“What a year we've had,� Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, said in her keynote address at the 2020 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo. She discussed the many challenges the U.S. ethanol industry currently faces.
Discussions during the general session of the 2020 virtual Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo focused on the RFS, SREs, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. ethanol industry, its product mix and operations.
The USDA lowered its forecasts for 2020-'21 corn production and corn use in ethanol in its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, released Sept. 11. Corn ending stocks were also revised down, while corn exports were increased.
The Biogenic CO2 Coalition has filed a petition for rulemaking with the U.S. EPA providing a detailed explanation of the scientific and legal basis for the agency recognize the carbon neutrality of biogenic carbon emissions from crops.
The USDA announced on Sept. 10 it is seeking input on the most innovative technologies and practices that can be readily deployed across U.S. agriculture to meet the goals of the agency's Agriculture Innovation Agenda.
Doug Tiffany and Doug Durante, the respective winners of the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo's Award of Excellence and High-Octane Award, will deliver acceptance speeches at the virtual FEW on Sept. 16.
ARPA-E on Sept. 1 announced the award of $16.5 million for six projects that aim to bridge the data gap in the in the biofuel supply chain by quantifying feedstock-related GHG emissions and soil carbon dynamics at the field-level.
UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced sales of fuel ethanol were down during the first half of August. Sales of alcohol for non-fuel use, however, continued to remain high.
The USDA's Commodity Credit Crop announced on Aug. 28 that it does not expect to purchase and sell sugar under the Feedstock Flexibility Program for crop year 2020, which runs from Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021.
Poet has announced its partnership with Farmers Business Network to boost profits for farmers while promoting sustainable agricultural practices through the new GRO Network, which helps buyers access low-carbon corn.
The U.S. EPA on Sept. 1 released a proposed rule that would allow PIPs created through biotechnology to be exempt from existing regulations if they meet certain criteria. The EPA said the change would increase agricultural productivity.
A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network provides insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted ethanol and biodiesel producers in Canada.
Estimates show up to 8.2 million acres of corn and 5.2 million acres of soybeans were damaged in Iowa alone by the Aug. 10 derecho. The nationwide corn harvest, however, is still expected to be above average, according to the USGC.
On top of the slowdown, the world's No. 2 ethanol nation is holding strong on policies that check robust U.S. imports. In addition to its tariff rate quota, tough feedstock traceability requirements place another roadblock in front of U.S. ethanol.
California Ethanol + Power has announced its intention to enter into a 15-year marketing arrangement with global agribusiness leader CHS Inc. for ethanol produced at its Sugar Valley Energy facility. The plant will also produce biomethane and power.
The Senate Democrats Climate Committee released a new report on Aug. 25 that details how climate action by Congress can create new jobs and grow the U.S. economy. Biofuels and bioenergy are among the topics discussed.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Aug. 25 that the state is allocating approximately $100 million of federal CARES Act relief funds to seven ag programs to offset the impact of COVID-19. Approximately $22.5 million of that will support biofuels.
Ideal growing conditions and optimal yields should provide a silver lining for the 2020-'21 corn crop following lower than expected planting numbers. It's still early, but as of late August, the crop appears to be in good to excellent shape.
The U.S. EPA is seeking nominations for scientific experts from a diverse range of disciplines to be considered for appointment to the EPA Science Advisory Board and four SAB standing committees. Nominations are due Aug. 31.
UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced overall ethanol sales in July were down. Sales of ethanol for non-fuel uses and exports, however, were up. Corn ethanol production also increased when compared to July 2019.
ACE conference to feature USDA official, fuel retailers
By American Coalition for Ethanol
August 19, 2020
ACE's 33rd annual conference is being held as a live virtual event on Sept. 16 and will feature a USDA official, fuel retailers and a market analyst. Attendees will have dual access the 2020 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo.
President Trump on Aug. 18 verbally committed to speaking to the U.S. EPA regarding the RFS and SREs during a visit to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to participate in a disaster recovery briefing on the derecho windstorm that devastated the state Aug. 10.
The Biogenic CO2 Coalition has released a scientific literature review that confirms biogenic CO2 emissions from annual agriculture crops do not contribute to elevated greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.
In a split decision, a federal appeals court on Aug. 14 denied a petition filed by Poet Biorefining last year challenging guidance issued by the U.S. EPA in May 2019 regarding the registration of corn kernel fiber pathways under the RFS.
The push to alter biogenic emissions regulations could boost corn farming and ethanol production while cementing the role of biobased solutions in the fight against climate change. Political inertia, however, remains the primary barrier to change.
The USDA maintained its forecast for 2020-'21 corn use in ethanol in its latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report, released on Aug. 12. Projections for corn production and yield were revised up, while corn prices were revised down.
A recent study by researchers in the Energy Systems division at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory quantified how much farms might reduce emissions by changing their practices and adopting novel technologies.
As businesses of all sizes weather today's tough economy, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is offering its entire portfolio of patented technologies on a research trial basis—at no cost—to spur economic development and create new jobs.
The U.S. Department of Energy on July 31 announced more than $97 million in funding for 33 projects that will support high-impact technology research and development to accelerate the bioeconomy, including biofuels, biopower and bioproducts.
UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced ethanol production and sales were down a respective 2 percent and 14 percent during the first half of July despite a 14 percent increase in the volume of sugarcane processed.
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