A study by the University of Wisconsin says carbon emissions increase when land is converted into crops for ethanol. The study released this week says the carbon emissions increase since the ethanol mandate in 2007 is equivalent to 20 million new cars driving on America’s roadways every year. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the study underscores the unintended consequences of …
Ethanol Industry Wants Brazil Status Suspended
The U.S. Ethanol industry wants U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to suspend Brazil’s designated country status under the Generalized System of Preferences. The groups want Lighthizer to make the move against Brazil because of its “protectionist and market-distorting actions in implementing a Tariff Rate Quota on American ethanol imports.” The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, and the U.S. Grains Council …
Cautious Optimism Ahead in Grain, Ethanol Markets
CoBank says rising incomes around the globe will help push demand higher and create more opportunities for U.S. exports in grains, oilseeds, and ethanol. A new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division says things like commodity surpluses around the globe, trade agreement negotiations, and the relative strength of key currencies all will influence the scope of growth over the next …
More Money Raising Soybeans
For four years in a row crop farmers in Illinois, other parts of the nation too, have made more money on soybeans than corn. The numbers are pretty clear and University of Illinois Agricultural Economist Gary Schnitkey lays them out in an online farmdocDaily article. He says, on average, soybeans have been more profitable than corn since 2013. And farmers have responded …
Growth Energy: 2 Billion Miles Surpassed on E15
Growth Energy announced that in just five months, American drivers have surpassed another billion miles on E15, bringing the total miles driven across the U.S. to 2 billion. This comes on the heels of Growth Energy’s recent announcement that more than 1,000 stations across the country are currently offering E15 to consumers. “This latest milestone cements the fact that drivers have embraced …
Ethanol Versus Big Oil Politics Fueling Fight in U.S. Senate
Ethanol versus Big Oil politics is apparently fueling a fight in the U.S. Senate over the president’s nomination of Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey to a top USDA post. Northey’s nomination was blocked last week by oil-patch Republican Ted Cruz of Texas. Another Republican, Mike Lee of Utah, had lifted his ‘hold’ on the nomination. But the Cruz ‘hold’ sparked …
RFA Statement on EPA Letter to Senators on RFS Commitment
In a letter to seven senators sent late Thursday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt committed to final 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations at levels equal or greater to those that the agency proposed in July, as well as a commitment to finalize the rule by the Nov. 30 statutory deadline. In the letter, Pruitt also announced EPA will finalize …
Governors Write Trump Regarding RFS
Four ethanol-state governors are expressing concerns regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard to President Donald Trump. In a letter, Monday, the governors of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota, told the president they were concerned about “where the EPA’s proposed implementation of RFS policy is heading,” and its impact on farmers and the rural economy. The four Republicans urged the president …
More Than 1,000 Stations Offering E15 in the U.S.
Growth Energy says more than 1,000 fuel stations throughout the U.S. are now offering E15 fuels, more than doubling the number of stations from the same time last year. Growth in the availability of the 15 percent ethanol blend is “a testament to the value E15 brings to fuel retailers and consumers,” according to Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. Growth …
Trade Mission to Brazil Affect Ethanol Import Tariff?
An ethanol industry official hopes this week’s USDA-led trade mission to Brazil will convince the country’s leaders to reverse a renewed tariff on ethanol imports. Growth Energy’s Chris Bliley does not see the Brazil trip with leaders from two-dozen agribusinesses and trade groups as rewarding Brazil for its renewed 20-percent tariff on imported ethanol. Key players in the ethanol industry, …