Ethanol Week - December 24, 2019

EPA finalizes 2020 RVOs, SRE rule; disappoints biofuels industry A final rule released by the EPA on Dec. 19 includes a slight boost in the 2020 RFS cellulosic biofuel RVO. The rule also maintains EPA’s much criticized proposed plan to account for future SREs—a move slammed by members of the biofuels industry. READ MORE SHARE
House passes USMCA trade agreement The U.S. House of Representatives passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement on Dec. 19 by a vote of 385 to 41. The trade pact, which was signed by the three countries in November 2018 to replace NAFTA, is expected to benefit ethanol producers. READ MORE SHARE
	EPA: 6 new SREs filed for compliance year 2019 The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Dec. 19, reporting that six new SRE petitions have been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2019, up from 10 petitions that had been filed as of Nov. 21. READ MORE SHARE
House passes spending bills, tax extenders legislation The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 17 voted to pass two legislative packages that comprise all 12 fiscal year 2020 funding bills. The packages also include tax extenders legislation that extends several biofuel and bioenergy tax credits. READ MORE SHARE
Poet commits $2 million for precision ag initiative at SDSU Poet Founder and CEO Jeff Broin has announced a $2 million gift for construction of the precision agriculture facility at South Dakota State University. Poet will have office space at the research park to help facilitate new collaborations. READ MORE SHARE
1,726 biofuel supporters call on Trump to fix SRE rule A group of 1,726 biofuel supporters from 41 states sent a letter to President Trump on Dec. 17 urging him to restore markets for American farmers and biofuel producers by ensuring EPA’s pending RFS rule fully accounts for biofuel demand lost to SREs. READ MORE SHARE
Fuel retailers, drivers raise thousands for local cancer center In the past two years, fuel retailers across Nebraska have joined forces to raise more than $13,000 for cancer research as part of Fuel the Cure. During October, participating retail locations donated 3 cents for each gallon of E15, E30 and E85 sold. READ MORE SHARE
RFA technical expert to lead safety coalition Missy Ruff, director of safety and technical programs for the Renewable Fuels Association, was selected to chair the executive committee of the National TRANSCAER Task Group. She assumes the key leadership role on Jan. 1. READ MORE SHARE
USGC: Peruvian team braves Minnesota cold to learn about US DDGS A chill in the air did not damper the excitement of a team of Peruvian buyers and nutritionists who traveled to Minnesota in November to gain a better understanding of the production, quality control and usage of U.S. DDGS, according to the USGC. READ MORE SHARE
Delta enters offtake agreement with Gevo for aviation biofuel Delta has signed a long-term offtake agreement with Gevo Inc. under which the airline will purhcase 10 million gallons per year of advanced renewable fuels from Gevo. The sustainable aviaition fuel (SAF) is expected to be available between 2022-2023. READ MORE SHARE