Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO, said that while 2019 was a difficult year for the ethanol industry, there is reason for optimism in 2020.
The National Clean Fuels Technology and Health Effects Leadership Forum was held in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6. The event brought to the forefront the health and environmental benefits ethanol offers.
The Renewable Fuels Association has released a pair of reports summarizing 2019 U.S. ethanol and distillers grains export and import data. The reports illustrate the important role of U.S. ethanol and distillers grains in global trade.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida are researching biofuels as part of a DOE initiative known as the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines. As part of that effort, they have determined that ethanol produces less soot than other biofuels.
The state of Washington is one step closer to enacting a clean fuels program that would limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of transportation fuel to 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2028 and 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2035.
The USDA has announced the creation of a new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, or HBIIP. With rising demand for E15 , the announcement of this new program is perfectly timed, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.
A new RFA analysis found that approximately 500 million gallons of E15 were sold nationwide in 2019, setting a new record. However, sales would have been even stronger if not for the RFS compliance exemptions granted by EPA to dozens of refineries.
The USDA is recruiting U.S. exporters to participate in an agribusiness trade mission to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, on April 20-23. Individuals interested in participating must apply to USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service by Feb. 6.
The Renewable Fuels Association, American Coalition for Ethanol and Growth Energy are among the groups that submitted comments to the USDA regarding the development of its new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
The American Coalition for Ethanol has announced the 12th annual Washington, D.C. Fly-in and Government Affairs Summit will take place April 2-3. Priorities of the event include defending the RFS from SREs and encouraging policies to support E15.
President Trump on Jan. 29 signed legislation implementing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The trade pact replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement and is expected to benefit U.S. ethanol producers.
Manitoba will have the cleanest fuel standards in Canada by increasing the ethanol and biodiesel content of its transportation fuels as it implements its Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, Premier Brian Pallister announced on Jan. 21.
The U.S. EPA on Jan. 27 submitted a proposed rule to streamline fuels regulations to the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB review marks a final step before a proposed rule is released for public comment.
In a decision that is expected to broadly impact the U.S. EPA's approach to granting SREs under the RFS, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on Jan. 24 struck down three exemptions that were improperly issued by EPA.
FROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: The U.S. EPA's rule allowing year-round sale of E15 is a monumental achievement for the ethanol industry, but might also stymie growth for higher blends. Challenges to the rule could take the issues to court.
FROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: As discussions about climate change ramp up, ethanol and its impact on emissions and the environment should be top of mind.
A report recently filed with the USDA FAS's Global Agricultural Information Network shows Peru was expected to produce and consume more ethanol in 2019 than it did in 2018. The country currently has a 7.8 percent ethanol mandate in place.
FROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: The Nebraska Ethanol Board offers workshops to help retailers learn more about E15 and higher blends. Other states offer help with grant application processes, or are pushing for for mid-level blends.
FROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: Ethanol's importance for climate goals highlighted following the 25th United Nations Climate Change conference.
The phase one trade deal signed with China on Jan. 15 includes confidential sales targets for a full range of U.S. agricultural products, including grains, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol, according to the USGC.
FROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: EPA's MOVES model contains serious flaws and could heavily impact the industry as EPA conducts anti-backsliding study.
The U.S. EPA has released updated renewable identification number (RIN) generation data showing more than 1.74 billion RINs were generated under the Renewable Fuel Standard in December, bringing total RIN generation for 2019 to 19.75 billion.
The Mexico Supreme Court has ruled against a regulation allowing for higher ethanol content in gasoline, based on the way in which the Energy Regulatory Commission implemented the change in 2017. The ruleing was not against E10 itself.
Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, kicked off the 2020 IRFA Summit in Altoona, Iowa, by acknowledging the difficulties 2019 brought to the biofuels industry, but also expressing optimism for recent policy changes.
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky told attendees of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit that “there are some really positive things that are happening that are going to be great for the biofuels sector.�
Mexico's Supreme Court announced on Jan. 15 that it has determined the Energy Regulatory Commission's unilateral move to modify the country's fuel standard to allow 10 percent ethanol blends is unconstitutional.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds highlighted recent positive developments for the biofuels industry during the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association's 2020 summit. She also spoke about her plan to increase funding for the state's biofuel infrastrcuture program.
The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Jan. 16, reporting that five new SRE petitions have been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2019, up from 16 petitions that had been filed as of Dec. 19.
The U.S. Senate passed legislation implementing the revised U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement on Jan. 16 by a vote of 89 to 10. The legislation will now be sent to President Trump for his signature.
The USDA on Jan. 16 launched a request for information (RFI) seeking public input to aid in the creation of its new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, which aims to expand the availability of ethanol and biodiesel.
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