In The News

Apr 19, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will use its existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend often marketed as Unleaded 88. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn grower organizations, which have advocated for the move, praised the decision “This waiver is good news for corn growers and those in rural America who will benefit economically from this decision and for consumers who will save money at the pump during a busy travel season,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are deeply appreciative of EPA Administrator Regan, President Biden and our congressional allies for all their work on this issue.” Under current policy, E15 cannot be sold at terminals beginning on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1. But the Clean Air Act gives EPA authority to temporarily waive these requirements to address pressing concerns, such as...

Mar 21, 2024

Key Issues: EthanolSustainability

A multi-state coalition of biofuel and farm advocates, including the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and many state corn advocates, called on President Biden’s Treasury Department to swiftly resolve any questions standing in the way of efforts to scale up U.S. production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Specifically, they urged the administration to quickly adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s GREET model for the calculation of SAF tax credits (40B) under the Inflation Reduction Act – completing a process that was originally scheduled to conclude by March 1.   “We are disappointed that the administration did not fulfill its commitment to release a modified GREET model by March 1, but we appreciate the importance of getting the modeling right,” wrote 26 organizations across 13 states, including Clean Fuels Alliance America, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Oilseed Processors Association, and the Renewable Fuels Association....

Mar 20, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) expressed grave concern and disappointment today with the Environmental Protection Agency’s final 2027-2032 emissions standards for sedans and light- and medium-duty trucks.   The plan still relies almost exclusively on the use of electric vehicles, requiring that a majority of the specified fleets are electric in less than a decade. A decision of this magnitude will have long-lasting negative implications for the rural economy because it ignores the benefits of ethanol.     “We are deeply concerned and disappointed that EPA has chosen to force a one-size-fits-all solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ignore the readily available solution that biofuels like ethanol bring to the table,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “This decision will not only severely hamper the administration’s ability to reach its own climate goals, but it will also hurt family farms and rural communities that rely heavily on the sale of biofuels. On...

Mar 2, 2024

Key Issues: EthanolSustainabilityNew Uses

Author: Bryan Goodman

As Treasury considers how to measure greenhouse gas emissions as it allocates tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels, the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Congress, meeting in Houston, Texas, reaffirmed their support today for the use of the GREET model in making that determination.   “Corn grower leaders across the country have made it clear that the GREET model is the most reliable measure in determining reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as it weighs the environmental impacts from the farm to the car or plane,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We strongly encourage the administration to embrace this model, and its accurate and fair calculation of corn’s environmental picture.”   The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, calls for the allocation of $1.25 for each gallon of sustainable aviation fuel in a qualified mixture. To qualify for the credit, biofuels must reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%.   NCGA has...

Feb 22, 2024

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will grant the request by eight Midwestern governors to allow the year-round sale of fuel with a 15% ethanol blend, or E15, in their states beginning in the summer of 2025. The announcement was welcomed by the National Corn Growers Association, which has been fighting to break down barriers to the environmentally friendly biofuels. “We are glad to hear this decision from EPA, as it puts us on the road to providing more certainty to America’s corn growers and consumers who will save money at the pump,” said NCGA President and Minnesota Farmer Harold Wolle. “However, given that this decision will not take effect until the summer of 2025, we question and are concerned about the implications of the timeline for growers and consumers this summer.” The sale of E15 has been banned during the summer months to meet federal clean air standards that have been shown to be unnecessary and outdated. The U.S. EPA has granted waivers...

Jan 17, 2024

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Dusty Weis

How the Renewable Fuel Standard has changed the corn industry, and what’s on the horizon for this key sector.   Since its adoption in 2005, no other piece of policy has changed the corn industry more than the Renewable Fuel Standard. Ethanol has become one of the most important markets for corn in that time.   But over the last couple of years, there are new developments that could be major boon for this crucial sector.   So in this episode, we're going to talk with a few ethanol experts to get their perspectives on how that market has developed, where it's at today, and where they’re hoping it will go in the future.   Joining us are agricultural economist Scott Irwin from the University of Illinois; Julie Busse, a member of the National Corn Growers Association ethanol team; and Bradley Schad, the CEO of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association.   They’ll provide some important context about ethanol’s history as a fuel, and also tell...

Dec 20, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today praised a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that advances the request of several Midwestern governors to allow their states to sell fuel with 15% ethanol blends year-round. EPA's decision now puts eight Midwestern states on the road toward allowing for year-round access to E15. “Allowing consumers to access higher blends of ethanol year-round will play a critical role in helping the country meet the Biden administration’s ambitious climate goals,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are very appreciative of the EPA for making this science-based and forward-looking decision.” Because of outdated federal regulations, consumers have historically lost access to higher blends of ethanol during the summer months. In April 2022, eight Midwestern governors sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan asking him to provide a permanent fix to this issue by allowing retailers to sell...

Dec 15, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolSustainability

Author: Bryan Goodman

The U.S. Department of Treasury announced today that it will use a modified version of the GREET model as a measurement for determining reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as the agency allocates tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels under the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act.   The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said it is pleased that Treasury is embracing the model.   “Given that GREET was created by the U.S. government and is widely respected for its ability to measure reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the farm to the plane, we are encouraged that Treasury will adopt some version of this model,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “At the end of the day, we are eager to help the aviation sector lower its carbon footprint, and we look forward to working with the involved agencies over the coming months to ensure the final model helps us achieve that goal.”   The decision by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has been...

Oct 16, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposed new fuel economy standards “greatly missed the intent” of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy program to enhance energy security, according to technical comments filed today by the National Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels Association and National Farmers Union. The proposal, they assert, will lead to an overreliance on foreign critical minerals due to its myopic dependence on electric vehicles.   “As NHTSA determines the appropriate CAFE and fuel efficiency standards, it should avoid putting all our eggs in the electrification basket,” the three national trade associations wrote. “NHTSA’s current proposal greatly missed the intent of the CAFE program.  As Congress has acknowledged, solving energy security and air pollution issues related to the transportation sector requires a diversified portfolio of approaches.”   The associations noted an overreliance on electric vehicles that ignores specific challenges...

Sep 27, 2023

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) this week launched a grassroots advocacy campaign to encourage the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to provide a level playing field for biofuels such as ethanol. The organization is calling on corn growers and advocates to make their voices heard by submitting comments to the agency.   The campaign comes after NHTSA proposed hiking the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard, referred to as the CAFE standard, which regulates how much fuel a vehicle consumes per mile. The agency’s current proposal would move the fleet average for small cars and light trucks from 44 to 58 miles per gallon by 2032.     NCGA leaders said the proposed standard ignores solutions that are available now. “The proposal sets an unattainable goal and a concerning precedent,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “As a result, auto manufacturers will be forced to overlook viable solutions, such as high-octane biofuels like corn ethanol, as they rush to...