Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper told participants at the 2021 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo Wednesday that low-carbon ethanol’s “brightest and sunniest days remain ahead” despite recent judicial setbacks and a growing policy push on electric vehicles. Even after two recent disappointing court decisions, “The ethanol industry is still in a stronger position today than …
Ethanol Report Looks at Industry COVID Recovery
The U.S. ethanol industry is in a much better place compared to a year ago when production was nearing a record low and plants were closing as a result of efforts to contain COVID-19. In this edition of The Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper provides an update on where the ethanol industry is today, …
Ethanol’s Role in a Net-Zero Future
This edition of the Ethanol Report explores ethanol’s role as a “net-zero hero” with highlights from the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC). The report includes remarks from David MacIntosh, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc.; Stefan Unnasch with Life Cycle Associates; and Michael Berube, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, who all spoke at the 2021 NEC. In addition, we …
RFA Honors Former Ag Committee Chair Peterson
The Renewable Fuels Association today honored former Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), longtime chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, with the RFA Industry Award, presented during the digital 26th annual National Ethanol Conference. “I’ve been working on ethanol for a long time. I believe in it, and it’s been a passion of mine and it’s just been a pleasure for …
RFA State of the Ethanol Industry Address
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper focused forward in his annual state of the industry address at the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference on ethanol as the essential energy that it is. “While 2020 was an incredibly difficult year for the ethanol industry, it definitely taught us one thing: When America’s ethanol industry stops running, so does America. …
Digital National Ethanol Conference Debuts Tuesday
The Renewable Fuels Association 26th annual National Ethanol Conference begins tomorrow, February 16, bringing an all-new format that will allow for more industry leaders to participate in what has always been the most widely attended executive-level policy and marketing conference for the ethanol industry. “The 2021 National Ethanol Conference promises to offer something of interest for everyone, whether their focus …
Mixed Bag of Last Minute EPA Proposals for Biofuels
With just days before a new administration takes office, the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday issued a mixed bag of last minute proposals for biofuels producers. First, in Friday’s Federal Register, EPA proposed to extend compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020 renewable volume obligations, stating that the agency would “take no position on the availability of SREs for the 2019 …
National Ethanol Conference Going Digital
One of the very last live, in-person events to be held this year in the agriculture industry was the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) 25th annual National Ethanol Conference in Houston. The 26th annual NEC however, will be an all digital format. Information about the conference can be found on the NationalEthanolConference.com website. In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, …
Ag and Biofuels Groups Congratulate President-Elect Biden
The American Farm Bureau Federation was one of the first agricultural organizations to congratulate President-elect Biden on his election as called by news organizations over the weekend. “President-elect Biden’s term and a new Congress begin a new chapter in America’s story. Agriculture has been part of that story since the very first chapter, and we stand ready to work with …
EPA Denial of RFS Waivers Good News for Ethanol
Ethanol producers and farmers were pleased to hear Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is denying petitions for retroactive small refinery waivers for the 2011-18 compliance years. EPA announced it is denying 54 “gap-year” small refinery exemption petitions and will deny the remaining 14 petitions once they are received from the Department of Energy. In announcing its decision, EPA …