BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Operations, Markets, Business, PolicyA new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division July 2 finds that operating margins for ethanol producers will likely remain weak for the remainder of 2019. The outlook for exports, however, is more optimistic. READ MORE

BY Cassie Mullen, director of market development at the Renewable Fuels Association Found In:Markets, Business, Policy, RetailerThe EPA recently removed a key regulatory barrier to year-round E15 sales. The Renewable Fuels Association is ready to assist retailers, marketers, terminal operators and others who want to take a serious look at offering the fuel blend. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Business, PolicyA new trade agreement reached June between Mercosur, a South American trade bloc consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and the European Union is expected to impact ethanol producers in both regions. READ MORE

BY U.S. Grains Council Found In:Markets, Coproducts, Business, PolicyTom Sleight, long-time USGC president and CEO, hands over the organization’s reins this week to Ryan LeGrand. His legacy includes a strong global team consciously built over decades to take on the challenges of a dynamic market development portfolio. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PolicyA group of nine republican senators representing U.S. oil-producing and refining states are urging U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to block attempts to roll back the agency’s’ use of small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the RFS. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PolicyRep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., introduced legislation June 21 that aims to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard. Rooney cited the impact of ethanol on boat engines and the U.S. EPA’s rule to allow year-round E15 sales as the reasons for his action. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Business, PolicyA bipartisan group of 11 senators sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler June 25 urging the agency to update an outdated environmental analysis on ethanol in order to improve foreign sales opportunities. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicyAnother small refinery exemption (SRE) application for the Renewable Fuel Standard’s 2018 compliance year has been declared ineligible or withdrawn, according to updated SRE data posted to the U.S. EPA website on June 24. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Cellulosic, Business, Policy, RetailerRep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., introduced the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 on June 18. The bill extends several biofuel- and bioenergy-related tax credits through 2020. The legislation was scheduled for markup on June 20. READ MORE

BY Emily Skor Found In:Business, PolicyFROM THE JULY ISSUE: Legislators on both sides of the aisle voice concerns about small refinery exemptions. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicyThe U.S. Department of Energy is seeking nominations for candidates to fill vacancies on its Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee. Nominations must be submitted by June 30. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicySens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., introduced the RFS Integrity Act of 2019 on June 13. The bill aims to bring transparency and predictability to the U.S. EPA’s small refinery exemption (SRE) process. READ MORE

BY Brian Healy Found In:Markets, Business, PolicyFROM THE JULY ISSUE: Several countries are making legislative changes that bode well for U.S. ethanol. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Feedstocks, Cellulosic, Business, PolicyA group of 15 companies sent a letter to Assistant EPA Administrator Bill Wehrum June 12 urging the agency to finalize provisions in the proposed REGS rule to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers for the production of certain biofuels. READ MORE

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, Policy, RetailerGrowth Energy filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit June 12 to intervene in support of the U.S. EPA’s rule allowing year-round E15 sales. AFPM filed a lawsuit June 10 challenging the rule. READ MORE