EPA Approves Sorghum Oil as Biofuels Pathway

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler yesterday announced the approval of sorghum oil as an eligible feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard during a signing event at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., with sorghum farmers and other stakeholders. In addition to the nine ethanol producers already extracting oil from sorghum, several other facilities will now be able to purchase and …

Growth Energy Urges EPA to Correct RFS Course

Growth Energy is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to chart a “major course correction on annual biofuel targets.” The proposed rule raises the total 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) by 3 percent over the 2018 requirement, and maintains a 15-billion-gallon requirement for conventional biofuels like corn ethanol, but does nothing to address the 2.25 billion gallons worth of …

Biofuels Advocates Testify at EPA Hearing

Biofuels advocates brought their concerns about damage to the industry caused by former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to a hearing on the proposed 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Wednesday in Michigan. In its proposed rule, the agency declined to accept comments on the controversial waiver program or Reid Vapor Pressure restrictions on E15, but …

House Subcommittee Hearing on Advanced Biofuels

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment held its fourth hearing this year aimed at addressing issues related to fuels and vehicles, this time focusing on advanced biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Listen to opening comments from subcommittee chairman Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) and statements from these four witnesses.

Iowa NASCAR Race Presented by Enogen

For the sixth consecutive year, Syngenta is sponsoring NASCAR® racing at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. This year’s featured event is the Iowa 250 presented by Enogen, a 250-lap NASCAR Xfinity Series race, on Sunday, June 17. Enogen® corn helps to enhance ethanol production and provides corn growers the opportunity to be enzyme suppliers for their local ethanol plant. This …

2018 Fuel Ethanol Workshop

The 34th annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Omaha June 11-13 features industry awards, speakers, sessions and a large trade show. Organizers say the event is on pace to be the biggest since 2009, with over 550 biofuels producers registered and more than 300 industry companies and organizations exhibiting. The opening general session Tuesday features the High Octane Award and …

Biodiesel and 2nd Gen Biofuels Need Stable Tax Policy

The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy heard from representatives of the biodiesel and advanced biofuels industries Wednesday on the need for “Post Tax Reform of Recently Expired Tax Provisions” that are helping move the nation toward more diverse renewable fuels. Listen to Hubbard’s opening statement here: Listen to part of Meyer’s opening statement: Listen to Michael McAdams …

Iowa Biofuels Groups Spotlight Oil Industry Study

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw and Iowa Biodiesel Board Executive Director Grant Kimberley held a joint press conference Friday to discuss an oil industry study make public by Reuters that shows putting a cap on prices for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) would not be the “win-win” that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has repeatedly said he wants for both the oil and …

Ethanol Interests Shout Opposition to RIN Price Cap

As concerns began to grow late last week that the Trump Administration was leaning toward a cap on prices for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to appease oil refinery interests, biofuel interests went into high gear to get the word out about how that action would devastate the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). A White House meeting was reportedly set for today …

ICM and The Andersons Collaborate on New Bio-refinery

ICM, Inc., and The Andersons, Inc., are partnering to own and construct a state-of-the-art bio-refinery in Colwich, Kansas. ELEMENT, LLC will be a 70 MGY bio-refinery combining ICM’s next-generation technologies, with the merchandising, risk management and logistics expertise of The Andersons. Listen to a press call with Mike Irmen and The Andersons CEO Pat Bowe:

Ethanol Report from #RFANEC18

The Renewable Fuels Association 23rd National Ethanol Conference with the theme “Ethanol Strong” was held February 12-14 in San Antonio, Texas. The event featured the annual “State of the Industry” address by RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen, as well as panels and speakers on a number of important topics, from electric vehicles to RINs to the expanding export market. …

2018 National Ethanol Conference

Welcome to the virtual newsroom for the  Renewable Fuels Association’s 23rd annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC), held Feb. 12–14, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas – with the theme “Ethanol Strong: Empowering Dialogue to Grow Markets.” This virtual newsroom, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association, includes links to photos and audio content available free of charge for digital or print publication or broadcast. 2018 RFA National …

ZimmCast 572 – Biodiesel and More

This week has been about all things biodiesel in Ft. Worth at the National Biodiesel Conference. It marks the 13th year we have produced the biodiesel conference blog and the 25th anniversary of the National Biodiesel Board, so our ZimmCast this week celebrates all things biodiesel. We start with an interview on biodiesel with Willie Nelson in 2006, and also …

ZimmCast with MN Soybean

Tom Slunecka is one of the first people ever to be featured in a ZimmCast, back in 2005 when he was executive director for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). That organization became Growth Energy in 2008, and Tom has been executive director for Minnesota Soybean, which includes both the state Growers Association (MSGA) and the Research & Promotion …

Biofuels Industry Reaction to Final RVO Numbers

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today its final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018. The agency finalized a total renewable fuel volume of 19.29 billion gallons, including 4.29 billion advanced biofuel – a slight increase from the proposal – and 288 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel. The agency maintained the requirement for conventional renewable fuels …