Ethanol Week - April 21, 2020

Five oil state governors ask the EPA to waive 2020 RFS RVOs The governors of Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Utah and Louisiana have sent letters to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler asking the agency to waive 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements due to market impacts caused by COVID-19. READ MORE SHARE
Ethanol industry could see $10 billion in losses due to COVID-19 As the COVID-19 pandemic and crude oil glut continue to ravage world fuel markets, U.S. ethanol sales in 2020 could fall by more than $10 billion and the industry’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) could drop by nearly one-third. READ MORE SHARE
	Fluid Quip starts up fifth MSC system at Green Plains facility Fluid Quip Technologies Maximum Stillage Co-Products MSC has begun operations at Green Plains' ethanol plant in Shenandoah, Iowa. The MSC protein separation system began operations producing 50 percent Still Pro 50 protein within 24 hours of startup. READ MORE SHARE
USDA: $19 billion COVID-19 program provides no relief for biofuel The USDA on April 17 announced a $19 billion COVID-19 relief program to assist farmers, ranchers and consumers. Despite requests from representatives of the biofuels industry, the package provides no relief for ethanol producers. READ MORE SHARE
RFA provides update on COVID-19 impacts The RFA estimates half of U.S. ethanol production capacity is offline. During a conference call held April 20, representatives of the ethanol industry discussed the impact COVID-19 is having on biofuel producers and stressed the need for federal aid. READ MORE SHARE
EPA: 26 SRE petitions now pending for compliance year 2019 The U.S. EPA released update small refinery exemption (SRE) data on April 16, reporting that one additional SRE petition has been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2019. READ MORE SHARE
Tharaldson Ethanol continues operations despite COVID-19 Many ethanol plants have been forced to reduce or idle production capacity due to falling demand caused by COVID-19. However, several plants, including Tharaldson Ethanol, are continuing to operate at levels near full capacity. READ MORE SHARE
EIA: US ethanol production falls to 570,000 barrels per day U.S. fuel ethanol production fell 15 percent the week ending April 10 to an average of 570,000 barrels per day, the lowest level since the U.S. Energy Administration began reporting weekly ethanol production data in mid-2010. READ MORE SHARE
Report: Biofuel jobs up 2% in 2019 The Energy Futures Initiative and the National Association of State Energy Officials recently published the 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, which determined U.S. biofuel jobs grew by approximately 2 percent last year. READ MORE SHARE
Novozymes: Bioenergy segment impacted by COVID-19 Novozymes has reported its bioenergy segment experienced 11 percent organic growth during the first quarter of 2020. Growth in the segment, however, is not expected to continue due to the impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. ethanol industry. READ MORE SHARE