California E85 Sales Surpass 100 Million Gallons

Cindy Zimmerman

California drivers set a new record buying E85 (85% ethanol) fuel last year, up 66 percent over 2021 and more than doubled the pre-pandemic record set in 2019, according to new data released by the California Air Resources Board.

The Renewable Fuels Association reports that California drivers purchased over 103.5 million gallons (mg) of E85 flex fuel, up from about 62.5 mg in 2021.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said drivers are seeking out options at the pump that are both more affordable and better for the environment. “E85 substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline, and the fuel typically sells for 25 to 40 percent less in California. This new data show that when E85 is made available and effectively promoted, FFV drivers will absolutely respond,” said Cooper.

Cooper noted that the surge in E85 sales in California is due to a combination of factors. “These results show what is possible when policies like the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and federal Renewable Fuel Standard are combined with smart promotional and marketing campaigns,” he said. “The California E85 experience should serve as a model for other states to emulate.”

RFA Member Pearson Fuels is California’s largest provider of E85 and has witnessed how the momentum is growing for E85. “Part of the massive growth last year came from severe gasoline price spikes, which saw E85 priced nearly $3 per gallon cheaper than regular unleaded gasoline,” said Doug Vind, managing member of Pearson Fuels. “In 2022 alone, we estimate FFV owners using E85 saved upwards of $200 million at the pump. As we continue to add stations, our 2023 volumes are tracking ahead of last year – so we expect solid growth again.”

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Farmers Join Fight Against MN “Clean Cars” Mandate

Cindy Zimmerman

The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) has joined the Minnesota Service Station & Convenience Store Association and NACS, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, and ICM Inc., in filing a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota for its adoption of California’s “zero-emission vehicle” mandate.

“Having Minnesota blindly follow California’s rules gives up our ability to make our own decisions and would sabotage our own growers and producers of liquid fuels in the heartland,” MSGA President Bob Worth said. “Minnesota consumers know better than California politicians what is best for their own lives.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, challenges the legality of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency rules requiring that new cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles in the state meet emission limits set by California and match California’s requirements for the sale of a certain percentage of so-called “zero-emission vehicles,” as defined by California regulators.

The lawsuit contends that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), which creates a uniform national standard for vehicle fuel efficiency, prohibits states from adopting policies “related to” federal fuel-economy standards. EPCA says that a “State or a political subdivision of a State” cannot “adopt or enforce a law or regulation related to fuel economy standards or average fuel economy standards.”

Read more from MN Soy

Biodiesel, Electric Vehicles, Soybeans

Consumers Continue to Support Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association revealed the results of its latest consumer focus group research at the recent National Ethanol Conference.

Phillip Morris of the Locust Street Group conducted a round of focus groups for RFA in late January with consumers in Ohio, Florida and California. This was the third time this research has been conducted for RFA, previously in 2019 and 2021, which Morris says provides them with perspective to see changing attitudes and trends. “I think this round of research, we’ve seen some of the most notable shifts in consumer attitudes toward ethanol than we’ve seen to date,” said Morris.

Among the shifts was awareness of ethanol in gasoline. “When we’ve conducted this in years past, we had very few folks in our focus groups tell us that they were even aware that ethanol was in their gas tank,” said Morris. “That was not the case this time.”

This time, record high gas prices made a difference. “In a time of higher than usual gas prices, folks are more conscious than ever of what they’re putting in their gas tank and that is driving greater awareness of the role that ethanol plays,” Morris said.

For the first year, the research included questions about electric vehicles, and Morris says they found many believe EV adoption will occur within the next 50 years but they are concerned about how it can be achieved. “However, within the next 15 years, the vast majority said they think there will still be a mix of liquid fueled and electric vehicles on our roads,” said Morris.

Morris said they found strong opposition to any state or local initiatives to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles. “They do not want government forcing them to choose one vehicle type over another,” he said.

Listen to Morris’ summary of the focus group findings at NEC.
RFANEC23 presentation Phillip Morris, Partner, Locust Street Group (40:19)

2023 National Ethanol Conference Newsroom

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

Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act Reintroduced

Cindy Zimmerman

Legislation that would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10% was reintroduced in both the House and Senate this week.

Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led the reintroduction in the Senate of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act this week, as Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) did the same in the House.

The legislation not only has bipartisan and bicameral support, it also has support from a wide mix of stakeholders, including the National Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels Association, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), and the American Petroleum Institute.

“This commonsense legislation is supported by a broad and diverse coalition, ranging from farmers to filling stations and from ethanol producers to petroleum companies,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We all agree that American drivers need access to lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 at the pump every day of the year and across this country. With the summer driving season right around the corner, we call on Congress to move quickly and adopt this legislation as soon as possible.”

“Securing national and permanent market access for E15 year-round is best done through Congress,” said ACE CEO Brian Jennings “ACE members look forward to fostering support for this legislation during our annual fly-in at the end of the month. Given the urgency to ensure uninterrupted market access for 2023, ACE is pushing for immediate action via emergency waivers, passage of this legislation and other options to unleash the cost-saving benefits of E15 this summer.”

Original Senate supporters of the bill include: Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).

Original House supporters of the bill include: Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), Sam Graves (R-Miss.), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Miss.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), and Zach Nunn (R-Iowa).

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

Rabobank Analyst Sees Potential in SAF

Cindy Zimmerman

The sky seems to be the limit for the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and can be a real opportunity for farmers, according to RaboResearch Senior Grains & Oilseeds Analyst Owen Wagner.

Wagner was at Commodity Classic last week talking about how sustainable aviation fuel fits into the landscape for commodity demand. “This (SAF) is not just for vegetable oils,” said Wagner. “We’re also seeing new facilities going up that are going to be using corn or cellulosic materials as feedstock.”

Wagner says the policy to promote SAF is moving rapidly with tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act and even state incentives like one recently brought forth in Illinois. “That’s a really phenomenal way to get this product off the ground,” he said – no pun intended. Listen to a recent Rabobank podcast with Wagner on the topic.

Learn more in this interview from Commodity Classic.
Classic 23 interview with Owen Wagner, Rabobank (6:08)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, aviation biofuels, biofuels, Commodity Classic, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, SAF, Soybean

Secretary Vilsack Excited About SAF

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Commodity Classic for the 10th time last week with the theme of new opportunities and markets for farmers and one he is excited about it sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

“I get electric cars, you know, you drive them and if the charge runs out, you pull off the side of the road, pick up your cell phone, call for a charge and get back on the road,” said Vilsack to applause and laughter. “But what if you’re in a plane? And it’s over a body of water? We need a sustainable low carbon fuel. It’s a 36 billion gallon industry that doesn’t exist today. It’s a new opportunity for American agriculture to lead the way.”

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addresses Commodity Classic
Classic 23 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack address (28:49)

Vilsack also took the opportunity to sign memorandums for two of USDA’s new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities programs – Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) and the Midwest Climate Smart Commodities Project.

“It is the beginning of a process of a number of projects that are going to transform how we farm, where we farm, what we do to sustainably produce crops,” said Vilsack.

Secretary Vilsack and USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie joined the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and farmer-leaders with Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) to sign a $95 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, officially launching the Farmers for Soil Health initiative.
Classic 23 Agriculture Secy Vilsack - Farmers for Soil Health MOU (3:28)

Vilsack also joined the Iowa Soybean Association to sign the Midwest Climate Smart Commodities Project, which also includes other partners such as PepsiCo, Cargill, Renewable Energy Group, Ingredion, Target, JBS, Coca-Cola, Mano y Ola, FarmRaise, Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
Classic 23 Secy Vilsack - Midwest Climate Smart Commodities MOU (2:58)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, aviation biofuels, biofuels, Commodity Classic, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

RFA Brings Flex Fuel Plug-In Hybrid EV to #Classic23

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association showed off its new 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at the Commodity Classic in Orlando last week, right down the road from where it debuted at the National Ethanol Conference the week before. The concept is to use this vehicle to demonstrate that ethanol (E85) and electricity can jointly power today’s vehicles.

Students at the University of Nebraska’s Husker Motorsports Team assisted RFA’s VP for Industry Relations Robert White with the conversion to flex fuel using a kit from eFlexFuel. “It’s a pretty phenomenal vehicle,” said White. “There’s a little electricity to get you going but with the eleven gallons of liquid fuel we now have an electric vehicle with a range of over 400 miles.”

Learn more about the vehicle in this interview with White and see it on display this year at a number of events including the Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Farm Progress Show.
Classic 23 interview with Robert White, RFA (7:08)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, E85, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Lallemand Biofuels Supports Future of Ethanol Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

LBDS president Angus Ballard (2nd from right) poses with some of his team at NEC

The Renewable Fuels Association Young Professionals Network is itself very young, only started in the summer of 2020, but it is growing quickly thanks to strong industry support and the dedicated sponsorship of Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS).

“We’ve always believed in the importance of gatherings like NEC where professionals can get together and exchange good ideas,” said LBDS president and general manager Angus Ballard. “The networking in people’s careers is so important so when the concept (of YPN) was floated, we jumped in right away. We’re passionate about the industry. It’s very important that we look after young people and keep them engaged so they want to stay in the industry.”

RFANEC23 interview with LBDS president Angus Ballard (3:21)

Two members of the RFA YPN were among six young people who were awarded scholarships this year to attend the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando.

Ben Parsley, Innovation Manager at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy and Alex Stanley, Lab Manager with Ringneck Energy & Feed, are pictured here with RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. It was the first NEC for both and they were excited to attend and get to meet other professionals, both young and old, in the industry. Other YPN scholarship winners were Ben Rhodes, Ethanol Program Manager, Nebraska Ethanol Board, and Bailey Arnold, Director of Clean Air Initiative, American Lung Association.

RFANEC23 interview with Ben Parsley, SIRE, YPN member (2:33)

RFANEC23 interview with Alex Stanley, YPN member (1:44)

Student scholarship recipients were Xueli Chen, who is working toward a doctorate from the Dept. of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University and serves as a research assistant at Purdue University’s Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering; and Tianbo Tang, who is in the doctoral program in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside and is the lead graduate researcher for recent work on the “Comparison of Exhaust Emissions Between E10 California RFG and Splash Blended E15” report, emissions testing for E15 approval in California.

Click for more National Ethanol Conference content

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

Davis Hosts NEC Innovation and Transportation Panels

Cindy Zimmerman

Kelly Davis’ involvement in the ethanol industry goes back 40 years and for the past decade she has served as Vice President of Technical & Regulatory Affairs for the Renewable Fuels Association, but this year’s National Ethanol Conference will be her last as a staff member.

“I’m going to take the challenge of turning corn stover into ethanol,” Davis said about the soon-to-be-announced opportunity she is taking. “I’ll never leave RFA. I’ve been a member on some level for the past 40 years … and hope to return as a member of the board.”

RFANEC23 Interview with Kelly Davis, RFA (5:27)

Davis had the opportunity to host two panels on topics right in her wheelhouse – innovation and transportation. The Ready for Innovation panel featured exciting opportunities for biorefineries to expand into new markets and uses, including green chemical manufacturing. Listen to the panelists’ presentations below:

Geoffrey Inch, Sustainability & Circular Economy Director, Braskem

RFANEC23 Geoffrey Inch, Braskem (13:06)
Michael Bloesch, President & CEO, Next Wave Energy Partners

RFANEC23 Michael Bloesch, Next Wave Energy Partners (21:58)
Leigh Abrams, Renewable Fuels Offering Manager, Honeywell UOP
RFANEC23 Leigh Abrams, Honeywell UOP (16:16)

Davis also moderated the panel on Confronting Supply Chain Challenges, including labor issues, infrastructure problems, and other difficulties that continue to plague the rail, waterborne freight, and trucking industries. Listen to what her panelists had to say about what’s being done to address these challenges and future growth:

Ken Eriksen, Senior Vice President, Agri Supply Chain, S&P Global Commodity Insights
RFANEC23 presentation Ken Eriksen, S&P Global (35:37)
Dan Keen, Assistant Vice President, Policy Analysis, Association of American Railroads
RFANEC23 presentation Dan Keen, Association of American Railroads (21:46)

Click for more National Ethanol Conference content

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

#RFANEC Explores New Congress Opportunities

Cindy Zimmerman

There are almost 100 new Members in the 118th Congress this year, which provides obvious challenges for biofuels interests, but also some opportunities.

At the 2023 National Ethanol Conference, D.C. insiders provided an outlook for the new Congress and discussed the potential for legislation focused on transportation fuels during the New Congress, New Opportunities panel moderated by Troy Bredenkamp, Senior VP, Government & Public Affairs for the Renewable Fuels Association.

The panel featured Chris Hessler, Founding Partner, AJW, Inc.; Dan Bowerson, Senior Director, Energy & Environment, Alliance for Automotive Innovation; Frank Macchiarola, Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics, and Regulatory Affairs, American Petroleum Institute; and just recently former Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Retired.

RFANEC23 New Congress panel (46:00)

Bustos was the architect of the Next Generation Fuels Act when she was in Congress and she says there is still a chance for the legislation, which is being sponsored by Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Sens. Amy Klobuchar(D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). “We have the right people supporting it,” said Bustos. “Those are the four leaders and they’re the right people…they understand it and they’re passionate about it. But we still have a very divided Congress.”

Interview with Cheri Bustos, former U.S. Representative from Illinois
RFANEC23 interview with Cheri Bustos, former IL Rep. (9:02)

RFA NEC Virtual Newsroom

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