Ethanol Week - May 23, 2017

Branstad confirmed as ambassador, Reynolds to become governor The U.S. Senate has confirmed Iowa. Gov. Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China. Branstad will resign as governor on May 24 and immediately be sworn in as ambassador, with Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds to be sworn in as Iowa governor. READ MORE SHARE
EPA: 1.79 billion RINs generated in April The U.S. EPA has published renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for April, reporting that nearly 1.79 billion RINs were generated during the month, including more than 17.29 million cellulosic RINs. READ MORE SHARE
	USGC, NCGA weigh in on plan to renegotiate NAFTA The Trump Administration has announced plans to renegotiate the NAFTA. In response, U.S. Grains Council and National Corn Growers Association are speaking out to remind the administration how important NAFTA is to the U.S. agricultural industry. READ MORE SHARE
RFA: China’s tariffs on US ethanol, DDGS exacerbate trade deficit China’s recent protectionist barriers imposed on U.S. ethanol and DDGS exports are exacerbating a trade deficit with that country, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen told a U.S. Department of Commerce hearing May 18. READ MORE SHARE
Growth Energy pushes for senate action on E15 fix On May 18, Growth Energy urged the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to quickly approve legislation that would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15). READ MORE SHARE
EPA approves efficient producer pathway for Didion Ethanol In early May, the U.S. EPA approved an efficient producer pathway for Didion Ethanol LLC, allowing the facility to generate renewable identification numbers (RINs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard for non-grandfathered volumes of ethanol. READ MORE SHARE
Gevo’s isobutanol cleared for use in on-road vehicles in Arizona Gevo Inc. recently announced that a bill signed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey will let gas stations sell isobutanol-blended gasoline for on-road vehicles, enabling higher performing finished fuels with renewable content for drivers in the state. READ MORE SHARE
Brandstad signs bill that includes biofuel infrastructure funding On May 12, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed legislation that provides $3 million of funding for the state’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund. The legislation is known as the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Bill, or HF 643. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers use waste lignin to make carbon fiber Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are converting waste lignin into carbon fiber and other products. The team fractionates lignin so that the high molecular weight fraction can be used for carbon fiber, with other fractions used for bioplastics. READ MORE SHARE
USGC: KFC Malaysia testing US DDGS Nobody does chicken like KFC. And U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are a healthy, cost-effective and culturally-appropriate feed ingredient for those chickens and others produced in Malaysia. READ MORE SHARE
IRFA: Decorah home to Iowa’s 104th E15 station When Decorah, Iowa, residents fuel up at the local Decorah Mart, they now have the opportunity to choose high-performance, earth-friendly E15. The station is the first in Decorah to offer E15 and E85. READ MORE SHARE
Crappie Masters disputes anti-ethanol claims made by BoatUS On May 16, the Boat Owners Association of the U.S. (BoatUS) issued a press release criticizing a new Renewable Fuels Association ad campaign focused on the use of E10 fuels in boats. Crappie Masters has spoken out to dispute claims made by BoatUS. READ MORE SHARE
Green Plains completes Cargill feed yard acquisition Green Plains Inc. recently announced that its subsidiary, Green Plains Cattle Co., completed the previously announced acquisition of two cattle feed yards from Cargill for approximately $36.7 million, excluding working capital. READ MORE SHARE
Rayeman Elements sells RCD drying system to Lincolnway Energy Rayeman Elements Inc., in conjunction with its partner Nationwide 5 LLC, has completed the sale of its second patented grain drying system, the Rayeman Compression Dryer, to Lincolnway Energy of Nevada, Iowa. READ MORE SHARE