by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) CoBank predicts U.S. ethanol production in 2025 will be largely unchanged from 2024 but cautions that policy uncertainty looms over administration of the Renewable Fuel Standard program, small refinery exemptions (SREs), and the impact of
Energy Information Administration (US EIA)
Back TO HOMEFuel Groups Warn of Higher Prices without Tax Credit Certainty
by Kim Chipman and Tarso Veloso (Bloomberg) More than 30 trade groups across the energy, farming and transport sectors say a lack of US government guidance on tax credits is putting Americans at risk of higher fuel prices. The current
November 13, 2024 Read Full Article
U.S. Capacity to Produce Biofuels Increased 7% in 2023
by Chris Buckner (U.S. Department of Energy Energy Information Administration) Capacity to produce biofuels increased 7% in the United States during 2023, reaching 24 billion gallons per year (gal/y) at the start of 2024, led by a 44% increase in a category
October 18, 2024 Read Full Article
Higher Ethanol Blends: A Win for Corn Farmers, Consumers & the Environment
by Krista Swanson (National Corn Growers Association) Ethanol is a renewable transportation fuel that can be made from domestically grown corn. Over 98% of the gasoline currently sold in the United States contains ethanol, typically a blend that is 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. Autos that
October 16, 2024 Read Full Article
EIA Now Publishes Additional U.S. Biofuel and Distillate Forecasts
by Jimmy Troderman, Alex de Keyserling (U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration) Biofuels are making up an increasing share of total distillate fuel oil consumed in the United States. Beginning in the September 2024 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), we began publishing forecasts for several new series
October 07, 2024 Read Full Article
SAF Production Set to Grow Amid Renewable Diesel Switching
by Jordan Godwin (OPIS/SAF Magazine) ... As renewable diesel producers in a suddenly crowded space trudge through lackluster margin conditions in 2024, they’re increasingly eyeing the possibility of switching to SAF. Considering the current size of the SAF market, taking on
August 28, 2024 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Bill Introduced to Provide More Reports on Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) A bipartisan group of lawmakers is introducing a bill that would require the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to provide more weekly and monthly reports on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and
August 12, 2024 Read Full Article
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Capacity Domestically to Rise Fourteen-Fold in 2024, US EIA Says
by Seher Dareen (Reuters) Production capacity of sustainable aviation fuel in the United States could jump by 1400% in 2024 if all announced capacity additions come on line, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday (July 18, 2024). WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The
July 18, 2024 Read Full Article
Clean Fuels Applauds Senate Letter Urging Higher RFS Volumes
(Clean Fuels America Alliance) Today, a bipartisan group of 18 Senators, led by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan encouraging the agency to complete 2026 RFS rules and raise volumes for
July 11, 2024 Read Full Article
Shady Dealings or ‘Clerical Error’?
Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) ... As I was putting this issue together—specifically the Information section on U.S. biobased diesel trade—I discovered an unwelcomed surprise. Certain biodiesel-export data on the U.S. Energy Information Administration website has been dramatically revised down. I am particularly
July 03, 2024 Read Full Article
Clean Fuels Petitions EPA to Reconsider 2024 and 2025 RFS Volumes
(Clean Fuels Alliance America) Today, Clean Fuels filed a formal petition asking the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2024 and 2025. The agency set biomass-based diesel and overall advanced volumes significantly below actual production of the
June 25, 2024 Read Full Article
Ethanol Exports Set Records and Celebrate Anniversary
by Cindy Zimmerman: U.S. exports and total usage of ethanol hit record highs last week, just as the Energy Information Administration marked the first anniversary of including ethanol export estimates in its Weekly Petroleum Status Report. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) was instrumental in getting
June 03, 2024 Read Full Article
Closing in on West Coast Renewable Diesel Supply/Demand Balances
(Stillwater Publications) In 2022 the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) revised its reporting requirements for renewable fuels to be fully inclusive of the slate of biofuels, including renewable diesel (RD). Previously, only ethanol and biodiesel (BD) were featured in EIA’s biofuel
May 16, 2024 Read Full Article
Low US Distillate Consumption Reflects Slow Economic Activity, Biofuel Substitution
(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Biobased Diesel Daily) U.S. distillate consumption so far this year is lower than usual because of warm winter weather, reduced manufacturing activity, and continued substitution of biofuels in place of petroleum distillate on the U.S. West Coast (PADD 5). As reported
April 30, 2024 Read Full Article
US EIA Now Publishes Interregional Renewable Diesel Rail-shipment Data
(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Biobased Diesel Daily) In its March Petroleum Supply Monthly, the U.S. Energy Information Administration introduced data on the interregional movement of renewable diesel. These new data add to its existing tanker- and barge-movement coverage for renewable diesel. With the new data,
April 09, 2024 Read Full Article
US Imports 2nd-Highest Volume of Biobased Diesel in History Last Year, Exports Hit 15-Year High
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daiy) The U.S. imported more than 863 million gallons of biobased diesel in 2023, the second-highest volume of combined biodiesel and renewable diesel imports on record, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration compiled
March 12, 2024 Read Full Article
Everything You Wanted to Know about Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel. Charts and Graphs Included
by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) ... Biofuels overall account for a small but growing share of US transportation energy. Figure 2 shows that petroleum supplies 94 percent of US transportation energy while biofuels are 6 percent. Of the biofuels,
January 15, 2024 Read Full Article
Oil vs. Ethanol: Battle Lines Blur as Renewables Take Hold
by Marc Heller (Politico Pro Greenwire) An ongoing boom in renewable diesel has pushed big petroleum refiners to expand into biofuels, with implications for the renewable fuel standard. -- For years, petroleum and biofuel companies mixed about as well as oil and
January 11, 2024 Read Full Article
US Imports Record Volume of Biodiesel from Spain in October
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) The U.S. imported more biodiesel from Spain in October 2023 than ever before, according to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In October, the U.S. received more than 13.3 million gallons from Spain. This marks
January 09, 2024 Read Full Article
New Tax Credits for Sustainable Aviation Fuel in U.S. Raise Concerns in Korea
by Choi Hyun-jae and Choi Jieun (Pulse) ... These rules are likely to have a ripple effect on the Korean refining sector as the U.S. currently relies on Korea for more than half of its jet fuel imports. According to the U.S.
December 28, 2023 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
Ethanol Is Turning Down the Heat on Labor Day Gasoline Prices
by Scott Richman (Renewable Fuels Association) Holiday Travelers Expected to Save $155 Million Thanks to Ethanol - As temperatures have heated up this summer, so have gasoline prices. Regular unleaded gasoline rose to $3.87 per gallon during the week ending August 21—the
August 29, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA’s 3.5% Solution
by Paul Winters (Clean Fuels Alliance America/Biobased Diesel Daily) Buried in the Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023, 2024 and 2025, as finalized in June, is an unexpected change to the obligated fuel volume calculations. The change has the same effect as
August 15, 2023 Read Full Article
The EPA Gets It Right: Expanding America’s Low-Carbon Fuel Landscape
by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Real Clear Energy) ... Thankfully, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently took an important step to invest in and expand the adoption of other fuel technologies, like advanced biofuels, when it issued its 2023-2025 Renewable Volume
July 14, 2023 Read Full Article
RFA: Final RVO Rule Fails to Deliver on Promise of Original Proposal Public Comment DEADLINE July 5, 2023
(Renewable Fuels Association) The 2023-2025 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes finalized today by the Environmental Protection Agency mark an unfortunate step backward from the volumes that were originally proposed, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. EPA’s final rule includes conventional renewable fuel requirements of 15
July 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Biofuels Displacing Petroleum-Based Distillate Fuel Oil on US West Coast
by Bella Weetch (Hydrocarbon Engineering) Consumption of distillate fuel oil on the US West Coast, as measured by product supplied, decreased to its lowest level since 2002 in 2022, and continues its decline in 2023. The primary cause for the
June 16, 2023 Read Full Article
RFS and the Push for Greater Ethanol Content in Gasoline
by Brian Milne (DTN) ... Owing to insufficient production, EPA has had to frequently issue waivers for the cellulosic biofuel nested category. However, EPA’s 2019 final rule pegged volume requirements below statute for total renewable fuel, triggering the agency’s reset authority
June 09, 2023 Read Full Article
RFA Efforts Pay Off; EIA to Add Ethanol Export Data to Weekly Report
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Energy Information Administration that fuel ethanol export estimates will now be included in EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report. Over the past decade, RFA has tirelessly advocated for the inclusion
May 19, 2023 Read Full Article
Can Large Integrated Refineries Replace All Crude Oil with Cellulosic Feedstocks for Drop-in Hydrocarbon Biofuels?
by Charles Forsberg and Bruce E. Dale (Hydrocarbon Processing) Hydrocarbon liquid fuels are central to the U.S. economy, delivering almost half the country’s energy to the residential, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors. ... The U.S. Energy Information Agency’s (EIA’s) long-term projections show
May 03, 2023 Read Full Article
Banning Gas-Powered Cars Won't Save the Environment | Opinion
by Jon Miltimore (Foundation for Economic Education) In March, Maryland Governor Wes Moore unveiled a plan to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles. He called the move "a major step in the state's acceleration to improve air quality and combat the
April 28, 2023 Read Full Article
Clean Fuels Applauds Senate Letter Urging Stronger RFS Volumes
(Clean Fuels Alliance America/Biobased Diesel Daily) Clean Fuels Alliance America applauded a bipartisan letter from 16 U.S. senators April 14 that calls on U.S. EPA to increase volumes for advanced biofuels and biomass-based diesel as it finalizes Renewable Fuel Standard volumes
April 14, 2023 Read Full Article
United States Energy Information Administration Data Indicates Ethanol Blend Rate Hit Record High in 2022
by Jody Heemstra (DRG News) Data released this week (Feb. 28, 2023) by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for 2022 show that ethanol volumes continued to recover from the pandemic-affected levels of 2020 and that the ethanol blend rate (i.e., the
March 01, 2023 Read Full Article
RFA: Minnesota E15 Volume Hits Record
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sales of E15, a gasoline blend containing 15 percent ethanol, hit a record 171 million gallons in Minnesota in 2022, according to a new Renewable Fuels Association analysis of data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. This
February 22, 2023 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel & SAF: Project Roundup Report
by Anna Simet (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine’s annual production map showed 34 renewable diesel/SAF plants under development, construction or operating in the U.S., as of September. The following includes updates regarding some of these projects. -- This fall, Biodiesel Magazine
January 29, 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
The Year Ahead: What’s in Store for Consumer Diesel Vehicles and Diesel Fuel Prices?
by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum) ... Diesel drivers have choices about fueling their vehicles. All diesel models available today are certified by manufacturers as capable of using B20 fuels – (20% biodiesel/80% ultra-low sulfur petroleum diesel). According to the
January 10, 2023 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel & SAF: Project Roundup Report
by Anna Simet (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine’s annual production map showed 34 renewable diesel/SAF plants under development, construction or operating in the U.S., as of September. The following includes updates regarding some of these projects. This fall, Biodiesel Magazine chatted with
January 04, 2023 Read Full Article
What Can Ethanol Plant Owners Do to Thrive in the Ethanol Business Today?
by Mike Sticklen and Doug Rivers (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) The US ethanol industry is faced with flat volume (Fig. 1) and mediocre returns on capital (Fig. 2). There are several strategic opportunities available to return to revenue growth and improve
December 16, 2022 Read Full Article
Why Did EPA Use Old Data on Renewable Diesel Ahead of RFS Announcement?
by Jim Wiesemeyer (AgWeb) Renewable diesel capacity topped 2 billion gallons per year as of August, according to the latest data released from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). But EPA used a lower figure, 1.5 billion gallons per year, based
December 06, 2022 Read Full Article
Clean Fuels Files Comments on New SAF, Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Tax Incentives
(Clean Fuels Alliance America) Clean Fuels urges Treasury to use up-to-date, science-based model for carbon scoring -- On Friday (December 2, 2022), Clean Fuels Alliance America submitted a written response to the U.S. Treasury’s request for comments (Notice 2022-58) on Credits for
December 05, 2022 Read Full Article
Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023, 2024, and 2025 Public Comments Due February 10, 2023
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) On December 1, 2022, EPA announces a proposed rule to establish required Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes and percentage standards for 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as to propose a series of important modifications to strengthen
December 01, 2022 Read Full Article
EIA Report Spotlights Increased Ethanol Blend Rate, Lower Cost to Drivers
(Renewable Fuels Association) A report released today (November 16, 2022) by the U.S. Energy Information Administration demonstrates clearly that higher blends of ethanol helped moderate fuel prices in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. The report noted that the U.S. ethanol blend
November 17, 2022 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel & SAF Roundup
(Biomass Magazine) U.S. renewable diesel capacity continues to rapidly expand and is poised to surpass operating biodiesel capacity, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Sept. 30. Biodiesel capacity fell to 2.089 billion gallons in July, down 126
October 27, 2022 Read Full Article
Big Changes Afoot in US Trade of Biobased Diesel
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) A big shift is occurring in U.S. trade of biobased diesel so far this year, according to the latest import and export numbers released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Renewable diesel imports are down,
September 06, 2022 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Magazine Podcast: Insight from the EIA - Mindi Farber-DeAnda, EIA
(Biodiesel Magazine) This week's Biodiesel Magazine podcast features, Mindi Farber-DeAnda, Team Lead of Petroleum & Natural Gas Modeling with U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Interview by Anna Simet, editor of Biodiesel Magazine and hosted by Danielle Piekarski. READ MORE
August 29, 2022 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel Poised to Overtake Biodiesel
by Sean Pratt (Western Producer) Renewable diesel production is expected to overtake biodiesel production in the United States in October, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “We’re seeing continued growth on the renewable diesel side and stagnation to slight shrinkage on
August 24, 2022 Read Full Article
Insight from the EIA: Tracking the U.S. Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Sectors - Mindi Farber-DeAnda, EIA
(Biodiesel Magazine) This week's Biodiesel Magazine podcast features, Mindi Farber-DeAnda, Team Lead of Petroleum & Natural Gas Modeling with U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Interview by Anna Simet, editor of Biodiesel Magazine and hosted by Danielle Piekarski. READ MORE
August 16, 2022 Read Full Article
Heavy-Duty Decarbonizing with Biofuels
by Emily Skor (Growth Energy/Vital by POET) ... Leaders around the world are increasingly recognizing biofuels as a vital tool in the fight against climate change and in bringing agriculture into the fold. They’re a lower-cost, lower-emission fuel that is
August 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Paving the Way to Increased Waste-to-Energy Production
(Lehigh University) ... While recycling and composting have increased, the majority of the waste produced goes into landfills, the most inexpensive option. About 12 percent of MSW was converted into energy by waste-to-energy plants in 2018, according to the Energy Information
May 31, 2022 Read Full Article
Oil Refineries Continue Attacks on the RFS While Enjoying Record Profit Margins
by Scott Richman (Renewable Fuels Association) If you watched the Sunday morning talk shows last weekend, you might have noticed a new advertisement (paid for by oil refiners) that attacks the Renewable Fuel Standard. The ad notes that consumers are paying record-high
May 13, 2022 Read Full Article
Column: Grain Traders Eye U.S. Crops, China and Biofuels to Headline 2022 -Braun
by Karen Braun (Reuters) Grain and oilseed markets in 2021 proved just as exciting as in 2020 with prices hitting multiyear highs on shrinking stockpiles. Whether those prices sustain or relax in 2022 will be partially guided by some of the
December 15, 2021 Read Full Article
EIA Expands Data Coverage of Biofuels
by Estella Shi (Hydrocarbon Processing) In October 2021, the EIA began publishing expanded data on biofuels other than ethanol in their monthly energy review (MER), including production, imports, feedstocks, and consumption. The expanded biofuels data provide a more detailed look at
November 30, 2021 Read Full Article
EIA Analysis Projects Carbon Fees Would Decrease U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions through 2050
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) Carbon fees as high as $35 per metric ton could decrease U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by as much as 19% compared to 2020 levels, according to analysis from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In
November 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Global Energy Demand to Grow 47% by 2050, with Oil Still Top Source: US EIA
by Meghan Gordon and Maya Weber (S&P Global) ...EIA expects global energy demand to increase 47% in the next 30 years, driven by population and economic growth, particularly in developing Asian countries. This will require increased oil and natural gas
October 07, 2021 Read Full Article
EIA Releases Renewable Diesel, SAF Capacity Data
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Sept. 3 for the first time released U.S. capacity data for biorefineries that produce renewable diesel, renewable heating oil, renewable jet fuel, renewable naphtha and gasoline, and “other" renewable fuels
September 22, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Analysis: Retail Gas Prices Not Affected by Renewable Fuel Standard Credits
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuel Standard’s compliance credit market mechanism does not have any impact on retail gasoline prices, according to a new analysis released today by the Renewable Fuels Association. The analysis finds that while RFS compliance credits—known as RINs, or
September 13, 2021 Read Full Article
AEO2022 Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels 2nd Working Group --- September 29, 2021 --- ONLINE
U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (AEO2022) Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels 2nd Working Group Meeting. During this meeting, we will discuss preliminary results for the upcoming AEO2022. Please note that any information shared at the meeting is
September 09, 2021 Read Full Article
US Renewable Diesel Capacity Projected to Hit 5.1 Billion Gallons per Year by 2024
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) Renewable diesel production capacity in the United States is forecast to grow from 600 million gallons per year (gpy) at the end of 2020 to 5.1 billion gpy by 2024, according to the U.S. Energy
July 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Account for 17% of US Renewables Consumption in 2020
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The U.S. consumed a record 12 percent of renewable energy in 2020, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on June 16. Biofuels announced for approximately 17 percent of renewables. According to the EIA,
July 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Account for 17% of US Renewables Consumption in 2020
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. consumed a record 12 percent of renewable energy in 2020, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on June 16. Biofuels announced for approximately 17 percent of renewables. According to the
June 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Wells Fargo Crashes and Burns with New RINs Analysis
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) Earlier this week, equity analysts at Wells Fargo released a note to investors on the subject of the Renewable Fuel Standard and its compliance credit (RIN) market mechanism. We wouldn’t typically respond to an investment bank
June 18, 2021 Read Full Article
California Math Shows Internal Combustion Beating Electric on Emissions
by Tom Quimby (CCJ) ... Data released recently by CARB indicate that low carbon fuels, like renewable diesel and biodiesel, are actually rendering the best reductions in transportation-related sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While federal and state policies continue to lavish
June 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Iowa Lawmakers Urge Biden to Prioritize Biofuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Reps. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa; Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa; and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, sent a letter to President Biden on May 25 urging him to uphold his promise to
May 26, 2021 Read Full Article
EIA Releases First Biofuels Capacity and Feedstocks Update
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration on March 31 issued the first edition of its monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstocks Update, reporting that 20.431 billion gallons of operable U.S. biofuel production capacity was in place as of
April 01, 2021 Read Full Article
EXCLUSIVE-U.S. Government to Expand Biofuels Forecasts as Renewable Diesel Sector Grows
by Karl Plume and Stephanie Kelly (Reuters / NASDAQ) The U.S. departments of agriculture and energy plan to change two closely watched monthly reports to account for the rapid growth of renewable diesel, a clean burning fuel made from soy and
March 09, 2021 Read Full Article
EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2021 Explores the Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. Energy Mix through 2050
(U.S. Department of Energy) The United States will likely take years to return to 2019 levels of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions following the impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. economy and global energy sector, according to projections in
February 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Bioenergy, Biofuels Account for Nearly Half of US Renewables Use
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Wood and waste energy accounted for nearly one-fourth of U.S. renewable energy use in 2019, while biofuels accounted for 20 percent of renewable energy consumption, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information
October 20, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Analysis: Ethanol Industry’s COVID-Related Economic Losses Already Top $3.4 Billion, Could Reach Nearly $9 Billion by 2021
(Renewable Fuels Association) The COVID-19 crisis has already led to more than $3.4 billion in lost revenues for the U.S. ethanol industry, according to an economic analysis released today by the Renewable Fuels Association. Based on the latest projections from the
July 17, 2020 Read Full Article
EIA Projections to 2050: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Annual Energy Outlook 2020
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Key takeways from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook 2020 include a prediction that U.S. energy consumption will grow more slowly than gross domestic product throughout the projection period (2050) as U.S. energy efficiency
July 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel Drives Growth in Biomass-Based Diesel Imports
(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Biomass Magazine) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel, which include biodiesel and renewable diesel, grew 26 percent in 2019 to more than 27,000 barrels per day (b/d), reversing three years of decline. Imports of biomass-based diesel increased in
July 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Kub's Den Ethanol Data and the Great American Road Trip
by Elaine Kub (DTN Progressive Farmer) ... During the eight weeks through March and April, while everyone in the economy was grappling with how best to limit human contact to slow the spread of a deadly disease, American ethanol production was
July 02, 2020 Read Full Article
The Standoff for E30
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy may be just a block or two apart on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C., but they are miles apart on their long-term outlook for ethanol. Seemingly
June 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel Drives Growth in Biomass-Based Diesel Imports
(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Biodiesel Magazine) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel, which include biodiesel and renewable diesel, grew 26 percent in 2019 to more than 27,000 barrels per day (more than 413.9 MMgy), ending two years in a row of decline.
June 10, 2020 Read Full Article
What’s Next for Biofuels? 8 Scenarios for a Post COVID-19 World
by Steve Hartig (ReCon Associates/Biofuels Digest) ... Looking ahead, the main drive for ethanol demand will be light vehicle miles driven however the EIA estimates annual improvements in fuel economy of between .5-1% over the next ten year. In the last
May 20, 2020 Read Full Article
EIA Proposes to Collect Data on Biogas, RNG Production Public Comment DEADLINE: June 29, 2020
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration could soon begin publishing data related to the production of biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG). The agency has proposed to modify an existing information collection focused on natural gas to
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
EIA Projects U.S. Biofuel Production to Slowly Increase through 2050
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2020 (AEO2020) projects that U.S. biofuel production will slowly grow through 2050, primarily driven by economic and policy factors. In the Reference case, which reflects current laws and regulations, biofuels
March 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Congresswoman Angie Craig Leads Letter Reiterating Support for Biofuels, Reducing Carbon Emissions
(Office of Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN2)) Today, U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) delivered a letter signed by 11 members on the bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus urging the Select Committee on Climate Crisis to include biofuels as a
February 27, 2020 Read Full Article
EIA Product Highlight: Plant-Level Biodiesel Production Capacity (First Annual Report)
(U.S. Department of Energy) Earlier this year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its first annual U.S. Biodiesel Plant Production Capacity Report. The report includes the total biodiesel production capacity for all operating plants in both million gallons per year (gal/y) and barrels
December 20, 2019 Read Full Article
EPA Small Refinery Exemptions in the Renewable Fuel Standard Explained
(U.S. Department of Energy Energy Information Administration) ... The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates the amount of renewable fuels refineres must blend into the U.S. transportation fuel supply. As part of the RFS program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can grant
November 15, 2019 Read Full Article
OP-ED: Achieving Carbon Emission Reductions with Biofuels
by Pat Gruber (GEVO/American Energy Society) It’s a gaping hole in most conversations about fuel: what do we do about liquid transportation fuels? No matter how quickly we try to electrify our transportation sector, gasoline isn’t going away. Diesel isn’t going away. Jet
October 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Prospects for Biofuels Use by Other Transportation Modes
by Stephanie Mercier (Farm Journal AgWeb) ... While supporters of the U.S. biofuel industry will no doubt continue to advocate for some remedial action by the administration on the SRE/RFS issues, they should not overlook the fact that the U.S.
September 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Five Reasons Why Big Oil Is Wrong
by Scott Richman (Renewable Fuels Association) On Wednesday, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers and the American Petroleum Institute sent a letter to President Trump in response to reports that the administration is considering measures to mitigate the harm that the
September 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Wound up over Waivers
by Alex Guillén (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA's internal watchdog is being asked to determine how the agency decided to grant the vast majority of exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard that oil refiners have requested. EPA approved 31 petitions for waivers
August 21, 2019 Read Full Article
EIA to Update Data Reporting for Biofuels COMMENTS DUE July 24, 2019
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration is seeking a three-year extension with changes to its Petroleum Supply Reporting System. The proposed changes include those related to biofuels reporting. The PSRS consists of six weekly surveys that make
July 03, 2019 Read Full Article
EPA Handout Recipients Reap Windfall Profits
(Growth Energy) A new report from the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that net income for oil and gas companies hit a five-year high last year – in stark contrast to claims of “hardship” oil giants have used to
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
U.S. Ethanol Market Sees First Sales Decline in Decades: Lower U.S. Demand, Plunge in Exports Made for Rough 2018.
by Jim Spencer and Mike Hughlett (Star Tribune) ... As production increased and sales to foreign countries rose to record levels, profits went down roughly 20 cents per gallon. ... The domestic market for ethanol had stopped growing at the same
March 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Use Falls for First Time in 20 Years
by John Herath (Farm Journal Media) RFA Blames Waivers for Refiners --- Ethanol use in the United States last year fell for the first time since 1998, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is blaming
March 15, 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
U.S. Energy Outlook Report Underscores Need for Higher Ethanol Blends
(Growth Energy) Federal forecasts in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) newly released Annual Energy Outlook 2019 (AEO2019) underscore the importance of delivering cleaner, lower cost options to the fuel pump, said Chris Bliley, vice president of regulatory affairs at Growth
January 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Coming Changes in Marine Fuel Sulfur Limits Will Affect Global Oil Markets
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) International regulations limiting sulfur in fuels for ocean-going vessels, set to take effect in January 2020, have implications for vessel operators, refiners, and global oil markets. Stakeholders will respond to these regulations in different ways, increasing uncertainty
December 19, 2018 Read Full Article
EIA Study: Refiners Could Meet 95 RON Standard Without More Ethanol
(Renewable Fuels Association) A new Energy Information Administration (EIA) study concludes that U.S. petroleum refineries would have “no problem” meeting a requirement to produce gasoline with a higher minimum octane rating (95 Research Octane Number, or “RON”) beginning in 2022, and assumes that
November 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Six States Account for More than 70% of U.S. Fuel Ethanol Production
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) Six states accounted for 72% of U.S. fuel ethanol production in 2016, according to the most recent estimates from EIA’s State Energy Data System. Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, and South Dakota collectively produced 265 million barrels of
September 01, 2018 Read Full Article
EIA Data: E85 Usage by Federal Fleets More Than Doubled from 2010 to 2016
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) A Renewable Fuels Association analysis of recently released Energy Information Administration (EIA) data shows that federally-regulated fleets more than doubled their usage of E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) and other flex fuels between 2010 and 2016. According
May 16, 2018 Read Full Article
Biodiesels Produced from Certain Feedstocks Have Distinct Properties from Petroleum Diesel
by Steve Hanson, Neil Agarwal (U.S. Department of Energy Energy Information Agency) Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from various feedstocks, including refined vegetable oils, recycled cooking oils, and rendered animal fats. Different feedstocks produce biodiesel with distinct qualities that must be
May 04, 2018 Read Full Article
RFA: Ethanol Saves Consumers at the Pump
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) ... Energy Information Administration is already warning drivers that they are likely to see the highest gasoline prices in four years. The good news is that ethanol is helping to offset higher prices at the pump,
May 02, 2018 Read Full Article
EIA: Subsidies for Renewables Down as Tax Credits Diminish
(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Federal subsidies for renewable energy—including biofuels for transportation use and renewable generation of electricity—dropped to $6.7 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2016, a 56 percent decline from FY 2013. Renewable subsidies in FY 2010 and FY
May 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Vehicle Efficiency Transportation 2050: More EVs, but Conventional Vehicles Will Still Dominate
by Jieyi Lu (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Making Vehicles More Efficient Is Critical to Reduce Emissions -- ... Over the next 30 years, electric vehicles (EVs) will grow and fuel economy will increase, but conventional gasoline vehicles will continue to dominate
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Can Fuel Efficiency Standards Be Met Cost-Effectively? The Potential for High-Octane, Low-Carbon Fuels
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) To cut petroleum usage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fuel efficiency standards are set to rise significantly by 2025 under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) standards—jointly administered by the National Highway
December 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Vehicles (Still) Bigger Emissions Source Than Power Plants in United States
by Alyssa Danigelis (Environmental Leader) The amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector continues to exceed the amount from electricity production in the United States, according to the latest data from the US Energy Information Administration. The shift that started
December 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Why High-Octane Gas Costs So Much More Than Regular
by Clifford Atiyeh (Car and Driver) ... As gas prices tumbled over the past three years, the premium-fuel premium skyrocketed from 35 cents per gallon in 2013 to 47 cents in 2015 and reached 50 cents in late 2016. According
July 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Exports Dip in April, as India and Philippines Disappear from Market
(Renewable Fuels Association) ... Noticeably absent from the April roster were India and the Philippines. Together, the two counties imported more than 50 mg of U.S. ethanol in March, and India had been the third-leading market for U.S. export in the
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
The Imports Cometh
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel hit extreme heights in 2016, fulfilling a third of the consumption market, driving the domestic biodiesel industry to more actively seek counteracting measures to protect its own investments. --
April 05, 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
Biofuels May Be the Future of the Aviation Industry
by Jon LeSage (OilPrice.com) Alternative and renewable aviation fuels such as biofuel blends won’t be replacing traditional jet fuels any time soon, but the aviation industry continues to take them very seriously. On average, the aviation sector consumes 10 percent of
March 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Power Sector Carbon Dioxide Emissions Fall Below Transportation Sector Emissions
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) U.S. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the transportation sector reached 1,893 million metric tons (MMmt) from October 2015 through September 2016, exceeding electric power sector CO2 emissions of 1,803 MMmt over the same time period. On
January 20, 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
Not Energy Independent, Yet
by Rick Uldricks and Hudson Councilman Casey Weinstein (Twinsburg Patch) In truth, when it comes to energy security, there is good news to be found, but not at the bottom of a well. -- Fossil fuel boosters love to say that energy
November 15, 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
Natural Gas: A Bridge Fuel — But for How Long?
by Tom Ewing (Renewable Energy World) On Aug. 17, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) daily update announced that CO2 emissions from natural gas would soon surpass coal. That’s troubling. Natural gas is viewed as a “bridge fuel,” a transitional resource
September 14, 2016 Read Full Article
CAFE Standards: What’s Biomass Got to Do with It?
by Rebecca Chillrud (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On July 18, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released their Draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR), providing a midterm evaluation
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
EIA Projects Ethanol Consumption
(DTN) EIA Sees Ethanol Content in US Gasoline at 10% in 2016-17 -- The Energy Information Administration expects ethanol consumption in the United States to average 930,000 barrels per day this year and in 2017, 20,000 bpd higher than in
September 08, 2016 Read Full Article
COLUMN-Vehicle Efficiency Spurs Premium Gasoline Sales, Octane Demand: Kemp
by John Kemp (Reuters) Pressure to improve vehicle fuel efficiency is driving an increase in the sales of premium gasoline and boosting demand for high-octane blending components in the United States. Premium grade accounted for more than 1 million barrels per
September 08, 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
Almost All U.S. Gasoline Is Blended with 10% Ethanol
(U.S. Department of Energy) Blends of petroleum-based gasoline with 10% ethanol, commonly referred to as E10, account for more than 95% of the fuel consumed in motor vehicles with gasoline engines. Ethanol-blended fuels are one pathway to compliance with elements
May 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Engine Design Trends Lead to Increased Demand for Higher-Octane Gasoline
(US Energy Information Administration) Since 2013, the share of premium gasoline in total motor gasoline sales has steadily increased, reaching 11.3%, the highest share in over a decade, in August and September 2015. While lower gasoline prices may be supporting demand
April 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol, Biodiesel Added to Rail Report
by Mikkel Pates (Agweek) As of April 4, the federal government's Petroleum Supply Monthly report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration includes more frequent data on ethanol and biodiesel transported by railroads. The EIA now reports monthly rail movements for crude oil, ethanol
April 06, 2016 Read Full Article
The Barrel Counters: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the Energy Information Administration
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Bailout the US Shale Oil/Gas Industry or Fund Clean Sustainable Renewable Transportation? A New Way of Looking at the Options. Press Release
For Immediate Release February 12, 2016—Frederick, MD Advanced Biofuels USA correspondent Robert E. Kozak analyses the potential for a reinvigorated US shale oil/gas industry with and without government subsidies; and compares it to the potential for near-term growth of renewable sustainable clean,
February 16, 2016 Read Full Article
After the Fall: Rebuilding US Liquid Fuel Production - Invest in Our Land or the Shale Oil Fields? (Part 2 of 2)
Efforts to promote a sustainable use of natural resources are not a waste of money, but rather an investment capable of providing other economic benefits in the medium term. If we look at the larger picture, we can see that
February 12, 2016 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
Oil and Biofuels Lobby White House on Renewable Fuel Standard Ahead of Nov. 30 Deadline
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) In the lead-up to the administration’s release of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), it’s been a veritable who’s who of renewable fuels and petrochemical refiners visiting the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
November 20, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA’s Final RVO Rule and the Myth of Falling Gasoline Demand
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) One of the oil industry’s favorite talking points in its campaign to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the argument that “gasoline demand is falling,” and thus refiners have fewer gallons of gasoline
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
U.S. Oil Refiners Look Abroad for Crude Supplies as North Dakota Boom Fades
by Jarrett Renshaw and Catherine Ngai (Reuters) ... North Dakota's Bakken production peaked at 1.153 million barrels per day in June, and had fallen to 1.13 million barrels per day by August, according to state data. The supply restraint has made Bakken
November 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Why Oil Is Cheap in October 2015 (Part 1 of 2)
by Robert E. Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Conventional wisdom about declining oil prices, mostly originating from US Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration (DOE/EIA), says the fall of oil prices over the past fifteen months is simply a result of an
October 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Why Activists Are Pushing a ‘Supply Side’ Strategy for Fighting Climate Change
by Chris Mooney (The Washington Post) Even as President Obama further amplifies his rhetoric about addressing climate change, a coalition of environmental organizations released a letter Monday seeking to push his administration much further still. Not content with recently announced curbs on emissions
September 15, 2015 Read Full Article
U.S. Oil Glut An EIA Invention?
by Leonard Brecken (OilPrice.com) In the latest weekly production data from the EIA, on the back of recent March revisions, the U.S. managed to post a 76,000 barrel per day increase in the lower 48. Production from Alaska fell by 61,000 barrels
June 29, 2015 Read Full Article
The Boon of Reduced Oil Consumption
By Brian Deese and Jason Furman (The Washington Post/senior adviser to President Obama/Council of Economic Advisers) ... A new report this week by the Council of Economic Advisers documents that this drop in consumption is one of the biggest surprises in
June 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Shale vs OPEC: What’s Going on with Oil Prices? Will the Bleeding Stop, and When?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Here’s what’s going on, as illustrated in this EIA chart, which shows the imbalance between increases in demand and the increases in non-OPEC production. In short, non-OPEC oil is being dumped on the market faster
January 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Report: Increased Ethanol Drops Energy Content of Gas
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) The growing use of ethanol in the country's gasoline supply has reduced the average energy content of a gallon of gasoline by about 3 percent during the last two decades, the government said Monday. The
October 29, 2014 Read Full Article
EIA Updates State Profiles, Adds Data on Renewables
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration has updated its state energy profiles and added new analytical narratives on the energy sectors of each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. The narratives
December 26, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Caves to the Petroleum Industry, Could Cost Taxpayers
by Laura Sesana (The Washington Times) The petroleum industry’s renewed campaign against Congressionally mandated increasing levels of ethanol in gasoline appears to be working. The result, however—EPA’s proposal to reduce ethanol requirements for 2014—could cost taxpayers and secure petroleum’s hold on
December 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels, Renewables Strongly up Since 2008, Says New EIA Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Maryland, the “Monthly Energy Review” by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), with data through December 31, 2012 is showing that renewable energy sources and natural gas expanded rapidly during the Obama Administration’s first term while coal,
March 29, 2013 Read Full Article
Can the US Still Meet Its 2022 Biofuels Targets?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As cellulosic biofuels technologies start to deploy — critics and friends ask, 36 billion gallons by 2022, can it still be done? Yep, there’s a pathway. In Washington, the US Energy Information Administration released a map
February 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Workshop Guest Speaker Presentations Posted
(US Department of Energy) On August 1, the US Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration held a workshop with video conferencing. Specifically, the Office of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Analysis conducted a workshop to explore the opportunities and challenges of
August 09, 2012 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Demand Estimates Now Provided in Petroleum Supply and Demand Balances
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) Biodiesel production data were reported for the first time in U.S. and regional petroleum supply and disposition balances as published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in the Petroleum Supply Monthly(PSM) in May 2012. The biodiesel
August 08, 2012 Read Full Article
Energy Outlook: E85, FFV Market Shares to Lead Growth
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The latest look at long-term projections by the U.S. DOE’s Energy Information Administration shows E85 use growing to a 37 percent share of domestic ethanol production by 2035. The EIA’s “Annual Energy Outlook 2012,”
July 03, 2012 Read Full Article
EIA Issues 2012 Cellulosic Biofuel Predictions
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. DOE’s Energy Information Administration predicts that only six cellulosic biofuel producers will make fuel available for sale in 2012, producing a total of just 6.9 million gallons of fuel over the course
November 17, 2011 Read Full Article
Global Energy Use to Jump 53%
(CNN Money) Global energy use is expected to jump 53% by 2035, largely driven by strong demand from places like India and China, according to a report Monday. Combined, developing nations currently use slightly more energy than those in the
September 20, 2011 Read Full Article
Debate over Corn Use Estimates Shows Need for Solid Ethanol Data
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The latest USDA World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates marked a milestone of sorts for the ethanol industry. For the first time, the USDA predicts that more corn will be used for ethanol production
July 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Look Out -- Oil Prices to Hit $200 a Barrel by 2035, Projection Shows
by John Funk (The Cleveland Plain Dealer) Americans who are upset about $3 gasoline won't like the latest long-term projection from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Over the next 25 years, even as the nation's thirst for oil lessens, global demand for
December 17, 2010 Read Full Article
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