ACE, retailers talk opportunities to increase E15 at NEB forum

PHOTO: American Coalition for Ethanol

March 7, 2019

BY American Coalition for Ethanol

American Coalition for Ethanol Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty participates on a panel today at Nebraska Ethanol Board’s 2019 Emerging Issues Forum in La Vista, Nebraska, with retailers about the opportunities and practical considerations to increase E15 and higher ethanol blends. Lamberty also moderates a panel Friday about emerging markets for U.S. ethanol. 

Joining Lamberty on the panel is Randy Gard of Bosselman Enterprises and Matt Spackman of Kum & Go. Lamberty’s presentation will cover common questions and concerns ACE has heard from petroleum marketers about offering E15 and higher ethanol blends, as well as ACE’s efforts to correct the misinformation surrounding the upcoming Reid vapor pressure (RVP) rule to allow year-round E15. 

“Many retailers are concerned their equipment isn’t compatible, but that’s not likely,” Lamberty said. “The Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab published their E15 and Infrastructure report nearly four years ago, and in it they said, ‘the majority of installed tanks can store blends above E10.’ We can put retailers in touch with other marketers, who have increased their volumes and profits selling higher ethanol blends, at flexfuelforward.com.”

Advertisement

Panelist Randy Gard is one such retailer who has “been there and done that.” Gard’s presentation will show attendees the direct correlation between blender pumps and ethanol sales.

“You don’t hear ‘if you build it, they’ll come’ very often, but we’ve proven that,” Gard said. “Simply put, retailer infrastructure drives consumption. If you have the product and E15 is a nickel less, people are going to buy it and we have data to back that up—we just need more locations.”

Advertisement

“The second part of that is there are off-rack blending facilities that need to be built so we’re in control of our own destiny,” Gard added. “Also, from a legislative perspective, the RVP year-round waiver is a big deal.”

The panel Lamberty moderates on Friday consists of Roger Berry of the Nebraska Corn Board, Kristy Moore of KMoore Consulting LLC, and Craig Willis of Growth Energy. Lamberty will draw upon what he’s learned while speaking at technical ethanol information forums in Mexico during the discussion.  

 

 

Related Stories

The U.S. Energy Information Administration maintained its forecast for 2025 and 2026 biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released July 8.

Read More

XCF Global Inc. on July 10 shared its strategic plan to invest close to $1 billion in developing a network of SAF production facilities, expanding its U.S. footprint, and advancing its international growth strategy.

Read More

U.S. fuel ethanol capacity fell slightly in April, while biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity held steady, according to data released by the U.S. EIA on June 30. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to the previous month.

Read More

XCF Global Inc. on July 8 provided a production update on its flagship New Rise Reno facility, underscoring that the plant has successfully produced SAF, renewable diesel, and renewable naphtha during its initial ramp-up.

Read More

The U.S. EPA on July 8 hosted virtual public hearing to gather input on the agency’s recently released proposed rule to set 2026 and 2027 RFS RVOs. Members of the biofuel industry were among those to offer testimony during the event.

Read More

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement