Most States Blending Over 10% Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Image courtesy RFA
(click for larger image)

The ten percent blend wall for ethanol is officially no more in the majority of the United States.

According to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 35 states and the District of Columbia used more than 10 percent ethanol in transportation fuel in 2021. Minnesota and Iowa led the way with ethanol accounting for 12.6% and 11.6%, respectively, of statewide gasoline consumption. California, Texas, and 12 other states had an average ethanol blend rate near 10.7%. The national average ethanol blend rate reached a record 10.32% in 2021, according to the data.

“The state-level data released by EIA today should finally put to rest any lingering myths and misinformation about the fictitious ethanol blend wall,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “American drivers in all 50 states clearly want more fuel options, and lower-cost, lower-carbon ethanol proved itself once again in 2021. As leaders in the marketing of E15 and E85, it’s no surprise that Minnesota and Iowa came out on top in 2021. Those states are showing the rest of the nation what is possible when you take proactive steps to provide more consumer options at the pump.”

Cooper expects that when 2022 nationwide data ethanol consumption data is finalized in February, it will show even further growth in ethanol’s share of America’s gas tanks. Last November, EIA released an analysis of high blend rates in the summer months that noted the U.S. ethanol blend rate hit a record summer average of 10.5% in 2022 and averaged 10.6% in June and August.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

US Ethanol Stands Out at India Auto Expo

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. ethanol industry was in the spotlight last week at the India Auto Expo in New Delhi which featured an Ethanol Pavilion for the first time. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the nation’s auto manufacturers organization, has partnered with the U.S. Grains Council to help support the implementation of ethanol across the country.

The Grains Council, along with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Growth Energy, Iowa RFA, and the Indiana and Kansas Corn growers represented the industry at the Expo. RFA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Kelly Davis gave a presentation on the U.S. industry at the International Conference on Sustainable Mobility at the Auto Show. ACE Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty joined the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) at the India Auto Expo last week, Asia’s largest automotive show, to promote ethanol implementation across the country. Lamberty was also invited to speak about the U.S. experience in a session about how biofuels are a boon for the Indian sustainability roadmap.

“India has an air quality emergency and is following the science which shows the best and fastest way to improve air quality is to add more ethanol,” Lamberty said. “They’ve gone from almost zero ethanol to 10 percent in only a few years and have a goal of 20 percent nationwide by 2025.”

Lamberty praised the efforts to promote ethanol at the Auto Expo. “The USGC staff put together a massive, attention-grabbing trade show display space that attracted a lot of people, and provided information about how ethanol is made, how it gets to stations, the equipment used to sell it, and even an FFV converted by eFlexFuel,” he said.

India recently achieved an ethanol fuel blending target of 10 percent ahead of schedule, a milestone on its way to reaching E20 by 2025. Last week, the Council also opened a new office and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote higher ethanol blending in India.

ACE, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, International, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, USGC

Iowa Renewable Fuels Production Increases

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa remains the top producer of both ethanol and biodiesel with production increases last year according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

2022 was another record year for Iowa ethanol production at 4.5 billion gallons, up from the previous record of 4.4 billion gallons in 2021. Observers credit fuel demand returning to pre-pandemic levels, Iowa ethanol plant efficiencies, and the ample local corn supply as factors in the upward trend.

Iowa’s 11 biodiesel plants produced a combined 349 million gallons of biodiesel 2022, up from 340 million gallons in 2021 and the third highest ever, with a record 365 million gallons produced in Iowa in 2018.

“Iowa continues to lead the nation in biodiesel production,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Biodiesel continues to be a good market for adding value for Iowa farmers. Even with growing renewable diesel production around the country, we see exciting new opportunities for biodiesel in addition to traditional on-road and agricultural markets. Home-heating oil, rail, and even marine applications are emerging that we believe will grow biodiesel demand in future years.” 

The 2023 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit is coming up February 7 in Des Moines. Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, will share his insight on these and other issues as the keynote speaker at the summit. Registration and more information is available at IowaRenewableFuelSummit.org.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

Ethanol Advocate Appointed to U.S. Senate

Cindy Zimmerman

Former Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts at 2022 American Coalition for Ethanol conference

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced last week that former Republican Governor Pete Ricketts will fill the state’s U.S. Senate seat vacated when Ben Sasse resigned on Jan. 8 to become president of the University of Florida. Ricketts was an outspoken advocate for ethanol during his two terms as governor.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper congratulated Ricketts on his appointment. “During his two terms as governor of Nebraska, Pete Ricketts showed tremendous vision and leadership on agricultural and renewable fuel issues,” said Cooper. “He clearly understands that ethanol plays a crucial role in boosting the rural economy, improving the environment, and bolstering our nation’s energy security. Ricketts will be a welcome addition to the U.S. Senate and we know he will have an immediate impact. We are excited to have the opportunity to continue our work with him to expand the production and use of low-cost, low-carbon renewable fuels and the other important bioproducts that come from our nation’s 200 ethanol biorefineries.”

Ricketts will serve two years before a special election is held in 2024 for the last two years of Sasse’s term and could seek reelection in 2026 for a full six-year term.

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

Yield10 and Mitsubishi Partner for Camelina Biofuel

Cindy Zimmerman

Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. and Mitsubishi Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to evaluate the establishment of a partnership to supply, offtake and market Camelina as a low-carbon feedstock oil for biofuels. Mitsubishi Corporation recently announced its aim to mass produce sustainable aviation fuel to decarbonize commercial aviation. 

Under the MOU, the companies plan to jointly undertake a feasibility study for the supply and offtake of Camelina oil from Camelina grain grown under contract using Yield10’s proprietary Camelina seed genetics to supply oil for the sustainable aviation fuel market. In addition, the companies also plan to jointly study the development and future offtake and marketing of PHA bioplastic produced in Camelina by Yield10 as an added value co-product with oil for biofuels. The MOU is non-binding and expires at the end of 2023.

“Yield10 and Mitsubishi are aligned on the sustainability benefits that the Camelina crop could bring to the transportation fuels market,” said Oliver Peoples, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer of Yield10 Bioscience. “Over the next several months, we look forward to working with the Mitsubishi team to develop a framework for a collaboration to jointly develop and build our Camelina business in the U.S. and other important geographies.” 

aviation biofuels, biofuels, biojet fuel, feedstocks

India Achieves Ethanol Blending Target Early

Cindy Zimmerman

India recently achieved its ethanol fuel blending target of 10 percent five months ahead of schedule and the phased rollout of 20 per cent ethanol blending in India will begin this April, according to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, advancing its target to achieve 20 per cent from earlier 2030 to now 2025-26.

The Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy offered congratulations to the country for this progress. “Ethanol presents an immediate solution to tackling two of the world’s greatest modern challenges: it represents an efficient alternative to petrol without infrastructure change and is a preeminent solution to mitigating the impending climate crisis,” the groups said. “India’s decision will provide economic benefits to domestic producers, facilitating new cycles of innovation and investment.”

The three groups issued the statement ahead of India’s upcoming Auto Expo 2023, one of Asia’s largest automotive trade shows that’s expected to welcome more than 115,000 visitors to New Delhi next week. Representatives from RFA, the U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy will all be on-site at the trade show.

“We are delighted to be so warmly welcomed here in India at the Auto Expo 2023 and fully support India’s bright and ambitious goal of transitioning toward higher blends. We look forward to working together with Indian businesses on the path toward net zero.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News, International, RFA

Clean Fuels Hires New Communications Director

Cindy Zimmerman

Clean Fuels Alliance America has announced the appointment of Heather Buechter as director of communications.
 
Most recently, Buechter served as Director of Communications for the Missouri Catholic Conference at its headquarters in Jefferson City where she focused on promoting the organization’s mission through social media, the website and podcasts. Prior to that, she spent 12 years as a broadcast journalist serving as the evening news anchor at KOLR-TV – the CBS affiliate in Springfield, Mo. There, she earned notable awards for her work, including the regional Edward R. Murrow Award in 2021 for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. An Arkansas native, Buechter earned a B.A. in Communication from the University of Arkansas.
 
Buechter joins the association ahead of the annual Clean Fuels Conference, to be held January 23-26 in Tampa, Florida.

Clean Fuels Alliance

Clean Fuels Conference United as One

Cindy Zimmerman

“United as One” is the theme of the inaugural Clean Fuels Conference, January 23-26, 2023 in Tampa, Florida where the role of biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in the national commitment to decarbonization will take center stage

Formerly the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, the event’s rebranding reflects the founding organization’s name change last year from the National Biodiesel Board to Clean Fuels Alliance America, recognizing the evolution and expansion of the clean fuels offerings for heavy-duty transportation and new markets like rail, shipping and aviation. “We look forward to this show because we have a lot of new stakeholders,” said Brad Shimmens, Clean Fuels’ Director of Operations and Membership. “So we have a very exciting line up of speakers and sessions to include the whole industry that we represent.”

Shimmens says highlights of the conference include the return of the popular diesel vehicle Ride-and-Drive and a mainstage session putting the spotlight on the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program. Event organizers are hoping to attract more sustainability and environmental social governance professionals this year who as well as representatives from new clean fuels markets including marine, rail and airline industry professionals.

Learn more in this preview interview with Shimmens.
Clean Fuels Conference preview interview, Brad Shimmens (5:00)

Audio, aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance

Biofuels Groups Provide Comments on RFS Proposal

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuels groups offered testimony to the Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday during a virtual public hearing for the proposed rule to establish required Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes and percentage standards for 2023-25.

“Overall, we believe the proposed ‘Set’ rule establishes a firm foundation for the future of the RFS and creates a pathway for sustainable growth in the production and use of low-carbon renewable fuels,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper in verbal testimony.

Cooper also stated that RFA strongly supports EPA’s approach to small refinery exemptions, including its assumption that zero exemptions will be granted in 2023-2025, and he agreed with EPA’s recent response to a fundamentally flawed GAO report on RFS compliance costs. When it comes to the idea of expanding the RFS to include renewable electricity made from biomass, Cooper said that EPA should maintain a level playing field and consistent approach to RIN generation for all renewable fuel pathways under the RFS.

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings testified in support of EPA setting an effective conventional biofuel requirement of 15.25 billion gallons for 2023 through 2025, projecting no small refinery exemptions (SREs) for 2023 through 2025 and reiterating refineries are able to pass on RIN costs to their customers, and conceding its antiquated greenhouse gas (GHG) model needs to be updated.

The ACE testimony highlighted concern over EPA’s proposed inadequate advanced biofuel blending targets and “alternative approach” to reduce conventional biofuel blending below 14 billion gallons for 2024 and 2025. Jennings encouraged the Agency to “increase [advanced] volumes consistent with new production capacity scheduled to come online” and “clarify it does not intend to issue retroactive waivers of volumes or reduce conventional biofuel requirements in the final rule.”

Meanwhile, Clean Fuels Alliance America and its members expressed frustration with the proposed volumes for biomass-based diesel because they do not match the volumes that are already in the market and do not account for expected growth in capacity and feedstocks.

“The proposed rule significantly undercounts existing biomass-based diesel production and fails to provide growth for investments the industry has already made in additional capacity, including for sustainable aviation fuel,” Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen stated in testimony to EPA.

Clean Fuels Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik stated at the hearing, “Clean Fuels is once again frustrated that EPA has the wherewithal needed to determine current production, the knowledge of the investments being made, and the resources to accurately determine feedstock availability yet proposes a no growth scenario.” Clean Fuels members also highlighted investments that have been made to increase biodiesel and renewable diesel production and distribution capacity, pointing to the successful USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program as one source of investment.

ACE, Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS

New Poll Shows Support for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

A new survey of registered voters conducted for the Renewable Fuels Association by Morning Consult shows more support for ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard compared to policies that ban liquid fuels or mandate electric vehicles.

“As the new Congress settles in and begins to consider the future of our nation’s energy policy, these polling results demonstrate that Americans strongly support expanded use of lower-cost, lower-carbon renewable fuels like ethanol,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Voters clearly want greater access to fuel blends containing more ethanol—like E15, E30, and E85—and they want to see more flex fuel vehicles made available.”

Almost two-thirds of survey respondents (65 percent) said they support the Renewable Fuel Standard, while only 15 percent expressed opposition to the program, while 64 percent of respondents have a favorable opinion of ethanol, compared to just 18 percent unfavorable.Regarding higher blends, 68 percent support increasing the availability of E15 to help lower fuel prices and bolster energy independence, and 66 percent said it is important for the federal government to promote the production and sale of flex fuel vehicles (capable of running on up to 85% ethanol) in the United States.

Notably, Cooper said, support for ethanol and renewable fuels policy crossed party lines and includes majorities of both Republican and Democrat respondents.

Additional survey results regarding electric vehicles and banning liquid fuels found that 66 percent oppose policies that ban the sale of new cars with traditional liquid-fueled engines, with only 23 percent supporting such policies, with 69 percent opposed to EV mandates, with 54 percent expressing “strong” opposition.

Read the poll results.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA