Ethanol Week - October 17, 2017

Elite Octane expected to begin commissioning next year Construction on a new corn ethanol plant in Cass County, Iowa, is progressing on schedule. The 120 MMgy Elite Octane facility is currently expected to begin commissioning during the second quarter of 2018. The project broke ground in March 2017. READ MORE SHARE
ABFA members oppose proposed cuts to RFS RVOS in letter to Trump On Oct. 13, members of the Advanced Biofuels Association sent a letter to President Trump expressing their opposition to a recent proposal issued by the U.S. EPA that could result in lower blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. READ MORE SHARE
	Senators, governors advocate for strong biomass-based diesel RVOs Several senators and governors are taking action to urge the Trump administration to ensure strong 2018 and 2019 renewable blending obligations (RVOs) are set under the Renewable Fuel Standard. READ MORE SHARE
EPA approves efficient producer pathway for Ohio plant The U.S. EPA has approved an efficient producer pathway for The Andersons Marathon 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
EIA maintains 2017, 2018 ethanol production forecasts The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the October edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, maintaining the 2017 and 2018 ethanol production forecasts made in the September STEO. READ MORE SHARE
RFA: Analysis shows no relationship between RINs, gas prices Despite continued claims by opponents of the Renewable Fuel Standard, prices of the renewable identification numbers used for RFS compliance have not caused changes in retail gasoline prices, according to Informa Agribusiness Consulting. READ MORE SHARE
ACE hosts Latin American trade group on ethanol tour The American Coalition for Ethanol hosted a Latin American trade team organized by the U.S. Grains Council at its Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based office Oct. 16 as part of the group’s pre-tour prior to the Ethanol Summit of the Americas in Houston. READ MORE SHARE
UW scientists part of $6 million biofuel, carbon capture project Agricultural economists at the University of Wyoming will generate models of what economies in the Upper Missouri River Basin might look like if raising biofuels and carbon capture technologies were implemented. READ MORE SHARE
RFA celebrates National Farmers Day Oct. 12 is celebrated as National Farmers Day. On this day of recognition, the Renewable Fuels Association would like to thank and honor farmers for their service, especially USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. READ MORE SHARE
Highwater Ethanol hosts Wabasso High School students Sixteen students from Wabasso High School recently toured Highwater Ethanol to learn more about home-grown renewable energy production. During the tour, the students learned about the various processes in ethanol production. READ MORE SHARE
Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association rewards drivers who chose E15 The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association and KS95 FM teamed up Oct. 11 to reward drivers who chose E15 at the Holiday station on Centerville Road in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. READ MORE SHARE
DOT awards hazardous materials planning and training grants The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is issuing three separate hazardous materials training related grants totaling $23.87 million. A portion of the funding supports ethanol safety training. READ MORE SHARE
Iowa plant receives EPA approval for cellulosic production Edeniq Inc. recently announced that the U.S. EPA has approved Flint Hills Resources’ registration of its 100 million gallons per year Iowa Falls, Iowa, ethanol plant for cellulosic ethanol production. READ MORE SHARE
St1 progresses with plans for advanced biofuels St1 recently announced it plans to begin producing renewable diesel at its refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2020. The company also said it continues to develop advanced ethanol production technologies with a focus on lignocellulosic feedstocks. READ MORE SHARE
Surgeonfish research may aid biofuel development Red Sea surgeonfish use metabolically diverse giant bacteria to digest different types of algae, according to new research. These findings may provide a valuable genetic resource for biofuel research. READ MORE SHARE