by Scott Irwin (farmdoc daily) In a farmdoc daily article last week (January 29, 2025), we examined a range of alternative scenarios for setting the 2026 mandates under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In two of the scenarios, the conventional mandate was
Blend wall
Back TO HOMETrump Picks Ex-congressman Zeldin to Run Environmental Protection Agency
by Timothy Gardner and David Shepardson (Reuters) Zeldin voted against Biden's climate change law; Opposed NY goal to ban gasoline-powered cars by 2035; In Congress, Zeldin backed environmental bills 14% of the time -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday
November 12, 2024 Read Full Article
You Can’t Fly with Lead Wings, or Corn Ethanol’s SAF CI Problem
by Steven Slome, Jia Ming Ong and Matthew Morton (NexantECA/Biofueld Digest) ... Accordingly, the main tool for achieving the goal of aviation decarbonization is currently liquid Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF production is poised to grow significantly, supported by governmental measures such
January 16, 2024 Read Full Article
California, The Ethanol State?
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Consider this: In 2022, more than 103 million gallons of E85 was purchased in California for use in flex-fuel vehicles. Importantly, the E85 sales figure for 2022 represents a 66 percent
January 11, 2024 Read Full Article
The Renewable Fuel Standard Shattered the “Blend Wall” for Ethanol
by Scott Richman (Renewable Fuels Association) ... But no one really talks about the “blend wall” anymore. Why? Because ethanol’s blend rate has exceeded 10.0% every year since 2016 and hit a record 10.38% in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information
November 22, 2023 Read Full Article
State-Level Data: Ethanol ‘Blend Wall’ Demolished in 2021
(Renewable Fuels Association) As higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85 continued to expand in the marketplace in 2021, thirty-five states and the District of Columbia blasted through the so-called 10% ethanol “blend wall,” according to data released today (January 20,
January 23, 2023 Read Full Article
Report: Design of RFS Limits Incentives for E85
(Agricultural & Applied Economics Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The nested design of the Renewable Fuel Standard is limiting incentives for blenders to sell higher blends of ethanol (E85) and has instead resulted in increasing blending of biodiesel to comply with the RFS.
September 29, 2022 Read Full Article
Design of the Renewable Fuel Standard Implicated in Leading to the Ethanol Blend Wall
(Agricultural and Applied Economics Association/CISION) The nested design of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is limiting incentives for blenders to sell higher blends of ethanol (E85) and has instead resulted in increasing blending of biodiesel to comply with the RFS. The
September 20, 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
July 06, 2022 Read Full Article
Big Oil Built the Blend Wall
by Robert White (Renewable Fuels Association) ... In case you’ve forgotten, refiners use the term “blend wall” to refer to what they view as the upper limit of feasible ethanol use in the United States, which they peg at 10 percent
June 09, 2022 Read Full Article
Low Carbon Fuels Strategy Call for Ideas: Response from Coryton
(Coryton) ... Consequently, Coryton firmly believes that we need to move away from the focusing on the tailpipe emissions as this effectively 1) ignores the upstream carbon emissions associated with the manufacture of battery packs, the production of hydrogen and the
May 13, 2022 Read Full Article
45 years of AgriNews: From ‘Gasohol’ to over 15 Billion Gallons
by Tom Doran (AgriNews) ... AgriNews is celebrating its anniversary by reviewing some of the top agricultural issues over the past 45 years. ... Ethanol has been used as an energy source for nearly 200 years, but when the oil
March 22, 2022 Read Full Article
The Outlook for the World’s Largest Biofuels Market
(Bloomberg NEF) ... BloombergNEF’s ‘U.S. Biofuels Outlook’ analyzes the key themes shaping the outlook for biofuels for road use and otherwise. Currently, almost all biofuels are consumed on roads. They are blended into conventional road fuels, gasoline and diesel, and so
September 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Ad Urges Visiting Trump to ‘Tear down That (Blend)’ Wall’
by Mikkel Pates (Ag Week) Ethanol proponents try to make some political hay with President Donald Trump when he visits Rapid City. They ask that he “tear down that wall” of 10% ethanol blends, and allow ethanol to climb to
July 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Stop the Anti-Ethanol Ridiculousness--An Open Letter Reply to an Unmistakable Editorial Failure
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) This past Saturday, a media outlet called THE ATLANTIC published an anti-ethanol editorial titled "STOP THE ETHANOL MADNESS." ... The following is my rebuttal to him and THE ATLANTIC: Dear Editors - The anti-ethanol editorial written by
November 25, 2019 Read Full Article
How Big Ethanol Plans Will Rock Global Corn and Sugar Markets
(Gro Intelligence) ... Today, a record amount of ethanol is produced globally, and expectations are for further growth as three of the world’s largest ethanol producing countries move ahead with expansion plans. US proposals, which are aimed at shoring up demand
November 08, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: ... Inadequate Domestic Supply
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) ... The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on July 28, 2017, https://www.dtnpf.com/…, ruled the EPA erred in how it interpreted an "inadequate domestic supply" waiver provision in the RFS on 2016
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Vertimass Completes First Technology License To Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc.
(Vertimass/Oil&Gas 360) Vertimass' ethanol to renewable chemicals and jet fuel offers ethanol producers new product capabilities -- Vertimass completed its first technology license agreement with Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. in West Palm Beach, Florida, to produce renewable jet fuel along with Benzene, Toluene,
July 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Europe, US Aim to Boost Ethanol Share in Gasoline, but Obstacles Remain
by Solomon Lanitis, Chrysa Glystra and Wesley Swift (S&P Global Platts) Ambitious emissions targets are driving governments across the globe to mandate greater use of biofuels in gasoline, and higher-ethanol blends of gasoline look set to make further inroads in the EU
June 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Flores and Welch Reintroduce Bill to Limit Ethanol Quotas under RFS
by Nick Snow (Oil & Gas Journal) US Reps. Bill Flores (R-Tex.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) reintroduced legislation on May 7 which would limit ethanol quotas under the Renewable Fuel Standard to 9.7% of the total gasoline volumes projected to be
May 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Inhofe, Senators Urge RFS Policy to Reflect Market Realities
(Office of Senator James N. Inhofe (R-OK)) In advance of the upcoming proposed rulemaking for the 2020 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) led a letter urging Administrator Wheeler to reset
May 02, 2019 Read Full Article
New EIA Data Confirms Ethanol Demand Destruction in 2018
(Renewable Fuels Association) Total Ethanol Consumption and Average Blend Rate Both Saw Year-Over-Year Declines -- Data released today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals the extensive damage to 2018 ethanol demand that resulted from former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s egregious abuse
March 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Scaling the Ethanol 'Blend Wall' Ultimately Consumers' Decision
by John Duff (Delta Farm Press/National Sorghum Producers) ... The Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership program is a grassroots effort to fund new infrastructure for e15. Selling higher blends of ethanol at convenience stores sometimes requires new equipment or modifications to existing equipment,
December 11, 2018 Read Full Article
High-Yield Hydrocarbons from Ethanol: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Vertimass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vertimass technology was originated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where scientists discovered novel catalysts that convert a wide range of alcohols into various hydrocarbon blend stocks which can be used in existing gasoline, diesel and jet
August 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Provides Value to Everyone in the Chain
by John Duff (Delta Farm Press) ... Regardless of policy, ethanol presents a value proposition to all involved. Ethanol gives farmers access to more markets and greater global market liquidity. In a world where 74% of the variance in the price
June 26, 2018 Read Full Article
REX American: A Good To Great Ethanol Company
(Viking Analytics/Seeking Alpha) REX consistently outperforms its peers in making ethanol profitably. REX has zero debt, a large cash position, and has announced plans to buy back more shares. Stuart Rose, the Chairman of REX, displays the characteristics of a Level 5 Leader.
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
RFS Roundup: Potential Impacts of the GREENER Fuels Act on Cellulosic Fuels Development
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Riding the recent wave of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) reform talks, Representative Welch (D-VT) and Senator Udall (D-NM) introduced the Growing Renewable Energy through Existing and New Environmentally Responsible Fuels Act (GREENER Fuels Act)
March 18, 2018 Read Full Article
RIN Price Cap a Demand Cap: Oil Industry Study Makes Ethanol Industry's Case on Motive, Impact
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) A study commissioned by the country's largest oil refiner explains how a waiver credit would freeze ethanol demand. Ethanol industry groups are pointing to several statements in the oil industry's own report to make the
March 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Over 30 States Broke Blend Wall in 2016
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The latest data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) shows that gasoline consumed in 30 states and the District of Columbia in 2016 contained more than 10 percent ethanol on average, breaking through the so-called E10 Blend
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Cornyn's Biofuels Bid
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Texas Republican John Cornyn is drawing up ideas for new legislation to overhaul the Renewable Fuel Standard, in a bid to end the stalemate between corn-state lawmakers and oily ones. "Cornyn's office has been hosting talks for
January 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Groups Celebrate 10 Years of RFS
by Hagstrom Report (The Fence Post) Renewable fuels groups this week issued statements celebrating the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which established the Renewable Fuel Standard and called for an even bigger commitment
December 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Crossing the Valley of NLACM with Alcohol-to-Hydrocarbon Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s one crossing worse than the Valley of Death and that is the Valley of NLACM. Although it sounds more like a goose trying to say “You’ll like him” — it’s the Natural Law of Alternative Commodity
September 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Top 10 Storylines: Heard on the Floor at the 2017 BIO World Congress
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Industrial biotech’s biggest and grandest show, the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology, opened today in Montreal and BIO itself was in the newsframe with a striking report debunking myths around RIN price surges. 10 Hot Newstories
July 25, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Announces Proposed Volume Standards for 2018, and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2019
(Environmental Protection Agency) On July 5, 2017 EPA issued proposed volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard program for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel for calendar year 2018. EPA also proposed biomass-based diesel volume standards for calendar year 2019. The proposed volume requirements
July 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Thoughts from the Fuel Ethanol Workshop and National Advanced Biofuels Conference and Expo
by Douglas Root* (Advanced Biofuels USA) From the Welcome Reception on Monday to the last session on Wednesday, there was new information presented and new developments reported. At the opening of the expo, many vendors were not able to participate in
June 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Free Trade Needed to Maximize Biofuels’ Benefit
by Bliss Baker (Global Renewable Fuels Alliance/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... The recent rise of economic populist and protectionist language used in several countries is a troubling sign as it could harm investors’ confidence at a time when the biofuels industry’s future
May 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol at Forefront on Earth Day
by Tom C. Doran (AgriNews Publications) Renewable fuels have come a long way since the first Earth Day 47 years ago, when gasohol was promoted as a way to reduce petroleum use. As part of this year’s observance, Robert White, Renewable Fuels
May 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels Supporters, Opponents Spar During EPA Teleconference
by Michael Schneider (Oil Price Information Service) Supporters and opponents of biofuels expressed predictably contrasting viewpoints during a teleconference held today by EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). The call was held to solicit input on regulations OAR oversees that could
April 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Consumption Shatters Blend Wall in 2016
by Ben Neulle (Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network) Gasoline consumed in the United States in 2016 contained more than 10 percent ethanol on average for the first time ever. This is according to an analysis of U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. Rachel
April 24, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Tells EPA to Keep RFS on Track
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) sent a letter today to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt urging him to keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on track in 2018. “The ethanol industry was highly encouraged by your commitment to
April 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Keeps Growing Economic Impact
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) ... According to the latest study by ABF Economics, the U.S. ethanol industry added $42.1 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2016 and supported nearly 340,000 jobs. “The ethanol industry continues to make a significant
March 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Battle Brewing over Ethanol Program Post 2022
by Jonathan H. Harsch (Agri-Pulse) Ethanol already supplies over 10 percent of the U.S. gasoline market and the fuel’s share is growing. Yet Congressman Bill Flores, who wants to see ethanol capped at 9.7 percent of the market, is holding back on
March 07, 2017 Read Full Article
EIA Data Shows Blend Wall Broken in 2016 with Production at 15.33 Billion Gallons
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. ethanol production set a new record of 15.33 billion gallons (bg) in 2016, according to data released today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA data also show that the average
March 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol and Biofuel Policies
by Nicolas Loris (DownsizingGovernment.org/The Heritage Foundation) ... The problem is not with the voluntary use of biofuels in the marketplace, but rather policies that mandate and subsidize biofuels. ... Congress should end its intervention in the biofuels industry. It should terminate subsidies
February 14, 2017 Read Full Article
What Blend Wall? Why Facts Trump Rhetoric Every Time
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) Half of U.S. states blended more than 10 percent ethanol, RFA's president and CEO points out in his View from the Hill column -- Reps. Bill Flores, R-Texas, and Peter Welch, D-Vt., introduced legislation
January 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Northey Recognizes Efforts by Fuel Marketers to Offer and Promote Renewable Fuels
(Iowa Department of Agriculture) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced that Charlie Good from Good & Quick in Nevada and Richard Weiner from Cartersville Elevator, Inc. in Nora Springs are the 2017 winners of the Secretary’s Ethanol and Biodiesel
January 13, 2017 Read Full Article
DOE: Twenty-five States Crack E10 Blend Wall
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Though the national average percentage of ethanol in gasoline came in at 9.91% in 2015, according to the Energy Information Administration, half of all states now see ethanol in more than 10% of gasoline
December 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Administration Could Be a Bend in the Road for Biofuels Blending
by Meghan Gordon and Brian Scheid (Platts) Total renewable fuel is slated to be more than 10% of the US fuel supply in 2017, breaking through the so-called blendwall. But how will a new presidential administration affect targets for the Renewable
December 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Back on Track: EPA Issues On-Time, Robust Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes for 2017-18
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Environmental Protection Agency released the 2017 renewable fuel volume obligations (and the 2018 volume obligations for biomass-based diesel), with a strong push beyond what has been termed the “blend wall” and
November 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Reject Backward Thinking on Carbon
by Carol Werner (Environmental and Energy Study Institute/Morning Consult) ... H.R. 5180, a proposal introduced by U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-Texas), would place a 9.7 percent cap on consumption of homegrown biofuels, rolling back 11 years of progress under the Renewable
November 07, 2016 Read Full Article
My Turn: EPA Effort to Increase Amount of Ethanol in Gas Misguided
by Lee Lajoie (Concord Monitor) Monday’s Monitor included a very interesting article on the cost of upgrading gasoline pumps to accept microchip-enabled credit cards. The article placed the average price of a new pump at approximately $17,000 and highlighted the
November 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Don’t Let Foreign Interests Prevent US Biofuels Future
by Retired Maj. Gen. Paul D. Eaton (The Hill/VoteVets.org) Ninety-seven percent America’s motor fuel is blended with homegrown ethanol. From an energy security perspective, this is major progress that should be celebrated and encouraged. Energy is not a luxury; it’s a necessity
October 21, 2016 Read Full Article
#Ethanol Breaking Through Blend Wall
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The average amount of ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply hit a new record last week of 10.4 percent, just breaking through the 10% blend wall for the second time in a month, according to the
October 21, 2016 Read Full Article
Lies and Big Oil Fiction
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biofuel critics will continue to distort the truth to fit their own narrative, but you can bet the ethanol industry will hit back with the truth each and every time. -- Stop
October 21, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA: Data Show the So-Called “Blend Wall” Is Crumbling
(Renewable Fuels Association) Gasoline supplied to the U.S. market last week contained an average of 10.4 percent ethanol, according to data released this morning by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). It was the second time in the last four weeks
October 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Once More into the Blendwall Breach
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) The American Petroleum Institute is hoping that when the EPA sets final biofuel volumes later this year, it will reduce the percentage of ethanol required for blending with gasoline to something under 9.7 percent of total
October 19, 2016 Read Full Article
“The Myth of High RIN Prices As Proof of the Blend Wall”: New Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization released the new white paper, “The Myth of High RIN Prices As Proof of the Blend Wall,” analyzing data recently released by EPA on compliance with the Renewable Fuel
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
It’s Time to End the Myth That High RIN Prices Prove Existence of the Blend Wall
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) ... Data recently released by EPA refutes the widely held assumption that reaching and exceeding the blend wall caused the 2013 rise in RIN prices. This newly available data calls for a thorough
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Share in US Fuel Market Rises to Record 10.2%
(Biofuels International) The share of ethanol in the US petrol market rose to 10.2% last week, according to a report published by the US Energy Information Association (EIA) on Wednesday. The increase in market share breaches the so called blend
September 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Like Consumer Choice at the Pump? Don’t Back Blend Wall Bill
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) If legislation was introduced that would prevent the latest iPhone from being sold and instead require users to return to the days of big brick phones and other technology relics, you’d be up in arms.
September 21, 2016 Read Full Article
Another Brick in the Blend Wall
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) The Renewable Fuels Association, an ethanol producers trade group, is taking out ads in POLITICO, The Hill and Morning Consult opposing a bill that would cap the amount of renewable fuels that could be blended
September 20, 2016 Read Full Article
#Ethanol Plant to Gas Station Lowers Pump Prices
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Ethanol provides consumers savings at the pump – especially when the retailer passes along the RIN (Renewable Identification Number) savings to their customers. No one knows this better than Dave Sovereign, Chairman of the Board of Directors
August 30, 2016 Read Full Article
The RINferno, as It Burns up America’s Venture into Advanced Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... There’s a separate category of RINs for advanced biofuels. These are fuels that have at least a 50% reduction in fossil fuels compared to 2005 baseline gasoline. Overall, to qualify under the RFS, you need
August 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Ned Bowman: Common Sense Renewable Fuel Legislation Is at the Forefront
by Ned Bowman (Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association/Florida Politics) ... The RFS was originally intended to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but over time the National Association of Clean Air Agencies discovered that it had produced higher emissions of
August 16, 2016 Read Full Article
Oil Group to Advertise for Reforms to EPA's Biofuel Mandate
by Kyle Feldscher (The Washington Examiner) The oil industry is planning to make a major advertising push in a wide swath of states against the Environmental Protection Agency's Renewable Fuel Standard in the coming weeks. Frank Macchiarola, director of the American
August 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Blend Wall Crumbles in Retailers’ Eyes
by Ron Lamberty (Ethanol Producer Magazine) There is no such thing as a 10 percent blend wall unless petroleum marketers don't allow a choice. Independent retailers are demonstrating the blend wall can be breached. -- When the U.S. EPA held
August 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Nearly 42,500 Comments Filed on 2017 RFS Proposal
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The comment period on the U.S. EPA’s proposed rule to set 2017 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), along with 2018 RVOs for biomass-based diesel, has officially closed. According to information
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Realities of the Market
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) EPA's proposed rule reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the RFS's purpose, which was designed to change the realities of the market and the way oil companies do business, and to spur investment
June 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Blasts EPA 'Hogwash'
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) The ethanol industry will lay into the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday for proposing a 2017 renewable fuel standard that it says is based on oil industry "hogwash." The industry also will threaten continued litigation if
June 09, 2016 Read Full Article
What Kevin Cramer Is Telling Trump about Making American Energy Great Again
by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg) Say what you will about the EPA, but it doesn’t take the easy way out. EPA issued its proposal for the 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard yesterday, surprisingly early given that it has been increasingly tardy in issuing the
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Grease Is the Word
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In short, renewable fuels has reached a crisis of growth in the United States — years of expansion have halted, and everyone is entitled to ask why. ... Let’s look at the hard data. Demand signals As
April 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Push Poll Push Back
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The American Petroleum Institute has unveiled yet another anti-biofuel poll. The latest released during a media call today was conducted by Harris Poll. According to the poll, 77 percent of registered voters are concerned that breaching
April 06, 2016 Read Full Article
CA Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Questioned: Study Raises Doubts About Long-Term Viability of Rule
by Todd Neeley (DTN/The Progressive Farmer) California's controversial low-carbon fuel standard may not be able to survive long term unless more biodiesel and corn-based ethanol are allowed into the state's market quickly, according to a new study. The analysis, conducted by
April 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Big Oil Could Lose $10 Billion if E15 is the New Regular
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) A new report by Reuters indicates that the oil industry could lose $10 billion annually if E15 replaces E10 and becomes the new regular in gas stations across the country. The report, which can be found here, said
March 31, 2016 Read Full Article
The Petrified Forest, or Who Moved my $80 Oil?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Are high prices good for renewable fuels? The hard data actually goes the other way. The Digest investigates. ... What we can see from the following chart is confirmation that fracking and other enhanced oil
December 07, 2015 Read Full Article
The 2016 US Outlook for Ethanol and Biodiesel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... “In the old days, ethanol was a political commodity,” Informa Economics Senior VP Scott Richman told the crowd assembled at the Canadian Bioeconomy Conference in Vancouver this week, organized by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. “Now, it’s
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Is Obama Doing Inhofe's Dirty Work on Biofuels?
by Paul Alexander (Huffington Post) ... "That's the biggest risk we face -- not acting," Obama said. "Today, we're continuing to lead by example. Because ultimately, if we're going to prevent large parts of this earth from becoming not only inhospitable but
November 12, 2015 Read Full Article
8 Ways around the Big, Bad Oxygen Problem in the Advanced Bioeconomy Parts 1 and 2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the terrestrial world, oxygen is colorless, odorless, and try to get through an hour without some. In the Bioeconomy Cinematic Universe, oxygen is harder than steel, heavier than a black hole, and higher than
October 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Ex-Sen. Talent Launches Advocacy Group to Boost RFS
by Amanda Reilly (E&E/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Former Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) today will launch a new group to boost the nation’s biofuel policy. The group, Americans for Energy Security and Innovation, will seek to mobilize elected officials in support of the renewable
October 01, 2015 Read Full Article
E85 Makes Original RFS Target Feasible
by Sebastien Pouliot and Bruce A. Babcock (Iowa Farmer Today) ... Estimation of the demand for E85 requires data matching various E85 price levels with the corresponding amount of E85 sales. A rich source of data was provided to us that we
September 28, 2015 Read Full Article
API Study Claims RFS Damage: Biofuel Producers Pan Oil Industry Study Attacking Ethanol
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) ... Biofuels interest groups denounced the study as a rehash of a similar effort in 2012 that made predictions that were provably false. ... Biofuels interest groups countered that the NERA study is just a
September 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Grassley Pressures EPA on Biofuel Targets
by Jason W. Brooks (Newton Daily News) ... U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley spoke with the Newton Daily News about RFS issues in a recent conference call. Grassley said there are number of ways Congress can attempt to persuade the EPA to
August 26, 2015 Read Full Article
7 Blendwall Busters
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What are the infrastructure hold-ups with renewable fuels? What are 7 Blend Wall Busters that can get renewable fuels back into high gear? ... Between 13.5 billion gallons and the 36 billion gallon target envisioned by
August 19, 2015 Read Full Article
The Future of Low-Carbon Road Transport: What Role for Second-Generation Biofuels?
by Joern Huenteler and Henry Lee (Belfer Center Programs or Projects) The promise, prospects, and public policy trade-offs related to second-generation biofuels in road transport were addressed in an executive session convened at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan,
July 29, 2015 Read Full Article
As EPA Hands Down New Rules on Renewable Fuel Standard, Critics Say 'Blend Wall' a Fiction Created by Big Oil
by Paul Alexander (Huffington Post) ... For the first time since it was conceived a decade ago, the Obama Administration has proposed weakening the RFS -- a blow to the green movement, the biofuels business, and especially the ethanol industry. The reduced
July 01, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Trade Groups Discuss RFS Rulemaking, Announce Ad Campaign
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine/Ethanol Producer Magazine) On May 12, representatives of two biofuel trade organizations discussed the choice the White House and U.S. EPA face in proposing upcoming renewable volume requirements (RVOs) under the renewable fuel standard. Bob Dinneen, president
May 13, 2015 Read Full Article
ACE: Blend Wall Cost Reporting Wrong
by Joanna Schroeder (Domestic Fuels) Several recent media reports have reported that the “blend wall” cost refiners nearly $1.35 billion last year. The blend wall is the amount of ethanol that can be blended into the fuel supply. Today is this considered
May 13, 2014 Read Full Article
RIN Stocks Part I - Valuation
by Rob Johansson and Seth Meyer (USDA/FarmDocDaily) ... It is clear that the bankable (and borrowable) nature of RINs allow obligated parties to optimize their compliance costs over time. In the past, pre-blendwall, it was relatively inexpensive to generate and save surplus RINs allowed
April 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol Fights for Life
by Mark Peplow (Nature) Pioneering biofuel producers hope that US government largesse will ease their way into a tough market. ...Thousands of tonnes of corn stover — the leaves, stalks and husks left over after the maize harvest — are already waiting,
March 13, 2014 Read Full Article
Bipartisan Group of Legislators Introduce RFS Reform Act
(Office of Representative Jim Costa (D-CA 16th)) Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Steve Womack (R-AR), and Peter Welch (D-VT) released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the RFS Reform Act in the U.S. House of Representatives: “The
October 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Burning Down the Rumor Mill on 2014 RFS Requirements: RVOs Must Reflect Statutory Authority
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) EPA’s proposed rule establishing 2014 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is expected to be published soon. Many believe the 2014 RVO will, for the first time ever, require obligated
October 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blend Wall? What Blend Wall?
by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The oil industry has formally petitioned the EPA to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2014, arguing that the ethanol market is saturated. But now that corn and ethanol
September 20, 2013 Read Full Article
‘Blend Wall’ Closes in, and Lobbies Spar over Impact
by Javier E. David (CNBC) ..."They act as if they didn't see this coming," said Adam Monroe, president of Novozymes North America, a biotechnoloy company that makes enzymes used in biofuel production. Given the onset of the 2008 recession
September 16, 2013 Read Full Article
How Big Ethanol Hopes You’re a Dope
by Alex Fitzsimmons (Institute for Energy Research) ...Millions of gallons of ethanol would be produced and used every year without the Renewable Fuel Standard since refiners would use it as an oxygenate. The problem is not ethanol per se, the problem
September 05, 2013 Read Full Article
What’s Really Happening with the So-called ‘Blend Wall’? A Fuels America Briefing
by Sarah Dik (Biotechnology Industry Organization) The public dialog surrounding the Renewable Fuel Standard is robust- and filled with misinformation. On July 11, Rep. Lee Terry and Rep. Bruce Braley held the third of a series of briefings, which focused
July 25, 2013 Read Full Article
COLUMN-Biodiesel Could Ease U.S. "Blend Wall": Wynn
by Gerard Wynn (Reuters) Biodiesel could in future ease so-called ethanol "blend wall" concerns facing the U.S. transportation fuel industry, whose capacity to blend corn ethanol in gasoline is nearing its physical limit. The biodiesel industry has ample production capacity and
July 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Iowa Takes Aggressive Step to Tear Down Big Oil’s Bogus Blend Wall
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Passage of Retailer “Bill of Rights” Shows Commitment to Local Retailers and Consumer Fuel Choice The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today applauded the Iowa Legislature’s passage of H.F. 640 as a big step in supporting fuel choice
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Big Oil’s Choice: Complain About 70-Cent RINs, or Invest 6 Cents in Modern Infrastructure?
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) ...Still, all this rhetoric from Big Oil about the economic impacts of RINs and the so-called “blend wall” got us thinking about a simple question: If oil refiners and gasoline marketers actually decided to invest
March 22, 2013 Read Full Article
I Have a Ream: Biofuels Digest’s 60-Second Guide to this Week’s DC Overload
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week in Washington, it has been one for the record books, emailwise and biofuelswise. Reams and reams of emails attest to the seriousness of the stakes — as NGOs, trade associations and Congress paper
March 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Idle Ethanol Plants Wait for New Fuel Standards
by Grant Gerlock (KBIA) Ethanol is an up and down industry, and right now it’s down. Ethanol plants in at least 13 states have stopped running over recent months because of higher corn prices and lower demand for the biofuel.
March 20, 2013 Read Full Article
The 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard: Biofuels Digest’s 10-Minute Guide
by Jim Lane ( Biofuels Digest) ...In Washington, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its proposed 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS2). The proposal will be open for a 45-day public comment period and EPA will consider feedback from a range
February 01, 2013 Read Full Article
If You Have the Stones: The Ethanol Blend Wall, Revisited
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Ah, that was a time when leaders had the stones to set difficult targets and stick to them, preferring to bet on American know-how than organize the sounding of the retreat. “We choose to go
January 18, 2013 Read Full Article
House Republicans Plan to Put Fuel Standard on Trial in Next Congress
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) House Republicans plan to put the renewable fuel standard on trial next Congress, a House Energy and Commerce Committee aide told The Hill. Committee staff is gearing up for hearings on the subject, citing recent
December 17, 2012 Read Full Article
Collision Coming between Biofuels Mandates and Market Reality
by University of Illinois (Western Farm Press) Beyond 2013, there are real questions about the feasibility of meeting the ever-increasing requirements of the RFS, and this concern goes beyond the well-known difficulties with meeting the mandate for cellulosic biofuels. ...There are
October 15, 2012 Read Full Article
The 2012 London Olympics, Biofuels-Style: BP to Showcase Its Three Most Advanced Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the 2012 Summer Games approach, BP Biofuels launches its showcase for cellulosic ethanol, renewable diesel, and biobutanol. Amidst the blizzard of demo drives and informational marketing, why are these molecules key to “fueling the
July 23, 2012 Read Full Article
U.S. Gasoline Rises to Record Premium over Ethanol
by Michael Hirtzer (Reuters) U.S. gasoline futures soared to a record premium over ethanol on Monday as gas prices topped $4 per gallon in some states while stocks of the biofuel were likely to continue swelling, analysts and traders said. With retail gasoline in
March 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Has Ethanol Lost Its License To Drive The Corn Market?
by Stu Ellis (FarmGateBlog) ...Now the bloom is off the rose. Gasoline demand is down, the blend wall is pushing ethanol demand down, and corn prices are not as strong as they once were. ...He (Bob Wisner, biofuels economist at Iowa
March 23, 2012 Read Full Article
By the Numbers: Trends and Patterns in the Ethanol Industry
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The arrival of the blend wall and expected increase in E85 prices due to the lapse of VEETC are two factors that have complicated the future outlook of ethanol use, (Bob) Wisner says. Analyzing
March 14, 2012 Read Full Article
'Generic Fuel' Might Make Good Slogan
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol – the generic fuel. Nice phrase that might have some merit as a slogan. It’s adapted from a letter to the editor from Merle Wise, Sebastian, Fla. that was posted on www.tcpalm.com, the website of
January 20, 2012 Read Full Article
Hart Energy Report Suggests Blend Wall Could Drive up RIN Prices
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The anticipated saturation of the U.S. ethanol market could have interesting implications for the future renewable identification numbers (RINs) market, according to a report recently released by Hart Energy. The report, which offers advice
December 22, 2011 Read Full Article
E15 Ethanol: Bridge to Tomorrow, or Bridge to Nowhere?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...E15 blending, goes the argument, can provide the immediate market growth that will absorb current capacity, and create room in the marketplace to meet RFS renewable fuel mandates, and create a market for cellulosic ethanol. To
June 08, 2011 Read Full Article
Ford, GM Join Legal Fight against E15
by Steve Gelsi and Jeffry Bartash (MarketWatch) Blend of 15% ethanol may cause problems, group warns A trade group that includes automotive giants Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. has joined forces with other vehicle and engine makers to sound a
December 21, 2010 Read Full Article
Bogus Logic in E15 Suits
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In a thinly veiled attempt to further line their pockets, the meat and poultry industry, and the grocery and convenience store associations, are once again trying to stop the advance of ethanol use in
November 22, 2010 Read Full Article
EPA Grants E15 Waiver for Newer Vehicles/A New Label for E15 Is Being Proposed to Help Ensure Consumers Use the Correct Fuel
(US Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a limitation on selling fuel that is more than 10 percent ethanol for model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. The waiver applies to fuel that
October 13, 2010 Read Full Article
Texans Seek Industry Legal Protection from Higher Ethanol Use
by Darren Goode (The Hill) Texas lawmakers in both parties are seeking legal protection for oil refiners and others that fear exposure to costly lawsuits if EPA allows an increase in the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline. ...The Texas lawmakers
October 06, 2010 Read Full Article
E15 Scenarios
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) Sometime in the coming days, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to announce a partial waiver decision allowing the use of E15 in light duty vehicles with a model year (MY) of 2007 or
October 06, 2010 Read Full Article
More Ethanol In Gasoline: 'Minimal Risk' To Old Cars, Study Says
by John Voelcker (GreenCarReports.com) We've written before about just how worried automakers are at proposals by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to increase the ethanol content of pump gasoline from 10 to 12 or even 15 percent. They fear it will damage
September 21, 2010 Read Full Article
Big Oil, Other Industries Work to Delay E15
Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The push against approving E15 has heated up in recent weeks. The U.S. EPA delayed the E15 decision until sometime this fall and industry groups on both sides of the issue have been waiting on
September 01, 2010 Read Full Article
Another Brick in the (Blend) Wall: Key Thresholds and Barriers for Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...But even were the US EPA to approve E15 ethanol blending, there are some other significant walls and thresholds to keep in mind. Here are the Digest’s Top 10. 1. The $60 oil parity wall. At the
August 20, 2010 Read Full Article
Sen. Susan Collins: Great Care Needed in Introducing New Fuel Blends
by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) (Fosters.com) ...While ethanol does cut our use of fossil fuels and reduces some harmful air emissions, it also raises some serious concerns. It is a powerful solvent that can damage engines and fuel systems, break
May 21, 2010 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Approaches the Blending Wall - Cellulosic Ethanol Investments Severely Threatened
Dr. Robert Wisner (AgMRC) A fuel ethanol blending wall has been anticipated for the last three years. When reached, it would halt growth of the ethanol industry or initially would cause demand growth to fall short of the rate of
May 14, 2010 Read Full Article
Push Is on for Higher Ethanol Blends
by Chris Lusvardi (Herald-Review.com) ...(T)he Illinois Senate has approved a measure that will eventually allow higher blends of ethanol to receive the state sales tax exemption. Marketers can sell ethanol blended fuel with a sales tax reduction of 20 percent
May 11, 2010 Read Full Article
Automakers Seek to Delay Ethanol Blending Raise
by Matthew L. Wald (New York Times) Citing new test data, the auto industry says the federal government’s plan to raise the amount of ethanol mixed into gasoline will damage cars and increase the amount of pollution they emit. The Environmental
May 07, 2010 Read Full Article
E20 Fuel Reduces Carbon Monoxide and Hydrocarbon Emissions in Automobiles, Has No Measurable Impact on Drivability or Maintenance
A new study by the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology indicates that the use of E20 fuel, which blends 20 percent ethanol with gasoline, reduces the tail pipe emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, compared
April 05, 2010 Read Full Article
Automakers Worry about More Ethanol in US Gasoline
by Tom Doggett (Reuters) Major automakers asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency not to approve higher blends of ethanol in gasoline until the agency has adequate test results showing the fuel would not damage vehicles. ... the Alliance of Automobile
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
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