The U.S. Grains Council’s Southeast Asia and Oceania team recently participated in two leading bioenergy conferences in the region, underscoring the pertinent role ethanol can play in emerging new-use areas for transportation decarbonization.
The U.S. exported 159.31 million gallons of ethanol and 1.06 million metric tons of distillers grains in March, according to data released by the USDA on May 2. Exports of both products were up when compared to both the previous month and March 2023.
In April, U.S. Grains Council member representatives, USGC Chairman Brent Boydston and Jake Comer, Growth Energy’s vice president of market development, joined organization staff in South Korea for the USDA’s Agricultural Trade Mission (ATM).
Renewable Fuels Month highlights the importance of renewable biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, especially for Nebraskans, according to Fueled by Nebraska, a partnership of Nebraska biofuel and ag organizations.
As part of the USGC’s strategy to support the initiation of the ethanol-gasoline blending program in Costa Rica, the group participated in a technical workshop in San Jose, Costa Rica, that focused on ethanol and vehicle compatibility.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine C. Tai on April 17 discussed efforts to increase market access for U.S. ethanol in Brazil during a hearing held by the Senate Committee on Finance focused on the Biden administration’s 2024 trade policy agenda.
A record volume of sugarcane was processed during Brazil’s recently completed 2023-’24 harvest season, according to UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association. Ethanol production also set a new record, with a significant boost from corn.
Following the success of a November 2023 program in Nigeria, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) returned to the country in March to continue engagement with local stakeholders as the interest in E10 use in Nigeria’s fuel mix continues to grow.
The Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy in April jointly submitted comments within the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) regarding the Brazilian tariff on imported U.S. ethanol.
The U.S Energy Information Administration increased its forecast for 2024 fuel ethanol production in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released April 9. The 2024 and 2025 forecasts for fuel ethanol blending were reduced.
While some critics wrote off E85 years ago as a “dead fuel,” the blend is alive and kicking. In fact, E85 has never been more popular with drivers of flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), with record sales reported last year in both California and Minnesota.
As part of its efforts to promote decarbonization, the U.S. Grains Council is increasing its focus on market opportunities for ethanol outside the transportation sector.
The University of Missouri’s FAPRI in March released a report featuring 10-year baseline projections for U.S. agricultural markets that predicts a modest increase in ethanol production and lower corn prices over the next decade.
In March, USGC representatives Isabelle Ausdal, regional ethanol manager for the EU, U.K. and Canada, and Growth Energy’s Chris Bliley, senior vice president of regulatory affairs, visited Ottawa, Canada, to promote increased ethanol blending.
The U.S. exported 139.02 million gallons of ethanol and 986,337 metric tons of distillers grains in February, according to data released by the USDA on April 4. Exports of both products were up when compared to February 2023.
The U.S. Grains Council is soliciting applications for its seven Advisory Teams (A-Teams) to serve the 2024-2026 term. One of the A-Teams focuses exclusively on ethanol. Applications are due April 30.
UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced sugarcane processing during the first half of March was up significantly when compared to the same period of last year. Ethanol production and sales were also up.
Legislation introduced in the Illinois Senate aims to create a technology-neutral clean fuel standard (CFS) that would reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 20% by 2038.
U.S. Grains Council staff recently traveled to Maputo, Mozambique and met with high-ranking government officials from the U.S. and Mozambique to discuss the country’s intention to implement a 10 percent ethanol fuel blend by August.
Reps. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, and Darin LaHood, R-Ill, led two letters to the Biden administration urging greater action in developing new markets for biofuels exports and calling on officials to work toward the repeal of Brazil’s ethanol tariffs.
The Michigan Senate Committee on Energy and Environment on March 14 held a hearing to consider legislation introduced last year that aims to create a tax credit to support the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
At the Commodity Classic in Houston, USGC staff members and leadership highlighted USGC programming being conducted to increase exports and build on the organization’s mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives.
Annual E15 sales in Minnesota reached a new milestone in 2023 with 127.56 million gallons reported sold, according to the latest data by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
The record use of lower-cost E85 in California saved the state’s drivers $99 million in 2023, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 370,000 metric tons, a new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association shows.
Growth Energy has welcomed the release of new data from the California Air Resources Board showing that sales of E85 set a new record in the state in 2023. The organization is also calling on California to fast track approval of E15.
The EU’s ambitions to be a world leader in the fight against climate change are admirable but daunting—which makes it all the more vital for policymakers to take a pragmatic approach that uses every available sustainable emissions reduction technology.
The U.S. exported 149.97 million gallons of ethanol and 902,376 metric tons of distillers grains in January, according to data released by the USDA FAS on March 7. Exports of both products were up when compared to January 2023.
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. On March 5 announced that it has developed a stationary, bio-ethanol-fueled system capable of high-efficiency power generation. Trials of the system have begun at Nissans Tochigi Plant in Japan.
The U.S. Grains Council, in partnership with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Jakarta and other key USDA cooperators and local stakeholders, recently organized a series of seminars aimed at bolstering Indonesia’s dairy sector.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on March 5 signed legislation to establish a technology-neutral clean transportation fuel standard (CTFS) that aims to reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of transportation fuels by at least 30% by 2024.
Advertisement
@ Copyright 2025 - BBI International - All rights reserved.