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Ethanol, Petroleum and Ag Groups Express Support for Year-Round E15 Legislation

Renewable Fuels Association

Nov 22, 2022

In a letter sent yesterday to U.S. Senate and House leadership, a broad coalition of energy and agriculture organizations called on Congress to quickly adopt legislation that would resolve inconsistent fuel volatility regulations. Specifically, the groups expressed support for legislation that would result in equal regulatory treatment for all gasoline blends containing 10 percent ethanol (E10) or more, including gasoline with 15 percent ethanol (E15). Such legislation would permanently remove the regulatory barrier that has historically made it extremely difficult for retailers to offer E15 in the summertime.

The letter, sent to Senate Leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, was signed by the Renewable Fuels Association, American Petroleum Institute, American Farm Bureau Federation, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Growth Energy, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, NATSO, representing truck stops and travel plazas, and SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers.

“Due to the current policy, it is extremely difficult for many fuel marketers and retailers that may desire to offer E15 to their customers in the summer months to source that product,” according to the letter. “Our groups have come together—for the first time ever—to support legislation that would resolve this issue once and for all.”

The groups are advocating for a simple legislative fix that would provide equal treatment nationwide to all gasoline blends containing 10 percent ethanol or more, while simultaneously superseding state regulatory action recently sought by a group of governors. “By ensuring uniformity across the nation’s fuel supply chain, federal legislation will provide more flexibility and result in more consistent outcomes than a state-by-state regulatory landscape,” the letter says.

“In the absence of such legislation, we could see gasoline marketplace uncertainty and political disputes over E15 that would continue to resurface every summer. Thus, we urge Congress to act quickly to adopt legislation that will bring certainty and consistency to the fuel market, while also finally resolving long-standing differences among many stakeholders about fuel volatility regulations.”

Read the original news release here.

EIA Report Spotlights Increased Ethanol Blend Rate, Lower Cost to Drivers

Renewable Fuels Association

Nov 16, 2022

A report released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration demonstrates clearly that higher blends of ethanol helped moderate fuel prices in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. The report noted that the U.S. ethanol blend rate hit a record summer average of 10.5% in 2022 and averaged 10.6% in June and August. “Fuel ethanol’s price discount to gasoline was one factor that led to the higher summer blend rate in 2022,” the report stated. “Although ethanol prices have been high in 2022, they have been low relative to gasoline prices, which were at their highest since 2014 this summer because of low domestic inventories and constraints on refining capacity.”

“This new analysis from EIA confirms that American drivers gravitated toward lower-cost E15 and E85 this summer as war in Ukraine drove pump prices to record heights,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The report also demonstrates that President Biden made the right call by issuing emergency waivers to allow the continued sales of E15 through the summer months. The Biden administration’s emergency waivers helped stave off fuel shortages and ensured consumers had uninterrupted access to E15, which was typically priced 20-40 cents per gallon lower than regular gasoline. EIA’s analysis also shows that consumption of lower-carbon renewable fuels increases, as expected, when the Renewable Fuel Standard and its RIN market mechanism are allowed to work as intended. This report comes at a critical time and underscores the importance of permanently removing the summertime barrier to E15 sales and implementing robust RFS volume requirements for 2023 and beyond.”

The report matches a recent ananlysis by RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman, which found that an additional 194 million gallons of E15 were sold during the summer as a result of the Biden administration’s RVP waivers, saving American consumers $57 million. In a column in the August issue of Ethanol Producer magazine, Cooper reflected that “At gas stations across the country, the cure for high prices isn’t more high prices—it’s ethanol. Refiners and blenders can lower gas prices for consumers simply by adding more ethanol, which has been $1–$1.50 per gallon cheaper than gasoline for much of the summer.”

EIA in its report stated that it raised its forecast for the average 2022 fuel ethanol blend rate to a record 10.4%. “This year’s annual average blend rate has been higher so far than in prior years, averaging 10.3% from March through July, compared with 10.1% for the same months in 2020 and 2019—the most recent year that EPA set RFS targets for ethanol at the current maximum. Following August’s average blend rate of 10.6%, the 2022 annual average blend rate increased to 10.4%. We forecast the annual average fuel ethanol blend rate to remain near current levels and end the year at 10.4%.”

EIA also noted that E85 sales have been on the rise. “From June–August 2022, U.S. production of E85 conventional gasoline was at record levels, averaging 21,000 b/d over those three months. In comparison, conventional E85 production averaged 15,000 b/d from June–August 2021 and was generally lower in all prior months. … In addition, E85 is becoming increasingly available. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, the United States had 4,331 E85 fueling stations as of January 2022, a 10% increase (385 stations) from the prior year.”

Read the original story here.

USDA: US Ethanol Exports Up in September

Ethanol Producer Magazine

Nov 7, 2022

The U.S. exported 100.4 million gallons of ethanol and 877,745 metric tons of distillers grains in September, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Nov. 3. Exports of both products were up from September 2021.

The 100.4 million gallons of ethanol exported in September was up from both the 76.99 million gallons exported the previous month and the 77.58 million gallons exported in September 2021.

The U.S. exported ethanol to approximately three dozen countries in September. Canada was the top destination for U.S. ethanol exports at 42.22 million gallons, followed by the Netherlands at 13.75 million gallons and South Korea at 12.02 million gallons.

The value of U.S. ethanol exports reached $280.59 million in September, up from both $229.43 million in August and $191.7 million in September of last year.

Total ethanol exports for the first nine months of 2022 reached 1.11 billion gallons at a value of $3.07 billion, compared to 872.5 million gallons exported during the same period of last year at a value of $1.79 billion.

The 877,745 metric tons of distillers grains exported in September was down when compared to the 981,020 metric tons exported in August, but up when compared to the 853,707 metric tons exported in September of last year.

The U.S. exported distillers grains to approximately 35 countries in September. Mexico was the top destination for U.S. distillers grains exports, at 187,583 metric tons, followed by Vietnam at 155,945 metric tons and South Korea at 57,554 metric tons.

The value of U.S. distillers grains exports reached $271.9 million in September, down from $317.05 million the previous month, but up from $216.61 million in September 2021.

The U.S. exported a total of 8.59 million metric tons of distillers grains during the first three quarters of 2022 at a value of $2.61 billion, compared to 8.56 million metric tons exported during the same period of 2021 at a value of $2.22 billion.

Additional data is available on the USDA FAS website.

Read the original story here.

Novozymes Reports 32% Increase in Bioenergy Sales in Q3

Ethanol Producer Magazine

Nov 3, 2022

Novozymes released third quarter financial results on Nov. 3, reporting that bioenergy sales were up 32 percent for the three-month period and 26 percent for the first nine months of the year. Overall sales were up 6 percent for the quarter, and 9 percent so far this year.

Novozymes said the strong performance for its bioenergy segment was driven by a broad and innovative solution toolbox allowing for higher yields, throughput, and byproduct value capture for producers in a favorable market environment.

The North American market experience strong developments overall, according to Novozymes, supported by increased U.S. ethanol production. Outside of North America, performance was also strong and driven by innovation, capacity expansion of corn-based ethanol production in Latin America and supported by growth in solutions for biodiesel production.

For the third quarter, Novozymes also reported that sales of enzymes used in second-generation biofuels also did well and contributed to growth during the three-month period.

Following strong performance for the first nine months of 2022, Novozymes has raised its guidance for the full year performance of the bioenergy segment. The company now expects growth in the high-teens, up from the mid-teens. That growth is expected to be driven by innovation and supported by increased U.S. ethanol production, capacity expansion of corn-based ethanol production in Latin America, and market penetration with enzymatic solutions for biodiesel production along with enzyme sales for second-generation ethanol production.

The bioenergy segment accounted for 20 percent of Novozymes sales during the first nine months of 2022. Household care; food, beverages and human health; grain and tech processing; and agriculture, animal health and nutrition accounted for 29 percent, 24 percent, 15 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

A full copy of Novozymes’ third quarter report is available on the company’s website.

Read the original story here.

U.S. EPA Considering Expanding Midwest E15 Gasoline Sales - Sources

Nov 3, 2022

The EPA enforces a summertime ban on E15 over concerns it contributes to smog in hot weather, though research has since shown the 15% blend may not increase smog relative to the more common E10 sold year-round. E10 contains 10% ethanol.

In April, governors from major corn-producing Midwestern states including Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois requested that the EPA effectively lift the ban in their states. EPA head Michael Regan said in September the agency intends to act on the request before next summer.

Critics say allowing a different fuel grade in a region that is serviced by a select amount of pipelines can create shipping challenges.

The biofuel industry has faced legal hurdles in expanding U.S. E15 sales in the past.

A federal appeals court last year struck down an effort by former President Donald Trump's administration to allow year-round E15 sales, arguing it did not have the authority, a decision that had been sparked by a challenge from the refining industry.

Read the original story here.

Western Plains Pioneering Carbon Neutral Ethanol Production by Installing Whitefox ICE®-XL for Ground-breaking Energy Savings

Nov 8, 2022

Whitefox, the leading bioethanol membrane engineering innovator, is pleased to announce that Western Plains Energy LLC (Western Plains) will be the first US ethanol producer to install Whitefox ICE®-XL system at its 50 million gallons per year ethanol plant in Kansas.

Derek Peine, CEO at Western Plains Energy said: “Since beginning operations in 2004, Western Plains has always been on the forefront of innovation and an early adaptor of technologies that deliver step-changes in energy efficiency and operational yield. In our discussion with Whitefox we found that its ICE-XL integrated membrane solution would serve as a cornerstone in fully decarbonizing our production process. Our quest to achieve net-zero emissions is something that we are passionate about, and we are excited to partner with Whitefox to help us achieve our goal.”

Tony Short, Head of Global Sales at Whitefox said: “Whitefox ICE-XL is an evolution of the Whitefox ICE® which we have installations in 9 US ethanol plants. ICE-XL fully replaces existing molecular sieves and delivers exceptional operational benefits such as up to 50% capacity increase across distillation and dehydration and 50% steam reduction when fully integrated. Our team of process engineers worked closely with Derek and his team to design a solution that would bring exceptional energy recovery and carbon reductions to enable carbon neutral fuel production.”

Gillian Harrison, CEO at Whitefox said "I first met Derek in 2016 and it was inspiring to hear how focussed he was on reducing the carbon footprint of ethanol production. We began discussing how we could expand the Whitefox ICE solution to a full replacement of molecular sieves, given their propensity to crack, so it's exciting to now be working with Western Plains to install our first ICE-XL and support them on their journey to Net Zero ethanol."

Engineering phase 1 is already in progress and the project has an estimated start-up and commissioning date towards the end of 2023.

About Western Plains

Western Plains Energy, LLC. is renewable energy production company in Oakley, Kansas. The company converts regionally grown grain into sustainable, low-carbon products in the form of denatured ethanol and wet distillers grains. Western Plains Energy is committed to meeting the growing demand for domestically produced, sustainable renewable energy.

About Whitefox Technologies Limited

Whitefox specializes in technology development and innovation based on its proprietary membrane solutions. Whitefox’s Integrated Cartridge Efficiency (ICE) uses membrane-based cartridge technology which enables clients to produce ethanol and other chemicals to the highest market standards in the most energy and water efficient way. With a small carbon footprint, Whitefox provides solutions for all types of alcohols, biofuels, and renewable chemicals in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South America.

Read the original press release here.

Ag Co-operators Conference Brings in Nearly $700 Million in Sales

US Grains Council

Oct 12, 20222

More than 1.3 million metric tons (80 million bushels of corn equivalent), equating to about $700 million dollars, were recently transacted and negotiated at the 2022 Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Co-operators Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, in late September.

Jointly organized by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), the event welcomed its largest turnout since its inception in 2004. Having been limited to virtual events for over two years, industry representatives from across the region were excited to take part in the event, reconnecting and establishing relationships for U.S. agricultural products.

Of the commodities sold, 90,000 metric tons, or 4 million bushels, were U.S. corn and 207,000 metric tons (about 33 million bushels in corn equivalent) were U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The remaining sales consisted of U.S. soybeans, soybean meal and wheat.

“The fact that the whole industry shows up to this event says a lot about the resiliency of our industry. When our growers, traders, and our end-users all come together, there’s not a market headwind that we can’t face and flourish,” said Caleb Wurth, USGC regional director, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Council programs continue post conference to ensure end users are prepared to maximize the utilization of our products once sold; servicing customers’ commercial and technical needs.

Read the original story here.

EIA: Ethanol Production Up 2%, Stocks Up 2%

Ethanol Producer Magazine

Oct 26, 2022

U.S. fuel ethanol production expanded by nearly 2 percent the week ending Oct. 21, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Oct. 26. Weekly ending stocks of fuel ethanol were also up 2 percent.

Fuel ethanol production averaged 1.033 million barrels per day the week ending Oct. 21, up 17,000 barrels per day when compared to the 1.016 million barrels per day of production reported for the previous week. When compared to the same week of last year, production for the week ending Oct. 21 was down 73,000 barrels per day.

Weekly ending stocks of fuel ethanol reached 22.291 million barrels the week ending Oct. 21, up 447,000 barrels when compared to the 21.844 million barrels of stocks reported for the previous week. When compared to the same week of last year, stocks for the week ending Oct. 21 were up 2.366 million barrels.

Read the original story here.

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Thune, Durbin Lead Bipartisan Request for Historic RFS "Set" Rulemaking

Sen. John Thune

Oct 19, 2022

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish renewable volume obligations that are additive for all fuel types in the upcoming “set” rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The senators also highlighted additional actions EPA should take in order to maximize the use and benefit of biofuels, including updating lifecycle analysis for biofuel emissions and approving additional fuel registrations and pathways under the RFS.

“Through this rulemaking, EPA has a historic opportunity to not only reinforce its efforts to restore integrity to the RFS, but chart a new course for biofuels that will help meet America’s diverse energy demands while further decarbonizing numerous sectors of our economy,” the senators wrote. “In order to guard against sidelining decades of investment and the diverse workforce that supports biofuels, we request that EPA set the conventional target above 15 billion gallons, set advanced biofuel volumes that account for increased production capacity of fuels like sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, and ensure that renewable identification numbers (RINs) for emerging technologies and e-RINs are additive to existing volumes.”

“With the forthcoming ‘set’ rule, EPA has a golden opportunity to stimulate further growth in low-carbon fuel use and build on the successes of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “We appreciate the efforts of Senator Thune, Senator Durbin, and other stalwart renewable fuel supporters to ensure EPA issues a ‘set’ rule that furthers the environmental and economic objectives of the original RFS program.”

“A stronger RFS means more savings at the pump for working families, lower carbon emissions, and greater U.S. energy security,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “We’re grateful to Senators Durbin, Thune, and other clean energy champions working to deliver the regulatory certainty we need to fast-track growth in the U.S. bioeconomy and shield motorists from volatile global oil prices. This is a vital opportunity to drive transformative progress in low-carbon transportation, and we look forward to working with EPA Administrator Regan, the White House, and leaders on Capitol Hill to tap the full potential of the RFS as a climate and energy solution.”

“As we near EPA’s announcement on the proposed Set rule, ACE applauds Senators Thune and Durbin for their leadership on a timely, bipartisan letter urging the Agency to utilize this historic opportunity to increase biofuel blending targets and take other important steps to leverage the role low carbon biofuels can and should play to address our nation’s energy demands and meet the Administration’s decarbonization goals,” said Brian Jennings, CEO of American Coalition for Ethanol. “New incentives enacted by Congress will boost investments in clean fuel technologies that support action by EPA to expand the use of clean fuels like ethanol through future RFS targets.”

“We thank Senators Thune, Durbin, and others for highlighting the bipartisan support for continued growth in the Renewable Fuel Standard volumes,” said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “We appreciate the Senators’ request that EPA build on the foundation of advanced biofuels and provide additional space for emerging volumes of renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and other potential new biomass-based fuels.”

“We applaud Senator Thune and Senator Durbin for leading a bipartisan coalition working to maximize the clean energy benefits of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council (ABBC). “We keep hearing about the importance of strong policy to ensure that new technologies are developed, clean energy targets are hit, and U.S. global competitiveness is enhanced as we seek to reduce emissions and grow the economy. There is no better example than the RFS. We appreciate the recognition that an ambitious, multiyear RFS rule could be a game-changer for advanced biofuels, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), climate smart feedstock production, and transportation sector decarbonization.”

“Corn growers appreciate the Senators’ leadership and advocacy for renewable fuels with EPA,” said Tom Hagg, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “We also urge EPA to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of the RFS in the pending rulemaking, building on the success of biofuels to do more to cut emissions and lower fuel prices.”

This letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).

Full letter here.

Read the original press release here.

High-Level Ecuadorian Ethanol Delegation Visits US, Talks Strengthening Partnership

US Grains Council

Sep 29, 2022

As part of market development efforts in Ecuador being conducted by the U.S. Grains Council’s Latin America office, the organization recently invited a group of key public and private sector partners from the country to engage with U.S. corn and ethanol producers, industry experts and policymakers to become familiar with the industry and identify best practices and opportunities for collaboration.

Ethanol blending in Ecuador is currently implemented in 50 percent of the country, using local ethanol exclusively at a three to eight percent level depending on the type of gasoline. If Ecuador were to move to a 10 percent blend level nationwide, it would create an opportunity for U.S. exports of approximately 80 million gallons per year to supplement local production, ideally in partnership with the local industry.

“The possibility for U.S. ethanol exports to Ecuador seems promising, but there is much work to be done,” said Marri Tejada, USGC regional director for Latin America, who escorted the group. “This trip was an important step in identifying the opportunities and bottlenecks that impede the market, but we want to make sure we get it right. We need the domestic industry and government support to be sure the correct laws and mechanisms are established to accomplish the goals of fiscal savings, rural economy growth, business development, environmental considerations and a pathway for free and open trade.”

While in the states, the delegation heard from industry representatives, including the Council, National Corn Growers Association and Growth Energy. It also met with USDA leaders in Washington, D.C., among others, before traveling to Minnesota to see the ethanol value chain in action at farms, ethanol plants and ethanol retail stations.

During the visit, Gustavo Heinert, executive director of the Association of Biofuels of Ecuador (APALE), expressed his gratitude for the organized visit and requested to know more about the process followed in the U.S. to implement an ethanol mixing blend mandate by law, which he is willing to promote in Ecuador.

“It was a great experience to be in Washington, D.C., and Minnesota,” Heinert said. “In Ecuador, we need to follow the path created by the United States by having a law requiring a 10 percent ethanol blend that does not depend on a presidential decree that can be changed by the government in power. The Ecuadorian delegation was very happy and will follow up with the pending tasks to increase the use of biofuels nationwide at a 10 percent blend or more, for which we hope to have the Council’s support in accomplishing this goal.”

For more than two years, the Council has been engaging with strategic stakeholders in the Ecuadorian government and ethanol industry, providing technical expertise and supporting analyses to demonstrate the benefits of increased ethanol blending in the country.

Developing a successful collaboration between the U.S. ethanol industry, the Ecuadorian government and local industry, would open a previously untapped market and constitute a replicable model where each can complement and support the other.

Read the original story here.

USDA: US Ethanol Exports at 77 Million Gallons in August

Ethanol Producer Magazine

Oct 6, 2022

The U.S. exported 76.99 million gallons of ethanol and 981,020 metric tons of distillers grains in August, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Oct. 5. Exports of both products were down when compared to both the previous month and August 2021.

The 76.99 million gallons of ethanol exported in August was down when compared to both the 107.22 million gallons exported the previous month and the 80.67 million gallons exported during August 2021.

The U.S. exported ethanol to more than 40 countries in August. Canada was the top destination for U.S. ethanol exports at 52.88 million gallons, followed by South Korea at 6.62 million gallons and Mexico at 5.06 million gallons.

The value of U.S. ethanol exports was at $229.43 million in August, down from $306.53 million in July, but up from $187.04 million in August of last year.

Total U.S. ethanol exports for the first eight months of 2022 reached 1.01 billion gallons at a value of $2.79 billion, compared to 794.92 million gallons exported during the same period of last year at a value of $1.6 billion.

The 981,020 metric tons of distillers grains exported in August was down when compared to both the 1.06 million metric tons exported in July and the 1.24 million metric tons exported in August of last year.

The U.S. exported distillers grains to more than 30 countries in August. Mexico was the top destination for U.S. distillers grains exports at 194,795 tons, followed by Vietnam at 133,303 metric tons and South Korea at 91,838 metric tons.

The value of U.S. distillers grains exports reached $317.05 million in August, down from both $354.6 million in July and $320.2 million in August 2021.

Total distillers grains exports for the first eight months of this year reached 7.72 million metric tons at a value of $2.35 billion, compared to 7.7 million metric tons exported during the same period of last year at a value of $2 billion.

Additional data is available on the USDA FAS website.

Read the original story here.

Greenfield Global: WFI Helps Meet Demand from Biopharma Customers

Ethanol Producer Magazine

Oct 4, 2022

To meet the increased demand from biopharma customers, Greenfield Global is tripling its production capacity for ethanol blends with water-for-injection (WFI) at its Brookfield, Connecticut plant from a 2,000 gallon tank to a total capacity just shy of 6,000 gallons.

Greenfield’s increased capacity provides greater confidence in supply chain security and increases production lead times for the laboratories, medical device manufacturers, and both large and small molecule pharmaceutical companies served around the globe. Under the Pharmco brand, Greenfield offers access to a larger volume of these ready to use solutions, helping customers improve their own manufacturing efficiencies as they can rely on Greenfield to quickly meet the demand to make the product they need to their exact specifications.

In addition to blending Greenfield’s USP and World Grade ethanol with WFI, the company also has the capability to blend additional custom solutions used in chromatography resin cleaning, storage, and regeneration in any package size or format required by customers – pails, drums, totes, and single-use containers.

“In medicine and life sciences, innovation happens fast, and the stakes are high. Our chemists and engineers are continually adapting and adding capabilities without compromising quality,” said Frank Richards, executive vice president and managing director, specialty chemicals and ingredients at Greenfield Global. “By tripling our capacity to produce ethanol blends with water for injection, we are greatly enhancing our supply-chain transparency, service reliability, and responsiveness to the very specific and technical customer demands in this market, something that is unique to Greenfield.”

The pharmaceutical industry depends on suppliers to provide the best available high-purity solvents & solutions, specialty chemicals, and biobased ingredients to help people live better and longer. For over 10 years, Greenfield Global has provided a customized level of quality and service that small suppliers can’t replicate, and large suppliers can’t react to as we control the process from end-to-end: from order receipt, to manufacturing to delivery.

Read the original story here.

MN E15 Sales A Record in Minnesota

Brownfield Ag News

Sep 29, 2022

This has been a record-setting year for E15 sales in Minnesota.

Minnesota Biofuels Association director Brian Werner says E15 sold during May reached an all-time monthly high of 8.56 million gallons.

“Anything that gets more E15 out there and to consumers and more readily accessible, we’re going to be supportive of.”

He tells Brownfield those efforts include pushing for an E15 standard in Minnesota and year-round E15.

“As I mentioned, Minnesota set an all-time record in the state for sales last May, so consumer demand is there. But we just need a permanent solution after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the 2019 EPA rule that allowed for permanent year-round sales of E15.”

Several Midwestern governors, including Minnesota’s Tim Walz, petitioned EPA earlier this year to allow sales of E15 year-round. Werner says he’s hopeful the request will be finalized soon so the biofuels industry can prepare for the 2023 summer driving season.

Read the original story here.

RFA Elects New Board Leadership at Annual Meeting

Renewable Fuels Association

Sep 28, 2022

The Renewable Fuels Association elected officers and its board of directors today at its annual membership meeting in Milwaukee, Wisc. Erik Huschitt, CEO of Badger State Ethanol, was elected Chairman of the organization, replacing Jeanne McCaherty of Guardian Energy Management.

“I am humbled and honored to become chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association, which continues to lead our ethanol industry with an amazing leader, a fabulous staff, and members who are tremendous Americans representing their plants, businesses and communities,” Huschitt said.

Huschitt, of Monroe, Wisc., has been with Badger State since January 2002 and currently serves as president of the Wisconsin BioFuels Association. He also has spent years on the board of the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association, which plays a vital role in Wisconsin’s feed and grain industries.

RFA’s board also elected Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Granite Falls Energy, as Vice Chairman. Before becoming CEO of Granite Falls in May 2021, he served as head of biofuels operations at Syngenta and was previously CEO of East Kansas Agri-Energy.

“Erik Huschitt and Jeff Oestmann have proven themselves time and again as thoughtful and strategic leaders deeply committed to the role ethanol can play not just in the communities they serve, but also across our nation and around the world,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This is a critical and exciting time for the ethanol industry. We know Erik and Jeff will provide outstanding leadership and guidance to the association and the entire industry as we face the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in 2023. Over more than four decades, our successes and defining victories as an organization have resulted from the drive and vision of our officers and board of directors. We know that tradition will continue with the leaders elected here today.”

Retaining their current positions in board leadership for 2023 are Rick Schwarck, President of Absolute Energy, as Board Secretary, and Mike Jerke, CEO of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, as Treasurer.

Read the original story here.

Reuters Retracts Inaccurate Article on Ethanol GHG Emissions

Ethanol Producer Magazine

Sep 26, 2022

Reuters on Sept. 23 retracted an article originally published on Sept. 8 that made highly misleading claims about the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of U.S. ethanol plants. Reuters said it withdrew the article “because of its flawed interpretation of data on ethanol-plant pollution and fuel-production capacity,” which “led to inaccurate estimates of carbon emissions for individual ethanol plants named in the story.”

The Sept. 8 article, in part, cited the widely discredited study by Tyler Lark and others that was published in February 2022. Lark’s research has been specifically criticized by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, Perdue University, and the University of Illinois for using questionable assumptions, double counting emissions, and using outdated and inaccurate projections. The Sept. 8 article also mischaracterized the “grandfathering provisions” implemented by the U.S. EPA when the Renewable Fuel Standard was expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and misrepresented the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of several ethanol plants, including those owned by ADM, Green Triangle Energy, Central Indiana Ethanol, Green Plains Inc., and Marquis Energy.

The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy are among the organizations to originally speak out against the inaccurate Reuters report.

“The original story relied on an incorrect assumption that an ethanol facility’s actual production always matches its nameplate capacity,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the RFA. “In reality, this is rarely the case, and a facility’s actual output often exceeds nameplate capacity. The story also overlooked the fact that many ethanol facilities make more than fuel ethanol. Many facilities make alcohol for beverages, sanitizers, disinfectants, and other products that have no role in the RFS program. Together, these errors led to faulty calculations of GHG emissions attributable to fuel ethanol production. We greatly appreciate Reuters’ willingness to engage in further discussion and take another look at the facts and data. The organization deserves credit for its efforts to get this story right.

“Countering this particular article was important to us because the reporter initially got so much wrong, and we knew the main conclusion or talking point—as far-fetched it was—would be used as just another a stick with which to beat the industry,” Cooper continued. “We always strive to be available and willing to discuss often-complex ethanol policy, regulatory, and technical issues with members of the news media.”

“Early on Growth Energy learned of this story taking shape and immediately reached out to dispute her argument and outline the well-established flaws of the data assumptions being made,” said Growth Energy in a statement. “More importantly, we worked with our member companies represented in the Reuters piece to effectively and efficiently correct the record, which resulted a complete retraction of the story.”

Read the original story here.

Thompson: Farmers Can Help Solve Nation's Fuel Crisis

The Detroit News

Sep 22, 2022

No matter where you live or how long your commute, gas prices are a concern. The price spikes and fluctuations caused by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine are just the latest evidence that, as a nation, we are far too dependent on foreign oil.

Fortunately, President Joe Biden and our members of Congress have taken decisive steps to lower gas prices and limit our dependence on foreign oil. They have done that by supporting biofuels — fuel grown by America’s farmers.

Not only does this lower gas prices and cut our dependence on Russian energy, supporting American biofuels provides a much-needed boost to our rural communities — putting dollars in the pockets of our farmers and supporting schools, rural hospitals and main street businesses.

Biofuels, specifically those containing ethanol, are becoming increasingly available in the U.S. You can now buy E10, or fuel containing 10% ethanol, at most gas stations. Hower, higher ethanol blends such as E15 and E85 remain less available and more restricted despite the positive impact they have been show to have on gas prices, greenhouse gas emissionsk and productivity.

Biden led the effort to boost biofuels by lifting antiquated restrictions on the sale of E15 for the summer. This emergency move increased the use of renewable biofuels and immediately helped lower gas prices across America.

We have more good news for renewable fuels. The Inflation Reduction Act makes investments in our nation’s biofuels production. This law will further lower gas prices and reduce the federal debt by more than $300 billion.

There has never been a bigger boost for American biofuels than this new law. The Inflation Reduction Act will further lower gas prices by placing 10,000 new E15 pumps at gas stations all across America. This law also provides incentives to companies to produce more biofuels – ethanol and diesel for use in our cars and trucks and even in airplanes.

Year-round E15 sales and new incentives are going to super-charge U.S. agriculture with immense benefits flowing to small towns and cities throughout the Midwest.

But the benefits are not limited to farmers who grow corn or soybeans and the communities in which they live. Every American wins – lower gas prices, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less dependence on foreign oil. These are common sense plans that will make a real difference in the lives of working Americans.

Bob Thompson is the president of the Michigan Farmers Union.

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