EIA
Date: 2021-02-22
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released its Annual Energy Outlook 2021 (AEO2021) on Feb. 3, predicting that the consumption of biofuels as a share of the domestic fuel mix will gradually increase through 2050.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic affected demand for all liquid fuels last year, the EIA notes that biofuel consumption has not decreased as much as petroleum-based fuels. AEO2021's reference case, which represents the EIA's best assessment of how energy markets will operate through 2050, predicts that biofuels consumption will return to 2019 levels in 2021, slightly faster than petroleum-based transportation fuels. As a result, biofuels will account for an increasing share of the domestic fuel mix.

The EIA attributes the quicker rebound in biofuels consumption primarily to regulatory support, such as the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

In the AEO2021 reference case, the EIA projects that the percentage of biofuels blended into the U.S. transportation fuel pool will increase and slowly grow through 2050. In the event of high oil prices, the EIA expects the share of biofuels consumed in the U.S. would rise to a greater percentage as higher prices for gasoline and diesel would make biofuels more competitive.

Biodiesel production is expected to grow slightly in the reference case, maintaining a steady level of supply through 2050. Renewable diesel production is expected to grow at a higher rate. Ethanol consumption is expected to return to pre-COVID levels in later years of the projection period, steadily growing through 2050 because of higher ethanol blends making their way into the on-road transportation fuel, according to the EIA.

Domestic production of other biomass-derived liquids, including pyrolysis oils, biomass-derived Fischer-Tropsch liquids, biobutanol and renewable feedstocks used for the on-site production of diesel and gasoline, is expected to grow by 3.5 percent, reaching 90,000 bpd by 2050. The AEO2020 reference case predicted a 5.3 percent increase, which would equate to 110,000 bpd in 2050. (Source: EIA, 3 Feb., 2021) Contact: EIA, www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo

More Low-Carbon Energy News EIA,  Biofuel,  Ethanol,  Biodiesel,  

USDA, HBIIP
Date: 2021-02-05
"When the USDA Rural Development office announced the reopening of its Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) funding opportunity and gave retailers one more shot at a grant award, it set a tight 30-day application period that ended January 19.

"In the first HBIIP funding opportunity, the Renewable Fuels Association was able to assist applicants secure funding in 22 states which will result in over $50 million in new ethanol infrastructure and bring almost 1,200 new blender dispensers to the marketplace. RFA was front-and-center once again on this second round, working up to the final hour to assist as many retailers as we could. In the end, we helped 11 companies in seven states submit applications for 47 locations that could result in 233 new higher blend dispensers where consumers can enjoy the benefits of higher ethanol blends.

"According to the USDA, HBIIP was created to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels. The program is also intended to encourage a more comprehensive approach to market higher blends by sharing the costs related to building out biofuel-related infrastructure.

"For retailers, HBIIP can provide the extra support needed to bring higher blends into their marketplace. The cost-share grants provide up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, not to exceed $3 million per applicant. The program will share the costs related to the upgrading of fuel dispensers (gas and diesel pumps), associated ancillary equipment, and other infrastructure necessary for a location to ensure the environmentally safe availability of fuel containing ethanol blends greater than 10 percent such as E15 and E85 or fuel containing biodiesel blends greater than 5 percent.

"We're looking forward to seeing this new round of grants announced and fulfilled, so we can help retailers move more low-carbon ethanol into fuel tanks around the country. For those retailers that might have missed out on this funding opportunity, there are some states and individual renewable fuel advocates that offer funding throughout the year. Please reach out to RFA for assistance in navigating these opportunities." (Source: Renewable Fuels Association , 3 Feb. 2021) Contact: Renewable Fuels Association, Cassie Mullen, Dir. Market Development, www.ethanolrfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA,  HBIIP,  Renewable Fuels Association,  Ethanol Blend,  

India Ethanol Blend
Date: 2020-12-21
In New Delhi, the Indian central government has proposed to advance the deadline for blending 20 pct ethanol in petrol from the previously announced 2030 to as early as 2023 to allow India's sugar mills to convert excess sugarcane or sugar for producing higher quantity of ethanol required for blending with petrol.

The government previously targeted 10 pct ethanol blending by 2022 and 20 per cent by 2030.

As part of reworked plan on bio fuels, the ministry of road transport and highways has already published a draft notification for introducing the adoption of E20 fuel, ie, blend of 20 pct ethanol with petrol, and has sought comments from the public. Apart from facilitating adoption of green fuel, E20 blending would also cut down India's crude oil import costs and boost the ethanol economy. (Source: IANS, PR, Punjab Times, 21 Dec., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News India,  B20,  Ethanol Blend,  

ADAC
Date: 2020-12-16
In Munich, the German motoring association ADAC has proposed doubling the EU ethanol-gasoline blending rate from the presently allowed 10 pct ethanol maximum to 20 pct to achieve higher CO2 savings and contribute to the decarbonisation of the transport sector.

As part of the new European Union (EU) Green Deal, many directives, including FQD, will be revised and the European Commission (EC) is expected to look at options to stimulate the uptake of renewable and low-emission fuels, as highlighted in the EU Climate Target Plan. (Source: ADAC, PR, ePURE Website, Dec., 2020) Contact: ADAC, Karsten Schulze, +49 89 22 22 22, www.adac.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol Blend Rate,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2020-12-09
Growth Energy, the nation's largest association of biofuel producers and supporters, released a new report examining the potential climate benefits of a nationwide transition from the standard 10-pct ethanol blended fuel (E10) to a 15-pct ethanol blend (E15). The report was authored by Air Improvement Resource (AIR) Inc., a leading research firm in the area of mobile source emissions modeling and technology.

Marketed to consumers as Unleaded 88, E15 is approved by the EPA for all light-duty vehicles model year 2001 and later, which is 95 pct of the vehicle fleet on the road today. Currently, 98 pct of all gasoline contains about 10 pct ethanol, but more than 2,200 retail locations are now offering E15, and in 2020 -- despite COVID-19 -- retail sites offering E15 have increased 10 pct. According to the AIR study, the higher ethanol blend would not only help achieve the nation's climate goals, but also offers individual states the opportunity to lead -- cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 1.88 million tpy in California alone.

Download the GHG Benefits of 15 pct Ethanol (E15)Use in the United States report HERE. (Source: Growth Energy, PR, 7 Dec., 2020) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  Carbon Emissions,  

Ontario Ministry of Environment
Date: 2020-11-27
At Queen's Park, the government of Ontario has announced plans to gradually raise the province's ethanol in gasoline blending rate from the present 10 pct to 11 pct by 2025, then jumping to 13 pct in 2028 and 15 pct in 2030. With the increase, Ontario would be the first Canadian province to raise the fuel-additive ratio to the 15 pct level. level it plans.

"We know about one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the province come from transportation, which is why increasing the amount of renewable content in gasoline is such an important step towards fighting climate change and driving down emissions," Environment Minister Hon. Jeff Yurek said. The proposed increments would be the equivalent of taking 300,000 cars off the road every year in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions.

Ontario aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 pct by 2030. (Source: Ontario Ministry of Environment, Woodstocj Sentinel Review, 26 Nov., 2020) Contact: Ontario Ministry of Environment, www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-environment-and-climate-change-resources

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol Bled,  Ethanol,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2020-10-19
Growth Energy welcomed the USDA's announcement of grants under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Programme (HBIIP). Growth Energy's network of both large and small retail partners secured nearly $30 million in grants for over 290 sites selling more than 400 million gpy of petroleum .

"This announcement offers a welcome ray of hope during an otherwise rough year for America's farmers, retailers and biofuel producers. It represents a major milestone in our efforts to ensure more Americans can access cleaner and more affordable ethanol-blended fuel. We're grateful to Secretary Perdue, USDA, and our congressional champions who are working tirelessly to make higher ethanol blends a success. We're especially proud of Growth Energy's incredible network of retail partners, who bring Unleaded88 (E15) to consumers across the nation and are paving the way for higher blends of ethanol," Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said. (Source: Growth Energy, PR, Oct., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News E15 news,  Growth Energy news,  Ethanol news,  Ethanol Blend news,  HBIIP news,  

USDA Rural Development
Date: 2020-10-12
On Thursday last, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the USDA has invested $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales.

These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to recipients in 14 states. The initial $22 million in HBIIP investments are projected to increase ethanol demand by nearly 150 million gpy.

HBIIP helps transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities convert to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends by sharing the costs related to the installation of fuel pumps, related equipment and infrastructure. Eligible applicants are vehicle fueling facilities, including, but not limited to, local fueling stations/locations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities, fuel terminal operations, midstream partners and/or distribution facilities. Higher biofuel blends are fuels containing ethanol greater than 10 pct by volume and/or fuels containing biodiesel blends greater than 5 pct by volume.

Download HBIIP program details HERE. (Source: USDA, 8 Oct., 2020) Contact: USDA Rural Dev., www.rd.usda.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA news,  Ethanol Blend news,  Biofuel Blend news,  

National Corn Growers Association
Date: 2020-09-04
In the Show Me State, the Chesterfield-headquartered National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reports it is working with Austin, Texas-based Wayne Fueling Systems to produce and sell fuel pumps certified to deliver fuel containing up to 25 pct ethanol.

As previously reported, NCGA also recently partnered with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), assisting fuel retailers in applying for the USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). The $100 million program included $86 million to expand the availability of higher blends of ethanol, like E15 and E85.

NCGA support for this program helped deliver program awareness and technical assistance for applications representing more than 1,100 fuel dispensers across 21 states and 222 locations dispensing more than 250 million gallons of gasoline annually. (Source: NCGA, Sept., 2020) Contact: NCGA, PR, Wayne Fueling Systems, (512) 388-8311, www.wayne.com; National Corn Growers Assoc., Mark Palmer, Renewable Fuels Dir., (636) 733-9004, (636) 733-9005-fax, corninfo@ncga.com, www.ncga.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Corn Growers Association,  Ethanol Blend,  E15,  E85 ,  

Urban Air Initiative,American Coalition for Ethanol
Date: 2020-08-17
In Washington, the Urban Air Initiative (UAI) -- a coalition of state corn grower organizations -- along with the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Clean Fuels Development Coalition last Friday filed comments asking the EPA not to penalize ethanol's ability to reduce carbon emissions.

The EPA is proposing to penalize the current Tier 3 test fuel that all automakers will use to meet CO2 emission standards because it contains 10 pct ethanol. This Tier 3 test fuel lowers CO2 emissions compared to the prior E0 test fuel from 1975. The EPA is creating this new penalty against ethanol by manipulating test procedures to inflate the tailpipe CO2 emissions of vehicles certified as using E10. Since the penalty would presumably increase with higher ethanol volumes, this rule would be a major disincentive for automakers to transition to higher ethanol blends.

"Basically ethanol can't win. First EPA ignores ethanol's ability to reduce toxic aromatics, and now it wants to penalize ethanol for being a more efficient, lower-carbon fuel additive. The EPA is making this more complicated than it needs to be. It's creating rules based on older, non-representative fuels in its testing. Plus, EPA has no authority to penalize a particular fuel. Automakers can take advantage of high octane ethanol but not if they are penalized before they even start. In short, let the market work," Urban Air President Dave VanderGriend commented.

"EPA's anti-ethanol bias is not limited to how it has badly mismanaged the Renewable Fuel Standard, it extends to the Agency's proposal to artificially inflate CO2 emissions from vehicles being tested on E10 blends for Tier 3 Test Fuel Procedures," ACE CEO Brian Jennings commented. (Source: Urban Air Initiative, PR, 17 Aug., 2020) Contact: Urban Air Initiative, Dave VanderGriend, Pres., www. fixourfuel.com; Clean Fuels Development Coalition, 301-718-0077, www.cleanfuelsdc.org; American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, (605) 334-3381, www.ethanol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  American Coalition for Ethanol,  ACE,  Urban Air Initiative,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2020-08-10
In a letter to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Growth Energy's Regulatory Affairs VP Chris Bliley called for the agency to expand the use of higher biofuel blends to make California's fuel mix more environmentally sustainable.

According to Growth Energy, "Higher ethanol blends can be immediately deployed in existing vehicles to achieve immediate greenhouse gas reductions, reduce harmful air toxics, and reduce consumer costs at the pump. In fact, biofuels like ethanol have generated more than 75 percent of LCFS credits. Additionally, even with room to further improve greenhouse gas lifecycle modeling, CARB recognizes the significant improvement in ethanol's carbon intensity. As has been researched by the University of California -- Riverside and the University of Illinois, the use of more ethanol and ethanol-blended fuel reduces air toxics such as carbon monoxide, benzene, and other harmful particulates.'

Download Growth Energy's full comments HERE. Source: Growth Energy,CStore Decisions, Aug., 2020) Contact: Growth Energy, Chris Bliley, Senior VP Regulatory Affairs, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy news,  Biofuel news,  CARB news,  

EIA,Ethanol
Date: 2020-08-07
According to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), in the week ended 31 July US ethanol production averaged 931,000 bpd for a week-on-week decrease of 27,000 bpd. Ethanol production was also down 109,000 bpd year on year while US ethanol stocks rose 74,000 barrels to 20.346 million barrels.

For the same period, East Coast stocks rose 24,000 bpd, Gulf Coast stocks dropped 171,000 bpd and West Coast inventories fell 88,000 bpd.

Gasoline demand fell and the four-week rolling average of the refiner and blender net ethanol input dipped 1,000 bpd to 839,000 bpd for the same period while the weekly average declined 9,000 bpd to 844,000 bpd. The four-week rolling average of the ethanol blending rate rose slightly from 9.66 to 9.69 pct. (Source: US Energy Information Administration, S&P, 5 Aug., 2020) Contact: Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News EIA,  Ethanol,  

ePURE
Date: 2020-06-26
The European renewable ethanol trade association ePURE is reporting its member's production and use of renewable ethanol resulted in an average greenhouse gas savings of more than 72 pct compared to fossil fuels in 2019 -- an eight-year trend of annual improvements to the climate-change-fighting potential of EU ethanol.

Renewable ethanol produced by ePURE members is refined from European feedstock and works at scale in petrol engines, which still power the majority of new cars being bought in the EU and will be predominant on the roads for the next decades. Promoting ethanol use in the EU -- by adopting E10 or higher ethanol blends; by increasing ambitions for renewables in transport; by taxing energy based on carbon intensity instead of volume -- would help Europe achieve its Green Deal transport decarbonisation goals, according to the ePURE release.

ePURE's membership includes 19 producing companies with around 50 refineries in 16 EU Member States, accounting for about 85 pct of EU renewable ethanol production. (Source: ePURE, BioFuels, 25 June, 2020) Contact: ePURE, Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary-General, +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org, www.epure.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News ePURE,  Ethanol,  GHG,  Greenhouse Gas,  Carbon Emissions,  

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2020-05-29
In the Hawkeye State, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is calling for legislators to act on House File 2279 and Senate File 2403 that would extend and modernize fuel tax differentials for E15 and higher ethanol blends and B11 and higher biodiesel blends, which are set to expire on June 30, 2020.

With the passage of either bill, Iowa will not only continue to support renewable fuels but put millions of dollars back into the road use tax fund each year for vital infrastructure projects, according to IRFA. "If the legislature allows the biofuel tax differentials to expire, not only will it raise prices on consumers at the pump, it will also hurt Iowa's farmers and biofuels producers who are suffering as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and trade disputes. Since the implementation of the current tax differential, we've seen biofuel blend sales increase dramatically, but with June 30 just around the corner, it is imperative the legislature take action now. Iowa cannot afford to take a step backward in promoting the use of renewable fuels," according to IRFA Policy Director Nathan Hohnstein, (Source: Iowa Renewable Fuels Assoc., 27 May, 2020) Contact: IRFA, Nathan Hohnstein, Policy Director , (515) 252-6249, (515) 225-0781 -- fax, www.iowarfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Iowa Renewable Fuels Association,  Biofuel,  

USDA,Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2020-05-06
In the Nation's capital, the USDA reports it intends to make up to $100 million available in competitive grants under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to support activities designed to expand the availability and sale of ethanol and biodiesel.

According to the USDA release, funds will be made directly available to assist transportation and fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities with converting to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends by sharing the costs related to and/or offering sales incentives for the installation of fuel pumps, related equipment and infrastructure. distribution facilities.

Of the total $100 million, $86 million will be available for implementation activities related to ethanol blends above E10 and $14 million will be available for implementation activities related to blends of biodiesel above B5. Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible projects costs, up to $5 million, are available to vehicle fueling facilities, including local fueling stations/locations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities, fuel terminal operations, midstream partners and/or distribution facilities.

The agency expects the $100 million in funding to support approximately 150 awards and provide assistance to approximately 1,500 locations.

As an aside, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper offered the following statement in response: "U.S. ethanol producers today are facing the worst economic conditions in the industry's 40-year history due to COVID-19, and they need immediate emergency relief to survive this catastrophe. Once the pandemic is over and fuel markets are showing signs of recovery, expanding infrastructure via the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program will be important to the long-term future of the ethanol industry and rural America. We thank the USDA for its efforts to support the future of renewable fuels." (Source: USDA, May, 2020)Contact: USDA, Sonny Perdue, Sec., www.usda.gov; Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association,  USDA,  Biofuel,  Biofuel Blend,  

Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association
Date: 2020-05-06
In Manila, the Philippines, the Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association (IPPCA) has come out in support of the Philippine Department of Energy's suggested diversion of biofuel production into the creation of ethyl alcohol on the grounds that "diverting it [biofuels] to ethyl alcohol, or even as alcohol beverage, will be more beneficial for the economy."

Under 2006 legislation, the Philippines mandates a 10 pct bioethanol-gasoline blend rate. The energy Department noted "Let's use the ethanol to produce alcohol and since the price of oil is low, we can use 100 pct gasoline." Under the country's Biofuels Act, prohibits the "diversion of biofuels, whether locally produced or imported, to purposes other than those envisioned in the Act." (Source: Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association, Business World, 5 May, 2020) Contact: Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association, www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Independent-Philippine-Petroleum-Companies-Association-IPPCA-120279771348470

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,   Ethanol Blend,  Philippine Ethano,  Biofuel Blendl Blend,  

Biofuel
Date: 2020-05-01
In Washington, U.S. Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (Dem, IA-01)is reporting the introduction of the bipartisan Clean Fuels Deployment Act of 2020 authorizing $600 million over six years to help retailers offer higher ethanol blends, expand the geographic area selling ethanol blends, support biodiesel, bioheat, and sustainable aviation fuel markets, and accelerate the deployment of fueling infrastructure.

The legislation, co-sponsored by Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), would provide funding for installing and converting fuel pump infrastructure to deliver higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel.

The bill, given recent uncertainties in the renewable fuels industry, is more important than ever to fund infrastructure improvements and remove market barriers to accessing clean and renewable fuels. In addition to supporting the distribution of higher ethanol and biodiesel blends at fueling stations, the program could also be used to enhance pipelines and terminals to blend and carry ethanol and biodiesel.

Program grant funding could be used to incentivize the deployment of ethanol and biodiesel fueling infrastructure and convert existing infrastructure to deliver ethanol blends greater than 10 percent and biodiesel blends greater than 20 pct. (Source: Office of Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer, Website, 28 April, 2020) (202) 225-2911, (319) 364-2288, www.finkenauer.house.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Ethanol,  Biodiesel,  

National Corn Growers Association
Date: 2020-04-24
According to the National Corn Growers Association's (NCGA) Mark Palmer, director of renewable fuels, the corn ethanol industry is presently dealing with some major challenges right now but is working on legislation to establish a federal low carbon, high octane fuel standard for automobiles.

A low carbon, high octane standard would allow sales of 20 pct or higher ethanol blends. Palmer says they hope to have legislation introduced in the House by late summer or early fall. (Source: National Corn Growers Association, Brownfield Ag News, 21 April, 2020) Contact: National Corn Growers Assoc., Mark Palmer, Renewable Fuels Dir., (636) 733-9004, (636) 733-9005 -fax, corninfo@ncga.com, www.ncga.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Corn Growers Association,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  Coen,  Corn Ethanol,  

Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association
Date: 2020-03-02
The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) reports Brazil and India have inked a technical cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the use of Ethanol as an alternative fuel in India.

The MoU calls for the exchange of information on the production and sustainable use of ethanol as well as encouraging and increasing investment in biofuels, bioelectricity, and biogas. I also aims to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help redirect the sugar surplus in India, which currently requires government subsidies to guarantee competitive prices in the international market.

India has set an Ethanol blending target of 10 pct by 2022 rising to 20 pct by 2030. (Source: UNICA, EnergyInfraPost, 28 Feb., 2020) Contact: Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association, (202) 506 5299, (202)747-5836 - fax (Washington DC office), english.unica.com.br

More Low-Carbon Energy News Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association,  India,  Etanol,  

Ethanol
Date: 2020-02-26
In a letter to the Big Three US automakers, Nebraska State Governor Pete Ricketts (R) urged Ford, Fiat-Chrysler and GM to increase production of passenger vehicles designed to run on higher ethanol blends, such as E20, E30, E40, and E85.

In his letter, the Governor emphasized the benefits of ethanol to the environment, the economy, and to family finances. He reminded the automakers that E15 is now available all twelve months of the year at gas stations throughout the United States. Additionally, he informed automakers about Nebraska's year-long, E30 demonstration program aimed at showing that conventional, non-flex-fuel, light-duty vehicles can safely run on E30. (Source: Office of Gov. Governor Pete Ricketts, Media Release, 23 Feb., 2020) Contact: Office of Governor Pete Ricketts, 402-471-2244, 402-471-6031 - fax, www.governor.nebraska.gov › contact-governor

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol Bleand,  Ethanol,  Biofuel,  E20,  E30,  E40,  E85,  

Green Plains Inc
Date: 2020-02-12
Omaha-headquartered ethanol producer Green Plains Inc. reports it will invest $400 million over the next two years to refocus its business on the production of corn-based, high protein animal feeds at its various production facilities. With this refocusing, ethanol will become a low-margin byproduct for the company.

According to Reuters, the company's new game plan is in response to an uncertain ethanol market outlook, the Trump administration's continued issuance of RFS ethanol blending "hardship waivers" and an almost 20 pct drop in revenues from ethanol sales in 2019.

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. Under the now vanquished administrator Greg Pruitt's direction, the EPA handed out 54 exemptions over two years and not a single waiver request for an exemption was denied. (Source: Green Plains, Successful Farming, Feb., 2020)Contact: Green Plains, Jim Stark, VP-IR, (402) 884-8700, www.gpreinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Plains Inc.,  DDGs,  Ethanol,  RFS,  

Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Date: 2020-01-27
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) has unveiled its Better Fuel Initiative aimed at increasing the state's B10 ethanol blend rate to B15, and generally touting the advantages of biofuel.

Minnesota was the first state to require ethanol blended fuels to improve air quality.

With nearly 7,000 members, MCGA is one of the largest grassroots farm organizations in the United States. Working in close partnership with the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council, MCGA identifies and promotes opportunities for Minnesota's 24,000 corn farmers while building connections with the non-farming public, according to the MCGA website. (Source: Minnesota Corn Growers Association, KDHL Radio, Contact: Minnesota Corn Growers Association, 952-233-0333, www.mncorn.org; Better Fuel Initiative, www.betterfuel.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Minnesota Corn Growers Association,  Ethanol,  B10,  B15,  

Tata
Date: 2020-01-24
In Mumbai, Tata Projects Ltd., one of India's fastest growing infrastructure companies, is reporting acquisition of Bharat Petroleum Corporation's (BPCL) 2G Bio Ethanol Project at Bargarh, Odisha.

The project is expected to produce 100 KL per day of fuel-grade cellulosic ethanol from agricultural waste and residues primarily rice straw and corn stover. The project will also assist in addressing growing environmental concerns and supporting the Indian government's Ethanol Blended Petrol programme.

Tata Projects provides turnkey solutions for the construction of roads, bridges, fully integrated rail & metro systems, commercial building and airports and setting up power generation plants, power transmission & distribution systems, chemical process plants, water and waste management and complete mining and metal purification systems, according to the company website. (Source: Tata Projects, Rural Marketing 24 Jan., 2024) Contact: Tata Projects, 00 9712 679 5565, tpl@tataprojects.com, www.tataprojects.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tata,  India Biofuel,  Cellulosic Ethanol,  Ethanol,  

Ethanol Blend Mexico
Date: 2020-01-17
In Mexico City, Reuters is reporting the Mexican Supreme Court has disallowed an increase in that country's ethanol-gasoline blend rate from the present 5.8 pct to a proposed 10 pct (E10) on the grounds that regulators -- Energy Regulatory Commission -- ha exceeded their authority. The increased blend rate would have applied nationwide excerpt in the country's three largest cities.

In its ruling, the court called for a "more rigorous science-based evaluation of higher ethanol content" and cited the risk of increased air pollution under the regulation. (Source: NASDAQ, Reuters, 15 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol Blend,  E10,  

Nebraska Corn Board
Date: 2020-01-13
Last week in Omaha, the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) announced it is supporting gas bar and convenience store chain Casey's expand its statewide offering of statewide offering of E15 Unleaded88 ethanol blended fuel through its blender pump incentive infrastructure program.

The NCB program provides grant assistance to help ethanol blend fuel retailers upgarde existing equipment to delver ethanol blends.

Nine of Casey's first 12 upgraded locations are in Omaha. Other upgraded locations are in La Vista, Papillion and about 46 miles north in Norfolk.

This summer, Casey's added Unleaded88 infrastructure to more than 60 of its locations. In Nebraska, the retailer also began offering E85 at its stores in Ogallala and Cozad. (Source: Nebraska Corn Board, Columbus Telegram,10 Jan., 2020) Contact: Nebraska Corn Board, Roger Berry, Market Development, (402) 471-2676, www.nebraskacorn.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Nebraska Corn Board,  E15,  Unleaded88,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  

China’s National Development and Reform Commission
Date: 2020-01-10
In Beijing, it is being widely report that China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has suspended its planned implementation of a nationwide E10 gasoline-ethanol blend program due to a sharp decline in the country's corn stocks and limited biofuel production capacity.The few provinces that have already implemented full or partial blends will, however, continue the program.

In 2018, China was the eighth-biggest market for U.S. ethanol exports, taking up 52.9 million gallons of the corn-based fuel, according to the RFA. Reaching the 2020 target would have required about 15 million tonnes of the biofuel annually, more than four times current output, or some 45 million tonnes of corn -- roughly 16 pct of the country's current consumption, according to Reuters. (Source: BOE Report, ETAuto, Reuters, 8 Jan., 2020) Contact: China National Development and Reform Commission, en.ndrc.gov.cn

More Low-Carbon Energy News E10,  Biofuel Blend,  China Biofuel,  Ethanol,  China National Development and Reform Commission ,  

Ethanol
Date: 2019-12-30
"Area (Nebraska) Republicans are unhappy with the EPA's latest ethanol blending rules. They shouldn't be surprised. When you entrust a bureaucracy with managing the supply of a product, it's going to follow the money, which in this case would be the refiners. Republicans should stick to their principles and let market forces -- in other words, the consumer -- decide what blend should come out of the pump." -- Andrew Best, Omaha World-Herald, 29 Dec., 2019

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  

New York Department of Agriculture and Markets
Date: 2019-11-22
In Albany, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets reports it has finalised a rule allowing the sale of E15 ethanol blend fuels in the Empire State -- America's fourth-largest fuel market.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved E15 for all vehicle models year 2001 and newer. (Source: New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, Biofuels Int'l. 21 Nov., 2019) Contact: New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, 800-554-4501, www.ny.gov › agencies › department-agriculture-and-markets

More Low-Carbon Energy News E15,  Biofuel Blend,  

IEA
Date: 2019-10-23
According to the Paris-headquartered International Energy Agency's Renewables 2019 Report, the world total biofuel output is forecast to increase 25 pct by 2024. In 2018, production grew at its fastest pace for five years, propelled by a surge in Brazil's ethanol output. Overall, Asia accounts for half of the growth, as its ambitious biofuel mandates aimed at reinforcing energy security boost demand for agricultural commodities and improve air quality.

China is set to have the largest biofuel production growth of any country. The rollout of 10 pct ethanol blending in a growing number of provinces and increasing investments in production capacity drive a tripling of ethanol production by 2024. Brazil registers the second largest growth, boosted by the introduction of the Renovabio programme in 2020. The United States and Brazil still deliver two-thirds of total biofuel production in 2024. (Source: IEA Renewables 2019 Report, Oct., 2019) Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency,  ,  Biofuel,  Ethanol,  China Biofuel,  

US EPA, USDA, Renewable Duel Standard
Date: 2019-10-07
On Friday in Washington, the Trump administration U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a long awaited agreement on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and will now request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020.

The agreement will ensure the blending of 15 billion gallons of ethanol with fuel supplies starting in 2020 and will also ensure the biomass-based diesel volume is met. EPA will also start the process for streamlining labeling and removal of other barriers for the sale of E15 fuel.

Among other changes, the EPA will begin to account for projected numbers of gallons exempted when coming up with Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) for refiners, which means greater certainty for farmers and producers. It will ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol are blended into the nation's fuel supply starting in 2020. Additionally, the USDA will invest in infrastructure projects to facilitate higher blends of biofuel, such as E85. (Source: US EPA, McDonough County Voice, Various Other Media, 4 Oct., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  Biofuel,  Ethanol Blend,  USDA,  US DOE,  

EIA
Date: 2019-10-04
As previously reported, ethanol industry proponents have petitioned the EPA to cease issuing Small Refinery "Hardship" Exemptions (SREs) allowable under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The ethanol industry is trying to convince the EPA that the waivers are hurting their business and, therefore, the agency should stop issuing them.

Month-over-month, official government data tells a very different story. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the ethanol blend rate has remained within normal statistical variation, despite the flood of "hardship" waivers. EIA data shows:

The overall physical ethanol consumption for Q1 2019 (the most recent, complete data available) is higher than it was in 2018.

The average ethanol blend rate was higher in Q1 2019 (10.21 pct) than in Q1 2018 (10.09 pct).

In February 2019, the ethanol blend rate was 10.53 percent -- the highest in the 12 months preceding. And the March 2019 ethanol blend rate was 10.18 percent -- higher than the March 2018 blend rate of 9.75 percent.

These blend rates have been stable for the past few years, underscoring the truth that ethanol demand is premised partially on the RFS, partially on demand for clean octane and partially on other factors -- not SREs.

Similarly, when it comes to mid-level ethanol blends like E15, there is no data indicating that SREs are reducing demand. E15 and other mid-level ethanol blend sales have been growing all year and, in the case of E15, sales are higher at this point than they were last year, according to the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. Under the now vanquished administrator Greg Pruitt's direction, the EPA handed out 54 exemptions over two years and not a single request for an exemption was denied. (Source: American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), EIA, Business & Industry Connection, 3 Oct., 2019) Contact: AFPM, Derrick Morgan, Snr, VP, (202) 586-8800, www.afpm.org; EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  "Hardship" Waiver,  Ethanol.Ethanol Blend,  EIA,  

National Corn Grower’s Association
Date: 2019-09-16
The Chestrfield, Missouri-based National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reports it has moved to intervene in an effort by big oil to challenge the EPA's final RVP rule by filing a motion in support of the and the final rule allowing for year-round sales of E15. If successful, the oil industry's lawsuit would overturn the E15 rule

The NGCA has been a long-time advocates of removing the unnecessary and outdated barrier to year-round E15, which took several years to accomplish. This present action is a continuation of NCGA efforts to increase corn grind by expanding the sales of higher ethanol blends. NCGA will be joining efforts with other ethanol advocates as the legal process continues. (Source: NCGA, High Plains Journal, 15 Sept., 2019) Contact: NCGA, (636) 733-9004, (636) 733-9005 -fax, corninfo@ncga.com, www.ncga.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News NCGA,  E15,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  

EPA,RFS,Renewable Fuels Association,American Coalition of Ethanol
Date: 2019-08-12
On Friday the 9th, the Trump administration EPA, under the administration of former coal industry lobbyist Andrew R, Wheeler, granted 31 more controversial "hardship waivers" allowing refiners to ignore Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) ethanol blending requirements in what might be construed as the administration's and the agency's attempt to bury the RFS in blatant favor of Big Oil. The agency denied 6 waiver requests and left one additional waiver request undecided.

Needless to say, the President has yet again misled his supporters and the biofuels industry -- along with just about everyone else both domestic and foreign. In response, ethanol and biofuels players and industry organizations wasted no time in venting their rightful outrage.

"The Trump Administration's approval of 31 refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard is just devastating news for our industry. With this action, President Trump has destroyed over a billion gallons of biofuel demand and broken his promise to Iowa voters to protect the RFS. The vast majority of these exemptions are not justified under the law. Since this news began to leak this afternoon, RFS credit prices have freefallen to nearly zero, destroying much of the incentive to blend an incremental gallon of ethanol." -- Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Exec. Dir.,

"At a time when ethanol plants in the Heartland are being mothballed and jobs are being lost, it is unfathomable and utterly reprehensible that the Trump Administration would dole out more unwarranted waivers to prosperous petroleum refiners. Today's announcement comes as a total shock, as just two months ago Trump himself heard directly from Iowa farmers and ethanol plant workers about the disastrous economic impacts of these small refinery handouts. In response, he (Trump) told us he would 'look into it' and we believed that would lead to the White House and EPA finally putting an end to these devastating waivers. Instead, the Trump administration chose to double down on the exemptions, greatly exacerbating the economic pain being felt in rural America and further stressing an industry already on life support." -- Geoff Cooper, Pres., CEO, Renewable Fuels Association.

"EPA's refiner-win-at-all-costs oversight of the RFS is doing real damage to America's farmers and renewable fuel producers who are already suffering from trade wars and volatile markets. The RFS is supposed to ensure the use of ethanol and biodiesel increases from one year to the next, but 85 Small Refinery Exemptions later and over 3 billion waived gallons represents an enormous step backwards." -- Brian Jennings, CEO, American Coalition of Ethanol.

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. Under the now vanquished administrator Greg Pruitt's direction, the EPA handed out 54 exemptions over two years and not a single request for an exemption was denied. (Source: Various Media, AgPro, 9 Aug., 2019) Contact: Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Monte Shaw, Exec. Dir., info@IowaRFA.org, (515) 252-6249, www.iowarfa.org; Renewable Fuels Association, www.ethanolrfa.org; American Coalition of Ethanol, www.ethanol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Iowa Renewable Fuels Association,  RFS,  "Hardship Waiver",  Ethanol Blend,  Renewable Fuels Association,  ,  

All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol
Date: 2019-07-22
In London, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Bioethanol has suggested increasing the ethanol-petroleum blend rate be increased fro the present 5 pct to 10 pct (E10). The parliamentarians suggest the increase would protect the jobs of the 6,000 or so people currently working to grow feed stock crops used to produce ethanol an thus help keep the country's struggling bioethanol industry afloat.

According to the APPG, "The British bioethanol industry is in a state of collapse, and ministers can not allow the fog of Brexit to distract them any longer from saving a £1 billion industry that will not only make our cars cleaner and greener, but provide thousands of green jobs in the North and prove that the government is serious about championing the green economy."

(Source: All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol, GIZMODO, 18 July, 2019)Contact: All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol, Nic Dakin, Chairman, info@britishbioethanol.com, www.britishbioethanol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News B10,  Ethanol,  UK Ethanol,  All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol,  

Attis Industries
Date: 2019-06-21
Milton, Georgia-headquartered corn ethanol producer and technology holding company Attis Industries Inc. is lauding the Trump Administration's May 30th approval of the expansion of 15 pct (E15) ethanol blends in on-road transportation fuels. Previously, the sale of E15 was restricted to just eight months of the year.

The rule change has the potential to create a significant increase in market demand for corn-based ethanol as well as other advanced fuels such as cellulosic ethanol. Even so, the administration continues to undermine the enforcement of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) through its abuse of the small refiner "hardship" exemptions (SREs) which have had a drastic effect on renewable fuel demand over the past two years, according to Attis. "Attis encourages the Administration to continue its support of the nation's farmers and renewable fuel producers by limiting SREs to those refiners who truly have encountered hardships by complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard," the Attis release notes.

Attis Biofuels, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Attis Industries Inc., currently operates a 100 million gpy corn-based ethanol facility in Fulton, NY and has plans to expand the production of renewable fuels to include cellulosic ethanol and various other advanced biofuels, according to the release. (Source: Attis Ind., PR, June, 2019) Contact: Attis Ind., David Winsness, President of Attis Innovations, Jeff Cosman, CEO, 678-580-5661, www.attisind.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Attis Industries,  Biofuel,  E15,  Ethanol Blend,  RFS,  

All Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol
Date: 2019-06-12
In the UK, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Bioethanol is reporting release of its its interim Introducing E10 in the UK report considering the to barriers to the introduction of E10 ethanol blended transportation fuel into the UK. The report notes:

The UK economy will likely lose its £1 billion ($1,272,225,000 US) bioethanol industry without the introduction of E10 by 2020 at the latest, and will continue to decline and likely disappear.

Introducing E10 would help the UK meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, saving the equivalent of taking 700,000 cars off the road.

Petrol fuel sales volumes in the UK are now increasing, due to the decreasing popularity of diesel cars. With widespread adoption of electric vehicles still decades away, the use of increasing blends of biofuels in petrol to make cars greener and cleaner must be a priority.

E10, or a higher blend of bioethanol, could help tackle the UK's air quality problems and health issues caused by high particulate levels.

If the British bioethanol industry is lost, the UK is unlikely to attract further investment, including for the next generation of biofuels and enhanced animal feed co-products, which would deliver further economic and environmental benefits.

Lose of the UK Biofuels industry could also increases the country's dependence on imported biofuels, force British farmers to source animal feed from less sustainable sources, and contribute the the UK missing its fuels quality directive target -- 4 pct rising to 6 pct in 2020 -- and miss its GHG emissions targets. (Source: All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Bioethanol, June, 2019) Contact: All Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol, info@britishbioethanol.com, www.britishbioethanol.com/about-the-appg

More Low-Carbon Energy News UK Bioethanol,  Ethanol,  Biofuel,  Biofuel Blend,  B10,  

EPA
Date: 2019-06-03
Today in Washington, the US EPA announced the ending a summertime ban on the E15 blend imposed out of concerns for increased smog from the higher ethanol blend. Until the change, the only ethanol blend fuel typically found in summer months was a 10 pct (E10) ethanol blend . The move may well be challenged by environmental groups on the grounds that the U.S. Clean Air Act disallows year-round E15 sales over smog and air quality concerns.

The change removes a barrier to wider sales of E15 and is expected to expand the market for ethanol -- although immediate effects on the market are expected to be minimal since only about 1,000 to 1,500 of more than 150,000 U.S. gas stations currently sell the higher-ethanol blend, according to the EPA Office of Air and Radiation. (Source: EPA, PBS New, 31 May, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News E15 news,  Ethanol Blend news,  

B10,Ethanol Blend
Date: 2019-05-13
In Augusta, Maine's legislators have sustained Democratic Governor Janet Mills' veto of a bill to ban the sale of B10 ethanol-blended gas in the Pine Tree State. The Republican-sponsored bill initially sailed through the Legislature last month.

According to the Governor, B10 is not presently sold in Maine and there's not enough evidence that ethanol-blended gas harms public health. (Source: Various Media, WABI5, 11 May, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News B10,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  

RECOUPE
Date: 2019-04-08
The Costa Rican state-owned refinery reports it will be pumping 8 pct ethanol blended "ECO95" Super Gasoline at is fueling stations beginning 29 May, 2019.

The refinery is warning users to condition their equipment since the blend can block filters and fuel injectors and damage soft parts. (Source: RECOUPE Costa Rica, Costa Rican Times, 6 April, 2019)Contact: RECOUPE, (506) 2284-2700, recopecomunicacion@recope.go.cr, www.recope.go.cr

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  Ethanol Clend,  

National Corn Growers Association
Date: 2019-04-02
"Farmers stand ready to work with the Administration to clear obstacles to higher blends of ethanol such as E15 and ensure a final rule works for the full ethanol and fuel supply chain. To ensure E15 sales are not interrupted, NCGA urges EPA to complete this rulemaking by June 1." -- Kevin Ross, VP, National Corn Growers Assoc., 29 Mar., 2019) Contact: NCGA, Kevin Ross, VP, (202) 326-0644, www.ncga.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Corn Growers Association,  NCGA,  E15 Ethanol Blend,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2019-03-27
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to help expedite rail delivery of biofuels amid historic flooding. In her letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Skor wrote: "On behalf of Growth Energy, the nation's leading organization of biofuel producers and supporters, I write to you about a matter of utmost importance to not only to our industry, but to consumers across the country regarding the rail transportation of American-made biofuels.

"It has been reported by several sources that ethanol supplies in several markets in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest have become very tight and ethanol prices have risen in those markets because of the supply situation. Additionally, markets in Texas are now solely providing finished ethanol-free gasoline, usually sold at a cost of 20-40 cents higher than regular ethanol blended fuel, as a result of these supply disruptions.

"This situation is not being caused by a lack of ethanol production or supply at the more than 200 ethanol facilities in the U.S. In fact, the logistics problems these plants face could force plants to reduce production as their storage capacity becomes fully utilized.

"While we certainly understand and appreciate that these rail issues have been caused by the calamitous flooding currently occurring in the Midwest, it is imperative that all possible actions be taken by the nation's railroads to ensure that these critical fuel supplies are immediately prioritized and reach markets as quickly as possible. Further delays could not only impact our industry but could ultimately increase fuel costs for American drivers.

"We would be happy to work with you and your staff to provide any further information you may need and to get biofuels into the hands of American drivers." (signed) Emily Skor (Source: Growth Energy ,PR, 22 Mar. 2019) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, Elizabeth Funderburk, (202) 545-4000, EFunderburk@GrowthEnergy.org, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy,  Ethanol,  

EPA
Date: 2019-03-18
In Washington, the US EPA has proposed regulatory changes to allow E-15 ethanol blended gasoline to take advantage of the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver for the summer months that has historically been applied only to E10. Under the proposed expansion, E15 would be allowed to be sold year-round without additional RVP control, rather than just eight months of the year.

EPA is also proposing regulatory changes to modify elements of the renewable identification number compliance system under the Renewable Fuel Standard program to enhance transparency in the market and deter price manipulation. Proposed reforms to RIN markets include: prohibiting certain parties from being able to purchase separated RINs; requiring public disclosure when RIN holdings exceed specified thresholds; limiting the length of time a non-obligated party can hold RINs; and increasing the compliance frequency of the program from once annually to quarterly.

Download details on proposed rulemaking HERE. (Source: US EPA, Irrigation & Green Energy, Mar., 2019) Contact: US EPA, www.epa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News E-15,  E15,  Biofuel Blend,  EPA,  Alternative Buels,  Renewable Fuel,  Biofuel,  

China Ethanol
Date: 2019-03-04
The news Agency Xinhua is reporting North China's coal-rich Shanxi Province will provide ethanol-gasoline E10 blended fuel for trial in Taiyuan, Yangquan, Changzhi and Jincheng cities and is constructing an ethanol gasoline distribution center and remodeling thousands of gas stations in support of the trial project. Subject to test results, the project will be expanded to the entire province from Jan. 1, 2020, according the the government release.

The E10 biofuel pilot is in keeping with China’s plan to cut carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65 pct from 2005 levels by 2030 and raise the share of non-fossil energy use in total consumption to about 20 pct. (Source: Xinhua, 4 Mar., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol Blend news,  Ethanol news,  E10 news,  

National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe
Date: 2019-02-25
In Epworth, the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC) reports it is seeking approximately $1.5 million to complete the construction of two ethanol storage tanks at its Mabvuku depot in Harare.

According to the company, an acute shortage of foreign currency has stalled the completion of the tanks, which have a combined storage capacity of six million litres. The project was supposed to be in full swing by December 2018. the Zimbabwean government is promoting ethanol blending to cut the cost of petroleum imports amid worsening foreign currency challenges. T that end, the mandated ethanol- unleaded gasoline bland rate was raised from 15 pct to 20 pct ethanol (E20). (Source: National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe, The Standard, 24 Feb., 2019) Contact: National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe, Wilfred Matukeni, CEO, +263 4 748 518, www.noic.co.zw

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  Ethanol Storage,  

ePure,IEA
Date: 2019-02-13
In a recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) found that blending ethanol in petrol has an immediate impact on reducing emissions of harmful air pollutants from today's cars. The report also notes that E85 is one of the best overall performers in terms of reducing NOx and PM emissions in modern and older cars. The report adds that ethanol use reduces tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide Accordingly, the report supports the need for higher ethanol blends as EU countries struggle to achieve their decarbonization targets.

Other studies have demonstrated the role of ethanol in reducing emissions in heavy duty vehicles, notably through ED95 blend in dedicated engines. Comparing natural gas, diesel and ED95, the French environment agency ADEME indicated that ED95 vehicles were the best solution to reduce CO and NOx emissions and improve energy efficiency. And, on a full lifecycle analysis, ED95 reduced CO2 emission by more than 88 pct compared to diesel. (Source: IEA, ePure, 22 Jan., 2019) Contact: ePure, www.epure.org; International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency,  ePure,  Biofuel,  Ethanol,  

American Coalition for Ethanol
Date: 2019-02-01
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted the following letter to US Senators regarding acting EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler's confirmation:

" As the Senate proceeds to consider the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), I write to encourage you to secure tangible documentation from Mr. Wheeler that EPA will resolve two critically important issues before casting your confirmation vote: finalizing a legally -defensible Reid vapor pressure (RVP) rule to allow E15 use year-round before June 1, and reallocating ethanol blending obligations waived for 2016 and 2017 through the Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) provision of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

"I urge you hold Acting Administrator Wheeler to this high standard because of the harm done to renewable fuels by former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Prior to his confirmation by the Senate, Mr. Pruitt pledged to support the RFS as the law of the land and the President's commitment to expanding ethanol use. However, while leading EPA, he undermined the RFS through an unprecedented number of backdoor refinery waivers which erased more than 2 billion gallons of ethanol blending obligations between 2016 and 2017. Furthermore, he refused to reallocate those blending obligations to other refiners, as called for under the law, and failed to initiate a rulemaking to allow E15 use year-round despite the fact it is a priority for the President. EPA's broken promises and abuse of the RFS compel Acting Administrator Wheeler to repair the damage by reallocating the blending obligations and finalizing a legally-defensible rule to allow E15 use year-round before June 1.

"During his recent confirmation hearing, Acting Administrator Wheeler assured Environment and Public Works committee members that EPA is 'still on schedule to issue a final rule allowing year-round E15 sales' but added there 'may be a slight delay' due to the recent government shutdown. The shutdown is not a credible excuse for a delay in the E15 rulemaking. In fact, recent history proves the Trump Administration can expedite high-priority rulemakings.

"Take for example the USDA newly-proposed work requirements for recipients of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits. In December, as Congress was negotiating the Farm Bill, the Senate insisted that House conferees drop new food stamp work requirements from the final legislation. In response, to secure enough Republican votes in the House of Representatives to pass the Farm Bill conference report, USDA put forward a rulemaking to impose the work requirements through executive action. The Farm Bill conference report was adopted by Congress on December 12. The President waited to sign the Farm Bill until December 20, the same day USDA published the SNAP work requirement rulemaking.

"In just eight days USDA was able to issue a rule at the direction of the President to fulfill a promise to Republicans in the House of Representatives. It has been more than 100 days since the President Directed EPA to initiate a rulemaking to allow E15 use year-round. What is taking EPA so long to act? There is no better way to guarantee the RVP rule and reallocation of refinery waivers are addressed than by insisting Mr. Wheeler provide tangible evidence of his intentions on these issues prior to voting to confirm him.

"The RVP rule is particularly time-sensitive. Under EPA's existing and outdated RVP regulations, E15 cannot be sold in most areas of the country from June 1 to September 15, leaving just four short months from today to complete the rulemaking process. Unfortunately, EPA needlessly plans to combine the RVP rule with reforms to the way Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) are handled under the RFS. RIN reforms are highly-controversial among oil refiners so EPA's proposal will likely pit refiners against each other, causing a protracted dispute. If RIN reforms prevent EPA from finishing the RVP rule by June 1, it will result in another summer that E15 cannot be sold in many parts of the country when fuel demand is at its peak. Acting Administrator Wheeler should be encouraged to decouple RIN reforms from the RVP rule to ensure E15 can be offered for sale by June 1." (signed) Brian Jennings, CEO American Coalition for Ethanol. (Source: ACE, 29 Jan., 2019)Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, Ron Lamberty, VP, (605) 334-3381, https://ethanol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News ANdrew Wheeler,  American Coalition for Ethanol,  Andrew Wheeler,  Ethanol.Ethanol Blend,  

Ethanol Blend
Date: 2018-12-10
In New Delhi, the Indian Petroleum Ministry reports the "blending of ethanol with petrol has reached 4 pct from 1-1.5 pct in the last four years. In the 2018-19 sugar year (October-September), the blending level will reach 7-8 pct." The Indian government launched a pilot biofuel-petrol blending program to promote the use of alternative and environment-friendly fuels in 2003. The original programs 10 pct ethanol blend goal has not yet been met met. (Source: Indian Petroleum Ministry, PTI, First Post, 7 Dec., 2018) Contact: Indian Petroleum Ministry, petroleum.nic.in

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  India Ethanol,  

Cooperative Producers
Date: 2018-11-07
According to a news release from the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Hastings, Nebraska-based Cooperative Producers Inc. (CPI) is dropping ethanol-free gasoline from its product line and adding E15 ethanol blend fuel at its farmer's cooperative locations in the state.

The EPA is set to release a proposed rule in February 2019 to allow year-round E15 sales in time for the driving season in Jun (Source: Cooperative Producers Inc., DTN, 5 Nov., 2018) Contact: Cooperative Producers Inc., (402) 463-5148, info@cpicoop.com, www.cpicoop.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News E15,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  

EPA
Date: 2018-11-02
Following on the heels of the Trump administration's allowance of year-round E-15 ethanol blend sales,several U.S. Conservation groups have petitioned and accused the US EPA of failing to enforce the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) and thus turning a blind-eye to the illegal destruction of wildlife habitat nationwide.

The petitioners contend that rather than follow the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, which only allows land cultivated before 2007 to grow corn and soybeans for biofuels, the EPA, at Trump's instruction, has been adhering to a change in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which allows new land to be farmed as long as the total amount of U.S. farmland dedicated to biofuel feedstock production doesn't exceed 402 million acres.

The EPA estimates cropland in the U.S. has increased somewhere between 4 million and 7.8 million acres since 2007, but is uncertain how much of that is cultivated for biofuel feed stock production.

The petitioning conservation groups say recent mandates to increase the use of corn and soybeans in gasoline have led to more habitat destruction, water pollution, and greenhouse gases. (Source: wfiy, National Public Radio, Oct., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Feedstock,  E-15,  RFS,  

Renewable Fuels Nebraska
Date: 2018-10-29
Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN), in response to the EPA's proposal to amend greenhouse gas standards in the existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rule is calling on the EPA to approve high octane fuels using 25 to 30 pct ethanol in the blend. The RFN is also calling for a "level the playing" field in what they say unfairly favors the electric vehicle industry over other advanced fuels such as high octane, ethanol blended fuels.

According to RFN Exec. Dir. Troy Bredenkamp, "Our comments to the EPA pointed out that Nebraska's ethanol industry would strongly support the EPA if they were to establish minimum octane standards for future fuels that would utilize 25 to 30 pct ethanol blends, and approve a corresponding alternative certification fuel so automakers can begin testing future engines on a high-octane blend. it is our belief that high octane E25-30 blends would help bring down the cost for consumers compared to the premium-priced octane level manufactured and advocated by oil refiners, while being significantly better for the environment." said Bredenkamp. (Source: Renewable Fuels Nebraska, NTV/ABC, 26 Oct., 2018) Contact: Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Troy Bredenkamp, Exec. Dir., (402)325-0045, (402) 310-8038, troyb@renewablefuelsne.org, www.renewablefuelsne.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Nebraska,