BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Operations, Markets, Business, Policy, RetailerThe RFA on Aug. 6 celebrated the 15th anniversary of the RFS by releasing a report detailing the success of the program and hosting a media call to discuss the program’s achievements and current challenges faced by the ethanol industry. READ MORE

BY U.S. Grains Council Found In:Markets, Coproducts, BusinessTwo technical webinars in July expanded the U.S. Grains Council’s engagement and future export opportunities for U.S. distillers dried grains with solubes (DDGS) to Southeast Asia. One-third of all U.S. DDGS exports currently flow to the region. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Operations, BusinessThe Andersons Inc. on Aug. 4 reported a profitable second quarter for all four of its business groups, including the ethanol group. The company also announced changes to its business structure, including the combining of the ethanol and trade groups. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicySen. Grassley, R-Iowa, provided an update on the potential for COVID-19 relief for ethanol producers and the status of gap year small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions during a press call held on Aug. 4. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicyThe U.S. Senate voted 79 to 16 on Aug. 4 to confirm Mark Menezes as deputy secretary of energy. Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, voted against his confirmation, citing concerns related to small refinery exemptions (SREs). READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Operations, BusinessThe North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission has awarded Blue Flint $155,000 to research and conduct a feasibility study on the utilization of biomass as a fuel and power source for its 70 MMgy ethanol plant. READ MORE

BY GranBio Found In:Cellulosic, BusinessGranBio on Aug. 3 announced a strategic alliance with NextChem, the subsidiary of Italian engineering company Maire Tecnimont, to co-license its patented technology for the production of second generation ethanol worldwide. READ MORE

BY Poet Found In:Operations, Coproducts, BusinessPoet has announced its commitment to scale up production of industrial and beverage-grade alcohol at its biorefineries in Leipsic, Ohio, and Alexandria, Indiana. Poet said the changes will help meet growing demand caused by COVID-19. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Operations, Markets, Feedstocks, BusinessUNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced ethanol production and sales were down a respective 2 percent and 14 percent during the first half of July despite a 14 percent increase in the volume of sugarcane processed. READ MORE

BY Renewable Fuels Association Found In:Business, PolicyThe Renewable Fuels Association this week responded to the USDA's request for comment on its Agriculture Innovation Agenda. The RFA's comments identify five opportunities for the ethanol industry to meet the AIA's goals. READ MORE

BY Green Plains Inc. Found In:BusinessGreen Plains Inc. has received final credit approval for a $75 million, 15 year term loan facility that will support the execution of its protein strategy. The company said its Wood River plant will be the next to add high protein production. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Operations, BusinessValero Energy Corp. released second quarter financial results on July 30, reporting that ethanol production volumes were down approximately 50 percent when compared to the same period of 2019. Renewable diesel sales volumes, however, were up. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Operations, Markets, BusinessU.S. ethanol production was up approximately 5.5 percent the week ending July 24, while weekly ending stocks of fuel ethanol increased by about 2.4 percent, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on July 29. READ MORE

BY Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Found In:Business, RetailerThe Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy is taking applications for a new grant program designed to encourage the installation of ethanol blender pumps across Nebraska. An informational Zoom meeting is scheduled for Aug. 4. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Business, Policy, RetailerSen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on July 28 urging him to initiate a rulemaking to certify biofuel infrastructure for E15 and remove unnecessary labeling requirements for the fuel blend. READ MORE