We are in the midst of a pandemic and the latest figures show 41 ethanol plants idled and 66 more reducing production, for a total reduction of about 4 billion gallons. Still, our industry churns on with innovation and forward thinking.
While some fuel retailers have over-promised and under-delivered when it comes to offering higher ethanol blends, industry leader Casey's is putting its money where its mouth is and making good on its commitment to add E15 at stores across the U.S.
In Europe, biofuels continue to be the predominant source of clean transportation fuels, and we will still need low-carbon fuels like ethanol beyond 2030. Policymakers need to make sure the Green Deal does not backtrack on this vision and progress.
In Japan, dairy producers now have more options to include in their feed rations – U.S. low-fat distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) – thanks to the work of the U.S. Grains Council with Japanese industry and government.
The U.S. exported 139.93 million gallons of ethanol and 899,730 metric tons of distillers grains in March, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on May 5. Exports of both products were down when compared to March 2019.
The United States exported 96,000 barrels per day (b/d) of fuel ethanol in 2019, the first annual drop in U.S. ethanol exports since 2015. Despite the decrease, total exports remained at the second-highest level on record.
The USDA announced on May 4 it intends to make available up to $100 million in competitive grants under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to support activities designed to expand the availability and sale of ethanol and biodiesel.
Ethanol industry business announcements from the May issue of Ethanol Producer Magazine, including news from ACE Ethanol LLC and D3MAX, the U.S. Grains Council, and ERI Solutions.
A coalition assembled by the Great Plains Institute is working to bring a policy like California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard to the Midwest. With an inclusive approach, the group asks states to support credit generation for an array of clean fuels.
In the wake of COVID-19, ACE leader asks producers to find courage and confidence in the unabated value of octane, coproducts, low-carbon markets, and the strength of a more diversified business model.
U.S. ethanol production volumes were down slightly the week ending April 24. Weekly ethanol ending stocks, however, fell by nearly 5 percent after setting record highs for four consecutive weeks, according to data released April 29 by the EIA.
Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, on April 28 announced the introduction of the Clean Fuels Deployment Act of 2020. The bill aims to provide funding for installing and converting fuel pump infrastructure to deliver higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel.
BBI International has announced that the 2020 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo has been moved due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Originally scheduled for mid-June in Minneapolis, the FEW is now rescheduled to take place Aug. 24-26 in Omaha.
The Canadian government announced on April 24 it will delay publication of proposed regulations for the liquid fuel class of its Clean Fuel Standard until fall 2020 due to extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ADM announced on April 23 it is idling ethanol production at the company's corn dry mill facilities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Columbus, Nebraska, due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 90 employees will be furloughed.
UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, recently announced mills in the south-central region of the country produced a record volume of ethanol during the 2019-'20 harvest season, which began April 1, 2019, and ended March 31, 2020.
The U.K. government recently released updated energy statistics that show liquid biofuel consumption reached 2.351 billion liters (621.07 million gallons) last year, up approximately 24 percent from 2018.
Iowa's E15 sales grew by 38 percent last year, reaching a record high of 47.4 million gallons, according to data released by the Iowa Department of Revenue in April. Sales of E30 and E85 blends also reached record highs.
UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, is asking the Brazilian government to take action to help prevent the nation's sugar and ethanol industry from collapsing due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. fuel ethanol production fell 15 percent the week ending April 10 to an average of 570,000 barrels per day, the lowest level since the U.S. Energy Administration began reporting weekly ethanol production data in mid-2010.
U.S. ethanol exports are up by 3 percent so far this year according to the USDA, but COVID-19 will impact demand for the rest of 2020. The USGC is working to keep end-users around the world informed on the status of the U.S. ethanol industry.
U.S. fuel ethanol production fell 20 percent the week ending April 3 to an average of 672,000 barrels per day, the lowest level since the U.S. Energy Information Administration began reporting weekly ethanol production data in mid-2010.
Growth Energy issued a statement on April 7 discussing the continued economic hardship facing U.S. biofuel producers and farmers as ethanol plants are forced to idle due to market conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. ethanol is helping meet fuel supply needs in Australia—the result of a domestic supply gap and engagement by the U.S. Grains Council and its ethanol industry partners, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association.
Several European biofuel trade groups on March 24 sent a letter to the European Commission offiical leading the European Green Deal expressing concern EU member states may reduce blending obligations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. exported 194.16 million gallons of ethanol and 852,904 tons of distillers grains in February, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on April 2. Exports of both products were up when compared to February 2019.
Two federal agencies relaxed regulations in March to allow producers of fuel ethanol help produce hand sanitizer to combat the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Several ethanol producers are already taking action help produce the much-needed product.
The USDA on April 1 published a notice seeking comments on the most important agricultural innovation opportunities to be addressed in the near and long term. The comments will inform efforts related to the agency's Agricultural Innovaton Agenda.
U.S. gas station operators are bracing for the impact of COVID-19 on fuel sales, as same-store gasoline sales were down 2.4 percent nationwide for the week ending March 14, when compared to the same week last year, according to OPIS Demand Report.
Economists at the University of Illinois on March 26 published an analysis illustrating how COVID-19 is reducing demand for transportation fuels, including ethanol. Meanwhile, several plants have announced they will idle or reduce production.
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