Ethanol Week - October 3, 2017

Biofuel groups ask Trump to continue to grow the RFS On Oct. 3, a group of biofuel supporters sent a letter to President Trump expressing concern over the U.S. EPA’s recent proposal that could reduce 2018 and 2019 blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. READ MORE SHARE
Hearing focuses on Farm Bill rural development, energy programs On Sept. 28, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing on the 2018 Farm Bill focused on rural development and energy programs. The committee has now held nine hearings this year focused on Farm Bill development. READ MORE SHARE
	Final BFC panel looks to the future Jamey Cline, business development director for Christianson PLLP, spoke about the immediate future of grant opportunities during the final panel of the Biofuels Financial Conference Sept. 28 in Minneapolis. READ MORE SHARE
BFC keynote addresses policy, technology, economy Geoff Cooper, senior vice president of the Renewable Fuels Association discussed market trends and their effects on biofuels policies at the Biofuels Financial Conference Sept. 27 in Minneapolis, noting its tough to predict the future. READ MORE SHARE
Ethanol industry ideal carbon source for advanced oil recovery Occidental Petroleum Corp. injects about 1 billion cubic feet per day of carbon dioxide into oil reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). That CO2 currently comes mostly from natural sources, but could come from ethanol plants in the future. READ MORE SHARE
BFC explores employee training, retention Employers are expecting more from their employees, and it’s crucial to expand training to begin at the basics, Shana McAlexander told the crowd at the 13th annual Christianson Biofuels Financial Conference in Minneapolis Sept. 27. READ MORE SHARE
ACE partners on EPA Smart Sectors program The American Coalition for Ethanol is participating in the U.S. EPA’s Smart Sectors program to provide a platform for collaboration with regulated sectors to help the agency develop forward-thinking ways to improve environmental outcomes. READ MORE SHARE
Grassley floor speech criticizes EPA proposal to reduce RFS RVOs On Sept. 26, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, delivered a floor speech to the U.S. Senate expressing his disappointment in action taken by the U.S. EPA that could reduce 2018 and 2019 renewable volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard. READ MORE SHARE
STB renews charter of RETAC, schedules Oct. 19 meeting The Surface Transportation Board has published notices announcing its intent to renew the charter of the Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee and scheduling the next meeting of the RETAC for Oct. 19. READ MORE SHARE
USGC: Canada top market for US feed grains, coproducts Canada is a top trading partner for U.S. feed grains and coproducts like ethanol and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) thanks to geography and strong trade policy, according to the U.S. Grains Council. READ MORE SHARE
Judge rules EPA to release more documents on ethanol test fuels A judge rules that the Urban Air Initiative should have access to more EPA documents discussing test fuels. The D.C Federal Judge made the ruling in regards to a Freedom of Information Request (FOIA) Urban Air filed. READ MORE SHARE
ACE applauds Nebraska flex fuel station grand opening The American Coalition for Ethanol applauds the addition of a new flex fuel station in Nebraska offering ethanol-blended fuel options. The Blue Heron Renewable Flex Fuel Plaza is hosting a grand opening Sept. 28. READ MORE SHARE
Nebraska Corn Board offers new flex fuel pump grant Through a grant program, the Nebraska Corn Board has announced it will award qualifying retailers up to $50,000 for installation of flex fuel pumps, other necessary equipment and hardware to offer higher blends of ethanol fuel. READ MORE SHARE
Gevo to supply jet fuel to Virgin Australia at Brisbane Airport Gevo Inc. recently announced that it expects to supply its renewable alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) to the Virgin Australia Group. The Virgin Australia Group will be responsible for coordinating the purchase, supply and blending of the ATJ . READ MORE SHARE
Crappie Masters Tournament winners: Ethanol a factor in win The Crappie Masters Tournament Trail recently ended its 2017 season, crowning Missouri natives Phillip Haynes and Paul Alpers its National Championship winners. The Renewable Fuels Association was a co-title sponsor of the event. READ MORE SHARE
Skor responds to reports EPA may change policy on RINs, exports Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor is speaking out regarding emerging media reports of an effort by oil refiner Valero to encourage the U.S. EPA to attach renewable identification numbers (RINs) to exported biofuel, primarily corn-based ethanol. READ MORE SHARE
USGC: Marketing programs pay off for US coproducts in Turkey The U.S. Grains Council has announced Turkey is the second largest buyer of U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in the 2016-‘17 marketing year with 1.29 million metric tons of imports, nearly double the total from last marketing year. READ MORE SHARE
USDA NIFA announces $21.1 million to grow the bioeconomy The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently announced six grants totaling nearly $21.1 million to support the development of new jet fuel, biobased products and biomaterials from renewable sources. READ MORE SHARE
Siouxland Ethanol speaks at governor’s conference The American Coalition for Ethanol member plant Siouxland Ethanol LLC brought biofuels to the forefront at the 15th annual Tri-State Governors’ Conference. The governors of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota participated in the event. READ MORE SHARE