NCGA Hires Director of Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

Lane Howard

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recently announced the addition of Lane Howard to the organization’s staff as director of biofuels.

“Ethanol is one of our marquee issues and is important to rural economies,” said Sean Arians, vice president sustainable production and value chain engagement at NCGA. “We are thrilled to welcome a professional of Lane’s caliber to manage this important portfolio. He is the perfect fit for this role.”

With close to a decade of experience handling agricultural issues, Howard most recently managed the market development portfolio for the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association. In that role, he oversaw issues related to all corn use and demand growth, including biofuels, livestock, trade, new uses and research.

Howard officially started the position on Feb. 3.

biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

Year Round E15 Bill Reintroduced in Congress

Cindy Zimmerman

The bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act has been reintroduced in both Houses of Congress.

The legislation led by Senators Deb Fischer (R-ND) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in the Senate, and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN) in the House would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends up to 15%. It also would supersede a regulation allowing eight Midwest states to offer year-round E15 starting in 2025, as that regional approach would no longer be necessary.

Sen. Fischer at 2024 ACE DC Fly-in

“It’s time to once and for all solidify President Trump’s pledge to allow the sale of year-round E15—giving America’s producers and consumers the certainty they deserve. My bill will put an end to years of patchwork regulations and finally make nationwide, year-round E15 a reality. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and the Senate, as well as with President Trump, to get this bill signed into law,” said Senator Fischer.

“This bipartisan legislation would finally bring nationwide consistency and stability to the marketplace and eliminate the need for last-minute emergency waivers,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

“We’re grateful to bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate for reintroducing this critically important legislation which would once and for all ensure nationwide and permanent E15 availability,” said American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings. “As the summer driving season quickly approaches, we will continue working with our Senate and House supporters to make E15 year-round a reality and are prioritizing this during our annual DC fly-in next month.”

ACE, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

President Announces Reciprocal Tariffs on Brazil Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

President Donald Trump signed a Memorandum Thursday ordering the “development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements” and that includes Brazilian tariffs on U.S. ethanol.

The White House fact sheet on the plan notes “endless examples where our trading partners do not give the United States reciprocal treatment” and the first example is Brazil.

The U.S. tariff on ethanol is a mere 2.5%. Yet Brazil charges the U.S. ethanol exports a tariff of 18%. As a result, in 2024, the U.S. imported over $200 million in ethanol from Brazil while the U.S. exported only $52 million in ethanol to Brazil.

“And I think the farmers are going to be helped by this very much because product is being dumped into our country and our farmers are getting hurt very badly by the last administration,” said President Trump. “The last administration hated our farmers like at a level that I’ve never seen before. I think our farmers are going to be helped.”

Pres. Trump announces reciprocal tariffs (2:45)

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the ethanol industry has been fighting Brazil on these tariffs for nearly a decade. “As the two largest ethanol producers on the planet, we long enjoyed a cooperative free-trade relationship with Brazil involving ethanol, relying on each other when there were shortfalls or disruptions in the U.S. or Brazilian marketplace. However, that bilateral cooperation was abandoned by Brazil in 2017, when they instituted a tariff rate quota scheme, and eventually adopted a tariff in 2020,” said Cooper. As a result, U.S. ethanol exports to Brazil went from 489 million gallons in 2018, with a value of $761 million, to just 28 million gallons in 2024, valued at $53 million.

Howard Lutnick, Secretary Nominee for the Department of Commerce, said the plan is for the tariffs to be implemented by April 1. “But remember, if they drop their tariffs, prices for Americans are coming down, our production’s going up and our costs are going down. It’s a two way street. That’s why it’s called reciprocal.”

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

CoBank: Exports Key to Ethanol Industry Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

The export market still offers the most promising opportunity to drive U.S. ethanol demand in 2025, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.

“Ethanol used for higher level blends is expected to increase annually in the U.S., but it constitutes only a small portion of overall ethanol demand due to the market’s size,” said Jacqui Fatka, farm supply and biofuels economist with CoBank. “And without significant investments in infrastructure that enable retailers to change pumps or signage, nationwide E15 sales won’t dramatically move the needle in the near-term. Currently, the best opportunity to increase demand in 2025 remains in the export market.”

U.S. ethanol exports hit record high levels in 2024 with 1.91 billion gallons of ethanol exported at value of $7.5 billion but policy uncertainty continues to cloud the market outlook.

Canada has been the top destination for U.S. ethanol in both volume and value for the last four years. While Canada has a national blending mandate of 5% ethanol in gasoline, several provinces require higher rates. Ontario’s mandate will rise to 11% in 2025 as it continues toward its goal of reaching E15 by 2030. But the potential for trade disputes or changes in Canada’s government loom large and could disrupt the flow of U.S. ethanol into Canada.

Read the report.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports

Brooke Rollins Confirmed as Agriculture Secretary

Cindy Zimmerman

Brooke Rollins of Texas was confirmed as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture Thursday by a vote of 72-28.

Rollins served in Trump’s previous administration as acting director of the Domestic Policy Council and oversaw the White House Office of American Innovation. She since co-founded and served as president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute. She has a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says they look forward to working with her on ethanol issues. “Throughout the confirmation process, we were encouraged to hear Secretary Rollins state that renewable fuels like ethanol will be big part of President Trump’s energy dominance strategy and that she will defend and elevate all sources of American-made energy,” said Cooper. “At a time when the farm economy is struggling, we encourage Secretary Rollins to use all of the tools in USDA’s toolbox to open and expand markets for ethanol and its valuable co-products. Indeed, the best way to boost rural America is to boost renewable fuels, and we are confident Secretary Rollins will continue USDA’s legacy of supporting this quintessential American industry.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings also offered his congratulations. “We congratulate Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to lead USDA and look forward to working with her on our priority issues, including advancing our USDA RCPP projects aimed at ensuring farmers and biofuel producers get properly rewarded for sustainable farming practices under clean fuel programs and tax incentives such as the 45Z Clean Fuel Production credit. As 45Z guidance is finalized by the Trump Treasury, we will encourage Secretary Rollins to leverage USDA’s guidelines for crops used as biofuel feedstocks to help maximize opportunities for farmers and ethanol producers,” said Jennings. “We will also engage USDA on promoting further biofuel infrastructure funding opportunities for E15 and E85, as well as strengthening existing export and new SAF market opportunities.”

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

Iowa Ethanol Production Holds Steady in 2024

Cindy Zimmerman

According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production in the state held steady last year at 4.6 billion gallons.

IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw says stagnant U.S. ethanol demand combined with increasing corn yields have resulted in lower farm income, but he believes new ethanol markets are within reach that can restore balance to the corn market.

“We need to build corn demand, and the near-term growth solution is to secure nationwide, year-round E15,” said Shaw. “Corn production keeps growing but ethanol production has leveled off over the last four year as the 2024 production numbers reflect. The result has been the largest two-year drop in farm income ever. The good news is we have potential new markets to drive demand for corn and to restore farm income. Start with E15 at home, go after low-carbon export markets, and eventually take to the skies with sustainable aviation fuel.”

Total U.S. ethanol production was more than 16 billion gallons in 2024, with Iowa producing almost 30 percent.

The IRFA compiled production information from an industry survey, public reports and other industry sources.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

Unleaded 88 Sales In MN Reach New Record In 2024

Cindy Zimmerman

MN Biofuels image

Sales of 15% ethanol fuel – Unleaded 88 or E15) hit a new record high in Minnesota last year with 142.75 million gallons sold, an increase of 11.63 percent from the previous record of 127.87 million gallons in 2023, according to the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

“For four years running, annual statewide Unleaded 88 sales have surpassed the previous year’s baseline, and we are excited to announce that 2024 was another record-setting year in the North Star State. With over 500 stations now offering this 15 percent ethanol blend that is more affordable and more environmentally friendly, it is easier than ever to support Minnesota’s farmers and rural communities at the pump,” said Brian Werner, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

Data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce shows Unleaded 88 had an average price discount of 17 cents per gallon to regular 87 octane fuel in 2024.

Last year, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to have over 500 Unleaded 88 stations and as of February 12, there are 512 stations.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

2025 Marks 30th National Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The ethanol industry will be getting “Back to Our Roots” in 2025 with the Renewable Fuels Association’s 30th annual National Ethanol Conference, taking place in Nashville February 17–19.

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the theme “Back to Our Roots” was chosen to reflect the ethanol industry’s humble beginnings, its incredible growth, and its enduring ties to American agriculture. “So part of our time at the conference will be spent looking back and reflecting on the success of the industry and what it has done to transform agriculture and our energy sector,” said Cooper.

Since 1996, NEC has been the nation’s most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry, where sessions featuring globally renowned speakers are interspersed with numerous networking opportunities to help the industry connect and collaborate. Last year in San Diego, RFA hosted nearly 900 industry stakeholders, hailing from 36 states and 20 other countries.

Click here for more information and to register, and learn more about the conference in this interview with Cooper.

RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, NEC preview (4:36)

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

Larson Engineering Acquires Fagen Engineering

Cindy Zimmerman

Larson Engineering, Inc. announces the acquisition of Fagen Engineering, LLC, the engineering arm of construction company Fagen, Inc., marking a significant milestone in its strategic growth initiative.

The acquisition strengthens Larson’s position in industrial engineering, specifically in the growing ethanol and biofuel sector, and represents a key component of the company’s ambitious ten-year strategic plan aimed at achieving 25 percent revenue growth.

Larson Engineering, which is 100 percent employee-owned, is retaining all of Fagen Engineering’s employees and maintaining existing office leases in Granite Falls, Minn., within the Fagen, Inc. headquarters, and Greenville, S.C., ensuring continuity for current clients while expanding its national presence.

The acquisition stemmed from Larson’s more than 20-year working relationship with Fagen Engineering and Fagen, Inc., as well as interest in the team’s specialized ethanol and biofuel plant and carbon capture expertise.

As the ethanol industry leading design builder, Fagen, Inc. and Fagen Engineering have been involved in the development or installation of more than 90 facilities for original build, expansion or enhancement projects.

Read more about the acquisition.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Trump Talks Ethanol With Japan

Cindy Zimmerman

President Trump wants to supply Japan with U.S. ethanol.

During a press conference with Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said his country is interested in importing … “bioethanol, ammonia and other resources” which could help reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Japan.

“I want to just say that, on the ethanol, Iowa is going to be very happy. Nebraska, all of our farm states are going to be very happy,” said President Trump. “They want ethanol and we’ll be able to provide it. To our farmers, who I like and they like me, I think they’re going to be very, very happy.”

Last year, Japan announced a goal of blending 10% ethanol by 2030 and 20% by 2040.

Listen to Trump’s comments here:
Pres. Trump on ethanol to Japan (:40)

Audio, Ethanol, Exports, International, Trade