The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) welcomes new Communications Director Ken Colombini to its staff this week. Colombini will work out of RFA’s headquarters in suburban St. Louis and will be responsible for the development and implementation of a broad range of communications strategies and tactics to support RFA’s mission and objectives. Colombini has been a free-lance communications consultant since 2016, …
Ethanol Report on Higher Gas Prices
The summer driving season is getting closer and gas prices are just expected to get higher, but don’t blame ethanol. A recent analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association found that gas prices have been getting higher mainly because of a surge in crude oil prices since the start of the year, combined with normal seasonal gasoline pricing, as well as …
U.S. Grains Council Board Names Next President And CEO
U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Director in Mexico Ryan LeGrand has been named as its next president and chief executive officer, effective next month. LeGrand joined the organization in Mexico in 2015 and has served as the director of the Council’s Mexico City office since 2016. In this capacity, he has overseen the expansion of the Council’s programming in that country …
Groups Submit Comments on E15/RIN Reform Proposal
Biofuel stakeholders want EPA to get rid of the excess baggage and get E15 to the finish line before summer driving season starts. he comment period on EPA’s proposed rule “Modifications to Fuel Regulations to Provide Flexibility for E15; Modifications to RFS RIN Market Regulations” ended Monday with major organizations sending theirs at the end of the day. Renewable Fuels …
The Improving GHG Benefits of Corn Ethanol
The lead researcher of a USDA study on the improving greenhouse gas benefits of ethanol compared to gasoline has shared more details about the agency’s findings. Dr. Jan Lewandrowski of USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist said the study grew out of September 2017 report released by the USDA regarding 11 different emissions categories related to corn ethanol production and …
Corn Growers Support #ACE19DC
Supporters of the ethanol industry gathered in Washington, D.C. for the American Coalition for Ethanol‘s (ACE) Annual Fly-In April 2-3. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Director of Renewable Fuels Mark Palmer appreciated his first experience at the event. “This is one of the most important things that our industry does in putting together these Hill visits from different trade associations …
Sen. Grassley Honored for Lifetime Achievement in Bioenergy
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was honored at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) in Washington DC this week with the Holmberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in Bioenergy. Accepting the award, Grassley said he was honored, but noted that his “work’s not done yet.” The Iowa senator, who has been a champion of renewable energy for decades, gave a fiery address …
Censky Addresses Ethanol Group
USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky addressed members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) meeting in Washington DC this week, just a day after the agency released a new study showing the significant greenhouse gas benefits of corn-based ethanol compared to gasoline. Censky talked about that study, as well as many other topics of interest to the farmers and ethanol …
Biofuels Advocates Testify at EPA Hearing
The Environmental Protection Agency held a hearing Friday on proposed regulatory changes related to retail sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) and the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. Biofuels advocates, organization representatives and company officials testified at the hearing about the proposal and other related topics. Below are links to audio files from …
Ethanol Report on Fueling Knowledge
Spring is here at last and after a rough winter in most of the country there are lots of people ready to hit the road and enjoy some warmer weather activities, like motorcycle riding and fishing, for example. In this episode of the Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White talks about some of the …