On September 14th, three decisions were announced benefiting the renewable fuel industry and indirectly, corn farmers.  The first item was formal rejection by the EPA of a total of 54 pending gap-year small refinery exemptions.  This action was taken in accordance with the January decision of the Tenth Circuit Court that ruled that exemptions should be extensions and not new requests.

The second boon was the announcement by Brazil that the recently expired tariff rate quota on U.S. ethanol will be extended for 30 days awaiting negotiation of a more comprehensive bilateral trade deal.

Finally the White House announced that existing pumps dispensing E-10 (10 percent ethanol blend) could now be used to sell E-15 comprising a 15 percent ethanol inclusion (energy dilution) in gasoline, subject obviously to appropriate designation of product.  Details are however subject to state approval and modification of OSHA regulations and other requirements depending on location.  It is questioned how filling stations will offer E-10 as well as E-15 from available pumps since a high proportion of vehicles on the road cannot accept E-15. There are doubts as to whether there will be an increase in actual volume of ethanol consumed or whether the decision announced in the form of a tweet is more politics than substance.