As of May 24, around 1 am, the state of Illinois now has a budget that – although reported as creatively balanced – provides some wins for Illinois agriculture. “Illinois agriculture showed great solidarity as we negotiated and lobbied for programs that could support farmers this year and next,” said Rodney Weinzierl, IL Corn Executive Director….
Cleaner Air is One Defense Against COVID
Researchers see a correlation between high concentrations of particulate matter in the air and vulnerability of citizens contracting the COVID-19 virus, says a recent study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The link was documented by a group of Italian researchers as well and publicized this week by Chicago Area Clean Cities (CACC). …
EPA Ignores IL Corn Farmer Concerns with Plan to Restore Ethanol Market
In response to the EPA’s final rule on the 2020 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) and the understanding that the EPA will not be reallocating all previously waived gallons in future RVO numbers, the Illinois Corn Growers Association President Bill Leigh of Minonk issued the following statement: “The EPA has ignored the request of corn farmers…
Important Partners Show Up for Ethanol
Senators Tammy Duckworth and Richard Durbin, along with Illinois Director of Agriculture John Sullivan, showed up for ethanol and IL Corn last week with their own comments on the EPA’s proposed rule to reallocate waived gallons of ethanol. In a letter on November 26, Senators Duckworth and Durbin remind the EPA that their proposed…
Biofuels Video Featured
This exciting new video starts a conversation about biofuels: how they can save us from diminishing fossil fuels, how they clean our are, how they are locally grown and saving rural communities. It’s the latest in what will be a docuseries of videos helping farmers and non-farmers to talk about important ag issues featured on…
RVO COMMENTS SUBMITTED TO EPA BY ILRFA & ICGA
August 17, 2018 Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20460 Re: Docket ID EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0167 Dear Acting Administrator Wheeler: The Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association (ILRFA) are pleased to submit comments concerning the proposed EPA rulemaking regarding the establishment of renewable…
USGC EXPLORES POTENTIAL ETHANOL DEMAND IN CHILE AND ARGENTINA
Increased global bioethanol use is only a well-constructed policy decision away in markets like Argentina and Chile. The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) traveled to both countries in June to investigate their existing ethanol markets and discover how new or improved ethanol policies could boost demand while opening the door to imports. “New market development opportunities…
EPA 2019 RFS PROPOSED RULEMAKING: WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT YOU GET
On June 26, 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposed rule for establishing the volume obligations under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) (EPA Proposed Rule). If finalized, the proposed rule would set the requirements for obligated parties to comply with the RFS for calendar year 2019, as well as the requirements for biomass-based diesel…
APRIL ANOTHER STRONG MONTH FOR U.S. ETHANOL AND DDGS EXPORTS
U.S. ethanol exports totaled 162.3 million gallons (mg) in April, according to government data released this morning and analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). This represents a 25% drop from the near-record export volume recorded in March, but still tallied as the fourth-largest monthly export volume in six years. Brazil was the leading destination…
CHART OF NOTE: U.S. ETHANOL EXPORTS CONTINUE UPWARD STREAK
Seven months into the 2017/2018 marketing year, the United States has exported nearly one billion gallons of ethanol, up 15 percent year-over-year and an indication of ethanol exports’ support for U.S. grain demand. March ethanol exports exceeded 215 million gallons, the second highest monthly sales on record behind nearly 220 million gallons in February 2018….