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by Jeff Overton (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On June 30, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released its staff report, Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America. The report is informed by over a year and
Federal Legislation
August 5, 2020
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(U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources) U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing focused on the development of carbon removal technologies in the United States. Murkowski also highlighted the introduction of the CREATE Act, a new bill she is cosponsoring to establish an executive committee at the National Science and Technology Council to
August 5, 2020
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by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) Ethanol is undoubtedly playing a role in 2020 politics in Iowa, including the presidential race. Getting the word “ethanol” into the next aid package also might become a tipping scale in the Iowa U.S. Senate race. The airwaves in Iowa are filled with a constant barrage
August 5, 2020
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by Shuting Pomerleau (Niskanen Center) The paper reviews the principles of border adjustment, the principal design choices policymakers would face when establishing a border adjustment for a carbon tax, and the implications of different design choices. It also provides a high-level overview of border adjustments proposed in the carbon tax
August 4, 2020
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by Micheal Clements (NAFB News Service/NewsDakota) Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to make E15 available at every U.S. gas pump. Specifically, Ernst calls on EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to certify biofuel infrastructure for E15 and remove unnecessary labeling which will increase consumer access
July 31, 2020
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(Urban Air Initiative) This is a conversation related to ethanol and octane. The Urban Air Initiative presents its perspective on a 95 RON Octane Standard and the value it can bring to the corn ethanol industry. Urban Air President Dave VanderGriend and General Motors Biofuel Expert Coleman Jones presented and
July 29, 2020
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by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. biofuel industry may have to depend on Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for aid, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said on Tuesday, after Senate Republicans unveiled a coronavirus relief package without specific appropriations for the industry. A provision of the $1 trillion HEALS Act, introduced
July 29, 2020
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by Philip Basher (Agri-Pulse) Senate Republicans unveiled a coronavirus relief package Monday that would give the Agriculture Department broad authority to spend an additional $20 billion to compensate agricultural producers and processors for the impact of the pandemic. The money would augment the $14 billion that USDA now has available to
July 28, 2020
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(Office of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)) Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) together with Sen. Merkley (D-Ore.), Sen. Markey (D- Mass.) and Rep. Barragan (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to close tax loopholes and eliminate other federal subsidies for the oil, gas, and coal industries. Right now, American taxpayers are
July 27, 2020
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by Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) … Republicans had hoped to release their plan last Thursday, but (Senate Majority Leader Mitch) McConnell (R-KY) announced instead that leaders of key committees would roll out portions of the plan, expected to cost about $1 trillion, on Monday. “The sum of these efforts will be
July 27, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The drafting of the Democratic Party’s platform was “the latest front in a tug-of-war between moderates and progressives over the direction and breadth of the party’s agenda,” POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein reports. A draft of the 80-page platform obtained by POLITICO contains four pages on combating climate change and
July 23, 2020
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by Aman Azhar (The Real News) With 17% of US energy jobs gone in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent industry report suggests that over half a million ‘clean energy’ workers are unemployed despite nationwide efforts to jumpstart the economy. Released by BW Research in partnership with E2 and E4TheFuture,
July 21, 2020
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by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. lawmakers from Iowa are trying to add aid for the biofuels industry into a pending coronavirus relief package in the Senate, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley said on Friday. Grassley and his Iowa colleague, Senator Joni Ernst, hope to include a subsidy for feedstock for the ethanol industry
July 20, 2020
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“The forward-thinking climate plan recently released by House Democrats acknowledges the important role liquid transportation fuels will continue to play in these areas, so it is disappointing to see the Biden campaign miss the mark,” said Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association as quoted in Ethanol Producer Magazine.
July 17, 2020
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(Renewable Fuels Association) The COVID-19 crisis has already led to more than $3.4 billion in lost revenues for the U.S. ethanol industry, according to an economic analysis released today by the Renewable Fuels Association. Based on the latest projections from the Energy Information Administration and the Food and Agriculture Policy Research
July 17, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Michael McAdams from Advanced Biofuels Association shared this short but illuminating slide guide at ABLC Digital last week to look at the big 2020 issues to watch affecting the biofuels industry. From tax credits, regulatory issues, COVID-19 legislation and responses, and the big fork in
July 17, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC last week, Airlines for America’s Nancy Young shared this illuminating presentation that outlines what airlines need to deploy sustainable aviation fuel as well as progress, gaps, opportunities and action to scale up supply and commercial viability. Even with COVID-19 impacting airline travel around the
July 14, 2020
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by Mikkel Pates (AgWeek) South Dakota ethanol promoter Orrie D. Swayze likes to hear promotions for 30% ethanol blends in gasoline but thinks 50% would be better for the environment and human health. — … Swazey, 76, … became worried about Middle Eastern oil imports, and thought ethanol made from
July 13, 2020
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(Office of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL)) Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL) helped pass a comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development funding bill out of the powerful House Appropriations Committee that would deliver more than $152 billion in agriculture and rural support. “Democrats are building up our rural communities, and this package reflects the critical
July 13, 2020
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by Adam Aton (E&E News) Climate investment goals, green job targets and key decarbonization deadlines were missing from an environmental platform published yesterday by a joint team of Joe Biden backers and Sen. Bernie Sanders supporters. The gaps point to potential sources of liberal conflict next year if Democrats retake control
July 9, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You’ve heard of BioPreferred and Renewable Fuel Standard, but what about the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act? Find out all about EICDA in this slide guide from Business Climate Leaders that was shared at a recent DigestConnect webinar. From how EICDA works like carbon fees
July 6, 2020
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by Timothy J. Rudnicki (Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) … That is why it is imperative for the Senate to include the financial aid package for the ethanol industry that was introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the next COVID-19 relief bill. While this aid package is much needed
July 1, 2020
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by Robert Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA/Atlantic Biomass, LLC) Today the US House of Representatives Democratic Select Committee on Climate Change released their ideas for a “Clean Energy Economy.” Interestingly, this document is not proposed legislation. Instead, it is simply a compilation of potential government programs that are not organized in
June 30, 2020
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(House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis) Plan Would Put Americans Back To Work, Save Lives, And Help the United States Reach Net Zero By 2050 — On Tuesday, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chair Kathy Castor (D-FL), members of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis unveiled a comprehensive plan titled “Solving the
June 30, 2020
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David Liepman (Disruptive Nation) … Strong commercial applications of bamboo include sustainable branded products such as pulp paper, timber, lumber and textiles. And, in line with tissue and textile major brand owner concerns, bamboo is twice as soft as cotton and doesn’t require pesticides and fertilizers in its crops. As a
June 26, 2020
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Advanced Biofuels Business Council, Algae Biomass Organization, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Growth Energy, National Biodiesel Board and Renewable Fuels Association sent a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee on June 19 expressing support for the proposed extension of tax incentives for advanced biofuels.
June 26, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) REPUBLICANS BACK BILL TO HELP OIL SECTOR: Texas Sen. John Cornyn introduced legislation on Tuesday to help the hard-hit oil sector during the coronavirus pandemic by reducing the royalty rate for payments due from oil, gas, minerals and coal during a national emergency. The bill would also extend the
June 24, 2020
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(North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance) The North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance (NACSAA) submitted last week a detailed set of policy and program recommendations to the Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis. The submission, which was made in response to the Committee’s request for input from agriculture and
June 22, 2020
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by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) House Democrats unveiled a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan Thursday that calls for a huge increase in funding to repair roads and bridges while expanding broadband access in rural areas. Democrats described the bill as the biggest legislative effort to fight climate change, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) saying
June 19, 2020
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by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has introduced legislation, together with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), to approve some advanced biofuel pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard, which have been delayed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the legislation, EPA would also be required to render a decision within 90 days on
June 18, 2020
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by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus held a virtual town hall Wednesday to discuss the challenges currently facing the ethanol industry and what can be done to help. Participating in the meeting were caucus members including Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), and Rodney Davis
June 18, 2020
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by Jordan Godwin (OPIS) EPA is expected to propose as early as next month a 250-million-gal increase in the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) and another 250-million-gal boost in the 2022 RVO to comply with a remand order the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued
June 17, 2020
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(U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) Chair DeFazio: “The INVEST in America Act is our opportunity to replace the outdated systems of the past with smarter, safer, more resilient infrastructure that fits the economy of the future, creates millions of jobs, supports American manufacturing, and restores U.S.
June 16, 2020
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(Office of Senator John Thune (R-SD)) U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation that would extend for two years The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “Temporary Policy for Preparation of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency.” Extending the FDA’s guidance will grant additional certainty for ethanol operations
June 12, 2020
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(Red River Farm Network) Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper says the U.S. ethanol industry is still a long way from normal operations. “We are beginning to climb out of the hole that COVID-19 put us in, but we’re still about 35 percent below where we were one year ago
June 9, 2020
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by Valerie Volcovici (Reuters/Yahoo!) U.S. senators on Thursday introduced a bipartisan bill that would direct the Agriculture Department to help farmers, ranchers and landowners use carbon dioxide-absorbing practices to generate carbon credits, a rare collaboration on climate change. The proposed Growing Climate Solutions Act directs the USDA to create a program
June 4, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The House Transportation Committee’s five-year surface transportation bill — expected to be unveiled later this week — will include a hefty focus on climate mitigation, as House leadership had previously promised. The major themes of the $494 billion bill are state of good repair,
June 3, 2020
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by Gerard J. Ostheimer and Douglas L. Faulkner (below50/“the Clean Tech Conservative”/Leatherstocking LLC/Biofuels Digest) … (W)e would like to point out a number of anniversaries put biofuels and bio-based products into a deeper and provocative historical context: 85 years ago, a now-forgotten manifesto was issued in Dearborn, Michigan: “The Declaration of the
June 2, 2020
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by David Roberts (Vox) … Robinson Meyer captured it well in a 2017 piece in the Atlantic: “Democrats Are Shockingly Unprepared to Fight Climate Change.” But something different has been happening lately, as groups across the left come together to hash out their differences on climate policy. It turns out
May 28, 2020
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by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) Oil and gas companies that have struggled for years under low crude prices are reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in tax refunds under a provision of the $2 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress in March. READ MORE GRAVES: PRODUCERS NEED MORE: (Politico’s Morning
May 22, 2020
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(Office of Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)) Today (May 20, 2020) the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed S. 3712 and S. 3734, two bipartisan bills cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and designed to strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity and bioeconomy. “These bipartisan bills passed by the committee today
May 22, 2020
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(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked Sens. Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar for introducing bipartisan legislation to provide much needed emergency relief to ethanol producers hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new bill would reimburse renewable fuels producers for feedstocks they purchased during the first quarter of 2020. As
May 20, 2020
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by Ryan McCrimmon (Politico’s Morning Agriculture) Growth Energy, which represents ethanol producers and supporters, is hosting its first “virtual fly-in” this week to press Midwestern lawmakers on their coronavirus relief efforts, along with trade barriers and other biofuel issues, starting today. The ethanol industry has been crushed by the drop
May 20, 2020
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(Ag NewsWire) The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the U.S. ethanol industry, slashing production by half and leading to the idling of scores of plants across rural America. But there are positive signs that demand is starting to increase again. Meanwhile, Congress is considering a new aid
May 18, 2020
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Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. ethanol industry is showing some signs of recovery as government officials ease stay-at-home orders that depressed fuel demand, while a vote Friday in Congress could bring the industry one step closer to federal aid, industry officials said. Fuel demand collapsed by about a third with
May 18, 2020
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by Matthew Capuano-Rizzo (Leaders in Energy) … In an Oxford University study, Nobel prize winning economist Joseph Stiglize outlined how government spending on low-carbon industries and activities would better benefit the economy in the short and long term than bailing out the fossil fuel industry. City leaders from Los Angeles to Lisbon, São
May 15, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Senate Environment and Public Works ranking member Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Appropriations Energy-Water Subcommittee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) will introduce legislation today to expand the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Investment Tax Credit and encourage private investment in clean refueling infrastructure. The so-called 30C currently provides a 30 percent ITC
May 14, 2020
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(Solutions from the Land) … Compared to the relief that is being considered for the oil industry, it is still a meager response. Changes made late last month by the Federal Reserve to a $600 billion loan program created to help small- and medium-sized businesses will lift the program’s lending restrictions and make
May 13, 2020
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Three dozen Midwestern electric cooperatives and rural electric associations send a letter to 20 federal lawmakers on May 7 asking Congress to provide much-needed economic relief for rural America, which continues to suffer from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. … “Our member-owners have
May 11, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin led 60 Democratic lawmakers in a letter to House leadership Monday opposing any efforts by the fossil fuel industry to use Covid-19 recovery legislation to “confer immunity” for climate change or pollution, citing efforts that ultimately failed to get included in previous coronavirus relief packages.
May 5, 2020
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(Nexstar Media Wire/Fox40) Midwest lawmakers say biofuel producers should be getting the same support and protection as oil companies. Coronavirus shutdowns have slashed the demand for gasoline, and while the White House is pledging to buy 75 million barrels of oil, ethanol producers say their requests for help have gone ignored. “We’re
May 5, 2020
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by Jacqui Fatka (Feedstuffs) … (Former Agriculture Secretary Tom) Vilsack said the biofuel industry hasn’t been invited to the White House like the airline or oil industries have to discuss ways to help cover their losses. A number of conservative lawmakers are saying now is the time for the Administration
April 30, 2020
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by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) … “Working with Congress to find a pathway forward to come up with a minimum octane standard with some sort of carbon metric is what we believe to be the next step,” Palmer (Mark Palmer, director of renewable fuels with the National Corn Growers Association)
April 22, 2020
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by Abby Smith (Washington Examiner) The American Conservation Coalition, a conservative youth climate group, unveiled a climate policy framework Tuesday that offers a guide to Republican lawmakers as they try to message their budding climate policy agenda. The group also hopes its framework, the American Climate Contract, will lay a foundation for
April 21, 2020
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by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) … Regarding ethanol, (Agriculture Secretary Sonny) Perdue talked about helping the export market, but he did not talk about providing direct aid to ethanol. On a webinar Wednesday with a Democratic-leaning group, “Focus on Rural,” Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, highlighted that ethanol
April 17, 2020
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(National Corn Growers Association) This may be a tumultuous time for corn farmers and ethanol producers. But then again, the ethanol industry’s entire history has been a roller coaster ride. In this episode, NCGA CEO Jon Doggett revisits the battles that got us to this point with “the Godfather of Ethanol” himself,
April 17, 2020
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by Lisa Martine Jenkins (Morning Consult) — 38% of voters support a bailout for the oil and gas industry, compared to 54% backing for a renewables industry bailout. — Republicans are nearly as supportive of a renewables bailout (49%) as they are an oil and gas bailout (51%). — 59% of
April 3, 2020
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by Zoey Shipley and Miro Korenha (Our Daily Planet) NPR and PBS Frontline recently announced a new joint investigation which has revealed that since the 1980s, “the plastics industry spent tens of millions of dollars promoting recycling through ads, recycling projects, and public relations, telling people plastic could be and should be recycled” all in an
April 1, 2020
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(GreenAir Online) Attempts have failed to link the future carbon emissions performance of US airlines to the rescue package aimed at helping the beleaguered sector through the coronavirus crisis. Congress voted last Friday to provide the US aviation industry around $60 billion in grants and potential loans as part of
March 30, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) … Both the House and Senate have begun work on surface transportation bills ahead of a September deadline to act, but lawmakers haven’t been able to settle on how to pay for the legislation, Pro’s Sam Mintz reports. House Transportation Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) wants to “double
March 30, 2020
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by John Herath (Farm Journal/AgWeb) There could be an opening for relief for farmers and ethanol refiners under the small business provisions of the COVID-19 aid plan passed by the Senate late Wednesday according to Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer. The provisions are not specifically designed for agriculture and there
March 27, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Check out Part 3 of the National Biodiesel Board’s slide guide that delves into ASTM fuel specifications for biodiesel and fuel quality, biodiesel standards like BQ-9000, legislative updates impacting biodiesel demand and state policies, latest on OEM and fleet support for biodiesel. READ MORE Where’s
March 27, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) SENATE PASSES RELIEF PACKAGE: The Senate last night unanimously passed a mammoth $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package, POLITICO’s Melanie Zanona, Sarah Ferris and Heather Caygle report. The measure, which is the biggest economic rescue package in U.S. history, passed by a 96-0 vote. The bill now
March 26, 2020
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by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The head of the Renewable Fuels Association says although there’s no direct assistance for biofuels, the economic stimulus package would help ethanol plants. Geoff Cooper tells Brownfield several measures benefit producers. “There’s some small business relief, loans and grants, and loan forgiveness. There’s some tax relief provisions
March 26, 2020
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by Meghan Gordon and Brian Scheid (S&P Global Platts) Trump administration sought $3 billion to buy US crudes; Analyst sees market hit from US failing to take ‘no-brainer policy’ — The Trump administration’s plan to fill the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve with 77 million barrels of medium and heavy crudes appears to
March 25, 2020
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by Kate Aronoff (The New Republic) … For the last week, the White House has reportedly been exploring low-interest loans to a struggling fossil fuel industry. Talk of a bailout is in the air, spurred on in part by longtime Trump ally and fracking magnate Harold Hamm. In the first concrete move on this
March 18, 2020
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by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) A growing number of Democrats are voicing concern that the White House may pursue broad relief for the oil and gas industry amid sinking prices and the coronavirus pandemic. Twenty House Democrats sent a letter to President Trump on Tuesday cautioning against dolling out further funds to the
March 18, 2020
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by Jerry Perkins (Successful Farming) … The downturn in demand for ethanol, which is blended at a 10% rate in almost every gallon of gasoline consumed in the U.S., is coming at a time when ethanol plants were already economically challenged by the Small Refinery Exemptions granted by the Trump
March 18, 2020
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by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) … With many ethanol plants on the verge of shutting down, we implore the Trump Administration to take action that equitably supports all liquid fuel industries—including ethanol producers—during this time of unprecedented market uncertainty and unrest,” RFA CEO Geoff Cooper said in a new release.
March 18, 2020
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by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, has offered an amendment to an energy bill to cap the price of Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, at 10 cents, as time is running out on the EPA to make a decision on possible changes to the small-refinery exemptions program.
March 6, 2020
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by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Wednesday it is mulling new measures to help oil refiners cope with the cost of complying with the nation’s biofuel policy, as the agency faces a sweeping legal challenge to a waiver program worth a fortune to the industry.
March 5, 2020
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by Alan Adler (Freight Waves) … TravelCenters of America Inc. (NASDAQ: TA) reported higher fourth-quarter net income Tuesday from the restoration of the federal biodiesel blending tax credit and selling 5.3% more diesel fuel and gasoline. … The blender’s credit, which expired at the end of 2017, was restored as
March 4, 2020
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(Office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine)) Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), comprehensive legislation that sets a bold vision of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by the year 2040. “Farming has always been a risky business, but unpredictable, extreme weather patterns are creating
March 4, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Pulling from numerous existing proposals ranging from energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage, Energy Chairman Lisa Murkowski and ranking member Joe Manchin released their long-awaited energy bill on Thursday, Anthony reports. The measure marks the latest attempt to pass sweeping energy legislation after more than a decade of inaction on Capitol Hill. And,
March 3, 2020
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(Office of Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN2)) Today, U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) delivered a letter signed by 11 members on the bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus urging the Select Committee on Climate Crisis to include biofuels as a cost-effective and readily available solution for further decarbonization. “The Select
February 27, 2020
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by Melody M. Bomgardner (Chemical & Engineering News) … The most effective policies, economists and industrialists agree, are those that put a price on carbon. Doing so with a tax could make for a potent policy, but the idea doesn’t have traction among legislators. Yet a low-key adjustment to the
February 27, 2020
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(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) On the 100 year anniversary of the Mineral Leasing Act, senators introduce the Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2020 to modernize the country’s antiquated public lands royalty system, increase return to federal and state taxpayers by $200 million each in the next
February 27, 2020
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(Blue Virginia) Great work by Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA04) on the landmark Environmental Justice for All Act, which they introduced at a at a press conference earlier today on Capitol Hill. As Rep. McEachin said, “With today’s introduction of the Environmental Justice for All Act, we are taking meaningful action toward ameliorating
February 27, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Darren Soto led the introduction of a nationwide fracking ban, H.R. 5867, in the House on Wednesday. The measure is a companion to a bill, S. 3247 (116) , introduced in the Senate last month by Sens. Bernie Sanders and
February 13, 2020
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(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association was honored to welcome George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, to the 25th Annual National Ethanol Conference today in Houston. By championing an all-of-the-above approach to domestic energy production while in office, President Bush put the United States on a course
February 12, 2020
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(Our Daily Planet) Yesterday, President Trump released his FY2021 budget, and the proposed cuts to federal agencies and research programs were severe.As Science Mag summarized, Trump’s budget proposes the following cuts: National Institutes of Health: a cut of 7%, or $2.942 billion, to $36.965 billion National Science Foundation (NSF): a cut of
February 11, 2020
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(Natural Resources Defense Council) The Department of Energy is flouting the will of Congress by delaying clean energy R&D and Congress should act quickly to prevent such ideologically driven efforts that thwart action to combat climate change, a Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) policy analyst told a House oversight panel today.
February 6, 2020
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by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) … Though a number of states have set goals to have their electric sector be carbon neutral by 2050 or sooner, the report suggests those efforts could be derailed by growing transportation emissions, which are currently the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the
January 30, 2020
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by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) … While climate change has been given short shrift on the debate stages, it’s been widely discussed as the state races toward its first-in-the-nation caucuses on Monday. Record-setting flooding devastated nearly every corner of the state in 2019 as heavy rains swelled the Mississippi River at
January 29, 2020
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(U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce) Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) today released legislative text of the draft Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act – an
January 29, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) DON’T CALL IT INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK… But House Democratic leaders are expected to roll out their own infrastructure framework today with a particular focus on climate change. The framework comprises a mix of transportation and water legislation that Congress renews periodically, according to details confirmed by
January 29, 2020
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by Marjorie Kulba (Farm Journal’s Ag Pro) An Iowa biodiesel plant is reopening after it shut down late last year. The Western Dubuque Biodiesel plant in Farley, Iowa started up production at the plant last week after shutting down for most of December and January. A representative told AgDay’s Betsy Jibben the small refinery exemptions
January 29, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We’ve seen the staggering numbers, 78 million tons of annual plastics production, 98% virgin feedstock, and only 14% gets collected for recycling. So what do we do about it? Jay Fitzgerald from the Bioenergy technologies Office (BETO) office gave this engaging presentation that will get
January 24, 2020
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by Bobby Magill (Bloomberg) Military could use carbon captured from the air and sea water to make fuel; Pentagon involvement could speed up commercialization of technology — Technology that would suck carbon dioxide from the air and ocean water could be more quickly scaled up to address climate change now that
January 22, 2020
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by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The Internal Revenue Service published guidance Jan. 15 for companies seeking to claim the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax credit for 2018 and 2019. The $1 per gallon tax credit expired Jan. 1, 2018, and remained expired until Dec. 20, 2019, when President Trump signed spending legislation into
January 22, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … They have been three years in the valley of the shadow of Death, and have emerged on the other side with huge wins in recent weeks on tax credits, progress on Argentine and China trade, and a promise from the EPA on small refinery
January 22, 2020
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Senate passed legislation implementing the revised U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement on Jan. 16 by a vote of 89 to 10. The legislation will now be sent to President Trump for his signature. The USMCA trade pact was signed by the three countries in November
January 17, 2020
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(Solutions from the Land) As discussions on climate change, clean water, hunger, poverty and biodiversity grow both on the domestic and global stages, the role of agriculture in addressing these mega-challenges is filling a growing role at the policy table. Statewide efforts facilitated by Solutions from the Land (SfL) and
January 16, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The legislative framework that senior Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee want to move this year to combat climate change calls for reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the building, industrial, transportation and electricity sectors by 2050 — but does not call
January 9, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) … Another looming fight: EPA’s proposals to weaken rules on greenhouse gas emissions from cars. The Trump administration has revoked California’s waiver authority, but its sweeping rollback of federal emissions standards has stalled ahead of an April deadline to set CAFE standards for 2021
January 6, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Money, money, money – a growing bioeconomy needs lots of it. But with so many challenges like a lack of certainty in government programs or a perceived lack of funds at the company and project levels, what are the solutions? Mark Riedy, Partner at Kilpatrick Townsend shared
January 2, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2020? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2019 gives way to the dawn of 2020, once again roll the
January 2, 2020
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by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) When Ohio farmer Fred Yoder testified last month before the House Select Committee on Climate Change, the long-time no-till farmer and champion of climate-smart farming practices told lawmakers one of the best things that could happen would be to get back a carbon market that
December 31, 2019
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by Jeffrey T. Manuel and Thomas D. Rogers (The Hill/Changing America) To prepare America for a green future, you have to understand the power politics of the present. — … But the real drivers of biofuel policy in both countries (U.S. and Brazil) are powerful multiparty blocs of legislators
December 28, 2019
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by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol Producer Magazine talked to three experts about the past year, and what they see moving into 2020. — 2019 brought a Reid vapor pressure waiver for E15, but it also brought excessive small refinery waivers and low margins for ethanol plants. The year
December 24, 2019
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(Office of Senator Michael Bennet, D-CO) Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (IA-3) announced they have introduced new legislation to create the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Terra (ARPA–Terra), a new agency at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to invest in innovative agricultural technologies that increase economic opportunity for
December 20, 2019
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by Erica Werner (Washington Post) The bill passed by a vote of 385 to 41 and is expected to pass the Senate early next year. — The House of Representatives voted Thursday in favor of a new trade deal for North America, delivering a hard-fought victory to President Trump and
December 20, 2019
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, Congressional leaders announced a five-year extension of the biomass-based diesel tax credit as part of a year-end tax extenders package. As Christmas gifts go, the importance and value of this to the biomass-based diesel universe cannot be overemphasized. No phase down Unexpectedly, the five
December 20, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) ON TO THE SENATE: The House passed the $1.4 trillion spending deal on Tuesday that would give federal agencies $49 billion in extra cash this fiscal year and avert a government shutdown ahead of the holidays. The chamber advanced the first funding bundle, H.R.
December 18, 2019
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by Emily Mangan (Transportation for America) Last week, Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) introduced a bill that would measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled on our roadways. This would be transformative. … Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gases (GHG), contributing 29 percent of the
December 17, 2019
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(Office of A. Donald McEAchin (D VA-04)) Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) introduced the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 with Representatives Deb Haaland (NM-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Chellie Pingree (ME-01). This legislation sets a nationwide goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy
December 17, 2019
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(House Energy & Commerce Committee Republicans) “There are bipartisan bills in Congress that we could pass right now to ensure the United States remains a global leader in emissions reduction, economic productivity, and clean energy production, all at once.” That’s what Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) said in September, calling on Democrats
December 9, 2019
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by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, co-sponsor of the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act (H.R. 2089), is scheduled to visit Rio Valley Biofuels, a biodiesel production facility in El Paso, Texas, on Nov. 26. Escobar serves Texas’ 16th District, the seat previously held by former Democratic presidential candidate
November 25, 2019
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(The Fence Post/The Hagstrom Report) Farmers need the Trump administration to stabilize the biofuels market and Congress to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, Farm Credit Administration Chairman and CEO Glen Smith told the House Agriculture Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit Subcommittee today. Asked by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson,
November 21, 2019
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by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Committee Democrats released a discussion draft of the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now (GREEN) Act. This draft legislation is a comprehensive approach to tackling climate change by using the
November 21, 2019
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(Solutions from the Land) The testimony of SfL Co-Chair Fred Yoder before the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis (HSCCC) two weeks ago represented an early opportunity for farmers, ranchers and forestland owners to advance proven, pragmatic and practical solutions that produce win/win outcomes for those who work the land
November 15, 2019
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(Office of Representative Peter Welch (D-VT)) Bill would phase out corn ethanol mandate, reverse tide of habitat destruction, and boost the mandate for advanced biofuels that reduce greenhouse gases — Today (November 14, 2019), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced companion bills in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S.
November 15, 2019
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(National Biodiesel Board) The tax incentive is crucial to continued growth of the U.S. biodiesel industry — Today (November 12, 2019), the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) released a new report, “The Importance of the Biodiesel Tax Credit,” showing how the emerging biodiesel industry relies on the combined values of the tax
November 13, 2019
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by Isabella Murray (Iowa Starting Line) … (Beto) O’Rourke had read a guest op-ed by Leonard and Matt Russell, executive director of Interfaith Power and Light — a group that pushes for faith-based solutions to climate change — in the New York Times about how to win rural America. O’Rourke wanted to learn
November 13, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) More than 800 volunteers across the U.S. will be on Capitol Hill today to meet with lawmakers on the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763 (116), on behalf of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. The group’s “lobby day” today follows the release of
November 12, 2019
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(RFS Power Coalition/Biomass Magazine) The RFS Power Coalition today applauded the passage of H.R. 3055 (116), the Senate’s Interior Appropriations bill. The Interior-EPA portion of the spending package includes a provision led by Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, requiring the EPA to take swift action on existing eRIN applications: Electric Pathway.—The Committee
November 6, 2019
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by Abby Smith (Washington Examiner) When the Senate’s new bipartisan climate caucus meets for the first time this week, members will be joined by another group looking to engage more in climate policy discussions on Capitol Hill: industry CEOs. The choice of guests reflects how the caucus formed. Democratic Sen. Chris
November 5, 2019
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(Our Daily Planet) Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis held a hearing titled “Dark Money and Barriers to Climate Action” that explored the fossil fuel money which has funded years of climate denial in America. Groups like the National Association of Manufacturers and the Chamber of Commerce have long
October 31, 2019
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by Matt Kaye (FarmWeekNow.com) Renewable Fuels Association chief Geoff Cooper called the proposed supplemental rule issued by EPA a “bait and switch.” — … During a hearing before a U.S. House Energy subcommittee, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) chief Geoff Cooper accused EPA of secretly granting Small Refinery Exemptions (SRE) as
October 31, 2019
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(Our Daily Planet) Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, on Friday announced a $450 billion/10 year “Clean Cars For America Climate Proposal” to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century by making clean cars
October 28, 2019
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by Kay Ledbetter (Farm Progress/Southwest Farm Press) Tree planting in natural grasslands can destroy plant and animal habitat and won’t sequester enough carbon to compensate for fossil fuel emissions. — A group of 46 scientists from around the world, led by Dr. Joseph Veldman, assistant professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science
October 28, 2019
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by Lynn L. Bergeson (TSCAblog) On October 17, 2019, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology unanimously approved the Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act (H.R. 2051), a companion bill to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Shelley
October 26, 2019
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(U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee) Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) announced today that the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on Tuesday, October 29, at 10:30 am in the John D. Dingell
October 23, 2019
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by Brian Dabbs (National Journal) … Now, though, two retiring Republican House members want to carve out a new future for U.S. liquid transportation fuel policy. Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois, who represents some of the most prolific corn-producing counties in the U.S., and Rep. Bill Flores, a petroleum-backing Texan,
October 18, 2019
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Michael B. Gerrard and John C. Dernbach, Editors (Environmental Law Institute) Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States provides a “legal playbook” for deep decarbonization in the United States, identifying well over 1,000 legal options for enabling the United States to address one of the greatest problems facing this country
October 14, 2019
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by Stephanie Manuzak (Yale Climate Connections) The newest farm bill offers support for algae growers. — …”Currently companies in the industry are producing plastics, and recyclable foam, and animal feed for cows and chickens and pigs, and aquafeed for shrimp,” Mark Allen says. Allen is board chair of the Algae Biomass
October 3, 2019
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by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) A series of unfortunate events this summer—all caused by U.S. government action or inaction—has led to a precarious situation in the biodiesel sector, but there may be a silver lining. — … The volume of SREs (small oil refinery exemptions) granted has exploded during the
October 2, 2019
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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., reintroduced the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Act on Sept. 24. The bill aims to expand the biogas market by providing a 30 percent investment tax credit to help offset the upfront costs associated with building biodigester systems. “Ohio farmers
October 2, 2019
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by Stephanie Russell-Kraft (Bloomberg) More than 20 law firms join pro bono effort led by two law school professors; Draft laws and regulations will be publicly available to local, state and federal lawmakers — More than 20 Big Law firms have signed on to a pro-bono project developing model laws and
September 27, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a group of House lawmakers introduced a bipartisan carbon pricing measure — the MARKET CHOICE Act — that would fund infrastructure investments by pricing carbon and eliminating the gas tax. “We are at a crossroads with regard to infrastructure and climate
September 27, 2019
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the hot and happenin’ Algae Biomass Summit in Orlando, Florida,Steve Mayfield, Director at UCSD California Center for Algae Biotechnology and Martin Sabarksy, CEO of Cellana, gave this illuminating introduction of some of the latest policy highlights from the 2018 Farm Bill and how it
September 26, 2019
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by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) With a reported big deal for biofuels in flux, an economist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign put forward a plan on Thursday to account for more than 4 billion gallons of biofuels exempted to small refineries from the Renewable Fuel Standard from 2016
September 23, 2019
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(NGVAmerica/NGV Journal) NGVAmerica members hosted a facility tour and policy roundtable with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to discuss the importance of parity for natural gas powered vehicles.VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio’s public transit agency, joined with NGVAmerica to host Senator Cruz at its CNG fueling station, the largest in North America.
September 20, 2019
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(The Telegraph) Local ethanol officials are lauding the Small Refinery Exeption Fairness Act of 2019 introduced Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville. Davis introduced the bill after the EPA continues to increase the number of small refineries exempted from the Renewable Fuel Standard. Davis’ bill would require the EPA administrator to use
September 19, 2019
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by Ben Nuelle (Agri-Pulse) Biofuel advocates may be fuming about the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent actions granting small refinery exemptions to oil refineries, but they’d better check their rearview mirror. Electric vehicles may soon have policy in place to put them in the energy passing lane as climate talks in
September 18, 2019
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by Ella Nilsen (Vox) A growing sea of crusaders known as the Sunrise Movement has helped put climate change on the national agenda. Most aren’t even 30. — … The three-bedroom apartment in Washington’s Columbia Heights neighborhood is one of a handful of so-called movement houses around the country where
September 18, 2019
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USDA Seeks Input on New Ethanol Sales Infrastructure Incentive Program DEADLINE January 30, 2020
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input to help with the creation of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), a new program that will expand the availability of domestic ethanol and biodiesel by incentivizing the expansion of sales of renewable fuels. “Feedback from farmers, retailers and