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, ,
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,
The Trump administration EPA has more than quadrupled the number of waivers it has granted to refinerswhile at the same time raising the ire of the corn industry who claim the move threatens ethanol demand.
The small refinery coalition's letter to the EPA said the "EPA is required to act on a petition within 90 days after receipt" and that it also failed to issue decisions on the outstanding 40 petitions for 2018 by March 31, 2019, which the letter said was the compliance deadline.
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. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct.
(Source: Reuters, Various Media, 18 July, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, "Hardship" Waiver, Ethanol Blend,
In the face of the EPA's proposal, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has expressed its disappointment in the almost unlimited issuance of RFS refinery "hardship waivers", the newly released RVO's and the that the agency's failure not only to factor the lost demand into its proposed RVOs but to increase biofuel use at all.
"At every turn, EPA and this (Trump) administration have undermined the intent of RFS and destroyed demand for billions of gallons of ethanol", NFU President Roger Johnson added.
(Source: The Cattle Site, National Farmers Union, PR, 8 July, 2019) Contact: National Farmers Union, Roger Johnson, Pres., (202) 554-1600, www.nfu.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News "Hardship Waiver", RFS, National Farmers Union, Biofuel, Ethanol Blend,
"We strongly oppose giving the Secretary (Perdue) any role in the decision-making process over the petitions. We would view any decisions to further delay, reduce, or deny hardship relief to small refineries, or reallocate the obligations of small refineries to other refineries, as the result of the Secretary of Agriculture's impermissible interference. We are confident that others, including the federal courts, would do the same," the thirteen Senators wrote.
The small-refinery exemptions have reduced ethanol use by about 2.6 billion gallons, and 38 refiners are waiting for EPA to decide on new exemptions.
Senators writing the letter included Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) as well as senators representing Louisiana, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.
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. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct (Source: Various Media, DTN, Progressive Farmer, July, 2019)
Contact: Office of Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue,(202) 720-2791,
feedback@oc.usda.gov, www.usda.gov/contact-us
More Low-Carbon Energy News Hardship Waiver, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend, RFA, Sonny Perdue,
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,
(Source: Growth Energy, Various Media, June, 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, E15, Ethanol Blend, Biofuel Blend,
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,
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,
"We are not fighting against year-round E15 sales just for fun -- we oppose EPA's reckless proposal because it will increase the availability of a fuel that destroys marine engines and jeopardizes the safety of boaters," said NMMA senior VP of government and legal affairs Nicole Vasilaros. "With more than three in five Americans mistakenly assuming that any gas sold at gas stations is safe for all of their products, it is clear that the federal government has shirked its responsibility to effectively protect consumers from a fuel deemed so dangerous that its federally prohibited from being used in countless consumer products. And the last thing the government should do is pump more E15 into the fuel supply. Instead of jamming through a policy that almost nobody likes, EPA should focus on preventing consumers from misfueling -- including better labeling and stronger safeguards at the pump.
"EPA's decision to expand the sale of E15 gasoline to the summer months makes no sense. It is clearly contrary to the law and it reverses nearly 30 years of statutory interpretation from the agency. Studies have shown that E15 gasoline can damage vehicle engines and fuel systems -- potentially leaving Americans with expensive car repair bills as a result of bad policy from Washington. In fact, nearly three out of four vehicles on the road today were not designed for E15." said API VP of downstream and industry operations Frank Macchiarola.
"To make matters worse, the agency's proposed changes to the RINs market could increase costs for fuel producers and lead to higher prices for consumers. Additionally, fuel producers who have complied with the law and have already made capital investments and business decisions based on the existing RFS and RINs program will be faced with uncertainty and a moving goal post." (Source: American Petroleum Institute, NMMA, PR, 30 April, 2019) Contact: API, Frank Macchiarola, Dir., (202) 682-8114, www.api.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, American Petroleum Institute, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend, Biofuel,
The EPA currently does not name companies that apply for or receive the waivers, arguing the information is confidential. The corn industry wants that changed because it believes profitable companies are securing waivers, which is hurting farmers. Small refineries owned by profitable oil majors like ExxonMobil and Chevron are among those that have gotten waivers since 2017, according to the Reuters report.
"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. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct.
(Source: Yahoo Finance, Reuters, 30 April, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, "Hardship Waiver", Ethanol Blend,
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,
"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 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,
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,
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,
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,
" 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,
The study evaluated M-15 emissions in vehicles over 3,000 km in real-world conditions. Based on the study's conclusions, the agency says the use of M-20 blend would reduce pollution in the country by more than 40 pct at the cost of approximately 30 pct less than other available fuels.
(Source: Automotive Research Association of India, Union Minister for Transport , The Hindu Businessline, 19 Jan., 2019)
Contact: Automotive Research Association of India, +91-020-30231111,
+91-020-30231104 - fax., info@araiindia.com, www.araiindia.com; India Union Minister for Transport, www.india.gov.in/official-website-ministry-road-transport-and-highways
More Low-Carbon Energy News Methanol news, Methanol Blend news,
China produced 2.8 million tonnes of ethanol in 2017. Current capacity is estimated at approximately 3.38 million tonnes, including recently approved plants still under construction.
Of those, corn-based ethanol capacity is around 1.45 million tpy, followed by cassava, wheat, sorghum and rice. (Source: China National Renewable Energy Centre, Reuters, 10 Dec., 2018) Contact: China National Renewable Energy Centre, Dou Kejun, Researcher, www.cnrec.org.cn/english
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Ethanol, Ethanol Blend, China National Renewable Energy Centre,
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,
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,
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,
According to IIMR's Dr. AV Umakanth, principal scientist and sweet and high biomass sorghum investigator, with ethanol prices at Rs 59.13 per litre, the time is ripe to push sweet sorghum.
The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd (NFCSFL) reports it will test the profitability of sorghum ethanol at two mills. (Source: Indian Institute of Millet Research, New Indian Express, 27 Oct., 2018)
Contact: Indian Institute of Millet Research, : +91 40 2459 9301, www.millets.res.in
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol, India Ethanol, Ethanol Blend,
About 12 such refineries are proposed in different states to meet India's National Biofuel Policy 2018 target of 20 pct ethanol blending to petrol by the year 2030. Presently, ethanol blending in Petrol is between 3 and 4 pct. (Source: Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Business Standard, 7 Oct., 2018) Contact: Bharat Petroleum Corporation, www.bharatpetroleum.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Ethanol, India Biofuel, India Ethanol,
Prairie Horizon produces more 40 million gpy of ethanol and grinds 15 million bpy of grain to produce 127,000 tpy of high protein livestock feed (DDGs).
(Source: Prairie Horizon, USA Clean Fuels, Hays Post, 1 Oct., 2018) Contact:
Prairie Horizon USA Clean Fuel, (785) 543-6719, www.prairiehorizon.com; Phillips County Healthcare Foundation, www.pchc.foundation
More Low-Carbon Energy News DDGs, Ethanol, Biofuel, Prairie Horizon USA Clean Fuels,
(Source: Growth Energy, Convenience Store Decisions, 3 Oct., 2018) Contact:
UNL88.com, www.UNL88.com; Growth Energy, Mike O'Brien, VP Market Dev., Emily Skor, CEO, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, Biofuel Blend,
The program will be kicked-off in state-owned fleet vehicles and will
assesses the effects of E-15 and E-30 blends on vehicle performance, fuel economy and emissions control systems.
The pilot program is expected to launch within the next few weeks. (Source: Office of Gov. Pete Ricketts, NTV ABC, 27 Sept., 2018) Contact: Office of Gov. Pete Ricketts,
www.governor.nebraska.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol Blends, E15, E30, Biofuel, Flex-Fuel,
Exactly what they would offer US refiners and importers to support the change remained unclear and under discussion , but a quick approval of the change risk an almost certain court challenge. An announcement is reportedly expected in October.
(Source: Argus News, Others, 24 Sept., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News E15, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend,
The comments highlight the benefits of ethanol for fuel and draw on the experience of the United States in implementing a similar nationwide E10 fuel blend. They also support moving directly to an E10 blended fuel, as the overwhelming majority of gasoline-powered vehicles are approved for this fuel. Doing so would offer benefits for consumers and ensure certainty for U.K. producers, the groups note.
Read the comments submitted to the UK Department of Transport HERE
(Source: Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, U.S. Grains Council , 19 Sept., 2018): Contact: RFA, Bob Dinneen, Pres., (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org; Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org; U.S. Grains Council, (202) 789-0789, www.grains.org;
UK Department of Transport, www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, E10, Biofuel, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend, U.S. Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association,
Ethanol so extracted would be blended with petrol to cut reliance on imports. The government is looking at scaling up the blending to 10 pct in the next couple of years from the present 4-5 pct rate.
(Source: PTI, 14 Sept., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol news, India Ethanol news, Sugarcane Ethanol news, Ethanol Blend news,
The Prime Minister claimed "previous governments did not take the ethanol programme seriously" but his government will increase ethanol production fro the present 141 crore litres per year to 450 crore litres of ethanol in the next four years. The government also plans to achieve 10 pct ethanol blending in petrol by 2022 and is aiming to double it to 20 pct. The government also plans to establish 12 modern refineries for generating advanced biofuel.
Like a true politician, the Prime Minister was quick to note that all previous government plans to advance ethanol had "fallen through." (Source: The Hindu, Various Media, 11 August, 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News India Ethanol,
"A strong RFS that follows the law is critically important to ensuring market access for ethanol and biodiesel and to giving consumers additional choices at the pump. I will reiterate to acting Administrator Wheeler when he visits Iowa next week the need to support the RFS, allow year-round sale of E15 and end the small-refinery waivers that have cut ethanol demand by 1.5 billion gallons over the past two years."
Iowa has the capacity to produce 4.4 billion gpy of ethanol, including 55 million gpy of cellulosic ethanol and 400 million gpy of biodiesel, all from approximately 1 billion bushels of corn. The biofuels industry contributes about $5 billion to the state's DGP. (Source: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, CBC OnLIne, 12 Aug., 2018) Contact: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, www.iowaagriculture.gov/MichaelNaig.asp
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend,
According to Jennings, the EPA's proposal to flatline the standards will lead to increased gasoline use and tailpipe pollution, but not if the final rule paves the way for E25-E30 high octane fuel in future engines. (Source: American Coalition for Ethanol, WNAX Radio, 3 Aug., 2018)Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, Ron Lamberty, VP, (605) 334-3381, https://ethanol.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol Blend, CAFE Standard, American Coalition for Ethanol,
"On the surface, the numbers appear positive. Conventional biofuels like corn ethanol are set at 15 billion gallons and cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel and total advanced levels are all proposed to increase. But the EPA's decision to grant numerous small-refinery waivers and to not reallocate those volumes as the law envisioned, undercuts the 15 billion gallon level.
"These small refinery waivers have created the backdoor destruction of 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol demand. That means 500 million bushels of corn will be left in the bins, putting added pressure on already low commodity prices. Every RFS category is reduced by these small refiner waiver exemptions. In fact, it almost wipes out the proposed increase for advanced biofuels.
"And the 15 billion gallons ethanol number is in reality more like 13.5 billion. To put that in context, nearly 1 billion gallons less ethanol than was blended into U.S. gasoline in 2017. That is not progress. That is not the letter or spirit of the RFS. And that is not what President Trump promised the voters of Iowa. This issue must be addressed. The criteria for exemptions must be reasonable and transparent, and any exemptions must be reallocated to the remaining obligated parties. Correcting the small refinery exemption excesses need to be in the final rule. 15 billion gallons must mean 15 billion gallons.
"The former head )Pruitt) of the EPA often said that the decision to allow year-round sales of E15 was a matter of authority, not policy.
The EPA has publicly acknowledged it has the authority, so it's time to act.
It's also time for the EPA to stop ignoring a court order to restore 500 million gallons of conventional ethanol demand that was illegally waived by the Obama Administration for the 2016 compliance year." (Source: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), 18 July, 2018) Contact: Office of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, https://governor.iowa.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol, RFS, Ethanol Blend, Hardship Waiver, E15,
"He had completely undermined the ethanol industry. He was handing out waivers like candy. The last number I saw was 2.25 billion gallons of ethanol had been waived from the RFS. President Trump continues to talk about giving E15 full-year access, and these refiner waivers are just unacceptable." -- Lisa Richardson, Exec. Dir., South Dakota Corn Growers Association
More Low-Carbon Energy News Pruitt, Ethanol, RFS, Ethanol Blend, Renewable Fuels Association,
Ethanol producers and farm-state lawmakers say that recent waivers granted to small refiners have undercut the Renewable Fuels Standard. The Trump administration's plan to make up for the lost biofuel gallons would have put the burden on non-exempted refineries, prompting an outcry from the two top oil industry trade groups.
As previously reported, "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: Various Media, Bloomberg, HoosierAg Today, 24 June, 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel Standard, Ethanol Blend, Pruitt,
The Growth Energy release credits the not-for-profit Prime the Pump market development campaign for: doubling the number of E15 stations four years in a row to include 1,400 stations across 30 states; securing commitments of more than 2,800 retail sites that will offer E15 by 2021 generating approximately 350 million new gpy of ethanol; and adding three major new retailers to the program in 2017, including a game-changing partnership with Kwik Trip which successfully rolled out E15 at 300 sites in just four months.
Both Growth Energy and Prime the Pump are arguing for relief from the current Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limitations to further spur the growth of E15 sales.
Volatility defines its evaporation characteristics of a liquid fuel; RVP -- expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) -- is a common measure of and generic term for gasoline volatility. The RVP of gasoline can range from 7 to 15 psi. Ethanol itself has a very low volatility: -2 psi RVP. The higher the RVP of a fuel the worse its emissions are.
(Source: Growth Energy, Green Car Congress, 21 June, 2018)Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org;
Prime the Pump, http://primethepumpfund.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, Ethanol Blend, E15, Biofuel, Prime the Pump,
The plant utilizes LanzaTech's technology which relies on anaerobic bacteria to ferment stell mill waste emissions. The installation has an ethanol production capacity of 46,000 tpy and has been operational since early May, this year.
According to LanzaTech, the performance of this type of sustainable ethanol in fuel blending applications is indistinguishable from sugar-derived ethanol and meets the ASTM International D4806 standard. (Source: LanzaTeck, Renewables, 11 June, 2018) Contact: LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com; Shougang Group, www.shougang.com.cn/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News LanzaTech, Biofuel , Ethanol, Ethanol Blending,
Tianjin is expected to use 260,000 tpy of fuel ethanol produced from approximately 780,000 tpy of corn. China is currently sitting on huge stocks of corn estimated to be at about 200 million tonnes, following a now discontinued government stockpiling scheme to support farmers. Although China currently produces under 2.5 million tpy of ethanol the new policy could increase demand to 15 million tpy by 2020, according to a Reuters estimate.
As previously reported, in 2017, China announced plans to roll out E-10 ethanol blended fuel on a national scale by 2020.
(Source: Various Media, Reuters, 11 June, 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News E10, Ethanol, China Ethanol, Ethanol Blend,
According to the RFA, "The EPA data strongly implies that small refiner exemptions have effectively lowered the 2017 required volume of renewable fuels by 1.1 billion gallons, or six percent." (Source: US EPA, NAFB, Others, 28 April, 2018)Contact: RFA, Bob Dinneen, Pres., (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS, Ethanol Blend,
USGC presently exports 50 million lpy of ethanol to India, which is used for industrial applications.
A significant percentage of India's ethanol refining capacity is frequently idled due to feed stock and other shortfalls, according to the Federation of Indian Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) which estimates
3.13 billion lpy are required to meet the E-10 mandate. However, as of end-December 2017, Indian sugar and ethanol producers have entered into an agreement for only 1.4 billion litres of ethanol, leaving a huge gap. (Source: US Grains Council, Hindu Business Line, 25 Mar., 2018) Contact: US Grains Council, Kurt Shultz, (202) 789-0789, https://grains.org, Federation of Indian Chamber Of Commerce & Industry, +91 44 4284 9613, /www.ficci-hes.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News US Grains Council, Ethanol, Ethanol Blend, India Ethanol,
"There's some things on the trading platform I think should happen no matter what. There seems to be a hoarding of RINs which inflates the price of RINs. Some have talked about limiting the participants who buy and sell, so you can get away from some of the speculation that's taking place," Pruitt told the Houston Chronicle.
Reforming the RINs program has been a top request of refiners and their allies in recent months, particularly after a major Philadelphia refiner declared bankruptcy in January, blaming RIN costs.
Pruitt also told the Houston Chronicle he supports letting fuel stations sell higher ethanol blends in the summer than they are currently allowed to, but only if such a change can withstand legal challenges. (Source: US EPA, Houston Chronicle, The Hill, 12 Mar., 2018)
Contact: EPA Scott Pruitt, www.facebook.com/EPAScottPruitt; www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-administrator
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol, RINs, RFS, Scott Pruitt,
"For farmers, ethanol blending equals corn demand. Farmers care about RIN values, not because we want them to be high, but because we want the RIN market mechanism to work freely to incentivize (ethanol) blending. Increased blending will, in turn, lower RIN values, exactly the way the RFS is intended to work. Government manipulation of the RIN market, on the other hand, disrupts the incentive to blend."
An Iowa State study concluded that:
a leading Renewable Fuel Standard reform proposal considered by policymakers would allow E15 sales throughout the year and implement a cap on D6 RIN prices between $0.10 to $0.20/RIN;
while year-round sales of E15 would encourage retailers to sell the fuel, capping D6 RIN prices would reduce consumption of E15 and E85:
a cap on D6 RIN prices between $0.10/gal to $0.20/gal would likely reduce the effective ethanol mandate from 15 billion gallons to about 14.3 billion gallons in 2018; and
unless increased ethanol exports compensate for the reduced mandate, corn prices would decrease under the proposal's D6 RIN price cap. (Source: NCGA, Farm Equipment, 9 Mar., 2018) Contact: NCGA, (202) 326-0644, www.ncga.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News NCGA, Corn Ethanol, Ethanol Blends, RFS,
According to Praj, its techno-socio-economic model of 2nd gen ethanol technology is already progressing in India and can be replicated in the developed region like Europe.
Praj Industries opened India's first integrated bio-refinery for renewable fuels and chemicals from agri-residue including rice and wheat straw, cotton stalk, bagasse, cane trash, corn cobs and stover, and other feedstocks in May, 2017. The second-generation bio-refinery demonstration plant boasts a 2nd generation ethanol production capacity of 1 million lpy.
The Indian governments is calling for a 20 pct ethanol blend ratio in auto fuels. To meet that goal, 10 to 12 second generation ethanol projects with an average 100,000 lpy capacity are expected to be developed. (Source: Praj Industries, Economic Times of India, 11 Mar., 2018)Contact: Praj Industries Ltd., +91 20 7180 2000 / 2294 1000, info@praj.net, www.praj.net
More Low-Carbon Energy News Praj Industries, Cellulosic, Ethanol,
Morales said that the project would increase the cultivation of sugarcane by 18,000 hectares (44,479 acres) to a total of 155,000 hectares by 2025 -- sufficient acreage to
produce 8.2 million lpy of ethanol and 6.6 million liters of E85 ethanol blend within a period of seven years, President Morales noted.
(Source: Latin American Herald Tribune, 10 Mar., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol, Brazil Ethanol, Sugarcane Ethanol,
Vertimass believes their technology of converting sustainable ethanol into fungible gasoline, diesel, jet fuel blend stocks and the chemical building blocks benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) can substantially increase corn demand in the US. This innovative technology eliminates the ethanol blend wall that currently limits ethanol use and allows for further expansion of renewable fuels and chemicals while maintaining a low greenhouse gas footprint.
According to Vertimass, "This innovative technology will be fully applicable to conversion of ethanol from cellulosic biomass such as agricultural residues and dedicated energy crops and sugars into BTEX and hydrocarbon fuels as it is to corn ethanol."
(Source: Vertimass LLC, PR, 5 Mar., 2018)
Contact: Vertimass, Charles Wyman, CEO, John Hannon, COO, (949) 417-4307, www.vertimass.com; : NCGA, (202) 326-0644, www.ncga.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News NCGA, Vertimass, Corn, Ethanol, Biofuel Feedstock,