Ethanol Week - May 16, 2017

OMB reviews 2018 RFS rule On May 11, the U.S. EPA delivered its proposed rule for the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standards to the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB review marks a final step before the proposal is released for public comment. READ MORE SHARE
Biofuel groups ask EPA to ease regulatory burdens Several biofuel trade groups have filed comments with the U.S. EPA asking for changes to regulations that are hindering the growth of U.S. ethanol production and use. READ MORE SHARE
	Novozymes to expand Nebraska enzyme plant On May 16, less than five years after Novozymes opened a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility in Blair, Nebraska, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that the company has selected the site for its most recent expansion efforts in North America. READ MORE SHARE
Perdue unveils plan to reorganize USDA On May 11, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue released a plan to reorganize the USDA that creates an undersecretary for trade and agricultural affairs and eliminates the undersecretary for rural development. READ MORE SHARE
Pacific Ethanol reports increased sales, improving margins Pacific Ethanol Inc. has released first quarter financial results, reporting increased net sales and improved margins. Financial performance, however, was impacted by falling ethanol prices. Conditions are expected to improve in the second quarter. READ MORE SHARE
Gevo discusses future plans for Luverne plant Gevo Inc. has announced first quarter financial results. During an investor call, the company described plans to convert its Luverne, Minnesota, biorefinery to exclusively produce isobutanol and hydrocarbon products. READ MORE SHARE
ACE speaks out in support of Branstad vote The American Coalition for Ethanol has spoken out to applaud the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee voice vote on May 9 to confirm Gov. Terry Branstad as the U.S. ambassador to China. A full committee vote on his nomination is expected soon. READ MORE SHARE
Senators request investigation of Icahn’s impact on RIN market A group of senators are calling for an investigation of Carl Icahn regarding potential insider trading, market manipulation and other securities and commodities law violations related to the market for renewable identification numbers (RINs). READ MORE SHARE
Brazil announces new requirements for ethanol importers Brazil is taking action to protect domestic producers of ethanol. A notice in Brazil’s official gazette states biofuels importers must comply with the same capacity and inventory requirements that currently apply to domestic biofuel producers. READ MORE SHARE
SIRE reports improved net income Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy LLC has reported net income of $7.7 million, or $577.55 per basic unit, for the six months ended March 31, compared to a net loss of $1.1 million, or $84.19 per basic unit, for the six months ended March 31, 2016. READ MORE SHARE
EIA increases 2017 ethanol production outlook The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the May edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting ethanol production will average 1.03 million barrels per day this year, up from 1 million barrels per day last year. READ MORE SHARE
Aemetis discusses current operations, future projects Aemetis Inc. has released first quarter financial results, reporting increased ethanol revenues but reduced gross margins. In addition, the company reported its biodiesel business in India is growing. READ MORE SHARE
RFA launches ad campaign on ethanol and boating With the unofficial start of boating season beginning in a few weeks, the Renewable Fuels Association is launching an ad campaign May 9 to correct misinformation regarding ethanol usage in marine engines. READ MORE SHARE
Growth Energy: Poll shows no boater confusion at the pump CK Motorsports and Growth Energy released a new survey, which found that an overwhelming majority of American boaters are confident when selecting fuels. The poll showed that 94 percent of boaters find it easy to pick the right fuel. READ MORE SHARE
OSU launches new program in bioenergy and biowaste management The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute has announced a new associate of applied science program in bioenergy and biological waste management to prepare students for careers in wastewater and drinking water treatment. READ MORE SHARE
USDA forecasts 2nd largest corn crop, higher ethanol use The monthly supply/demand report forecasts a 14.1 billion bushel crop, based on 170.7 bushels per acre. Projections for corn use for ethanol production increase by 50 million bushels. READ MORE SHARE
Poet ad campaign brings homegrown leadership to D.C. The nation’s largest biofuel producer, Poet LLC, has announced a major new advertising campaign aimed at bringing the Sioux Falls-based company’s distinctive message on homegrown innovation and clean energy leadership to the nation’s capital. READ MORE SHARE
KU Leuven: Bacteria take a deadly risk to survive A recent study by the Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics at KU Leuven on bacterial mutations opens up new avenues for research, ranging from more efficient biofuel production methods to a better treatment for bacterial infections and cancer. READ MORE SHARE
BETO announces third round of Small Business Vouchers Pilot The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office has announced Gevo, Cogent, Kalion, Synvitrobio and ThermChem will collaborate with national labs as part of the third round of the Small Business Vouchers Pilot. READ MORE SHARE
IRFA, Iowa Corn congratulate Casey’s on first E15, E85 station Casey’s General Store has long been as much a staple of rural Iowa as rows of corn. Now those two staples have converged with the opening of Casey’s first Iowa station offering E15 and E85. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers develop new capabilities for engineering of yeast In a new article in Nature Communications, University of Illinois researchers describe how their successful integration of several cutting-edge technologies will enhance our ability to work with yeast. READ MORE SHARE
HKU, Kyoto U enhance efficiency of cereal straw for biofuel A collaborative research effort by the University of Hong Kong and Kyoto University has revealed a new strategy to allow cellulose in rice straw to release its fermentable sugar more efficiently. READ MORE SHARE
BETO launches Bioenergy Career Map The Energy Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and Argonne National Laboratory have developed an Bioenergy Career Map, an educational tool that helps users discover traditional and nontraditional career opportunities in the bioenergy industry. READ MORE SHARE
More than 1 million gallons of E15 sold in Minnesota in March For the first time ever, monthly E15 sales in Minnesota exceeded 1 million gallons. According to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, E15 sales in March totaled 1.03 million gallons, more than double the amount sold in March 2016. READ MORE SHARE