Ethanol Week - December 10, 2019

Japan approves US-Japan Trade Agreement U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued a statement Dec. 4 confirming Japan’s Diet, its bicameral legislature, has approved the recently signed U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, which includes a staged tariff reduction for ethanol. READ MORE SHARE
Bunge, BP launch BP Bunge Bioenergy joint venture in Brazil Bunge Ltd. and BP plc announced Dec. 2 they have completed the formation of BP Bunge Bioenergia, a 50:50 joint venture that combines the two companies’ Brazilian bioenergy and sugarcane ethanol businesses. READ MORE SHARE
	Rex: NuGen plant in South Dakota impacted by corn shortages Rex American Resources Corp. officials reported improving crush spreads and said its ethanol operations are currently running at a profitable rate during a Dec. 4 earnings call. The company's NuGen plant, however, is being impacted by corn shortages. READ MORE SHARE
USDA to undertake seven trade missions in 2020 The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced seven trade missions in 2020 meant to promote U.S. agricultural goods to overseas markets. Four of the destinations will be first-time visits for the organization. READ MORE SHARE
UNICA: Brazilian corn ethanol production up significantly UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced that nearly three-fourths of the sugarcane processed during the first half of November went to ethanol production. The group also said corn ethanol production is up significantly. READ MORE SHARE
Senators urge EPA to ensure RFS won’t be undermined by SREs A group of nine senators, led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., sent a public comment letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler in late November expressing concern over the agencies proposal to account for future small refinery exemptions (SREs). READ MORE SHARE
Senate confirms Brouillette as energy secretary The U.S. Senate voted 70-15 on Dec. 2 to confirm Dan Brouillette as energy secretary following his Nov. 7 nomination by President Trump. Brouillette previously served as deputy energy secretary under former Energy Secretary Rick Perry. READ MORE SHARE
RFA stresses ethanol benefits at UN Climate Change Conference Low-carbon ethanol is an economical and proven solution for fighting global climate change, the Renewable Fuels Association told world leaders in Madrid at the U.N. Climate Change Conference, also known as COP25. READ MORE SHARE
California Ethanol & Power granted sales and use tax extension California Ethanol & Power LLC was recently granted by unanimous vote a four-year extension for a sales and use tax exclusion (STE) by the Board of the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority. READ MORE SHARE
Report debunks claims regarding RFS impact on endangered species Growth Energy has released a new report authored by Ramboll that demonstrates how claims on the Renewable Fuel Standard’s alleged impact on endangered species “relies on unsupported assumptions and speculation.” READ MORE SHARE