Brazil Extends Ethanol Tariff Suspension

Cindy Zimmerman

The ethanol industry is looking forward to working with new Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who has a lot of experience both being president and working on ethanol issues.

Brazil last week extended the suspension of the import tariff on ethanol, at least through the end of this month. This extends the suspension announced last March of tariffs on U.S. ethanol and several other products until the end of 2022.

“This is a positive first step toward a permanent resolution and it sends a favorable signal to the marketplace,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “As we look ahead to 2023, we stand ready to work with President Lula da Silva and his administration to restore free and fair ethanol trade between our nations. As the world’s leaders in the production and use of low-carbon ethanol, we must set an example of free trade and open markets for other nations to follow.”

Lulu da Silva was sworn in Sunday for a third term as president of Brazil, starting 20 years after his first term began, and 12 years since his second ended, and he was known as a strong advocate for ethanol during that time.

Biodiesel, Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports

Fuel the Cure Raises $15K for Breast Cancer Research

Cindy Zimmerman

Nebraska fuel retailers and drivers helped to raise more than $15,000 in October as part of Fuel the Cure 2022, a campaign that also educates the public about healthier fuel options.

During October, when drivers chose higher blends of ethanol fuel like E15, E30 and E85 at participating retail locations, gas stations donated 3 cents for each gallon sold toward cancer research. Ethanol is a natural, plant-based octane booster used to displace some chemicals in gasoline which have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues. Ethanol producers, including Siouxland Ethanol in Jackson and E-Energy in Adams, also donated to the cause. This year, Fuel the Cure raised $15,662.99 with donations going to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha and Nebraska’s American Cancer Society.

Over the past five years, retailers participating in the promotion have helped raise more than $45,000 for cancer research, according to Jessica Sodeke, communications and outreach manager for the Nebraska Ethanol Board. “We commend these retailers for making higher ethanol blends available and giving consumers a choice in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Supporting Fuel the Cure is a step beyond, because the funds are directly impacting the lives of Nebraskans.”

The Nebraska Ethanol Board, Nebraska Corn Board, and Renewable Fuels Nebraska are already preparing for Fuel the Cure 2023 and encouraging Nebraska fuel retailers who sell higher ethanol blends to reach out for information about participating. Donations to the Buffett Cancer Center or American Cancer Society are also accepted from others interested in supporting this cause, including cancer organizations and ethanol facilities. Fuel the Cure sponsors the Lincoln Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk as well. Contact Jessica Sodeke for more information at Jessica.sodeke@nebraska.gov.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Annual In and Out List for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

For most of his 35-year tenure with the Renewable Fuels Association, Bob Dinneen has prepared an annual tongue-in-cheek list of what’s in and what’s out for ethanol as one year ends and a new one begins.

This year, Dinneen presents his last end of the year list that encompasses the entire arc of his time in the industry, from the early days in the 1980s when ethanol was still just a babe, to the fully grown industry it is today.

Enjoy Bob’s final Ins and Outs list and Happy New Year to all!

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Report Year in Review 2022

Cindy Zimmerman

For the first time in several years the good news outweighed the bad for the ethanol industry in 2022.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper takes a look at the year in review for the industry and takes a peek at what 2023 may have in store.

Ethanol Report 12-19-22 22:42

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.

Choose an option to subscribe

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

RFA 2023 Vehicle Survey Finds Wide Approval of E15

Cindy Zimmerman

Virtually every car maker approves the use of E15 in model year 2023 cars and light trucks, according to the results of the Renewable Fuels Association annual survey, but few are offering flex fuel vehicles capable of using up to 85 percent ethanol.

The annual review of vehicle owner’s manuals and warranty statements found that E15 is explicitly approved by the manufacturer for use in the vast majority of model year 2023 cars and light trucks. Mitsubishi lists E15 as an approved fuel in some of its 2023 vehicles for the first time. More than 94 percent of new light-duty gasoline vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use E15. Only Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, and Volvo do not list E15 as a recommended fuel in their owner’s manuals, even though E15 is legally approved by EPA for use in all vehicles built since 2001.

When it comes to the E85 Flex Fuel blend, however, the story remains vastly different. Far fewer models are reported available as flex-fuel vehicles, or FFVs, that run on fuel blends containing up to 85 percent fuel ethanol. As was the case in 2022, only Ford and General Motors now offer FFVs in the United States, most of which are for fleet purchases only. For model year 2023, the only FFVs available to consumers are select Ford Explorer, F-150 and Transit models. As recently as model year 2015, more than 80 different FFV models from eight manufacturers were available to consumers.

automotive, Car Makers, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Missouri Becomes 10th State to Seek Year-round E15 Sales

Cindy Zimmerman

Missouri has become the tenth state to take action to allow the year-round sale of 15% ethanol fuel (E15).

This week, Missouri Governor Mike Parson notified EPA administrator Michael Regan by letter that he will exercise authority granted to state governors under the Clean Air Act to allow Missouri retailers to sell E-15 all year. He joins nine other Midwestern governors who made that same notification earlier this year.

Parson thanked Regan for the emergency waiver allowing E-15 sales during the 2022 ozone control season, but says relying on emergency waivers is not a long-term solution for fuel retailers, farmers, ethanol producers, consumers or the environment. “Thus, I am joining other Midwest states in seeking a permanent solution to allow year-round E15 and further reduce emissions,” Parson said in his letter. Governors from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin made a similar move in April and Ohio joined the effort in June.

Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper said, “This simple regulatory solution will allow consumers in Missouri to benefit from E15’s lower cost and lower emissions throughout the year. We continue to call on other states to take similar action so that the benefits of E15 can be permanently enjoyed by drivers across the nation.”

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

ACE Submits Feedback on IRA Implementation

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted comments this week to the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) on how funding in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for key NRCS conservation programs should be implemented to encourage farmer adoption of climate-smart practices.

ACE CEO Brian Jennings and Jonathon Lehman, founder of the consulting group Cultivating Conservation, provided comments to NRCS, detailing key findings from ACE’s South Dakota-based Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project currently underway.

ACE and its project partners are currently implementing the Expanding Soil Health Through Carbon Markets Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) RCPP in South Dakota to spur farmer adoption of climate-smart practices, to quantify the resulting carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits, and to help farmers monetize these gains in existing carbon markets to ensure the durability of climate-smart practice application.

“Using NRCS resources to unlock access to lucrative carbon markets is the ultimate way to maximize improvement in nitrogen losses, and the reduction, capture, avoidance, or sequestration of carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions, associated with agricultural production,” the comments state.

ACE and Cultivating are working to expand upon the successful RCPP project using IRA resources which would greatly speed NRCS’ implementation of IRA directives and has bipartisan Congressional support.

Read full comments here.

ACE, biofuels, Carbon, carbon capture, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Farming

Ethanol Industry Provides Comments on California LCFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol industry stakeholders submitted comments to the California Air Resources Board this week regarding the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).

The Renewable Fuels Association stressed its ongoing support for the LCFS and provided recommendations to strengthen and expand the landmark program beyond 2030. However, RFA underscored that without complementary regulatory actions—like expeditious approval of E15 and support for E85 and flex-fuel vehicles—more stringent future LCFS requirements may be very difficult to achieve. 

As part of the comments, RFA also recommended that CARB modify the new California Transportation Supply (CATS) model to better reflect current and projected ethanol economics, carbon intensities and volumes. This includes reflecting the current carbon intensity of ethanol and its expected downward trajectory and considering the rise of higher blends such as E15 and E85, noting the latter blend volumes have been increasing at an annual growth rate of approximately 50-60 percent in recent years.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Renewable Fuels Association, RFS

Kum & Go Offers $1.99 E15 for Christmas

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa-based convenience store chain Kum & Go is offering all customers E15 grade fuel for $1.99 per gallon from December 23-26.

Approximately 91% of holiday travel is by personal vehicle according to the United States Department of Transportation. Kum & Go is proud to offer customers this promotion on a more sustainable fuel offering that is also better for the environment.

“As a family-owned company, Kum & Go is always looking for ways to make days better for our customers in the communities we serve. During a time when many will be traveling, we are delighted to offer this promotion on our E15 fuel,” said Ken Kleemeier, Vice President of Fuels at Kum & Go.

There are 198 Kum & Go locations that offer E15. Customers can locate the store nearest them online or on the Kum & Go App and find the blue E15 handle when fueling up at the store.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Jon Doggett Reflects on Decades of Work in Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Jon Doggett is retiring as CEO of National Corn Growers Association at the end of the year after more than 20 years with the organization, and decades of work on behalf of ethanol and agriculture in Washington DC. Doggett announced his retirement earlier this year and NCGA is currently searching for his replacement with the intention of introducing a new CEO during Commodity Classic in March.

Doggett made one of his final public appearances on behalf of NCGA last week at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo 2022 on a panel discussing the Political Lay of the Land for agriculture.

Doggett was actively involved in the effort to pass the Renewable Fuel Standard and he is pleased with EPA’s recent proposal for three years of biofuel standards. “A lot of folks, at times I myself, had some concerns about what’s going to happen in 2023, are we just going to drop off the cliff? That didn’t happen,” said Doggett. “The Biden administration clearly wants to continue to have at least 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol in the fuel supply and they’re actually going to bump that up a little. That’s really good news.”

In this interview, Doggett talks about his career on Capitol Hill for the past 34 years as he prepares to move on to wherever he may roam.
ASTACSS Interview with Jon Doggett, NCGA 6:06

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA