This is the virtual newsroom for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) 24th annual National Ethanol Conference held February 11-13, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The NEC is the most widely attended executive level conference for the ethanol industry featuring the annual State of the Industry address, as well as speakers and sessions on the top issues of the day. This virtual …
Ethanol Report from Biodiesel Conference
At the 2019 National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper was part of a panel discussion on the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard and how ethanol and biodiesel can continue to work together to keep the program strong. In this Ethanol Report, Cooper talks about how the two industries are coordinating with …
EPA Nominee Answers Ethanol Questions
During a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler answered many questions from senators about his commitment to getting a rule on year-round E15 out in time for the summer driving season. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) wanted to know if EPA has been able to take any action on the rule during …
Ethanol Report for the New Year
Will 2019 be a happy new year for the ethanol industry? In this first Ethanol Report podcast for 2019, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper comments on some of the challenges and opportunities for the industry in 2019, including getting year-round E15 approved before summer, and dealing with the continuing consequences of the small refinery waivers. RFA’s …
President Trump Signs Farm Bill
President Donald Trump gave Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue a happy birthday Thursday when he signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 with many members of the agricultural community in attendance. Listen to remarks at the signing here: Among those privileged to witness the farm bill signing was Mick Henderson, general manager of Commonwealth Agri-Energy in Kentucky and past chairman of …
Ethanol Report for 2018
2018 has been a busy and interesting year for the ethanol industry and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper reviews the top stories of the year in ethanol, including the new leadership at RFA, President Trump’s interest in the industry and E15, small refinery waivers, record exports …
Ten Years of Ethanol Market Growth
Growth Energy is celebrating ten years of advocating for ethanol since it was created in 2008. This edition of the Driving Ethanol podcast is the final installment of our series on the 10 year anniversary of Growth Energy and how the market for U.S. ethanol has grown in the past decade. When Growth Energy was first formed in 2008, U.S. …
Ethanol Interests Testify on Proposed Fuels Act
Ethanol stakeholder groups testified Tuesday at a House Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee hearing to review a discussion draft of the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act, which would effectively repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Among those who testified: Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper- Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor – Texas farmer and National Corn Growers Association …
EPA Finalizes RFS Renewable Fuel Volumes
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the finalized rule for required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2019, and biomass-based diesel for 2020. The key elements of the final rule include maintaining the “conventional” renewable fuel volumes, primarily met by corn ethanol, at the current 15-billion gallon level set by Congress for 2019; increasing …
Driving Ethanol Performance Value
Growth Energy is celebrating ten years of advocating for ethanol since it was created in 2008. This edition of the Driving Ethanol podcast is the second in a series of three focusing on a decade of accomplishments for the organization. This episode reflects on how Growth Energy has proven ethanol’s performance value through the high profile American Ethanol partnership with …
Ethanol Report from 2018 NAFB Convention
The new president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) met with farm broadcasters from around the country recently at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk. While Geoff Cooper has been with RFA since 2008, it was the first time he had the opportunity to talk with the ag media as CEO. Among the topics he …
Driving Ethanol Series on 10 Years of Growth Energy
Growth Energy was created in November 2008 and so is celebrating ten years of advocating for ethanol this month. This edition of the Driving Ethanol podcast is the first in a series of three focusing on a decade of accomplishments for the organization. This podcast includes historical comments from the early years with industry leaders, including Greg Krissek, who was …
GROWMARK Energy Offering Pre-Blended E15
The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased that farmer-owned cooperative GROWMARK Energy has started offering pre-blended E15 at its company-owned terminals in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. RFA has been working with GROWMARK on a number of issues related to offering E15 at the terminals, including regulatory compliance, participation in the EPA’s required fuel survey, and adoption of RFA’s Misfueling Mitigation Plan …
Ethanol Report from Export Exchange 2018
There was a special focus on the ethanol co-product distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) at the fifth biennial Export Exchange held this past week in Minneapolis. The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) began organizing this event in 2010 with the help of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to bring together international buyers and domestic sellers of U.S. feedgrains and ethanol …
RFA Comments on E15 Rulemaking Timeline
Ethanol interests are raising concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency delaying the start of the rulemaking process for year-round E15 until February 2019, which would make the timeline for getting it approved before next summer very tight. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper says they would very much like to see a proposal out sooner than February, but …