The ethanol industry has a lot to celebrate for Veterans Day – including 15 percent of its workforce. The Renewable Fuels Association is honoring its veterans this year by launching “Veterans for Renewable Fuels” (VRF), a new program to recognize and celebrate the contributions of military veterans in the industry and provide them with opportunities to network and support one …
Ethanol Report with RFA Chairman Erik Huschitt
The Renewable Fuels Association held its annual membership meeting in Des Moines last month and Erik Huschitt, CEO of Badger State Ethanol, was re-elected as chairman of the organization. Huschitt, of Monroe, Wisc., has been with Badger State since January 2002 and currently serves as president of the Wisconsin BioFuels Association. He also has spent years on the board of …
Minnesota Farmer Takes Over as NCGA President
Harold Wolle, a corn farmer from Madelia, Minn., took over as president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)this week. During a press conference Tuesday, Wolle talked about his goals over the next year, saying reauthorizing a farm bill that reflects the priorities of corn growers will be a pressing concern. He also noted that he plans to push for …
Trump Visits Farmers in Iowa to Campaign
Former President Donald Trump spent Sunday in Iowa talking to farmers about what his administration did for them and what he hopes to do for them in a second term. From trade deals to WOTUS to ethanol, Trump touted his support of farmers during a speech in Ottumwa. “The American farmer is a big deal,” said Trump. “I will remain …
2023 Ag Outlook Forum
The ninth annual Ag Outlook Forum, hosted by AgBizKC and Agri-Pulse Communications, was held September 25, 2023 in Kansas City. The event featured top economists, industry leaders and government officials offering insights into trending food and agriculture issues. EPA’s Senior Advisor for Agriculture Rod Snyder 41:06 Snyder talked about the agency’s commitment to biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). …
Corn Ethanol and EPA Science Advisory Group
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) heard testimony Thursday from ethanol organizations challenging a recent report on the climate impacts of corn ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The workgroup draft commentary was sent to EPA Administrator Michael Regan regarding the RFS “Set” Rule. Dr. Sheila Olmstead, University of Texas at Austin Professor of Public Affairs, …
Ethanol Report on Environmental Benefits
One might think that after nearly two decades of the Renewable Fuel Standard that the environmental benefits of corn ethanol would be accepted, but one might be wrong. According to a draft report from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board (SAB), the effectiveness of the RFS in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions “remains highly uncertain from a scientific perspective” …
Ethanol Report from Farm Progress Show
The Renewable Fuels Association was on the ground in Decatur, Illinois this week at the 70th annual Farm Progress Show where all the cool agricultural kids go at the end of summer. In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, we hear from RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White about the flex fuel EV he has been driving …
2023 American Coalition for Ethanol Conference
The ACE – the 36th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference is taking place August 23-25, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center, with the theme “Everything Counts.” The conference provides two days of general sessions, including updates from ACE leadership, and this year, event coverage will feature topics like new uses and markets for ethanol producers, the retail marketplace …
Ethanol Report on Current Issues
The Renewable Fuels Association has been working on a couple of issues this summer that are important to the future of the ethanol industry. In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper provides an update on the Midwest governor’s petition for E15, the Flex Fuel Fairness act, EPA’s proposed tailpipe emissions standards, and defining …
Ethanol Report on DC Meetings
The Renewable Fuels Association held a board meeting in Washington D.C. this past week where members from around the country had the opportunity to discuss issues important to ethanol with lawmakers and administration officials. In this edition of the Ethanol Report, we hear from RFA board chairman Erik Huschitt, CEO and General Manager of Badger State Ethanol, who talks about …
Trump Rally Focused on Farming and Ethanol
Former President Donald Trump held a rally and launched his Farmers for Trump coalition this past weekend in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with several state agriculture leaders serving as co-chairs. The Iowa Farmers for Trump Co-Chairs include three current farmer members of the Iowa state legislature who serve on the agriculture committee, Reps. Mike Sexton, Derek Wulf, and Heather Hora, in …
USDA Announces Biofuels Infrastructure Funding
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced plans to invest up to $500 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and give Americans additional cleaner fuel options at the pump. Joined by Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Vilsack announced the first awardees of 59 infrastructure projects that will receive a total of …
House Energy Sub Committee Hearing on Affordable Fuels
A House Energy and Commerce Sub Committee heard testimony this week on “Driving Affordability: Preserving People’s Freedom to Buy Affordable Vehicles and Fuel” regarding several bills related to lowering emissions from transportation vehicles. National Corn Growers Association CEO Neil Caskey testified in support of several bills that would leverage the benefits of biofuels to ensure a level playing field in …
Ethanol Report on RFA Reaction to EPA Final Rule
The final 2023-2025 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes released by the Environmental Protection Agency this week mark an unfortunate step backward from the volumes that were originally proposed, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, RFA Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs Troy Bredenkamp discusses the final rule from EPA, as well …