Environmental Protection Agency – Advanced BioFuels USA

ORNL Joins Effort to Make Plastic More Recyclable

(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) From soda bottles to car bumpers to piping, electronics, and packaging, plastics have become a ubiquitous part of our lives. Advancements in materials have made plastics low cost, flexible, hygienic, lightweight, durable and readily available. While some plastics are recyclable, only a fraction — about 8.4% nationally

November 27, 2020 Read Full Article

New Biofuel-Trading Venue Sees Untapped Demand in Green Revival

by Kim Chipman (Bloomberg/Yahoo! Finance) The U.S. market for biofuel credits has long drawn calls for reform over lack of transparency. Trading-technology expert Julian Anstes says he has the answer. Anstes and the firm he runs, London-based OTC Direct Markets Ltd., have developed an online trading platform set to go live Dec.

November 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Farm & Biofuel Leaders Urge Courts to Hold EPA Accountable on Improper 2016 Waiver

(Renewable Fuels Association) Today, a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia asking the court to enforce its 2017 decision requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address its improper waiver of 500 million gallons of biofuel demand in the 2016 renewable volume obligation (RVO).

November 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Should Ethanol Go Back to Business as Usual after COVID-19?

by Christina Stella (WVIK/NPR) … As Americans hunkered down for lockdowns, gasoline demand across the country plummeted. Ethanol industry leaders issued warnings that the financial repercussions of widespread lockdowns could be significant to plants across the country. They later reported half of the nation’s facilities were forced to shut down. Most ethanol

November 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Growth Energy Outlines 2021 Biofuel Policy Priorities

(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor today outlined the biofuels industry’s top federal priorities for 2021, highlighting key measures that elected leaders must take to protect the climate, revitalize rural communities, and offer more consumers clean, affordable options to fuel their cars. “Biofuels, including plant-based ethanol, are critical

November 20, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA: 6 More SRE Petitions Filed, 58 Now Pending

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Nov. 19, reporting that six additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency, including one for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year 2019 and five for compliance year 2020. No other changes were made

November 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Brownley Introduces Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act

(Office of Representative Julia Brownley (D-CA 26)) Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act, legislation to incentivize the production of sustainable aviation fuel and help the aviation sector reduce carbon emissions. “As a member of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and the House Transportation and

November 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Farm Support Holds for Trump, but Biden May Find Inroads: End to Aid Payments in 2021 Could Cut Deeply into Incomes

by Ellyn Ferguson (Roll Call) … Despite the mixed performance, Trump’s policies on trade, regulation and other areas maintained his popularity in rural and farm communities, winning their support in the Nov. 3 election. Joe Biden nevertheless has a chance to do as president what he didn’t manage as a

November 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Transition Book: Priorities for Administrative Action on Carbon Removal in 2021+

(Carbon 180) We partner with policymakers, scientists, and businesses around the globe to develop policy, promote research, and advance solutions that transform carbon from a pollutant to a resource and foster a prosperous, carbon-conscious economy that removes more from the atmosphere than we emit. … The next administration will need

November 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Growth Energy Applauds Streamlining Advanced Biofuels Registration Act of 2020

(Growth Energy) Today, U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Jim Hagedorn (R-MN) introduced the Streamlining Advanced Biofuels Registration Act of 2020 to encourage low-carbon fuel production and increase production of cellulosic biomass into renewable fuels. This legislation would expedite the approval process at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for low-carbon biofuel

November 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Small Refinery Gets Second Win in Battle for Renewable-Fuel Hardship Exemption

by Sebastien Malo (Reuters/WestLaw) A federal appeals court vacated for the second time on Tuesday a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denial of small oil refinery Ergon West Virginia Inc’s (EWVI) request for an exemption from the country’s biofuel regulations after finding the agency had treated a similar business differently, to EWVI’s

November 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Senate Finance Chair Says EPA Leader Should Follow RFS or Resign

(WNAX) Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley told farm reporters Thursday that 2020 has been a tenuous year for renewable fuels. He says ethanol demand has been hurt by the pandemic and gap year waiver requests for refiners has created a lot of questions. He says the EPA Administrator announced this week they

November 16, 2020 Read Full Article

California Official Sees State Auto Emissions Deal as ‘Template’ for Biden

by Nichola Groom, David Shepardson (Reuters) California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, who sources say could be the next federal environment chief, said on Thursday her state’s agreement with manor automakers for fuel efficiency requirements could serve as a “good template” for federal standards through 2025. The Trump administration in

November 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Climate 21 Project Memos

(Climate 21 Project) The Climate 21 Project taps the expertise of more than 150 experts with high-level government experience, including nine former cabinet appointees, to deliver actionable advice for a rapid-start, whole-of-government climate response coordinated by the White House and accountable to the President. The memos below contain the Climate 21 Project’s recommendations for

November 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Sets Agency Transition Teams

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) — The Biden transition named members of the teams that will guide the transfer of power inside federal agencies. — World leaders piled on the congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden this week, with many pledging to work with the U.S. on tackling climate change. — A Federal Reserve

November 12, 2020 Read Full Article

Post-Election Analysis from ABFA: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Advanced Biofuels Association’s Election View

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Did the bioeconomy win or lose? If you missed the conversation on Thursday at DigestConnect, check out this slide guide from Mike McAdams, President of Advanced Biofuels Association for his post-election analysis from the Presidential race to key House and Senate races, the COVID-19 focus,

November 10, 2020 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Geoff Cooper

RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper reminds us that President Elect Joe Biden committed on the campaign trail to put an end to the Trump Administration’s EPA small refinery waivers on day one according to Brownfield Ag News. READ MORE

November 10, 2020 Read Full Article

U.S. Renewable Fuels Legislation Could Garner Bipartisan Support under Biden

by Stephanie Kelly and Laura Sanicola (Reuters) Renewable fuels are a niche market for now, but with Democratic President-Elect Joe Biden set to enter office with a divided Congress, legislation supporting demand for products like renewable diesel could garner bipartisan support. Biden, elected president last week, defeating Republican Donald Trump,

November 10, 2020 Read Full Article

University of Kentucky Researchers Launch a $2 Million Project to Study Sulfur Variability in Biofuel Feedstocks

by Katie Pratt (University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment) Sulfur found in biofuel feedstock could pose serious problems to the industry, because it causes pollution, is toxic to the catalyst and corrosive to biorefinery equipment. A national group of scientists and industry partners led by researchers at the

November 6, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Asks SCOTUS for Delay in RFS Case: Trump Administration Asks for Time to File Response in Small-Refinery Exemption Case

by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The EPA has asked the Supreme Court for an extension to file a response to a refiner’s petition for review of an appeals court’s January 2020 ruling on small-refinery exemptions. HollyFrontier Corp. appealed to the high court in September after the U.S. Court of Appeals

November 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Final Chapter for Cellulosic Ethanol?

by Rod Swoboda (Wallaces Farmer) … Poet’s cellulosic ethanol plant at Emmetsburg was named Project Liberty. Following Poet’s lead, two other companies built cellulosic ethanol plants — one in Kansas and one at Nevada in central Iowa. The owners of those two plants ended up selling their facilities by the end

November 4, 2020 Read Full Article

US Elections: Ernst Holds onto Iowa Senate Seat after Race Tests Biofuel Support

by Meghan Gordon (S&P Global Platts) Republican played key role in biofuel mandate talks; Opponent supported clean energy, denounced ‘Big Oil’; Ernst took heat for commodity prices, EPA confirmation — US Senator Joni Ernst, Republican-Iowa, held onto her seat after a tight race that tested her support of biofuel makers and knowledge of

November 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Factbox: Unresolved Biofuel Policy Issues Facing the Next U.S. President

(Today/Reuters) Both U.S. President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden have tried to clinch rural votes ahead of the election by voicing support for corn-based ethanol. But big questions remain over how either would administer the nation’s biofuel law, the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and the stakes are

November 4, 2020 Read Full Article

RNG Revolution: The North American Renewable Natural Gas Industry Has Boomed over the Past Decade and Potential Remains Vast.

by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) … Particularly for those feeling the heat when it comes reducing carbon footprints, interest in renewable natural gas (RNG) as an alternative vehicle fuel is an all-time high, and for good reason. Not only does it meet the most stringent emissions requirements, but for utilities

November 3, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Administrator: RFS Waiver Requests to Wait on Court Appeal

by John Herath (Farm Journal’s Ag Pro) Wheeler (EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler) said on the AgriTalk Radio Show on Monday that he will not consider those waiver requests until after the courts have spoken on that appeal. “The refiners appealed that to the Supreme Court; we’re waiting to see if they

November 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Expanded E15 Sales Have Helped, but Ethanol Backers Say Roadblocks Still Remain

by Chris Dunker (Lincoln Journal Star) In lifting a restriction on the sale of E15 during summer months, corn growers and ethanol producers praised President Donald Trump for removing a major roadblock to expanding sale of the 15% ethanol blend. … The change has helped corn farmers, ethanol production facilities,

November 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Looks beyond Trump-Biden Bluster to Biofuel Reset

by Kim Chipman and Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg Green) Presidential, Iowa Senate races put biofuel in spotlight; Renewable Fuel Standard uncertainty clouds ethanol outlook — … The winner will oversee a “reset” of the congressional mandate to blend biofuels with gasoline. This new phase of the Renewable Fuel Standard, created in 2005

November 2, 2020 Read Full Article

LETTER: Biofuel Targets Should Be Set Now

by Marc Berger (Daily Citizen) … The EPA announced that E15 — a gasoline blend made with 15% ethanol — can be pumped through existing E10 infrastructure, helping expand the market for ethanol at a critical time. Despite this, we’re still waiting on concrete action to make this news a

October 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Joint Statement from Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association on Motion for Partial Summary Judgment in FOIA Lawsuit Regarding Small Refinery Exemption Transparency

(Growth Energy/Renewable Fuels Association) Upon the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to adequately respond to several Freedom of Information Act requests filed by the biofuels industry regarding the small refinery exemption (SRE) program and EPA’s radical escalation in granting SREs in recent years, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association filed

October 28, 2020 Read Full Article

RFA, Others Seek Certainty and Consistency in EPA Treatment of Flex Fuel Vehicles

(Renewable Fuels Association) In comments submitted today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding emissions standard compliance calculations for Flex Fuel vehicles (FFVs), the Renewable Fuels Association supported the EPA’s new approach to maintaining some level of certainty for automakers in the absence of future guidance. At the same time, however, RFA called

October 27, 2020 Read Full Article

U.S. EPA Considering E15 Labeling Changes at Gas Pumps: Sources

by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering changes to labels for gasoline containing higher blends of ethanol, or E15, in an effort to appease the biofuel industry’s concerns that current labels discourage use of the fuel, according to four sources familiar with the matter. Expanding the market

October 27, 2020 Read Full Article

Submission by Solutions from the Land on Behalf of the North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance In Response to the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture

(Solutions from the Land) NACSAA ‘Capstone Submission’ Stresses CSA Is ‘Foundational’ to Global Agreement — North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance has handed over its capstone submission into the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture, the global platform for ag policy negotiations, repeating its contention that the use of a Climate

October 23, 2020 Read Full Article

National Biodiesel Foundation Receives DERA Grants for 2021

(National Biodiesel Board) BF Receives Grants through US EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program — The National Biodiesel Foundation was awarded two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants through the 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. The first is in partnership with the District of Columbia (DC) Department of Public Works and DC

October 23, 2020 Read Full Article

RFA: Oil-State Senators Ask EPA to Violate the Law, Ignore the Courts

(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today blasted the latest attempt by oil refiners and their supporters in the Senate to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard. On Wednesday, a small group of oil-state Senators submitted a short letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler asking him to waive the 2021 RFS standards to

October 22, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA to Award up to $5.5 Million for Clean Diesel Projects in Mid-Atlantic Region

(Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today has awarded up to $5.5 million in clean diesel funding to the Mid-Atlantic Region organizations to support their clean diesel programs and projects to reduce emissions. The organizations include the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association, Inc. (MARAMA), for a $1.7 million

October 22, 2020 Read Full Article

Your Views: EPA Needs to Support Farmers, Homegrown Fuels

by Doug Rebout (GazetteXtra) … The EPA has consistently undercut the Renewable Fuel Standard by granting Small Refinery Exemptions—or waivers—to big oil, essentially cutting billions of gallons of biofuel demand and cutting off this vital market to corn farmers. The president has an opportunity to make this right and follow

October 19, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Issues Final Fuels Streamlining Rule

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Oct. 15 issued its final Fuels Streamlining Rule, which streamlines the agency’s existing regulations for gasoline, diesel and other fuels. It does not, however, change the stringency of existing fuel quality standards. The new rule goes into effect on Jan. 1.

October 19, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA: 2 Additional SRE Petitions Filed for Compliance Year 2019

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Oct. 15, reporting two additional SRE petitions have been filed for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year 2019. No other changes were made to the agency’s SRE data. According to the EPA’s SRE data dashboard,

October 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump in Iowa Touts Ethanol, Farm Policy

by Erin Murphy (The Courier) Campaigning in Iowa on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump touted his administration’s work to boost the ethanol industry and help farmers in Iowa. Trump’s administration this year issued a rule that allows gas stations to sell a higher ethanol blend year-round. “They were killing ethanol,”

October 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden’s Energy Future

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Joe Biden put some space between his clean energy plan and that of the Green New Deal during last night’s town hall, while also pitching renewables and carbon capture. … Former Vice President Joe Biden pitched a future dependent on renewables and carbon capture,

October 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Mary Nichols May Be EPA’s Next Boss. Here’s Her Vision

by Maxine Joselow (E&E News/Governors’ Solar and Wind Energy Coalition) California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols yesterday outlined her vision for EPA over the next four years. And it starts with science. Nichols — who is widely viewed as a candidate for EPA administrator should Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden

October 15, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Drags Feet on Remaining Small Refinery Exemption Requests

by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The EPA recently denied 54 so-called “gap year” small refinery exemption requests, but Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper tells Brownfield the agency is still considering 31 petitions for 2019 and a couple for 2020. “We just need EPA and this Administration to adopt that

October 14, 2020 Read Full Article

New California Port Emissions Data Shows Advanced Diesel Technology Boosts Clean Air for Frontline Communities

(Diesel Technology Forum) … “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that the Commercial Vehicle Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Standards Phase 1 rules saved 270 million tons CO2 and 530 million barrels of oil between 2014 and 2018, and that the Phase 2 rules

October 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Trade, Biofuels and the Environment: Key Agriculture Issues in U.S. Election

by P.J. Huffstutter, Karl Plume and Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump enjoys broad support among farmers, but some are unhappy about the impact of his trade and biofuel policies on crop prices and international demand for U.S. agricultural products. Democrat challenger Joe Biden has seized on the biofuel issue,

October 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Elected Officials Urge Automakers to Support Cleaner Cars

by Chris Teale (Smart Cities Dive) More than 200 elected officials at the city and state level issued a joint declaration Thursday calling on automakers to stop supporting the Trump administration’s rollback of national and state clean car standards. The “Clean Cars Declaration” urges General Motors (GM), Toyota, Fiat Chrysler, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai and

October 9, 2020 Read Full Article

The Great Success of the Virtual 2020 Algae Biomass Summit

(Algae Biomass Organization) The virtual Algae Biomass Summit concluded last week, and the most significant takeaway was that the new online format provided a more dynamic collaboration than ever before, and with larger group of participants spread across the globe. Speakers, poster presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and hundreds of attendees gathered continue the momentum

October 8, 2020 Read Full Article

Trust Me. I’m from the Government and Here to Help

by Dave VanderGriend (ICM/Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … But what we thought we did know was that he (President Donald Trump) was determined to remove regulations that were holding back American business. So that held some excitement and promise as to the art of the possible. As we looked

October 7, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol’s Recovery Readout

by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A survey of ethanol plant CEOs and general managers shows the COVID-19 downturn had a significant impact on their operations. Most producers have substantially ramped up production since spring, but a full recovery is expected to take many months. … About 84% of CEOs

October 7, 2020 Read Full Article

Monster on the Big Muddy: REG Geismar to Expand Renewable Hydrocarbon Production to 340 Million Gallons

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Louisiana, Renewable Energy Group said it will undertake a capacity expansion of its Geismar, Louisiana biorefinery by 250 million gallons annually to 340 million gallons per year. This announcement follows a thorough review and site selection process. Construction should begin in mid to late

October 7, 2020 Read Full Article

US EPA Announces $3 Million for 12 Food Waste AD Projects

(Bioenergy Insight) The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected 12 organisations and projects to receive around $3 million (€2.55 million) in funding to help reduce food loss and waste and divert food waste from landfills by expanding anaerobic digestion (AD) capacity in the US. The project types chosen for

October 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Nacelle Solutions, U.S. Gain Complete Two Wisconsin RNG Facilities

by Michael Bates (NGT News) Nacelle Solutions says two renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities in Wisconsin – S&S Jerseyland Dairy in Sturgeon Bay and Dallmann East River Dairy in Brillion – have been completed and recently begun operations. Nacelle will own, operate and maintain the RNG processing equipment under a long-term service

October 6, 2020 Read Full Article

New Report Reveals EPA Reform on Biogenic Crops Ruling Could Add Hundreds of Millions in Wages, Thousands of Jobs to U.S. Economy

(Biogenic CO2 Coalition) Scientifically Backed Change in Status of Carbon Emissions from Ag Feedstocks Could Provide Massive Boost to Struggling U.S. Economy — The Biogenic CO2 Coalition, a working group of leading trade associations that support American agriculture, today released a new economic impact analysis in support of its petition for a U.S. Environmental

October 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Climate Change Suit on SCOTUS Docket

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) : The Supreme Court will hear an appeal from oil companies aiming to overturn lower court rulings that state court is the proper venue for the climate change lawsuit brought by the city of Baltimore. The case is seen as a bellwether for the

October 5, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Extends Public Comment Period on ICR On Anaerobic Digestion Facilities Processing Wasted Food DEADLINE October 29, 2020

(Bergeson & Campbell) On September 29, 2020, EPA announced that it has submitted for review and approval an information collection request (ICR) on Anaerobic Digestion Facilities Processing Wasted Food to Support EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Program and Sustainable Management of Food Efforts to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). EPA’s Federal

October 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Joni Ernst Is Now in Trouble. Trump Is a Huge Part of Her Problem.

by Art Cullen (Washington Post/Storm Lake Times) One big reason Republicans are shoving a Supreme Court appointment through the Senate before the election is their rising fear of losing the upper chamber — and the White House — in November. Those fears are well-founded. Two weeks ago, one of the

September 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Ag Policy Blog: House Democrats Get Aggressive on Biofuels

by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) …What did become clear was Democrats in both the House and the Senate are paying more attention to biofuels at the moment. And yet, given that Congress is going to pass a temporary funding bill, and then go campaign, it’s probably going to take

September 28, 2020 Read Full Article

RFS Rule in Court, Chapter 2019

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The D.C. Circuit on Friday hosted the annual legal rite: a challenge to EPA’s blending mandate under the Renewable Fuel Standard, with this round focusing on the rule governing 2019 requirements. Biofuel producers argued that rule should have added additional ethanol volumes to account for

September 28, 2020 Read Full Article

Bustos Introduces Next Generation Fuels Act

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., on Sept. 24 introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act, a bill that establishes a minimum octane standard for gasoline and requires sources of added octane value to reduce carbon emissions by at least 30 percent when compared to baseline gasoline. The

September 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump, Eyeing Farm Country, Starts Working on Ethanol Industry’s Year-Old Wishlist

by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) President Donald Trump, looking to shore up support in the U.S. Farm Belt during a tight race for re-election, is taking steps to help producers of corn-based ethanol using a list of policy goals that a group of Midwest senators discussed with him a

September 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Behind the Smoke: It’s What You Don’t See That Kills

by Doug Durante and Larry Pearce (Morning Consult) … But a bigger problem has existed for decades in the air we don’t see — air polluted with toxic ultra-fine particles, or UFPs. For more than 30 years, a small group of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulators have hidden a far more lethal

September 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Our View: Ethanol: Trump, Hagedorn, EPA Leave Farmers behind

(Mankato Free Press) President Donald Trump and his Environmental Protection Agency have about six weeks to keep their promises to farmers on ethanol, which have been broken for the past three years. While farmers have backed Trump in varying degrees since he took office, their wellspring of patience seems to be running

September 23, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA: 7 New SRE Petitions Filed, Including 5 Gap Year SREs

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Sept. 17 published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data that reflects the denial of 54 gap year SRE petitions announced by the agency on Sept. 14. The data also shows seven new SRE petitions have been filed in recent weeks, including five

September 22, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Delivers Final Fuels Regulatory Streamlining Rule to OMB

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released a proposed rule on April 13 that aims to streamline and modernize the agency’s existing fuels regulations. In the rulemaking, the EPA said it is proposing “some slight modifications to the Renewable Fuel Standard,” but indicated it does not plan

September 22, 2020 Read Full Article

FEW General Sessions Address Policy, Production

by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol, told audience members at the 2020 Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo during the general session panel Sept. 16 that the gap waiver denial, two days before, is a win, but there’s more work to do. Take

September 22, 2020 Read Full Article

ACE Helps Retailers Determine E15 Compatibility by Launching “Flex Check” Tool

(American Coalition for Ethanol) The American Coalition for Ethanol’s fuel-marketer focused Flex Fuel Forward website releases tool for fuel retailers to see how E15-compatible their station is right now. — The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today launched a tool on its fuel-marketer focused flexfuelforward.com website to provide retailers with a free way

September 18, 2020 Read Full Article

House Ag Plans Detailed to NFU Pelosi: House Will Bring Up Biofuels Integrity Bill

by Jerry Hagstrom (DTN Progressive Farmer) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Tuesday that the House will take up the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act sponsored by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., just as the House Energy and Commerce Committee released the text of energy legislation that includes it.

September 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump Decision Bolstering Ethanol Becomes Campaign Flashpoint

(The Gazette) President Donald Trump has been receiving praise from farm state Republicans for his decision to deny the “gap year” waivers and increase access to E15 corn-based ethanol. But it also was panned by Democrats Wednesday as nothing more than a political ploy. “What the administration has done is really

September 17, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Releases Final Rule Intended to Promote Transparency in Developing Regulatory Guidance Documents

(Bergeson and Campbell) On September 14, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a pre-publication version of a final rule establishing the procedures and requirements for how EPA will manage the issuance of guidance documents consistent with Executive Order (EO) 13891, “Promoting the Rule of Law Through Improved Agency Guidance Documents.”

September 17, 2020 Read Full Article

RFA Applauds Congressional Efforts to Enhance Transparency of Small Refinery Waiver Process

(Renewable Fuels Association) The House Committee on Energy and Commerce today unveiled the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which contains provisions requiring more transparency and accountability in EPA’s process for evaluating small refinery exemption requests under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The provisions are based on the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act, introduced

September 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Letter Urges EPA to Comply with GOA Investigation of SRE Process

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Seven federal lawmakers sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Sept. 15 expressing disappointment with the agency’s failure to cooperate with the Government Accountability Office’s investigation into the small refinery exemption (SRE) wavier process. The investigation has been ongoing for several months.

September 16, 2020 Read Full Article

U.S. Presidential Candidate Biden Rips Trump’s Record on Ethanol

by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden late on Tuesday attacked President Donald Trump’s record on ethanol, saying his administration’s recent moves to help the industry were too little, too late and transparently political. U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden late on Tuesday attacked President Donald Trump’s

September 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Biogenic CO2 Coalition Files Formal Petition for Rulemaking with EPA

(Biogenic CO2 Coalition) Includes Legal Justification to Change Status of Carbon Emissions from Ag Feedstocks — The Biogenic CO2 Coalition today filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), providing a detailed explanation of the scientific and legal basis for the agency to propose a rule to recognize that biogenic carbon emissions

September 15, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Denies Gap Year RFS Waiver Requests

by John Herath (Farm Journal Ag/Web) Applications for oil refiners to be exempted from the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) have been a contentious election for President Donald Trump in Iowa. His administration took a step to alleviate those political pressures Monday by denying so-called “gap year” waiver requests. The 10th Circuit

September 14, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump Considers Cash Aid for Refineries Denied Biofuel Waivers

by Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) Trump administration officials are developing a plan to offset the potential economic damage of denying dozens of refineries waivers from biofuel-usage mandates: giving them financial aid. The approach is actively being discussed by top Environmental Protection Agency officials as the administration courts two important voting blocs for President

September 12, 2020 Read Full Article

RFA Provides Testimony to EPA Advisory Committee

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) EPA’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Advisory Committee is meeting virtually this week to provide policy advice, information, and recommendations on a range of environmental issues and policies important to agriculture and rural communities. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper provided testimony on steps the EPA needs to

September 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Industry Faces Multiple Issues as Harvest Just around Corner

by Lori Potter (Kearney Hub) … There are tariff and other trade issues that make U.S. ethanol less competitive in export markets. Also, industry leaders continue to wait for Environmental Protection Agency officials to rule on a growing number of applications from small fuel refineries seeking waivers to Renewable Fuels

September 10, 2020 Read Full Article

RINs Jump 18% on News Trump Wants All Gap Year Requests Denied

by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In New York state, Reuters reports that RIN prices skyrocketed a two-year high of 55 cents for D6 credits on the back of its exclusive story that President Trump told the EPA to deny all gap-year SRE applications. The RIN prices, not seen that high since

September 10, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Calls for Nominations for 2021 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards DEADLINE: December 4, 2020

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. These prestigious awards recognize innovation by American businesses and researchers that redesign chemical products and processes to reduce or eliminate the use and manufacture of hazardous substances. “As we

September 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Without a Grand Deal, Trump Tries to Dodge Ethanol Question

by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) … And with the election just two months away, all signs are Trump is trying to push back a decision on the how much ethanol to blend into the nation’s gasoline supply until after the ballots are cast, so as not to alienate voters in

September 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Why Should You Care about the VRIN?

by Jim Ramm (EcoEngineers) The VRIN is an important piece to maintaining RFS compliance — Intimate knowledge of clean fuel regulations and record-keeping requirements is needed to maintain compliance in the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The USEPA bases much of its compliance enforcement on the number of renewable energy credits

September 1, 2020 Read Full Article

Study: Ag Crops Don’t Contribute Increase Atmospheric GHG Levels

(Biogenic CO2 Coalition/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Biogenic CO2 Coalition today (August 17, 2020) released a scientific literature review conducted by Seungdo Kim, a leading researcher at Michigan State University, that surveyed peer-reviewed journal articles from all over the world. The review confirms biogenic CO2 emissions from annual agriculture crops do not contribute

September 1, 2020 Read Full Article

The Case for Climate Action: Building a Clean Economy for the American People

(Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis) … In the near term, we must continue to significantly grow solar and wind energy, energy storage, and electric vehicles while conducting more research into new technologies, advanced biofuels, and smaller and safer nuclear power. … Congress can make clean energy choices

August 31, 2020 Read Full Article

Biofuel Supporters Back in Court: Orgs File Brief Supporting EPA’s 2019 Regulation Allowing Year-Round E15 Use.

(Farm Progress/Growth Energy) Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the National Corn Growers Association on Friday filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit supporting and defending the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2019 regulation that allowed year-round availability of E15. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to

August 31, 2020 Read Full Article

House Ag Chair Backs Biden on Killing Trump Tariffs

by Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson supports Joe Biden’s plan to eliminate President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China but said he isn’t sure what the alternative is for countering Chinese trade practices. “First thing I want to see is to stop these tariffs. I think it’s been

August 31, 2020 Read Full Article

Can Iowa Farmers Survive without Ethanol? Can Trump Survive without Iowa Farmers?

by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register/Ames Tribune) … “I’ve sat in front of the president, and he does look you in the eye, and he does listen to you,” (Bill) Couser said, adding, “It just makes you wonder what happens after that.” He holds out hope Trump will heed the requests

August 28, 2020 Read Full Article

Joni Ernst Sells Out Iowa In RNC Speech

by Pat Rynard (Iowa Starting Line) Sen. Joni Ernst’s undying loyalty to Pres. Donald Trump was rewarded tonight with a high-profile speech at the Republican National Convention. She repaid Trump for the political boost to her reelection campaign by betraying the Iowans she’s serving, vouching for the President on the exact