Representatives from multiple ethanol and biodiesel stakeholder organizations and companies testified at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing Wednesday on the proposal to make up for volumes lost under the Renewable Fuel Standard due to small refinery waivers. Audio from some witnesses: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig – (5:42) Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper – (5:16) American …
Biofuels Industry Testifies on Harm Done by RFS Waivers
Biofuels industry representatives testified during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing Tuesday on how the increase in small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard has hurt ethanol and biodiesel producers and farmers. Opening testimony: Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) – (5:00) Kelly Nieuwenhuis, Iowa farmer and Siouxland Energy Cooperative president, on behalf of Growth Energy (4:50) World Energy …
President Trump Praises Refinery Waivers
During a cabinet meeting on Monday October 21, President Donald Trump praised EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler for making small refineries happy by granting them waivers from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “And I know you’re working on the small refineries — getting that straightened away so that it’s going to be terrific for the small refineries,” President Trump said to …
USDA Deputy Provides Farm Bill Update
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing Thursday to hear from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky regarding implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill, and commented on the EPA supplemental proposal out this week. Listen to his opening remarks below and read full testimony. (5:14) The announcement out of EPA this week regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard …
Ethanol Report on RFA Reaction to EPA Proposal
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is critical of the Supplemental Proposal for Renewable Fuels Volumes issued by EPA on October 15. “Simply put, this proposal is not what was promised by the administration (on October 4) and fails to answer President Trump’s personal call for a stronger conventional biofuel requirement of more than 15 billion,” says RFA president and CEO …
Iowa Groups Outraged Over EPA Proposal
Representatives of Iowa’s corn, ethanol, biodiesel and soybean producers held a press conference Wednesday in response to the Supplemental Proposal for Renewable Fuels Volumes released Tuesday by EPA. Iowa Corn Growers Association CEO Craig Floss quoted one farmer who is outraged over the proposal. “No more Iowa Nice, now it’s Iowa Pissed.” Floss was joined by Iowa Soybean Association farmer …
Biofuels Groups Disappointed With EPA Proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a Supplemental Proposal for Renewable Fuels Volumes Tuesday, following up on the administration plan announced October 4. Biofuel groups expressed disappointment in the proposal, which they say is different than what was presented to them. “If the Oct. 4 announcement from EPA was a big step forward, today’s supplemental proposal is a step backward,” said …
Ethanol Report on RFS Moving Forward
It was a year ago this week that President Trump announced he was instructing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate a rulemaking process that would allow E15 to be sold year round. This year, it was proposed relief from small refinery exemptions announced last week to restore integrity to the RFS that is giving the ethanol industry renewed energy …
Biofuels Industry Reacts to Administration Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a plan Friday to promote biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard in an effort to make up for small refinery exemptions (SRE)that have caused many renewable fuel plants to halt production. Under the plan, EPA will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020 and will …
Farmers and Ethanol Producers Need Help Now
Ethanol producers and corn farmers held a telephone press conference Wednesday to spotlight recent research on the impacts of ethanol plant closings, a new survey on voter attitudes about ethanol, and a potential White House agreement to promote further renewable fuels use. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper hosted the call which included comments from: Neil Koehler, Chairman, …
Ethanol Report on Crappie Masters Championship
2019 has been another winning year for the partnership between ethanol and crappie fishing. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is wrapping up a third year as co-title sponsor of the Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail with the national championship in Grenada, MS, concluding September 28. In this Ethanol Report, RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White talks about …
Ethanol Report on Energy Security
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has released a new study that shows the Renewable Fuel Standard saves drivers money at the gas pump every day and also enhances energy security by greatly reducing or even eliminating the blow to our nation’s drivers when global oil production is disrupted. The analysis, by independent economist and energy expert Dr. Philip K. Verleger, …
Sen. Grassley Comments on Pending Biofuel Deal
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) answered a number of reporter questions about how President Trump will address the small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard in a way that will address concerns of farmers and biofuel producers. During a call with reporters, Sen. Grassley said the biofuel industry demands are very simple. “We want 15 billion gallons to be 15 …
Ethanol Report DC Update
Ethanol continues to be in the national news with President Trump indicating he will be announcing some type of small refinery waiver mitigation for the industry, as demands that the gallons waived be reallocated increase. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper was in Washington DC this week and in this edition of The Ethanol Report he gives …
Iowa Rep Calls for Federal Probe Into EPA Refinery Exemptions
U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (D-IA), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, is calling for a federal investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) expansion of refinery exemptions from blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Rep. Axne chose Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) to hold a press conference yesterday, the same site where President Donald Trump triumphantly announced …