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)

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#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

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ACE DC Fly-in Ready to Soar

Cindy Zimmerman

The last time American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) members were able to meet face-to-face with lawmakers in Washington D.C. was 2019. After three years of being cancelled, ACE is pleased to be headed back to the nation’s capitol for its 12th annual Washington, DC Fly-in and Government Affairs Summit, March 29-30.

ACE CEO Brian Jennings says there will be plenty for ethanol stakeholders to discuss, including last week’s proposal from EPA answering eight Midwest governors’ petition for year-round E15 that delays implementation until 2024. “Congress does have a role to play here because they could clarify the statute and make clear once and for all that any blend above E10 ought to be allowed to be used in conventional gasoline areas of the country because of lower evaporative emissions,” said Jennings. “So, that will become a center piece of our fly-in.”

Priorities for ACE advocates this year also include supporting technology-neutral clean fuel policy which recognizes farmers’ and ethanol producers’ contribution to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and promoting the Next Generation Fuels Act, as well as the Farm Bill, ensuring the Renewable Fuel Standard is getting back on track, and implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.

For more information about the event, please contact Katie Muckenhirn at kmuckenhirn@ethanol.org or visit ethanol.org/events/fly-in.

Learn more about the ACE Fly-in from Brian Jennings in this interview.
ACE Fly-in preview with CEO Brian Jennings 3:59

Get more details from Katie Muckenhirn, Vice President of Government Affairs
Classic 23 interview with Katie Muckenhirn, American Coalition for Ethanol (3:32)

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Iowa and Nebraska AGs Push EPA for E15 by Summer

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers started the challenge against the EPA’s illegally delayed decision regarding the sale of year-round E15 gasoline this week by sending an intent-to-sue letter demanding EPA change the proposed rule to allow for E15 sales this summer.

The letter requests that the EPA issue a waiver allowing sale of year-round E15 starting April 28, 2023. Sending the letter is a required step under federal law at least 60 days before filing a lawsuit. Should the EPA fail to change the rule’s effective start date, the States have reserved the right to sue.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said they appreciate the action taken by the AGs. “The law is clear—EPA should have finalized the Governors’ petition last July and had everything ready to go for this summer. Now, the marketplace finds itself in between a rock and hard place because of the administration’s inaction, and consumers are at risk of losing access to low-cost, lower-carbon E15 in a few short months. We join these AGs in urging EPA to follow through on its statutory obligation to finalize the Governors petition before this summer.”

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Ethanol Report on #RFANEC 2023 Highlights

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association 2023 National Ethanol Conference coincided with the release of EPA’s proposed rule to allow year round sales of E15 ethanol, making it a very timely event with attendance back to pre-pandemic levels.

This edition of the Ethanol Report podcast includes highlights from the NEC, including remarks from RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper; Ben Hengst, EPA Deputy Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality; Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds; Former Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL); RFA Director, Government Affairs Jared Mullendore; Dana Jackson, Partner with RSM US; Former RFA chair Randall Doyal; and current RFA chair Erik Huschitt, Badger State Ethanol.

Ethanol Report 3-6-22 20:18

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.

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RFA Chairman Excited for Ethanol Industry Future

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association chair Erik Huschitt CEO of Badger State Ethanol, is excited about the renewed enthusiasm he saw for the industry at the National Ethanol Conference last week in Orlando.

“I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this organization and industry,” said Huschitt at the conclusion of the conference. “This is the heart and soul of the country.”

Huschitt moderated one of the final panels of the conference “Putting the ‘U’ in CCUS” on carbon utilization options for biorefineries that cannot access carbon sequestration.

“Ethanol has always been so much more,” he said. “Biogenic CO2 made from the ethanol plant can be utilized to replace concrete, it can be used to grow proteins that can feed and fuel the world…it’s limitless.”

Joining Huschitt on the panel were: Conor Cooper, Head of Business Development, CarbonBuilt; Jim McVaney, Chief Commercial Officer, Head of Communications & Strategic Partnerships,Carbon Sink LLC; Dave Tze, CEO, NovoNutrients.

NEC23 CCUS Panel (42:16)

Below, listen to Huschitt’s welcome remarks and interview.

NEC23 welcome remarks, Erik Huschitt, RFA Chair (5:07)

Interview with RFA Chair Erik Huschitt, Badger State Ethanol
NEC23 Interview with RFA Chair Erik Huschitt (3:28)

Click here for more audio and photos from the National Ethanol Conference.

2023 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

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Yield10 Bioscience Joins American Airlines in Camelina for SAF Project

Cindy Zimmerman

Yield10 Bioscience has signed an MOU with American Airlines to collaborate in developing the value chain for Camelina as a low-carbon feedstock oil for sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”).

Under the MOU, Yield10 and American plan to work together to support the development of the Camelina oil-based SAF value chain with the potential to secure offtake agreements for Camelina oil-based SAF for use in the commercial airline business. The companies also plan to work together to support applications for government grants to support the establishment of infrastructure to support Camelina oil as a feedstock to refineries producing SAF.

“SAF made from feedstocks that maximize carbon reduction is critical to our climate goals,” said Jill Blickstein, American’s Vice President of Sustainability. “We believe cover crops, like the Camelina varieties that Yield10 is working on, could play a significant role in helping us decarbonize. Since oilseed cover crops may also have other environmental benefits, such as helping reduce erosion and maintaining soil moisture, it makes them even more compelling.”

“Yield10 is developing elite Camelina varieties to enable winter cover cropping and harvest of low-carbon intensity feedstock oil for the SAF market,” said Oliver Peoples, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Yield10 Bioscience. “With this new relationship in place with American, we continue to make progress toward our goal of establishing a network of collaborations across the biofuel value chain to support the establishment of Camelina as a major new source of feedstock oil for transportation fuel. We are excited to be aligned with American on the potential for Camelina to play an important role in sustainably de-carbonizing SAF. We look forward to working closely with American to establish the performance profile of Camelina feedstock oil and to develop the value chain for SAF from field to flight.”

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Iowa Governor Receives RFA Industry Award

Cindy Zimmerman

A well-deserved award was presented during the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando by the Renewable Fuels Association this week to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for her untiring efforts on behalf of the entire ethanol industry. The award was presented the day after a major victory for the governor in the proposed rule from EPA that will allow her state and seven others to sell E15 ethanol fuel year-round starting in 2024.

Reynolds said she was thrilled that the EPA has approved the multi-state bipartisan RVP waiver request that will pave the way for year-round E15 and bring certainty to the industry, but the delay in implementation is unacceptable.

“This arbitrary deadline is unacceptable and disappointing, but hardly surprising and we won’t accept it without a fight. I’m requesting another emergency waiver to this year while at the same time asking the courts to require the Administration to grant our request immediately. I’ve also requested a meeting with President Biden to discuss the critical timeliness of the waiver.” she said.

Listen to the Governor’s remarks and press availability below:
RFANEC23 Gov. Kim Reynolds award (11:32)

RFANEC23 Gov. Reynolds press (19:42)

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2023 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

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#RFANEC Explores Implementing Inflation Reduction Act

Cindy Zimmerman

The Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress has been called the most important piece of legislation for the future of the ethanol industry since the Renewable Fuel Standard, but as the Renewable Fuels Association notes, the devil is in the details so getting implementation right is critical for the industry.

The National Ethanol Conference this week featured a panel of experts discuss how the bill’s energy tax incentives, infrastructure grants, and other provisions will be implemented in the years ahead. Moderated by Jared Mullendore, RFA Director, Government Affairs, the panel included:
Dana Jackson, Partner, RSM US LLP; Jorge Medina, Partner & Head of Renewables, Shearman & Sterling LLP; Matt Lauer, VP of Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage, Foss & Company.

Listen to the entire panel here:
RFANEC23 Implementing the IRA panel (41:58)

2023 National Ethanol Conference Newsroom

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Ethanol Groups React to EPA Proposal

Cindy Zimmerman

EPA’s proposed rule released today in response to the request of several Midwest governors that would allow for year-round E15 in their states is a good news, bad news story, according to Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper.

“While we’re glad to see EPA is finally taking action to approve the Governors’ petition, we’re frustrated and disappointed that the agency is proposing to kick the can on implementation until 2024,” said Cooper. “There is simply no justification for further delaying this action, which is already months overdue. By law, EPA should have finalized approval of the Governors’ petition more than seven months ago, which would have given the marketplace more than enough time to adjust and prepare for implementation this summer.”

Listen to Cooper’s comments here:
RFANEC23 Cooper reaction to EPA proposal (2:30)

American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings has a similar reaction. “While ACE appreciates this step for 2024, EPA made multiple public promises these Midwest states would be approved for E15 market access in time for the 2023 summer driving season,” said Jennings. “Now, the Administration appears to be caving to refiner crocodile tears by kicking the can to 2024 instead. This delay means consumers in conventional gasoline areas of the country will be forced to pay more at the pump this year and retailers who want to offer lower cost E15 to their customers will be penalized.”

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