OPINION: E15 retail market grows 10% in 2020
By Sara Brenden, senior manager of market development and events, Growth Energy
September 30, 2020
Growing consumer demand for E15 has resulted in the number of retail locations offering the fuel, increasing more than 10 percent in 2020. This growth has occurred during one of the most challenging fuel markets in the past 30 years.
Two recent legislative advances and a presidential announcement promise to help not only the ethanol industry, but retailers who want to provide more smart fuel choices for consumers at the pump, according to the RFA.
The 121 applicants to the USDA's HBIIP are waiting to hear if they are going to get a portion of the program's $100 million in funding. Those who didn't apply, however, should know the cost to offer higher ethanol blends is likely affordable.
The USDA's NASS released its latest quarterly Grain Stocks report on Sept. 30, reporting that old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1 were down 2 billion bushels, or 10 percent, when compared to the same period of 2019.
U.S. fuel ethanol production fell by approximately 3 percent the week ending Sept. 25 while weekly ethanol ending stocks fell by nearly 2 percent, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Sept. 30.
Focused on biofuels, Foundation Analytical Laboratory's mission is to deliver exemplary customer service with scientific excellence. The Iowa-based company not only supports fleets and standalone ethanol plants, but biofuel input providers.
Aemetis Inc. has begun contracted production of hand sanitizer under its branded Aemetis Health Products label for sales to government, businesses and academic customers, as well as directly to consumers via the Amazon Marketplace.
Green Plains Inc. on Sept. 28 announced its wholly owned subsidiary Green Plains Wood River LLC has broken ground on the installation of a high protein production facility utilizing Fluid Quip Technologies' patented MSC technology.
The production and consumption of liquid biofuels in Australia is expected to remain minimal in 2020, according to a report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network.
Jobs in the renewable energy sector reached 11.5 million globally in 2019, according to a report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on Sept. 29. Bioenergy accounted for 3.58 million jobs, up from 3.18 million in 2018.
As Congress and the administration continue negotiations on another COVID-19 relief package, a new study by finds that ethanol producers will experience roughly $8 billion in losses this year due to the pandemic's impact on world fuel markets.
The Department of Energy on Sept. 23 issued its FY 2021 solicitation for the Technology Commercialization Fund, which aims to advance the commercialization of promising energy technologies and deploy lab-developed technologies to the marketplace.
The U.S. added approximately 470 million gallons of annual ethanol production capacity last year, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Sept. 25. The total number of U.S. ethanol plants increased by one.
Farmers: Canada's CFS misses the mark on biofuels
By Grain Farmers of Ontario
September 25, 2020
Grain Farmers of Ontario has deep concerns about the current Clean Fuels Standard (CFS) proposed by the Canadian government, is opposed to the criteria for land use, and asks for transparency around carbon numbers and any certification processes.
The USDA recently released its Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report for August, reporting that corn use for fuel ethanol production was at 424 million bushels in July, up from the previous month but down from July 2019.
The USDA is soliciting applications for two different cycles of the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program. The first cycle closes Oct. 1, while the second is open through April 1, 2021.
The USDA announced on Sept. 23 it is making $7 million available under the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program. The agency will accept applications from advanced biofuel producers during the month of October.
Iowa-based FloMetrix recently installed its patented flowmeter technology at a U.S. ethanol plant, helping that plant operate more efficiently. The company is now making the technology available others in the ethanol industry.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 24 passed the Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act, or H.R. 4447, by a vote of 229 to 187. The bill includes provisions of the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act.
Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., on Sept. 24 introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act, a bill that establishes a minimum octane standard for gasoline and requires sources of added octane value to reduce carbon emissions by at least 30 percent.
Congressional staff and other federal and state decisionmakers got an up-close virtual look at the U.S. ethanol industry in mid-September as part of the Renewable Fuels Association's Virtual Heartland Tour.
While the EPA's recent denial of 54 gap year SRE petitions was a positive step for the U.S. biofuels industry, representatives of the U.S. biofuel and ag industries are calling on the Trump administration to live up to its remaining biofuel promises.
U.S. fuel ethanol production fell by 2 percent the week ending Sept. 18 while weekly ethanol ending stocks increased by 1 percent, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Sept. 23.
The USGC teamed up with a U.S. exporter for a recent webinar series for livestock producers in Central America that discussed the advantages of DDGS and addressed the logistical needs of small- and medium-sized livestock producers.
STB: RETAC meeting scheduled for Oct. 7
September 22, 2020
The Surface Transportation Board has announced its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting on Oct. 7 via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public, but advanced registration is necessary.
The U.S. EPA has released data showing 1.58 billion renewable identification numbers (RINs) were generated under the Renewable Fuel Standard in August, down from 1.65 billion during the same period of 2019.
Swedish Government announced on Sept. 11 its intention to introduce a greenhouse gas reduction mandate for aviation fuel. Norway made a similar announcement earlier this year. Gevo Inc. has welcomed both announcements.
The U.S. EPA delivered its final Fuels Regulatory Streamlining rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget on Sept. 17. OMB review marks a final step before a rulemaking is released publicly.
Brazil is expected to produce 31.35 billion liters (8.28 billion gallons) of ethanol this year, down 16 percent from 2019, according to a report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network.
Brazil is expected to produce 31.35 billion liters (8.28 billion gallons) of ethanol this year, down 16 percent from 2019, according to a report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network.
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