Agriculture – Advanced BioFuels USA

Ethanol Report 9-27-22 What the Set Means for Ethanol Producers and Farmers

(Renewable Fuels Association) When Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) that authorized the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), annual volume requirements were specified through the year 2022 for renewable fuels. But that does not mean this year is the end of the RFS. After this year, the

September 27, 2022 Read Full Article

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge Roadmap: Flight Plan for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Report

(U.S. Department of Energy) The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge is the result of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other federal government agencies working together to develop a comprehensive strategy for scaling up new technologies to produce SAF

September 23, 2022 Read Full Article

As Farmers Split from the GOP on Climate Change, They’re Getting Billions to Fight It

by Scott Neuman (NPR) … The government’s conservation programs are meant to bolster farmers’ response to climate change, as (Iowa farmer Robb) Ewoldt and others like him are forced to confront worsening droughts on the one hand, and unprecedented rainfall and flooding on the other. But even with billions more in

September 21, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Picks 70 Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities in Historic $2.8B Investment

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) News has arrived from Washington that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity. It’s become the US Department of Action, as it turns out, the grand ol’ USDA. Big wins

September 20, 2022 Read Full Article

U.S. Department of Agriculture Selects Gevo’s Climate Smart Farm-to-Flight Proposal with a Funding Ceiling of $30MM

(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has selected Gevo’s Climate-Smart Farm to Flight proposal for funding with an award ceiling of up to $30 million. Gevo’s project was one of the 70 projects selected by the USDA under the first pool of

September 19, 2022 Read Full Article

SfL’s Vision for Scaling Climate Smart Agriculture Solutions Is Taking Root

(Solutions from the Land) … SfL’s vision for how farmers can bring agricultural solutions to climate challenges has begun to be realized by yesterday’s announcement by Secretary Vilsack that USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Projects . This is a remarkable and historic accomplishment

September 15, 2022 Read Full Article

US Biofuel Industry Hopes Their Voices Are Heard as EPA Eyes Final Rules on E15, RFS

by Jasmin Melvin (S&P Global) E15 solution for Midwest states coming: Regan; Biofuel group pushes for nationwide action; Lays out industry priorities for next RFS rulemaking — A promise by US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to lift a summertime ban on sales of a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol in certain

September 14, 2022 Read Full Article

US EPA Set to Finalize Rule on State Sales of Higher-Ethanol Gasoline Blend – Regan

by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to finalize a rule before next summer to allow the year-round sale of gasoline blended with a higher level of ethanol in several states, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said on Tuesday. The EPA has engaged with several Midwestern governors after they

September 13, 2022 Read Full Article

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview: House Ag Ranking Member Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa.

(Agri-Pulse) This week’s Open Mic guest is House Ag Ranking Member Glenn “GT” Thompson. At last week’s Farm Progress Show, Thompson offered thoughts on crafting a 2023 farm bill including an opportunity to chair the committee if the GOP wins a majority in the November midterms. The Pennsylvania 15th district

September 12, 2022 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioeconomy Feedstocks

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) These slides were presented by Digest editor Jim Lane as part of the ABLC CONNECT episode on Feedstocks and the Bioeconomy Supply-Chain. Here, we explore the available volumes, prices, and distribution of key existing feedstock types, and we look at the R&D pipeline to see

September 12, 2022 Read Full Article

Ethanol and EVs Pt 1

by Bob Larson (Ag Information Network/Washington State Farm Bureau Report) … The same week California announced it will end the sale of new liquid-fueled vehicles in 2035, a heat wave forced a power emergency and a request that consumers reduce demand, including charging EVs. That underscored the corn ethanol industry’s

September 7, 2022 Read Full Article

RFA and Ethanol at the Farm Progress Show

by Cindy Zimmerman (AgWired) Ethanol was in the spotlight at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa this week and the Renewable Fuels Association was there to promote the high octane benefits of the fuel and the role of biofuels and farming in combating climate change. RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper, Director of Government Affairs

September 6, 2022 Read Full Article

Sec. Vilsack Talks Biofuels at Farm Progress Show

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited the Farm Progress Show in Iowa Tuesday, the first time he has visited the show since 2012. Vilsack used the occasion to talk about some recent accomplishments, including expanding rural broadband, conservation and biofuel provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, new opportunities to

August 31, 2022 Read Full Article

Canada to Import a Record Volume of US Ethanol in 2022

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Fuel ethanol consumption in Canada is expected to grow by approximately 8.6 percent this year, according to a report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network. Imports of U.S. fuel ethanol are expected to reach a record 1.5 billion liters (396.26

August 30, 2022 Read Full Article

Speaking Up for Biofuels

by Emily Skor (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Year-round E15 and the RFS ‘set’ are top priorities for Growth Energy heading into it its annual D.C. fly-in this September. 2023 is the first year required volumes of renewable fuel are not specified by Congress and must be set by the EPA.

August 26, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Searching for Innovations in Climate-Smart Agriculture and Soil Health DEADLINE: September 22, 2022

(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will invest $25 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program. Through CIG, partners work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all

August 25, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Opens New Application Window for HBIIP

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA is scheduled to open a new $100 million, 90-day application window for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program on Aug. 23, according to a document published in the Federal Register on Aug. 22. The HBIIP is a competitive grant program that aims to

August 23, 2022 Read Full Article

Speed-the-Leaf: RIPE’s Photosynthesis Breakthru Offers a 20% Increase in Crop Yield

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)… Some years ago, the RIPE team went down the rabbit hole of transforming photosynthesis,”harnessing the sun to help the feed the world,” on the noble theory that if plants are more efficient, we’ll have more food, fiber, fuel, and what have you. I’ve stood on

August 23, 2022 Read Full Article

As Congress Funds High-Tech Climate Solutions, It Also Bets on a Low-Tech One: Nature

by Brady Dennis (Washington Post) … On the agriculture side, the legislation would pour nearly $20 billion of additional funding in existing federal conservation programs that incentivize farmers and ranchers to embrace a range of climate-friendly practices, including planting cover crops, better managing water sources, and conserving grasslands and other

August 15, 2022 Read Full Article

What Happened at the 2022 CAAFI Bienennial General Meeting?

(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative ) There’s more attention on SAF now than ever before. There’s also a lot going on in the SAF space from near-term commercialization, policy pushes, feedstock development, pathway approvals, airline, airport and business aviation engagement, etc. A major focus is the U.S. SAF Grand Challenge

August 12, 2022 Read Full Article

Renewable Diesel Plant with Potential to Save 880 Million Pounds of Carbon Emissions per Year Launches Operations in Reno

(Greater Commercial Lending/PR Newswire) New Rise Renewables Reno Deploys Breakthrough Technology to Turn Renewable Feedstocks into Diesel that Burns Clean; Project Funded by USDA-Guaranteed Loans Arranged by Greater Commercial Lending — One of the country’s most advanced renewable fuel plants will officially launch operations at Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in Storey County, Nevada.

August 11, 2022 Read Full Article

The Global Reach of U.S. Ethanol

by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) As clean energy supporters across the globe celebrate World Biofuels Day, today seemed like the perfect occasion to reflect on two recent RFA journeys to Asia focused on extending the global reach of the U.S. biofuels industry and educating other markets about the value of

August 10, 2022 Read Full Article

2nd USDA Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair — September 14, 2022 — ONLINE

In U.S., more than one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste. Public and private organizations are creating solutions to address food loss and waste throughout the food system – from farm to table. On September 14, 2022, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. EDT, the U.S. Department of

August 9, 2022 Read Full Article

Researchers Enlist Sturdy Yeast to Help Make Cost-Effective Ethanol

(U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) Yeasts play a key role in converting (“fermenting”) sugars from plants into ethanol fuel. But not all yeasts are created equal. Some are better fermenters than others because they can tolerate the harsh conditions of the bioreactors in which they’re used. Clavispora NRRL Y-50464 is

August 5, 2022 Read Full Article

Manchin, Schumer Cut Deal on Climate Spending, Including Farm Bill Funds

by Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced an agreement with Sen. Joe Manchin on a narrow reconciliation bill that would provide $369 billion in climate-related provisions, including more than $20 billion for farm bill conservation assistance and additional incentives for low-carbon biofuels and rural electric co-ops. The 725-page bill they agreed

July 28, 2022 Read Full Article

Philippines Consumption of Biodiesel Expected to Rise Further

by Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) The country’s biofuel consumption is expected to continue to recover this year on the back of economic growth, as well as the increase in ethanol and biodiesel demand, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). … In terms of production, the USDA

July 25, 2022 Read Full Article

U.S. Grains Council, Mariano Marcos State University Partner to Promote Biofuels in the Philippines

(U.S. Embassy in Manila) The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) signed on July 19 a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate the exchange of expert knowledge, technical information, and best practices related to the biofuels industry and policy development. The signing ceremony took place during the

July 25, 2022 Read Full Article

2023 Farm Bill

(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Congress continued to focus on the 2023 Farm Bill. The House Agriculture Committee held hearings on the forestry title of the bill and the state of credit for young, beginning, and underserved producers . We are tracking the environmental, energy, and climate highlights of the Congressional hearings in

July 19, 2022 Read Full Article

Forget Saudi Arabia — Biden Should Have Gone to South Dakota: Letters to the Editor for July 17

by Doug Sombke (South Dakota Farmers Union/Argus Leader/Governors’ Biofuels Coalition) President Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia to beg for more oil seems unnecessary to us — he could have saved himself a long trip by coming to see what is being done right here in South Dakota. Sky high gas prices

July 19, 2022 Read Full Article

Moving Stepwise toward State Clean Fuel Standards

by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) From Minnesota to Nebraska, discussions around performance-based fuel standards are bringing a broad range of stakeholders together. Progress requires coalition building and compromise. Movement towards state clean fuel standards in the Midwest inspired by a broader regional vision continues, albeit slowly. Brian Kletscher,

July 19, 2022 Read Full Article

Blue Biofuels: Inflation and Rising Corn Prices Could Make Cellulosic Alternatives for Biofuels Highly Attractive

(Seeking Alpha) • The inflationary forces that are currently at work in the U.S. economy will continue to cause much higher prices for many commodities, including corn. Corn is a primary feedstock for ethanol producers and as its price rises, so do the production costs for many ethanol plants located

July 15, 2022 Read Full Article

New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking

by Jenna Hoffman (AgWeb) The Biden administration’s initiatives to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 are well underway. New year-over-year data shows ag is playing its climate smart part in multiple ways. According to the USDA, 2020 farming activities in the U.S. made up 11.2 percent, or 670 of

July 14, 2022 Read Full Article

What’s Your Take on the 2018 Farm Bill?

by Jenna Hoffman (AgWeb) U.S. House Agriculture Committee is seeking feedback on the previous Farm Bill in preparation for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), House Ag republican leader, says farm bill feedback is “critical” with 2023 Farm Bill discussions in full swing. “Hearing directly from farm country

July 14, 2022 Read Full Article

Whatever Happened to Cellulosic Ethanol?

by David Kramer (Physics Today) Technological immaturity, falling oil prices, overoptimistic investors, and regulatory uncertainty are blamed for the failure of a promising biofuel technology to perform as hoped. — Despite a decade and a half of big US federal investments in R&D and in pilot and demonstration plants, ethanol from

July 6, 2022 Read Full Article

Feenstra Focused on Energy Title of Next Farm Bill

by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) A member of the House Agriculture Committee wants to strengthen the energy title in the next farm bill. Iowa Republican Randy Feenstra tells Brownfield there are so many opportunities for biofuel production and use in Title IX. “Right now to me it’s all about the

July 6, 2022 Read Full Article

Bioproduct Pilot Program Informational Webinar — July 14, 2022 — ONLINE

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) invites the public to participate in an informational webinar for the FY 2022 Bioproduct Pilot Program (BPP). The BPP, which is authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is a new funding opportunity to study the benefits of using materials derived

July 5, 2022 Read Full Article

Vilsack Announces Bioproduct Pilot Program Funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law DEADLINE: August 31, 2022

(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a new pilot program created under President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the development of biobased products that have lower carbon footprints and increase the use of renewable agricultural materials, creating

July 5, 2022 Read Full Article

3 Missing Ingredients for Scaling Regenerative Agriculture

by Theresa Lieb (Green Biz) … From my conversations with farmers in Minnesota and many other practitioners over the past months, three pockets of work ask for more attention: independent and data-driven technical assistance, program alignment and standardization and supply chain infrastructure for crop diversification. Why are these issues critical? Rethinking

July 1, 2022 Read Full Article

Alto Ingredients, Inc. Receives $22.7 Million Grant from USDA Program

(Alto Ingredients) Alto Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTO), a leading producer and distributor of specialty alcohols and essential ingredients, announced today that it has received a $22.7 million cash grant from the USDA’s Biofuel Producer Program. The Program was created as part of the CARES Act, which provided $700 million to support

June 30, 2022 Read Full Article

Vilsack’s Forest Service Memorandum Addresses Wood-Based SAF

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on June 23 issued a memorandum to the U.S. Forest Service directing the agency to take bold actions to restore forests, improve resilience, and address the climate crisis. The memorandum, in part, addresses the potential of wood-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). One

June 29, 2022 Read Full Article

Biofuel, Ag Groups Comment on SEC Climate Disclosures Rulemaking

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) … Growth Energy’s comments focused on the calculation of biofuel GHG emissions. “The proposed rule would require many public companies to calculate and disclose GHG emissions from throughout their entire supply chain and production cycle,” Growth Energy said in its comments. “How obligated parties calculate the GHG

June 26, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA’s Rural Business Cooperative Service: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The commercialization of emerging tech, the production of biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products – these are some of the things the USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service is working on. Find out about their Guaranteed Loan Programs, trends they are seeing, the USDA BioPreferred Program,

June 17, 2022 Read Full Article

Miller-Meeks, Hinson, Ernst Support New Industry Producing Carbon-Negative Cellulosic Biofuels

(Ripon Advance News Service) U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA) joined U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and their Iowa Republican colleagues in urging the Biden administration to address two ongoing rulemaking processes that could end production of bio-oil, cellulosic sugar and biochar. Iowa State University has developed an

June 17, 2022 Read Full Article

Inside Biden’s Frustration with Soaring Prices

by Tyler Pager (Washington Post) Biden vented to aides after an ethanol announcement designed to ease gas prices, questioning the policy’s effectiveness — President Biden seemed upbeat when he visited an Iowa biofuels plant in April to talk about bringing down gas prices, standing before a large tractor as he declared

June 13, 2022 Read Full Article

House Democrats Unveil “Lower Food and Fuels Costs” Bill

by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) The House could vote as early as next week on an omnibus bill that would allow summertime sale of E15, create a special investigator’s office at the USDA to enforce fair-play laws in meatpacking, and help farmers adopt so-called precision agriculture technology. The legislative amalgam

June 10, 2022 Read Full Article

Japan Launches Public-Private Partnership Focused on SAF

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Japan on April 22 launched a public-private partnership that aims to facilitate the introduction of an international competitive supply chain for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), according to a report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network in late May. Japan’s Ministry

June 8, 2022 Read Full Article

Red Rock Biofuels Holdings, Inc. Awarded U.S. Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant

(Red Rock Biofuels/Business Wire) Award funds Red Rock Biofuels Holdings, Inc. (“Red Rock”) to Convert Post-Fire Charred Waste Woody Biomass to Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Renewable Diesel — Red Rock is pleased to announce that it has received a Wood Innovations Grant from the U.S. Forest Service to fund its project

June 8, 2022 Read Full Article

EPA Opens Comment Period on Proposed Consent Decree for 2023 RVOs DEADLINE: June 22, 2022

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA on May 23 opened a 30-day public comment period on a proposed consent decree related to a legal challenge filed against the agency by Growth Energy that would require the EPA to issue proposed 2023 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) by

June 7, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Publishes Report on E15 Challenges, Opportunities

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A report published by the USDA’s Office of Chief Economist in May assesses the future market opportunities and challenges for E15 and higher blends of ethanol, including a discussion of technical, regulatory, consumer acceptance, and economic challenges. Virtually all gasoline sold in the U.S. today

June 7, 2022 Read Full Article

Sign up by June 30 to Be Counted in the 2022 Census of Agriculture

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, D.C., June 30, 2022 is the last day to sign up for the 2022 Census of Agriculture which is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them and is taken once every five years. The ag census, conducted for

June 6, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Provides COVID Payments for Biofuel Producers

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) It was June 15, 2021 when Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional aid to agricultural producers and businesses as part of the USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, which included $700 billion for biofuels producers, for losses incurred in 2020. Not quite an entire year later, USDA finally made good

June 3, 2022 Read Full Article

Promoting Favorable Ethanol Action through REEEAC

by Kelly Davis (Renewable Fuels Association) On May 24, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC) held its last Charter 6 meeting. REEEAC advises the Secretary of Commerce regarding the development and administration of programs and policies that expand the competitiveness of U.S. exports of renewable energy

May 31, 2022 Read Full Article

Anti-Ethanol Activist Amazingly Ignorant on Ethanol, RFS

by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) On May 20, the Washington Times published a guest column by Jerry Jung, founder of the group “ReThink Ethanol,” in which he demonstrates a complete misunderstanding of the very federal policy he seeks to “rethink.” We responded with the following letter, which the newspaper has not

May 31, 2022 Read Full Article

Chinese Interest in US Ag Assets Could Pose Security Risks, Federal Report Says

by Noah Wicks (Agri-Pulse) China’s push to achieve self-sufficiency, which has incentivized the nation to purchase, and even steal, agricultural assets in other countries, could present risks to the economic and national security of the United States, warns a report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The report says China

May 30, 2022 Read Full Article

Growth Energy, EPA Reach Settlement on Deadline for Issuing 2023 RVO

(Growth Energy) Following settlement discussions with Growth Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to file a notice in the Federal Register on Monday seeking comment on a proposed judicial consent decree that would require EPA to propose the 2023 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) by no later than September 16, 2022

May 23, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Reports Strong Interest for Climate-Smart Commodities Funds DEADLINE Extended: June 10, 2022

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA on May 10 announced it received more than 450 proposals for large-scale projects under its new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. The agency is accepting proposals for smaller-scale projects through June 10. The USDA first announced plans for the initiative in September 2021. The newly

May 19, 2022 Read Full Article

Startups Ask Congress to Fund (more) Carbon Removal R&D

(Carbon 180) Carbon removal startups working across tech and agriculture have penned two letters calling for the Senate and House Appropriations Committees to increase support for both geologic storage (the final resting place for carbon collected via direct air capture and BECCS) and agricultural soil carbon. The variety of signatories paints a picture

May 17, 2022 Read Full Article

USGC Helps Create Demand for US Ethanol in Vietnam

(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council worked with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Vietnam to engage the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and Ministry of Finance (MOF) to reduce most favored nation (MFN) tariffs on imported ethanol, ultimately resulting in new tariff lines that spurred

May 10, 2022 Read Full Article

USGC Engagement Helps Allow US Ethanol to Enter Indonesian Market

(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) U.S. ethanol can now enter the Indonesian market by way of pre-blended fuel following the recent removal of a ban on such products entering the country. This change creates a potential market of more than 200 million gallons (71 million bushels in corn equivalent). The market

May 9, 2022 Read Full Article

Year-Round E15 Is a Good First Step, But More Is Needed to Confront the New Energy Crisis

by C. Boyden Gray (Real Clean Energy) … I’s also one of the most cost-effective green energy solutions available. This is because ethanol is the world’s cheapest and cleanest source of octane. High octane fuels made with ethanol are not only cheaper than unblended gasoline, but they also enable engine designers to

May 6, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Report Highlights Hurdles to Higher Ethanol Blends

(Farm Journal Ag/Web/Pro Farmer Editors) Biofuel and farm groups see E15 and other higher blends of corn ethanol into gasoline as the strategy to increased sales, but the current structure of the Renewable Fuel Standard “does not serve to incentivize ethanol blends higher than E10,” according to a report from

May 5, 2022 Read Full Article

Opinion: Ethanol Helps Cut Toxic Emissions

by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Washington Post) Americans should be thanking President Biden for allowing the continued sale of lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 this summer (letters, “No more ethanol in gas,” April 22). E15 is saving drivers as much as 30 cents per gallon, cutting the typical U.S. household’s annual fuel bill by

May 4, 2022 Read Full Article

Growth Energy Holds EPA to RVO Deadline of June 3rd

(Growth Energy) The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today (April 25, 2022) approved a consent decree agreement between Growth Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that requires EPA to finalize its 2020-2022 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) by no later than June 3rd. The consent decree follows

April 27, 2022 Read Full Article

Deal Elusive on Bipartisan Agriculture Climate Bill

by Mark Heller (E&E News) The House Agriculture panel’s top Republican said he thought a revised “Growing Climate Solutions Act” was on the way to passage — until it wasn’t. — The top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee said a bill to bolster carbon sequestration in farming seemed to be

April 27, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Awards $1.6 Million Biofuel Infrastructure Grant to Royal Farms to Expand Access to Higher-Blend Renewable Fuels for People in Rural Delaware and Maryland

(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Funding Will Add 40 million Gallons of Biofuels to the Market Annually — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is awarding a $1.6 million biofuel infrastructure grant to Royal Farms to expand the availability of higher-blend renewable biofuels

April 25, 2022 Read Full Article

Rural Partners Network Launched: Empowering Rural Communities to Access Federal Resources

(U.S. Department of Energy) The Rural Partners Network is a new collaboration to strengthen the link between federal agencies and rural communities. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is proud to join this effort to help create jobs, build infrastructure, and ensure that federal resources benefit rural America. DOE

April 23, 2022 Read Full Article

Analysis Shows Corn Ethanol’s Energy Balance Is Strongly Positive and Continues to Improve

(Renewable Fuels Association) Today’s corn ethanol now provides nearly three times the energy used to produce it, according to a new analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association, with some biorefineries approaching a four-to-one energy ratio. This continuing improvement in energy balance reflects improved efficiencies in corn production and ethanol processing. “Our nation’s corn

April 20, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Announces Efforts to Boost Homegrown Biofuels

(U.S. Department of Agriculture/Ethanol Producer Magazine) On April 12, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced steps the USDA is taking to implement President Biden’s plan to enable energy independence by boosting homegrown biofuels. “President Biden understands that by expanding our ability to meet our energy needs with homegrown biofuels, we can ensure a more

April 19, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Invests $340,000 to Boost Homegrown Biofuels in NJ

(NJB Magazine) U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director, Jane Asselta, has announced the agency is investing $340,000 in infrastructure and to help expand the use of renewable fuels in New Jersey. Due to these grants, the amount of ethanol sold is projected to increase by 162,715 gallons. “Rural

April 18, 2022 Read Full Article

What’s Next for E15 after Biden’s Announcement?

by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) … It is hard to predict the demand picture under the expanded E15 scenario, but lower estimates of a continued status quo indicate at least 300 million gallons of additional ethanol could be used by consumers with the year-round use of E15. “But (if you

April 15, 2022 Read Full Article

Secy. Vilsack: E15 Won’t Inflate Food Prices, ‘There’s Plenty of Corn Here’

by Jenna Hoffman (Farm Journal/AgWeb) Vilsack says concerns over inflated food costs due to increased E15 consumption can be put to rest — any grocery price hike is not coming from E15 because “there’s plenty of corn here.” — Corn chatter has stretched across The Hill in recent weeks, as USDA

April 15, 2022 Read Full Article

Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority Announces Biofuel Infrastructure Funding

(Missouri Department of Agriculture) Funds will generate more capacity for biofuels in Missouri. — The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) announced it has invested more than $2 million in projects that increase the distribution and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel in the State of Missouri. Expenses incurred

April 8, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Promises COVID Payments Coming Soon

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Two years ago ethanol producers were in the middle of the worst downturn in the industry’s history as the new COVID-19 pandemic put the country at a standstill and production dropped by 50 percent in a month. Under the CARES Act, $700 million was approved to help

April 7, 2022 Read Full Article

World of Renewable Fuels Gathers at ABLC 2022 in Washington, DC

by Justin McPherson (Advanced Biofuels USA) The 2022 ABCL conference, held March 16 – 18 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC, brought together many different companies, organizations, and ‘ordinary’ people from a variety of different backgrounds, all with their own nuanced approach to the world of renewable fuels. The

March 31, 2022 Read Full Article

Soil Carbon Moonshot: Grounding Carbon Storage in Science

(Carbon 180) By focusing on our soils, the US can radically transform the agriculture sector’s relationship to climate change. Yet today’s efforts to promote healthy soils are deeply fragmented. The Soil Carbon Moonshot is a five-year proposal for a coordinated, interagency program to establish the foundational science, tools, and projects

March 22, 2022 Read Full Article

ABLC 2022 – State of the Industry

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ABLC’s theme of “Dawn of Net Zero” and hundreds of delegates from organizations all over the world grappling with the immense opportunities and supply chain challenges posed by the world’s rapid turn towards charting a path toward a post-fossil society. After hearing from leaders

March 17, 2022 Read Full Article

Science Says Thinned Forests Are Healthy Forests

(U.S. Forest Service/Biomass Magazine) Overgrown forests are one of the key contributing factors to the current wildfire crisis in the West. The new Forest Service strategy on Confronting the Wildfire Crisis outlines the agency’s plan for increasing fuels and forest health treatments to create healthier forests and reduce the risk to communities. Forest Service science

March 16, 2022 Read Full Article

Ethanol Can Help Reduce Toxic Gasoline Aromatics

by Savannah Bertrand (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States contains toxic chemicals called aromatic hydrocarbons—mainly mixtures of BTEX chemicals, which stands for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene—that increase octane. Higher octane levels prevent engines from prematurely combusting, or knocking, which can damage the engine and make

March 9, 2022 Read Full Article

Growth Energy Submits RVO Comments to Debunk Anti-ethanol Study

(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Yesterday, Growth Energy submitted supplemental comments to the U.S. EPA responding to erroneous comments from others on the environmental, economic, and compliance impacts of EPA’s proposed 2020, 2021, and 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Growth Energy’s supplemental comments are in addition to its

March 8, 2022 Read Full Article

Soil Carbon Moonshot: Grounding Carbon Storage in Science

by Cristel Zoebisch (Carbon 180) One giant leap for soil carbon – Farmers and ranchers play a central role in the health of our climate and planet. Today, they face more and more pressure from climate change, and one solution — soil carbon sequestration — has the potential to radically transform their

March 4, 2022 Read Full Article

Dev Shrestha: Real-World Data Shows No Food Insecurity or ILUC from Biofuels

by Tammy Klein (Transport Energy Strategies) On this episode of the Fueling the Future podcast, I spoke with Dr. Dev Shrestha of the University of Idaho about the recent paper he co-authored, “Biofuel Impact on Food Prices Index and Land Use Change.” The paper found, among other things that short term food price

March 4, 2022 Read Full Article

Ethanol Versus Oil in Global Crisis: Biofuels Backers, POET Executive Point to Advantages Ethanol Offers in Conflict, Climate

by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) With oil reaching its highest price in nearly 11 years and OPEC nations opting not to increase production, the biofuels industry is clamoring for attention in the U.S. and calling on the Biden administration to support it. At the National Farmers Union annual meeting this

March 3, 2022 Read Full Article

Clear Evidence of How Higher Ethanol Blends Lower Gasoline Prices

by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Pictures worth 1000 words show the prices on March 1 at a Sheetz in Virginia. Compare the E10 Regular to E15 Unleaded 88 and E85 FlexFuel. Compare those to the price of E0 — no ethanol gasoline. The message is clear. Higher ethanol blends

March 2, 2022 Read Full Article

Ethanol Producer Not Optimistic about E15 “Policy Failure” Getting Fixed before Summer

by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) … Erik Huschitt with Badger State Ethanol in Monroe, Wisconsin tells Brownfield America had the one-pound waiver approved by the prior administration, “And then, we have a change in the Supreme Court level that doesn’t acknowledge that change, and so here we are now all

March 1, 2022 Read Full Article

Stabenow and Klobuchar Lead Letter Calling on Biden Administration to Strengthen Federal Support for U.S. Biobased Economy

(U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry) Today, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking the administration to take a meaningful step in addressing the climate crisis by increasing federal investments in

February 23, 2022 Read Full Article

Working Group on Research for Farming of Seaweed And Seagrass — March 8, 22, 29 and April 5, 2022 — ONLINE

(Center for Seafood Solutions at Bigelow Laboratory) Discuss topics relating to seagrass and seaweed research in your region. About this event Facilitated by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the Center for Seafood Solutions at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, this working group will prepare a report that identifies gaps in

February 17, 2022 Read Full Article

Applications Open for the 2022 AgDiscovery Program at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

(University of Maryland Eastern Shore) AgDiscovery is a unique opportunity for students to explore agricultural sciences and gain knowledge about careers in animal and plant disciplines, wildlife management, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, entomology, food safety, food production, agribusiness, forestry, and much more. Students experience hands-on learning workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, laboratory and

February 17, 2022 Read Full Article

Sorghum: A Sweet Proposition for Sustainable Biofuel

(U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) Sweet sorghum is best known for the amber-colored syrup that’s made from its juices. Now, this hardy member of the grass family could also be tapped as a “home-grown” resource for making a renewable transportation fuel called bio-butanol. Towards that end, a team of

February 15, 2022 Read Full Article

Setting the Record Straight on the Environmental Outcomes of the Renewable Fuel Standard

by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) A new report published today (February 14, 2022) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences, funded in part by the National Wildlife Federation, purports to examine the “environmental outcomes” of the Renewable Fuel Standard. In keeping with their previous “research” on biofuels

February 15, 2022 Read Full Article

Sustainable Aviation Fuel on the Global Climate Agenda — Part 4 of a Series, “Sustainable Aviation Fuels: A Critical Emissions Mitigation Strategy Gaining Momentum”

by Jeff Overton (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) During transportation day at COPO26, the focus for the aviation sector was setting targets and commitments for aviation emissions reduction, as well as the announcement of plans and strategies for lowering aviation’s climate impact. This final article in our series on sustainable aviation fuel

February 14, 2022 Read Full Article

Grand Challenge and Federal Legislation Seek to Advance Sustainable Aviation Fuels — Part 2 in a Series, “Sustainable Aviation Fuels: A Critical Emissions Mitigation Strategy Gaining Momentum”

by Jeff Overton (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) … The Biden-Harris Administration and Congress are focusing on expanding the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through multi-agency coordination to reduce climate emissions from aviation…. … On September 9, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration unveiled the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge (the Grand Challenge)

February 14, 2022 Read Full Article

Biogas Biorefineries: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA’s Biogas, RNG Opportunities

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Dairies, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, food processing plants…wherever there’s biomass, there’s potential for biogas and renewable natural gas. Check out this illuminating slide guide from William Orts at the USDA Western Regional Research Center in Albany, CA on biorefineries based on MSW and ag-derived biomass

February 11, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Launches New Round of Cover Crop Payments DEADLINE: March 15, 2022

by Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) Farmers who plant cover crops will be eligible for crop insurance premium subsidies worth $5 an acre for the second year in a row. To qualify for the payments from USDA, farmers must report their cover crop acreage to the Farm Service by March 15. Last year, USDA made

February 10, 2022 Read Full Article

New RFA Reports Summarize 2021 Ethanol, Distillers Grains Trade

(Renewable Fuels Association) According to a pair of new statistical reports released today by the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. exports of ethanol and distillers grains showed resilience in 2021 as the global economy continued to confront the COVID pandemic and supply chain challenges. The annual reports—now in their eighth year—provide industry advocates, policymakers, news media

February 9, 2022 Read Full Article

SfL Lauds Launch of New USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Program DEADLINES April 8 and May 27, 2022 EXTENDED to June 10, 2022

(Solutions from the Land) Solutions from the Land (SfL) wholeheartedly endorses Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, a new USDA program announced today by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “This exciting new program provides another opportunity and pathway to enable farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and other producers to implement climate smart systems and

February 7, 2022 Read Full Article

RFA Supports EPA’s Proposed 2022 RFS Volumes, Urges Agency to Abandon Retroactive Cut to 2020 Volume

(Renewable Fuels Association) In comments submitted today (February 4, 2022) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Renewable Fuels Association expressed strong support for the agency’s proposed 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVO) while opposing the proposed retroactive reduction of the previously finalized 2020 RVO requirements. In early December, EPA published its proposal to set

February 7, 2022 Read Full Article

Lawmakers Take Early Look at Climate-Critical Farm Bill Conservation Programs

(Solutions from the Land) Members of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing with key USDA officials Wednesday that marks an important first step in the development of a 2023 Farm Bill that can be crafted to give farmers, ranchers and forestland owners the best opportunity to

February 3, 2022 Read Full Article

Agricultural Outlook Forum — February 24-25, 2022 — ONLINE

More than 30 sessions and 100 agriculture leaders and subject matter experts will discuss key issues impacting the sector: USDA’s initial forecast for the agricultural economy, commodity markets, and trade in 2022 and discuss U.S. farm income situation Food prices outlook and farm income Supply chain disruptions and impacts of

February 2, 2022 Read Full Article

MN Soybean Members See Biodiesel Conference

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) A dozen Minnesota soybean and biodiesel industry leaders had the opportunity to attend the recent National Biodiesel Conference on behalf of the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council’s (MSR&PC) See For Yourself (SFY) program. The SFY Program was originally created as an evaluation to ensure checkoff dollars were being used effectively

January 31, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Amends Program Offering $700M in COVID-19 Aid for Biofuels

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service is amending its program offering $700 million in COVID-19 aid to biofuel producers by allowing production to meet marketing obligations or fulfill or maintain essential markets to be included in the calculations of a biofuel producer’s market losses as a

January 28, 2022 Read Full Article

Anaerobic Digestion Screening Tool, Version 2.1 and EPA Biogas Toolkit

(Global Methane Initiative) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on behalf of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), developed the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Screening Tool to assist stakeholders in assessing the potential feasibility of an AD project. The AD Screening Tool enables users to conduct pre-feasibility analyses to evaluate AD opportunities for a

January 25, 2022 Read Full Article

Vilsack Says the Future for Biofuels Remains Bright

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed the important role biofuels and biobased manufacturing play in the rural economy and highlighted the agency’s efforts to support those industries during a Jan. 20 hearing held by the House Agriculture Committee. In his opening statement, Vilsack focused on the

January 21, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Launches Pilot Program to Deploy Renewable Energy Infrastructure to People in Rural Towns

(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Funding Will Help People in Particularly Underserved Rural Communities Cut Energy Costs, Increase Energy Resiliency and Address Climate Change — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department is making up to $10 million available to help people living in rural

January 20, 2022 Read Full Article

Report Shows Impact of COVID-19 on Canadian Ethanol Industry

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network illustrates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canada’s ethanol industry and provides an overview of the country’s draft Clean Fuel Standard. Canadian ethanol production fell to an eight year low

January 19, 2022 Read Full Article

Casey’s Receives Biodiesel Marketing Award from Iowa’s Agriculture Secretary

(Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship/Biobased Diesel Daily) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Jan. 11 that the winners of the 2022 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards are Danlee Corp. and Casey’s General Stores. The awards were created to recognize fuel marketers that have gone above and beyond in

January 18, 2022 Read Full Article

White House Will Recruit Rural Land for New Clean Energy Projects, Could It Create Too Much Competition for Land?

by Tyne Morgan (Farm Journal AgWeb) The Biden Administration is ramping up its efforts to deploy clean energy infrastructure across the country. The White House announced this week plans to utilize public lands and rural America for wind, solar and other clean energy projects, but admits it will be a balance to ensure

January 14, 2022 Read Full Article

Ethanol Producers to Electric Car Makers: We’re Greener than You Are

by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) With automakers shifting toward the production of electric cars and trucks, the ethanol industry said on Wednesday that biofuels will be an important tool against global warming, and arguably create less pollution than battery-powered vehicles. The comparison was based on life-cycle costs for the power sources,

January 14, 2022 Read Full Article

Explainer-What Is at Stake for the U.S. Biofuel Blending Law in 2022 and Beyond

by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters/Investing.com) The U.S. biofuel blending program known as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could see its most transformative year yet in 2022, as the Biden Administration must make decisions to reset statutes that mandate U.S. renewable fuel blending. … Refiners that do not blend the biofuels can

January 11, 2022 Read Full Article

Carbon Negative Biofuels Can Build Soil and Rural Prosperity

by Chuck Hassebrook, David Laird and Jill Euken (The Gazette) … That pathway is the Pyrolysis-Biochar-Bioenergy Platform, which produces biofuel and biochar by heating crop residue, grass, wood or other forms of biomass in the absence of oxygen. Biochar is a form of charcoal that lasts hundreds to thousands of years

January 10, 2022 Read Full Article

OPINION: Take the Opportunity to Save on Capital Improvements

by Robert White (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … While the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit expired at the end of 2021, it still provides fuel marketers the ability to claim a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost, up to $30,000, for fueling equipment for E85 and other alternatives

January 6, 2022 Read Full Article

Report: Japan’s Ethanol Blend Level Averages 1.8% in 2021

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Fuel ethanol consumption in Japan is expected to reach 823 million liters (217.41 million gallons) in 2021, down from 850 million liters in 2020, according to a report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network in late December. Japan currently has

January 6, 2022 Read Full Article

USDA Secretary Vilsack Meets with GE Aviation on Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Reduce CO2

by Jay Stowe (GE Aviation/Biobased Diesel Daily) After leading USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on a tour of the engine development assembly facility at GE Aviation’s headquarters in Evendale, Ohio, in early December, chief engineer Chris Lorence posed a rhetorical question to the reporters assembled for a news conference: “What does the