Latest News From Ethanol

“These tax credits, which encourage the use of more eco-friendly fuels, could make or break the prospects of corn ethanol as a sustainable aviation fuel," says Jim Wiesemeyer, ProFarmer policy analyst.

“There’s no question of the law, science or anything. They’re simply not doing their job,” says Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director.

Under the Clean Air Act, those affected by this decision have the right to request a judicial review with the US Court of Appeals within 60 days of the notice's Federal Register publication.

There is now a dollar value assigned to grain carbon intensity scores below 29 in the form of tax credits to biofuel plants that buy grain as part of their decarbonization efforts.

EPA released biofuel blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard on Tuesday. While EPA says the decision will reduce reliance on oil imports, some biofuel industry leaders do not approve.

The White House set a goal of producing 3 billion gal. of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030. Senators say outdated climate data is keeping producers from reaching the finish line, but a new bill could change that.

Generally, E15 is banned in summer months, but EPA flipped the script for the first time last year when it lifted the ban to lower pump prices.

The U.S. ethanol industry is lobbying the Biden administration to ensure lower-carbon aviation fuel made from ethanol will qualify for subsidies.

Michael Regan, EPA administrator, appeared before the House Ag Committee on Wednesday to discuss everything from WOTUS to the farm bill. Here are the highlights that will directly impact producers.

Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO, says the fuel industry has only “scratched the surface” of ethanol potential. She feels this act will help unleash ethanol’s capabilities.

Finding a new path for ethanol demand could come in the form of higher-octane fuels. NCGA says the Next Generation Fuels Act would address climate goals while also driving up the domestic demand for corn.

"This proposal, while well-intended, still leaves the country with a patchwork of regulations that prevents the nation’s driving public from enjoying the full benefits of biofuels," said Sen. Deb Fischer.

Without the Office of Management and Budget approval, states will be unable to sell E15 fuel in the summer months.

Has U.S. gasoline demand peaked? And what will more electric vehicles mean for gasoline prices down the road? John Phipps looks into the issue in John's World.

United Airlines is teaming up with a corn ethanol maker in a bid to ramp up production of green jet fuel to deal with carbon credits and climate change by 2028.

Vilsack said USDA believes there are more options for farmers other than “get big or get out. There’s got to be a system in which the many and most have a fair shot.”

“The funds awarded today by the DOE will undoubtedly accelerate the innovations taking place at U.S. ethanol plants, opening new opportunities for low-cost, low-carbon energy,” says Growth Energy's Emily Skor.

In just a few years the farm financial pendulum swung from shaky to stable, according to the 2022 Agricultural Lender Survey report by the American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac.

Proposed renewable fuel volume targets, electric vehicle's seat at the RFS table and year-round E15 odds: Here's everything you need to know about renewable fuel's big week on The Hill.

The GAO study released on Thursday found small oil refineries pay more than larger competitors to fulfill their blending obligations, showing EPA's reason to deny refinery exemption petitions is inaccurate.

United States ethanol production has slowed the last several weeks and is now at levels not seen since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

An executive order on biotech and biomanufacturing was signed into law by President Biden on Tuesday. The order tasks Secy. Vilsack with reporting how the initiative can best benefit ag, but some funds are spoken for.

These funds—separate from the $500 million recently enacted through the Inflation Reduction Act—will be used for facility installation, retrofitting and pump upgrades, along with new equipment and buildings.

2,600 pumps in 31 states now offer ethanol blends. Jon Doggett, NCGA CEO, says year-round E15 will incentivize buyers and retailers to map a clear path to more E15 pumps, saving $12.2 billion in annual fuel costs.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan hints at a major uptick in renewable fuel blending obligations to be announced on June 3rd, as ethanol production is stunted by railway inefficiencies.

The war in Ukraine will dictate food prices, according to Vilsack: "We don’t really know what the impact is going to be on Ukraine’s crop this year, or what it’s going to look like in terms of exportability.”

Stakeholders applaud President Biden following months of pleading for increased biofuel availability while others set the record straight on biofuel impacts on the climate.

In his opening statements, Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) set the tone for the meeting, saying “a better, more sustainable future won’t come from the harsh, scolding voices of the naysayers.”

Archer Daniels Midland Company said on Tuesday it had signed a letter of intent with Wolf Carbon Solutions to build a pipeline that would capture and transport carbon.

EPA proposes to reduce biofuels blending levels, add a supplemental obligation to volumes and reject 65 pending applications for small refinery exemptions.

Dr. Pat Westhoff joins AgriTalk’s Chip Flory to share his spin on the latest trends in crop markets, livestock outlooks and projections for net farm income.

The U.S. oil industry is seeking to forge an alliance with the nation's corn growers and biofuel producers to lobby against the Biden administration's push for electric vehicles.

China committed to buying 200 million gallons of ethanol during the first half of 2021. If the commitments turn into shipments, it would mark the largest annual purchase for U.S. ethanol ever.

In the Trump Administration’s final hours, the EPA granted two small refinery exemptions to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and appears to have reversed a previous denial.

With just eight days left in EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s term, RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper weighs in on worst-case scenarios and his optimism about the new administration.

Since March 13, ethanol production dropped by about 46%, and idled or reduced production capacity is at or above 50% of normal, according to University of Illinois. Last week production fell to 563,000 barrels a day.

Some ethanol producers worldwide said demand is up for their products due to customers stockpiling hand sanitizer - which can be made using the biofuel - as the coronavirus outbreak worsens.

W2 Fuel, a southeast Iowa biodiesel plant, has shut down in response to the unclear future for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The Crawfordsville, Iowa plant produced 10 million gallons of biodiesel annually.

This week Siouxland Energy Cooperative, in Sioux Center, Iowa, announced it will idle ethanol production. The company is pointing the finger at SREs recently provided to oil refineries by the Trump administration.

POET officials say the process to idle the plant will take several weeks, after which the plant will cease processing of over 30 million bushels of corn annually.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler assured him the rules would be complete by the “driving season.”