In this week’s program I’m going to cover a couple of different topics, although there are some common elements from an educational perspective. First up is Joanna Guza, Digital Communications Manager, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and Dairy Business Association, as well as volunteer with GMO Answers. We talk about social networking as a tool to reach people about topics like …
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 …
Ethanol Report on Custom RFA Motorcycle
A custom motorcycle that runs on E85 stole the spotlight at the 2018 Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Omaha this week. The Renewable Fuels Association teamed up with master motorcycle designer Paul Teutul, Jr. to create the patriotic-themed bike that was revealed to the world on the Discovery channel series American Chopper June 11 and Paul Jr. spent time at the …
EPA Administrator Gets an Earful from Corn Farmers
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has been on a tour of farm country this week, meeting with corn farmers and ethanol producers in Kansas and South Dakota already and next to Nebraska. At the East Kansas Agri-Energy ethanol plant in Garnett, Kansas, Kansas Corn Growers Association President Ken McCauley says they pressed Pruitt on EPA’s granting of small refinery exemptions which …
New Driving Ethanol Podcast from Growth Energy
The past two years have been among the most challenging for the ethanol industry, and Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor has been at the front lines of the battles which are continuing stronger than ever. In this edition of the Driving Ethanol podcast, Skor reflects on her two years at the helm of the industry organization and talks about what …
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 …
2018 Corn Utilization & Technology Conference
The 2018 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference is about to start in St. Louis, MO. This event is held every other year and features technical presentations on various topic related to corn and uses for corn. The theme this year is, “Increasing efficiency across the supply chain to enable new products.” This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and …
Ethanol Report on EPA Lawsuits
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has joined a coalition of biofuel and agriculture groups in a lawsuit against EPA over lost volumes of renewable fuel resulting from retroactive small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations. RFA is also a petitioner in a lawsuit filed last week over three specific small refinery exemptions granted by the agency. “EPA Administrator …
Ethanol Report on Biker and Boater Education
A custom-made motorcycle will be the centerpiece of a new educational campaign by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to inform consumers about the proper use of ethanol-blended fuels in boats, motorcycles, and other small engines. RFA has partnered with American Chopper ‘s Paul Teutul Junior to design a custom bike that will be unveiled on June 11 and be part of the RFA promotion at the …
Grassley Talks Tough on EPA Refinery Waivers
Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa wants EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to stop issuing “small refinery hardship exemptions” or step down from the job. Grassley was one of the four senators who met with President Trump last week to try and finally resolve differences over the RFS between corn ethanol and oil interests. In the call with reporters, EPA should make …
ZimmCast on Ag Podcasts
This edition of the ZimmCast features some industry podcasts worth a subscription. They include: The Ethanol Report, which has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008. Beltway Beef, the podcast of the National Cattlemens Beef Association. The ASI Sheepcast hosted by former farm broadcaster Chase Adams. Last but now least, the new AAEA The Agricultural Communicators Network, Ag …
White House RFS Meeting Reaction from NCGA
News that the Tuesday meeting at the White House resulted in a commitment to allow year-round sales of 15% ethanol blends was tempered by a reported plan to reallocate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) from exempted renewable fuel volumes using exported ethanol gallons. As Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley tweeted after the meeting, the devil will be in the details of the …
Ethanol Report on White House RFS Meeting
Tweets from senators involved in a White House meeting Tuesday on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) say an agreement has finally been reached between oil and ethanol interests that would allow the year-round use of E15 and put to rest the idea of a price cap on Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), a big win for Team Ethanol. However, the “win” …
Report Says Icahn Refinery Received RFS Waiver
Reuters published an exclusive report Monday citing two anonymous sources who claim EPA granted a small refinery hardship exemption to CVR Energy, owned by billionaire and presidential adviser Carl Icahn. CVR Energy just released its 1st quarter earnings last Thursday, posting a net income of $66 million, compared to $22 million in the first quarter of 2017. Audio file – …
Pruitt Provides Vague Answers About RFS Exemptions
The budget for the Environmental Protection Agency was the topic of two separate House hearings on April 26, but lawmakers spent the majority of the time addressing other concerns with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was brought up immediately by House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment Chairman John Shimkus of Illinois. One of the many …