ePURE represents the interests of European renewable ethanol producers to the EU institutions, industry stakeholders, the media, academia and the general public. ePURE speaks for 36 member companies and associations (including 19 ethanol producers), with around 50 plants in 16 EU Member countries, accounting for about 85 pct of EU renewable ethanol production. The organisation, established in 2010, promotes the beneficial uses of ethanol throughout Europe.
(Source: ePURE, PR 3 Jan., 2020) Contact: ePURE, Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary-General, +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org, www.epure.org; New E10 website,
www.e10info.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News ePURE, Ethanol Blend, E10,
The Canadian regulation is an initiative to reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity of fuels and energy used in Canada and achieve a more than 20 million tpy reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The Canadian Clean Fuel Standard aims for an average 15 pct (E15) ethanol-gasoline blend rate by 2030. (Source: Growth Energy, Dec, 2020) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News E15, Growth Energy, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend, Canada Clan Fuels Standard,
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,
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,
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,
"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,
"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,
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,
"This growth has occurred during one of the most challenging fuel markets in the past 30 years, and is a testament to the strength of E15's growing popularity among American drivers" the Growth Energy release noted.
Growth Energy has developed the best practices for marketing and selling E15 based on consumer reaction at retail. Also, Growth Energy has been intimately involved in converting more than 2,000 retail sites to sell E15, which provides the organization with vast knowledge and experience in equipment compatibility, and regulatory requirements for offering higher biofuel blends, according to a release. (Source: Growth Energy, 30 Sept., 2020) Contact: Growth Energy, Mike O'Brian, VP Market Dev., (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News E15, Growth Energy, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend,
If passed into law, the act would transition country's gasoline supply to a higher octane so greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 40 to 43 pct while increasing fuel efficiency, according to the group release.
"When you pull up to the pump you would see a research octane number (RON) that we're advocating for which is 98 RON and it's aimed at increasing efficiency in engines. To increase efficiency in engines you have to have more octane and when you get to E25 and E30, that's really where we see the sweet spot for finding the most efficiencies", NCGA market development director Jeff Wilkerson said. (Source: NCGA, Contact: Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Jeff Wilkerson, Director of Market Development, www.NCGA.Com/Octane; Nebraska Corn Board, Roger Berry, Market Development, (402) 471-2676, www.nebraskacorn.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Nebraska Corn Board , Corn Ethanol, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend, Nebraska Corn Growers Association,
Use of E10 significantly reduces emissions from petrol cars and is sold in petrol stations in 13 EU Member States. Other countries are considering deploying E10 in order to help meet targets for renewable energy and greenhouse-gas reduction.
As Europeans continue to buy and drive mostly petrol cars, boosting the use of renewable ethanol in E10 or even higher blends will be vital to achieving emissions-reduction goals. E10 works in almost all petrol cars and can be sold in existing petrol stations. Petrol cars continue to lead sales figures of new cars in Europe and will be predominant on EU roads for a long time; renewable ethanol is the best carbon-abatement tool available for those vehicles, according to the ePUrE release. (Source: ePURE, PR, Website, 17 Sept., 2020) Contact: ePURE, Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary-General, +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org, www.epure.org, www.E10info.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News ePURE, E10, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend,
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 ,
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,
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,
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,
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,
"We are writing to request further information about petitions reportedly received by the U.S. EPA from small refiners seeking exemption from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for past compliance years.
"The petitions in question were discussed during your testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on May 20, 2020. On the same day, U.S. DOE Under Secretary Mark Menezes confirmed that EPA is 'send[ing] over' past-year petitions for DOE review. Mr. Menezes described the petitions as 'gap filings' intended to reconstitute after-the-fact a continuous string of exemptions for select oil companies 'to be consistent with the Tenth Circuit decision.'
"This attempt to circumvent the courts and the RFS should be rejected out of hand. Even if EPA granted retroactive 'gap' exemptions without simultaneously returning the number of RINs associated with the exemption to the petitioner, such exemptions would be inconsistent with EPA's own policies and regulations, legal precedent, and Congressional intent.
"These 'gap filings' appear to be little more than the latest in a string of oil industry tactics designed to subvert the law and sidestep a court order to uphold the RFS.
Read the full letter HERE. (Source: Renewable Fuels Assoc., 9 June, 2020) Contact: RFA, www.fuelsamerica.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association, RFS Waiver, RFS, RFA, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend,
As previously reported,
Indonesia has fuel-ethanol blending targets of 5-10 pct by 2020 and 20 pct across all transport and industry sectors by 2025. (Source: US Grains Council, Pertamina, Argus, June, 2020) Contact: US Grains Council, www.grains.org; Pertamina, pcc@pertamina.com, www.pertamina.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Pertamina news, Biofuel Blend news,
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,
Bolivia's Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy is responsible for policies, plans and regulations governing the country's energy sector in order to secure energy efficiency, security and sovereignty. The ministry's strategic objectives include changing the energy matrix, promoting the export of surplus power, managing resources and programs and consolidating the country's position as the region's main natural gas exporter. (Source: Bolivia Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy, PR, 25 May, 2020) Contact: Bolivia Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy, +591-2-2374051, +591-2-2374050,
info@hidrocarburos.gob.bo,
www3.hidrocarburos.gob.bo
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol blend news, Ethanol news, Biofuel news,
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,
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,
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,
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,
The blending regulation was first introduced at 2 pct in 2013 and raised to 3 pct in 2014 to comply with renewable energy policies, reduce import dependency in energy and support the agricultural sector.
On March 13, Turkey scrapped the requirement to include ethanol in gasoline as the ethanol will be used in a disinfectantbid as a measure against the spread of coronavirus.
(Source: Turkey Energy Market Regulatory Authority, Hurriyet Daily News, 14 Mar., 2020) Contact: Turkey Energy Market Regulatory Authority,www.erranet.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol Blend,
As part of a move to "decarbonize" transport, the introduction of E10 could have the equivalent impact on CO2 emissions as taking roughly 350,000 cars off the highway.
E10 was introduced in France in 2009 and is also used in Germany, Belgium, and Finland driven by EU targets for renewable fuel sources.
(Source: euronews.com, 3 Mar., 2020) Contact: UK Transport Secretary, Grant Schapps, www.gov.uk/government/people/grant-shapps
More Low-Carbon Energy News E10, Ethanol Blend,
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,
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,
Under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) refineries are presently required to blend 20.09 billion gallons of biofuel in 2020 – roughly 10 pct of projected crude oil production, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
(Source: KLO, Various Media, Reuters, 20 Feb., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA news, RFS news, Ethanol news, Ethanol Blend news,
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,
The data also suggests that the impact of small refinery "hardship" waivers under the RFS took a toll on the industry. On a per-station basis, sales of E15 were lower in the first few months of 2019 than during the same period the year before. This change can be attributed to the fact that the EPA granted numerous exemptions under the RFS to small refineries, causing the price of RFS compliance credits (RINs) to fall. thus reducing the incentive for retailers to offer blends of fuel with higher ethanol content, reducing their ability to discount higher blends relative to gasoline.
The full RFA analysis is HERE (Source: RFA, 4 Feb., 2020)
Contact: RFA, Scott Richman, Economist, (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend,
The court ruled the EPA cannot "extend” exemptions to any small refineries whose earlier, temporary exemptions had lapsed" as was the case in the three over ruled exemptions.
Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)noted: "The Court has affirmed our long-held position that EPA's recent practices and policies regarding small refinery exemption extensions were completely unlawful. And while the decision addresses three specific exemptions, the statutory interpretation issues resolved by the court apply much more broadly."
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, Agri-Pulse, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS, "Hardship" Waiver, Ethanol Blend,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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 ,
"I'm disappointed the EPA chose to ignore the concerns voiced by renewable fuels producers, farmers and consumers. The flawed formula used to account for waived gallons creates unnecessary uncertainty in our markets, detrimental to so many across rural America. We must continue to work together to hold the EPA accountable for ensuring the 15 billion gallons mandated by the RFS are met. We must also continue to invest in infrastructure that builds demand and increases the availability of higher blends of biodiesel and ethanol across the state of Iowa."-- Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship administers the Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure program, which offers cost-share grants to help fuel retailers install infrastructure to increase the availability of ethanol and biodiesel. To date, the program has distributed or obligated over $33 million with $200 million added in private economic activity. (Source: Iowa Department of Agriculture, High Plains Journal, 29 Dec. 2019) Contact: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Mike Naig, Sec., 515-281-5321, www.iowaagriculture.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News ANdrew Wheeler, Renewable Volume Obligations, RVO, RFS, "Hardship" Waiver, Ethanol.Ethanol Blend, EIA,
"IFB also urges USDA to move quickly on an infrastructure package to accommodate higher blend levels."
The Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) represents 75 pct of the state's farmers with membership of more than 386,291 and a voting membership of 79,159. Illinois is the nation's third-largest producer of ethanol with roughly 75 pct of it corn production being converted into ethanol.
(Source: Illinois Farm Bureau, 21 Dec., 2019) Contact: Illinois Farm Bureau , t Richard Guebert, Jr, Pres. www.ilfb.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, Biofuel, Ethanol Blend, USDA, US DOE, Renewable Volume Obligation ,
Under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) oil refiners are required to blend some 15 billion gpy of corn-based ethanol into their gasoline, but small facilities can be exempted if compliance would hurt them financially.
The October proposal was intended to placate corn growers and compensate the biofuel industry for the administration's expanded use of refinery exemptions, but which the industry has largely panned as insufficient, according to Reuters. The EPA's October plan would raise the biofuels volumes that some refineries must blend in 2020 based on DOE recommendations for volumes that should be exempted.
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. (Source: Reuters, Various Media, 19 Dec., 2019)
For details see our Oct. 21 report as follows -- Proposed Volumes for 2020 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021. The Trump administration EPA has issued the attached supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking seeking additional comment on the recently proposed rule to establish the cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel volumes for 2020 and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2021 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.
The notice does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead, it proposes and seeks comment on adjustments to the way that annual renewable fuel percentages are calculated. Annual renewable fuel percentage standards are used to calculate the number of gallons each obligated party is required to blend into their fuel or to otherwise obtain renewable identification numbers (RINs) to demonstrate compliance.
Specifically, the agency is seeking comment on projecting the volume of gasoline and diesel that will be exempt in 2020 due to small refinery exemptions based on a three-year average of the relief recommended by the BOE, including where DOE had recommended partial exemptions. The agency intends to grant partial exemptions in appropriate circumstances when adjudicating 2020 exemption petitions. The agency proposes to use this value to adjust the way it calculates renewable fuel percentages. The proposed adjustments would help ensure that the industry blends the final volumes of renewable fuel into the nation's fuel supply and that, in practice, the required volumes are not effectively reduced by future hardship exemptions for small refineries. Consistent with the statute, the supplemental notice seeks to balance the goal of the RFS of maximizing the use of renewables while following the law and sound process to provide relief to small refineries that demonstrate the need.
Download the Renewable Fuel Standard Program -- Proposed Volumes for 2020 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021 HERE. Contact: EPA Renewable Fuel Standard, 800-385-6164, www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/forms/fuels-program-helpdesk
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, "Hardship" Waiver, Ethanol.Ethanol Blend, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Red Trail Energy,
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
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Additionally, this past summer saw the number of stores offering Unleaded 88 increase with the addition of 149 stores bringing the nation-wide total to more than 2,000 retail fuel stations, according to the release. (Source: Growth Energy, Green Car Congress, 19 Oct., 2019) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, Elizabeth Funderburk, (202) 545-4000, EFunderburk@GrowthEnergy.org, www.growthenergy.org
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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
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The Government of Quebec's draft regulations on the minimum volume of renewable fuel proposal would set blending thresholds of 10 pct renewable fuel in gasoline, and 2 pct renewable fuel in diesel by 2021 -- increasing to 15 pct in gasoline and 4 pct in diesel by 2025.
Greenfield's Varennes biorefinery, which is the first ethanol plant to be built in Quebec, has been in operation since 2007. The facility produces the lowest carbon intensity ethanol in Canada, as well as corn oil and distillers’ grain.
Greenfield owns and operates four ethanol distilleries, three specialty chemical manufacturing and packaging plants, and three next-generation biofuel and renewable energy R&D centres across North America.
(Source: Greenfield Global, PR, Biofuel Int'l., 16 Oct., 2019)Contact: Greenfield Global, Howard Field, President and CEO, (613) 698-0116, howard.field@greenfield.com, www.greenfield.com
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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)
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"It's up to each individual entity, but the innovation of taking advantage of low-carbon markets. I think if we can differentiate ourselves within the state of North Dakota, to take advantage of those and be long survivors in this industry." - Gerald Bachmeier, CEO, Red Trail Energy (Source: Red Trail Energy, West Dakota Fox, 5 Oct., 2019) Contact: Red Trail Energy, 701-974-3308, www.redtrailenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, "Hardship" Waiver, Ethanol.Ethanol Blend, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Red Trail Energy,
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:
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,