today on what is going to be the focus of the current federal administration and depending on who you talk to, many people are optimistic,” said Hughes. “Europe, Asia, many other countries have already put the stake in the ground and have mandates in place and UPS, DHL, FedEx, many of these companies that have the international footprint have to meet those objectives. So whether we slow the progress down or hinder it here in the United States, there is an opportunity globally, and I think there’s a great place for agriculture, renewable fuels and specifically ethanol to play a part in meeting that demand.”

Listen to the panel, which also included heavy equipment and maritime opportunities for ethanol.

Ethanol’s Role in Heavy-Duty and Aviation
Brian Olson, ICE and Low Carbon Fuels Product Strategy Director, Cummins Power Systems
Felix Leworthy, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, ETFuels
Holly Mayton, Lead for Research Partnerships and Science Policy, John Deere
Tim Hughes, Project Director, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI)
Moderator: Tad Hepner, VP, Strategy and Innovation, Renewable Fuels Association
RFANEC Heavy Duty and Aviation panel (1:18:05)

Audio, aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, SAF

Ohio and South Dakota to Delay E15 Implementation

Cindy Zimmerman

Now that the Environmental Protection Agency has finally allowed eight states the ability to sell E15 year-round by April 28, two of those states have decided they’re not ready yet.

On Friday, EPA announced it would act on “requests from South Dakota and Ohio seeking a one-year extension of the current implementation date to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for E10.”

This action follows the February 26, 2025 deadline for states to submit written requests for delay. Kansas, which was not among the eight states addressed in the final rule, submitted a similar request. The agency intends to act expeditiously to delay implementation for South Dakota and Ohio until the spring of 2026. This will be the last year an extension can be provided to any of the eight states addressed in the final rule.

EPA notes that a legislative solution before the summer driving season to allow for the permanent, year-round sale of E15 nationwide is an option being negotiated in Congress. In the absence of congressional action, EPA is still considering issuing emergency fuel waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15. EPA is closely monitoring fuel market conditions and considering potential emergency fuel waivers under the Clean Air Act to prevent supply disruptions and protect consumers from price volatility.

E15, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Liquid Fuel Stakeholders Urge EPA to Set RFS Volumes

Cindy Zimmerman

A diverse group of stakeholders, including petroleum refiners, fuel marketers and retailers, biofuels producers, and farmers, sent a letter to urging Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him to set robust, timely, and multi-year Renewable Fuel Standards for 2026 and beyond.

“Since the enactment of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), our nation has benefited from increased energy security, an enhanced agricultural industry, and lower carbon fuel options,” the groups write. “We believe strong, steady volumes for conventional biofuel targets, biomass-based diesel, and advanced fuels would more accurately reflect the availability and ongoing investments in feedstocks and production capacity. Additionally, it would reflect the increased demand in new markets, such as marine, rail and aviation. Our industries will work to continue providing liquid fuels with the significant renewable fuel volumes that our country needs to fuel American growth.”

The letter was signed by nearly a dozen stakeholders, including the American Petroleum Institute, Advanced Biofuels Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Growth Energy, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Association of Truck Stop Owners, Renewable Fuels Association, and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers.

At the National Ethanol Conference last week, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said EPA is already far behind schedule in setting the 2026 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) which should have been finalized by November 1 of last year. “So, Trump’s EPA will need to work very quickly to get the 2026 RVOs proposed and finalized in time for next year,” said Cooper. “EPA should also continue the practice of issuing RVOs for multiple years all at once to provide more certainty for all supply chain participants. Exactly where the future RFS volumes for each category should be set is currently the subject of much conversation and analysis within the industry. But one thing is clear: if we are to be successful, stakeholders representing agriculture, ethanol, biodiesel, petroleum, and retail will need to be as aligned as possible in our advocacy efforts.”

RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, Industry Address (35:56)

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS

EU Court Dismisses SAF Challenge by Biofuels Producers

Cindy Zimmerman

The General Court of the European Union this week moved to dismiss a challenge against the ReFuelEU Aviation regulations brought by European biofuel producers ePURE and Pannonia Bio which asserted the EU’s sustainable aviation fuel regulation improperly discriminates against crop-based biofuels. The court ruled they did not have the right to bring the challenge.

The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, U.S. Grains Council, and LanzaJet joined together last May to intervene in support of the European biofuel interests. But because the underlying challenge was dismissed, the objections to the EU regulation raised by the U.S. groups were not considered by the court.

In a joint statement, the organizations expressed disappointment in the decision and “strongly disagree with its finding that biofuel producers in the EU and United States—who manufacture the renewable fuels that become SAF—are somehow not harmed or affected by the EU’s unfair and unscientific SAF requirements.”

By essentially banning crop-based SAF from qualifying, the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation harms ethanol and SAF producers around the world by denying them access to an emerging low-carbon fuel market. And, because commercial aviation is a global marketplace, the EU regulations also have extraterritorial effects on operations outside of Europe.

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

NASDA Adopts Pro-Biofuels Policy

Cindy Zimmerman

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) members voted this week at their Winter Policy Conference to amend the organization’s biofuels policies to increase support for domestic and global demand for American produced biofuels.

“NASDA recognizes the importance biofuels play in the future of agricultural production, energy independence and our economy,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said. “State agriculture departments see greater demand for biofuels as a win-win for their mission to enhance agricultural production and strengthen rural economies across the nation.”

NASDA’s new policy states that the organization supports efforts to increase production of biofuels, expanding the range of biofuels to include renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuels and other emerging energy products. In addition, the policy calls for NASDA to become more involved in helping to eliminate trade barriers to increased international demand for U.S.-produced biofuels.

The policy also reaffirms NASDA’s support for the Renewable Fuels Standard and calls for the organization to support the year-round sale and use of E15 fuel.

The amended policy maintains the organization’s commitment to investing in biofuels research and responsible Clean Air Act emission standards.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

OAL Rejects Portions of CARB LCFS Amendments

Cindy Zimmerman

California’s Office of Administrative Law (OAL) last week notified the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that recently adopted amendments to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) were being rejected, preventing the changes from taking effect. According to CARB, the rejection was due to “inconsistencies of specific regulatory amendment provisions with the clarity standard.”

CARB has 120 days to revise and resubmit the proposal to address deficiencies identified by OAL. Until then, the current LCFS regulations remain in place while CARB navigates the approval process. Depending on the extent of the required revisions, CARB may seek public input.

“Our team is dedicated to engaging with CARB to ensure that the latest science informs clear, effective regulations that support the biomass-based diesel industry and market stability,” said Jeff Earl, Director of State Governmental Affairs at Clean Fuels Alliance America, “We will continue to keep our members and stakeholders informed as new developments emerge.”

The notice was made public last week during the National Ethanol Conference and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper told reporters, “Usually the OAL sort of takes their 30 days and then they rubber stamp regulations given to them by CARB. They didn’t do that this time.”

Cooper speculated that the rejection could be related to cost concerns. “We’ve been saying all along that approving E15 in the state of California would help address some of the concerns about costs,” he said.

Listen to Cooper’s comments on the CARB issue starting at 12:00 in this press interview.
RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, press avail (25:22)

Audio, Carbon, Clean Fuels Alliance, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Pioneers Get Back to Their Roots at #RFANEC

Cindy Zimmerman

From left: Geoff Cooper, Dave VanderGriend, Todd Brown, Karol King, Rodney Jorgenson, Rod Gangwish

One of the most interesting panels at the 30th National Ethanol Conference was Back to the Beginning: Celebrating Our Roots where we heard from some of the pioneers who founded the modern-day ethanol industry.

From Dave VanderGriend, who founded the design-build firm ICM, Inc. in 1995, to board members of four of the nation’s oldest ethanol plants, they told the tales of triumph over adversity in the early years. Al-Corn Clean Fuel was founded in 1994, Dakota Ethanol in 1999, KAAPA Ethanol in 2001, and Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) in 2005, and all of the board members on the panel were with them from the start. Some of them, like Karol King with SIRE, go back to the earliest days of the 1970s and gasohol.

“I was in Iowa Corn Growers for several years when we worked to get the check off passed with the goal to promote ethanol fuel,” said King. That led to getting involved in the National Gasohol Commission to promote and study the use of gasohol, which had representation in the mid-70s from 26 states. “It was a short-lived group, but it served it’s purpose” working with the Carter administration and helping shape policies like the Energy Security Act of 1980.

Rod Jorgenson with Al-Corn Clean Fuels talked about the significance of the “Minnesota Model” in moving the ethanol industry forward in the ’90s. “The Minnesota Model was a private-public partnership with the goal to add value back to the farm and offer some economic stimulus for development in rural Minnesota,” said Jorgenson. That led to the farmer co-op model to get funding for plants to be built and become operational and, in return, the state would partner with the plant and provide a return on their investment per gallon of production.

Todd Brown with Dakota Ethanol says corn growers developed a plan to grow the industry in South Dakota. “They started a corn investment fund of a million dollars and what they were going to do was invest it in a company and once the plant got up and running, they asked for it back and took it to the next plant, and the next plant…and it turned out to be very successful.”

Listen to this fascinating walk down memory lane with:
Dave VanderGriend, CEO, ICM, Inc.
Karol King, Board Chairman, SIRE
Rodney Jorgenson, Board Member, Al-Corn Clean Fuel
Todd Brown, Board Member, Dakota Ethanol, LLC
Rod Gangwish, Board Member, KAAPA Ethanol Holdings LLC
Moderator: Geoff Cooper, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association
RFANEC Back to our Roots Panel (101:36)

Interview with Karol King, Board Chairman, SIRE
SIRE board chair Karol King (5:23)

2025 National Ethanol Conference Photos

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