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 …
USDA Expands Crop Forecast from Last Month
The 2018 corn, soybean, and cotton crops are all forecast to be two percent larger than USDA predicted in August, in the latest crop production report issued Wednesday. The new World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates also calls for larger production, increased domestic use, greater exports, and higher ending stocks for corn. Feed and residual use and export demand projections …
Ag Secretary Gives RFS Progress Update
Speaking with reporters this week in Washington, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue provided an update on what is being done to resolve issues surrounding the Renewable Fuels Standard. “We’re working feverishly to resolve the RFS issue,” said Perdue, who added that he has been working with EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler on a proposal to present to President Trump, who is …
Iowa Gov Grills Burgers with Acting EPA Admin
Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler got a taste of the famous Iowa State Fair Monday as the guest of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and while he had some fun, Wheeler was there to meet with farmers about critical issues. “I enjoyed the round table we just had with different ag groups in the state…hearing what their concerns and problems are,” …
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 …
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 …
Reaction to Presidential Trade Tariff Actions
Following action by President Trump yesterday to impose tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese imports, China is making its list of what U.S. products will be the target of retaliation. The list reportedly includes agricultural products such as U.S. pork, modified ethanol, wine, fruits and nuts, and soybeans are expected to be as well. U.S. Grains Council (USGC) …
Industry Reacts to Proposed Biofuels Levels
New proposed levels for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) were released Wednesday by the Environmental Protection Agency. The 2018 RFS level for conventional biofuels, including corn ethanol, was maintained at 15 billion gallons, the maximum under current law, which Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says will benefit both producers and consumers. In this interview, Dinneen …
#NAFB16 Trade Talk
Nearly 100 companies and organizations participate in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual Trade Talk, where they are interviewed by broadcasters from around the country. AgWired reporters at the NAFB convention this year interviewed dozens of Trade Talk participants, which are being compiled here with links to posts on various websites. General interviews from #NAFB16 can be found …
E15 Arrives Back at the Pump
Consumers will have the choice to purchase E15 at the pump again tomorrow, September 15, 2016. For drivers owning a 2001 or newer vehicle, E15 sales are restricted during summer months due to an arcane U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation on Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). The 15th marks the end of EPA’s “volatility control season” opening the fuel back …
RFA Reaction to EPA Proposal
Agency (EPA) has released its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2014, 2015 and 2016 and Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen is disappointed. In this interview, Dinneen talks about why he believes the proposal is a step backward for the RFS and how it places the potential growth in renewable fuels in …
Seventh Anniversary of RFS
This week marks the seventh anniversary of the signing into law of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In this interview, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen remembers that day seven years ago and talks about its accomplishments so far and how EPA needs to move ahead with …
Interview with RFA CEO from DC
In this interview, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen discusses the latest from Washington DC, including what he is hearing about the EPA proposal to lower the RFS, the latest anti-RFS ad campaign from Big Oil, rail delays impacting ethanol shipments, getting the tax credits for advanced biofuels reinstated, USDA plans to continue to support ethanol, and enthusiasm …
RFA Comments on Corn Crop and E15
Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Research and Development Geoff Cooper on several timely topics, including corn and ethanol production this year, cellulosic ethanol, the importance of the RFS, and sales of E15 ramping up again as summer volatility requirements end. Cooper talks about how despite a slow maturing crop and adverse weather conditions, USDA is still calling for a …
Energy Independence and the RFS
Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper talks about how the RFS is helping to reduce imports of foreign oil, grow the economy with American jobs and keep the red, white and blue flying over a greener nation.