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by Liam Sigaud (American Consumer Institute) … These subsidies overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy. Tesla buyers, for example, had an average household income of $293,200 in 2013. A study in 2015 found that electric Ford Focus buyers had an average household income of $199,000. By contrast, the median household income in the U.S. in 2015
Federal Legislation
(Renewable Fuels Association) While draft legislation recently released by Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Bill Flores (R-Texas) represents “an important first step in the debate about future fuels policy and the role of high octane fuels,” the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) cannot support the proposal because it “does not provide the
December 11, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) Ways & Means Chairman Kevin Brady’s (R-TX) tax proposal includes a multi-year extension and phaseout of the biodiesel incentive — … Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, released a proposal to make technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (PL 115-97)
December 7, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Rep. Nydia Velázquez , the presumptive incoming chairwoman of the Small Business Committee, became the latest House Democrat to back the Green New Deal on Tuesday. “We cannot delay when it comes to addressing this existential threat to our planet,” she tweeted. “Water-adjacent cities, especially
December 5, 2018
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A house subcommittee is scheduled to hold a hearing Dec. 11 on the recently released discussion draft of the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act. The bill aims to sunset the Renewable Fuels Standard and enact a national octane specification. The 34-page discussion draft of the bill was
December 5, 2018
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by Mark K. Matthews (E&E News) If they stay true to their campaign rhetoric, the class of freshman House Republicans won’t be leading any revolutions next year on the issue of climate change. … In a few cases, there are reasons for climate activists to be cautiously optimistic. Wisconsin voters picked Republican
December 5, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) ‘THE TIME IS LATE’: Sen. Bernie Sanders, a likely 2020 presidential candidate, and a group of climate activists held a town hall Monday evening with a simple message: The world is running out of time to get serious about climate action to limit the worst impacts from
December 4, 2018
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by Marianne Lavelle (Inside Climate News) Democratic election victories raised the odds of climate change policies succeeding, activists and analysts say. A national plan was also just floated in Congress. — At least seven state governments are poised at the brink of putting a price on climate-warming carbon emissions within the next
December 3, 2018
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by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) A new study shows that the Biodiesel Tax Credit helped the industry support $21.6 billion in economy-wide sales, employment for over 60,000 workers with wages and benefits totaling $3.8 billion, and nearly $2 billion in state and federal tax revenues combined in 2017. The analysis by FTI Consulting
December 3, 2018
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by Dean Scott (Bloomberg Environment) Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), two Republicans to introduce carbon fee bill that would return money to consumers; With virtually no chance of passage, measure seen as effort to start discussions for next Congress — A small group of Democratic and Republican House members plans to introduce a carbon tax
November 27, 2018
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by Katie Peikes (Iowa Public Radio) … The Republican congressman says he’d like to see his legislation in the farm bill that would keep states from regulating production standards for agricultural products sold in interstate commerce by other states. King drafted that legislation nearly a decade ago. He says California was
November 27, 2018
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by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association says it’s a common misnomer that the Renewable Fuel Standard ends in four years. Geoff Cooper tells Brownfield the RFS doesn’t stop in 2022. “What stops in 2022 is the specific volumes being laid out in the law.”
November 27, 2018
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by Naomi Jagoda (The Hill) … The bill would … phase out tax breaks for biodiesel and renewable diesel, and extend a number of other expired tax provisions through the end of 2018 — including tax breaks that benefit the renewable energy, horse racing and motorsports industries. READ MORE Tax
November 27, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Energy trade and advocacy groups, including the Solar Energy Industries Association, ClearPath Action and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, want Congress to modify the tax code to include energy storage as an eligible technology for the investment tax credit. In a letter Monday, the groups
November 27, 2018
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by Catherine Rampell (Washington Post) … Alternatively, some Republicans suggest that, yes, the planet may be warming and, yes, humans may be the reason, but it’s too darn expensive to do much more than we are. … As Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) equivocated on CNN’s “State of the Union,” after plugging her state’s use
November 27, 2018
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by Hannah Northey (E&E News Climatewire) The proposal, drawing inspiration from President Franklin Roosevelt’s Depression-era New Deal, is one that progressives — led by Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a rising star on the left — want Democratic leaders to embrace. The thinking is that a newly revived Select Committee on Energy Independence
November 26, 2018
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(Office of Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL 15) Congressman John Shimkus (Illinois-15) and Congressman Bill Flores (Texas-17) today released a discussion draft of the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act. “I’ve been engaged in the biofuel debate my entire career in Congress,” said Shimkus, whose district includes significant corn and soybean producers
November 23, 2018
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by Timothy Cama (The Hill) House Democrats are planning to hold two days’ worth of hearings on the impacts of climate change and potential solutions to it when they take the House majority next year. The likely chairmen of the Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources and Science committees said in a joint statement
November 15, 2018
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by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) A group of 60 organizations representing diverse business, energy, transportation, real estate and agriculture sectors has sent a letter to leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate on the “pressing need” to address the expired tax provisions, commonly referred to as the tax extenders.
November 14, 2018
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by Jesse Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) And while the bioeconomy – biofuels, biobased products, chemicals, and more – enjoy bipartisan support, the new political landscape means that the biobased sector and stakeholders still need to be on their toes. With one of the largest freshmen classes ever, and
November 10, 2018
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(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, along with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry, sent a letter to the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations. The letter describes the agencies’ work to
November 2, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao was also at the White House Tuesday, where she suggested that Democrats in the House want to link a carbon tax to an infrastructure bill being developed, Pro Transportation’s Sam Mintz reports . When it comes to infrastructure, “there are
October 24, 2018
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by Steven Mufson (Washington Post) The tax would boost prices of the oil giant’s fossil fuels to fight climate change — ExxonMobil will give $1 million over two years to a group promoting a plan that would tax the carbon content of fuels, including the oil giant’s products, and return the proceeds
October 11, 2018
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by Bill Keba* (Advanced Biofuels USA) October 2, 2018, Annapolis, Maryland. Inside the Doubletree Inn, it was as hectic as the traffic on Route 50. Eightyfive paid attendees were gathering, registering, networking, and hurriedly settling in for the 9:15 start of this workshop titled Opportunities and Challenges in Anaerobic Digestion:
October 11, 2018
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by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) On September 30th, the 2018 Farm Bill officially expired. And while both chambers of Congress passed their respective bills, the final version of the legislation that supports the agricultural sector in the U.S. is still being negotiated between House and Senate leaders in conference
October 10, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) Forty-six bipartisan members of Congress ask House leaders for a multi-year extension — Today (September 27, 2018), the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) thanked the 46 Congressmembers – led by Rep. David Young (R-IA) and Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) – who voiced their strong support for a multi-year extension of
October 3, 2018
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by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) I was pleased and excited to be invited to speak on a “Future of Biofuels” panel at this fall’s Leadership Conference of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, whose purpose is “Developing the Next Generation of Latino Leaders®.” Sponsored by the American Fuel & Petrochemical
October 2, 2018
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(Algae Biomass Organization) Following close on the heels of the U.S. Department of Energy’s latest round of algae funding awards, President Trump Friday (September 21, 2018) signed into law a Fiscal Year 2019 spending bill providing an additional $44 million in FY2019 for algae and carbon utilization research — the highest funding level for
October 1, 2018
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by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Recent reports have underscored the enormity of the global plastic waste issue. There are 9.2 billion tons of plastic waste in the environment and an additional 500 tons of plastics are produced annually. Of this, 40 percent is considered single-use plastic, and only
September 28, 2018
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by Chad Moyer (KTIC Radio) Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) has been recognized as a 2018 High Octane Champion by Renewable Fuels Nebraska, the trade association for Nebraska’s ethanol industry. The award was developed by the RFN membership as a way to recognize public policy leaders that strongly support Nebraska’s $5 billion
September 24, 2018
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by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association) … When testifying recently before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the acting administrator was judicious in answering questions about EPA’s small refinery exemptions (SREs). He has publicly stated that there should be more transparency in the process for granting SREs, and that it would
September 21, 2018
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(NAFB News Service/Hoosier Ag Today) The farm bill deadline at the end of the month could pass without a new farm bill or an extension. As the pace of the farm bill committee stalls, leadership says the actual deadline that would have any impact on farm country is in December, if
September 20, 2018
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by Francine McKenna (Market Watch) The Climate Risk Disclosure Act directs the SEC to issue rules that require every public company to disclose more on climate change exposure — Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is spearheading an effort by Democratic senators to bring a bill that would require public companies to disclose more
September 14, 2018
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by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) While EPA remains in an impasse on requests to reallocate biofuels gallons lost to small refinery waivers of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would require the agency to reallocate those gallons. The EPA granted a
September 10, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The carbon tax plan pushed by Republicans like James Baker, George Schultz and Christine Todd Whitman would exceed the 26-28 percent pollution reductions promised by the Obama administration under the Paris agreement. The proposal, first released by the Climate Leadership Council in February 2017,
September 10, 2018
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by Nick Sobczyk (E&E News) Democrats have long billed themselves as the party of climate science, and if they take back the House in November, they want to put global warming back on the congressional calendar. “It’s the 800-pound gorilla,” said Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), co-chairman of the Safe Climate Caucus.
September 3, 2018
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(National Corn Growers Association) The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today said plans unveiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide aid to farmers negatively impacted by trade tariffs and ongoing trade uncertainty would be insufficient to even begin to address the serious damage done to the corn market
August 31, 2018
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(Algae Biomass Organization) … Algae are fast becoming a significant component in food and health products, and it is time that this new crop was afforded the support by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that other crops have seen for decades. Thanks to outreach by ABO and its members, a number
August 30, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) National Biodiesel Board sends letter reiterating support for passage of a new Farm Bill — Today (August 16,2018), the National Biodiesel Board sent a letter to leaders of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, reiterating the industry’s strong support for passage of a new five-year Farm Bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018)
August 17, 2018
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by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) … On top of that, a senior Senate aide close to the pro-ethanol camp led by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said “there is debate” over whether it will take legislation to enact the changes Trump seeks. “We view it as a technical correction,” the aide
August 14, 2018
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by O. Kay Henderson (RadioIowa) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s acting administrator met privately with Iowa commodity group leaders at the Iowa State Fair today — but Andrew Wheeler told reporters afterwards there is no decision yet on regulations that would allow a higher blend of ethanol to be sold year-round.
August 14, 2018
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by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) … Biogas – Turning Hog Waste into Resources — Biogas technologies turn organic wastes, including manure, into energy and compost. When manure is turned into biogas, the smells, poor health effects, and methane emissions associated with hog farms are drastically reduced. At a
August 10, 2018
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by Zack Colman and Scott Waldman (E&E News) The last time carbon dioxide levels hit the mark the Trump administration envisions for the end of the century, crocodiles roamed the poles and palm trees existed where glaciers are today. In fact, there were no glaciers — not even in Antarctica. Although the
August 9, 2018
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by Hugh C. Welsh (Real Clear Energy) It’s time to rethink how our country approaches carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the use of fossil fuels. Right now, we know that the release of CO2 damages the environment but emitters bear none of the cost. American tax payers, meanwhile, are subsidizing these
August 7, 2018
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(WCAX) Both houses of Congress have passed their respective versions of the Farm Bill, a massive piece of legislation that affects farmers around the country. Now, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, will try to come together to pass one version of the bill. Farm bill negotiations
August 7, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The Trump administration’s proposed freeze of vehicle fuel efficiency standards sought by the Obama administration and plan to end California’s power to enforce its own rules has placed the spotlight squarely on the state, where its political leaders are vowing an all-out fight . California
August 3, 2018
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by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) The House Energy and Commerce Committee is on course to create legislation to develop a national biofuel program that places consumers first, said Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon, the Republican chairman of the committee, on Wednesday. The committee’s environment panel held its fifth hearing Wednesday on
August 2, 2018
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(Algae Biomass Organization) This month the momentum for supporting technologies that put carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to good use got a boost in Congress with the introduction of the bipartisan Carbon Utilization Act of 2018. The House bill would support utilization technologies, such as algae cultivation, by allowing them
August 2, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Bob Dinneen, the outgoing CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, told reporters Wednesday that he thinks EPA staff is working on a rule to allow year-round sales of 15 percent ethanol fuel, despite what Wheeler told Senate EPW earlier in the day. “We can
August 2, 2018
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by Jessie Stolark (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) On Wednesday July 25, the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing to educate members on the complexities of the compliance markets for biofuels, as Environment and Economy Subcommittee Rep. Shimkus (R-IL), chair, explores reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Shimkus (R-IL)
August 1, 2018
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by Timothy J. Rudnicki (Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) … Let’s be clear here. There are legitimate complaints from the biofuel industry because (acting Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew) Wheeler’s predecessor turned over the agency to Big Oil. How else can you explain the 2.25 billion gallons of ethanol that were lost via
August 1, 2018
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(VNG/NGVAmerica/NGV Journal) On July 23, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) introduced HR-6476 the Light-Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Parity Act of 2018 in the US House of Representatives, a companion to Senate bill 3226 introduced by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) on July 17 in the US Senate. This initiative affirms congressional intent
July 30, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster released his long-awaited infrastructure discussion draft on Monday. The Pennsylvania Republican proposes a short-term boost to the gasoline tax before ending the tax in a decade, as Pro Transportation’s Lauren Gardner reports. The effort would boost taxes on gasoline
July 24, 2018
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by Tim Albrecht (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Experts in multiple industries support the idea of a high-octane fuel standard, but some prefer it as a replacement to the RFS. — Octane is important. The ethanol industry knows this, the automakers know it and even the oil industry understands it. But when it comes
(Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy) A series of four reports released today by Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and partners assesses the economic, energy, and environmental implications of federal carbon taxes. The reports analyze various carbon tax legislation scenarios, finding that carbon taxes would increase government revenue
July 20, 2018
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by Marianne Lavelle (Inside Climate News) Only 4 of the 43 Republicans who claim membership in the Climate Solutions Caucus voted against the resolution. All were early members of the group. The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a resolution denouncing the idea of a U.S. carbon tax as detrimental
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) CARBON COPY: Today’s largely symbolic vote on an anti-carbon tax resolution could offer Republicans helpful campaign-trail fodder against Democrats — but it comes with a price tag for some of the House’s most endangered moderates. Pro’s Anthony Adragna reports this morning on the dilemma facing
by Niv Elis (The Hill) The White House is expressing concerns that a funding bill set for a vote Thursday in the House does not make deep enough cuts for agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The House is debating a package of two spending bills, one for Financial
July 19, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The Rules Committee will meet Tuesday to consider a resolution, H. Con. Res. 119 (115), that calls a carbon tax “detrimental” to the U.S. economy and “not in the best interest” of the country. The meeting tees up a likely vote later this week
July 16, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Yes, Virginia, there is cant, pettifoggery, self-dealing, obfuscation, and downright dirty pool when it comes to the deployment of biofuels, chemicals and advanced biomaterials — but there are also some mysteries which can unraveled and resolved. … The mechanism that the EPA uses to enforce
July 3, 2018
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by Caitlin Dewey and Erica Werner (Washington Post) The Senate passed its version of the $428 billion farm bill Thursday, setting up a bitter fight against the House over food stamps, farm subsidies and conservation funding. The Senate measure passed in an 86-to-11 vote, overwhelming support that reflected a bipartisan desire
June 29, 2018
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by Patrick Springer (West Fargo Pioneer) … “It’s not a protest against President Trump,” said Pam Musland, marketing and communication supervisor for the North Dakota Farmers Union. “Our hope is to grab some media attention with all the media in town” to cover Trump’s appearance. … Those at what’s billed the
June 27, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) Today (June 25, 2018), a diverse group of trade associations delivered a letter to Congressional leaders announcing a unified position to maintain and extend the current biodiesel blenders tax credit. In a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
June 26, 2018
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(U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment) … A number of exogenous policies have greatly impacted advanced biofuels markets and RFS (Renewable Fuel Standards) compliance. These include trade restrictions and duties now imposed on certain imported advanced biofuels as well as the potential end to tax
June 22, 2018
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by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice (Reuters/Successful Farming) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will propose reallocating biofuel blending obligations waived under its small refinery exemption program to other refiners, in an announcement that could come as early as Friday, according to two sources familiar with the agency’s plans. … Under the proposed reallocation, refiners that do
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) The Houston oil company Occidental Petroleum is studying a carbon capture project to deliver carbon dioxide to its oil fields in West Texas, the company announced Tuesday. Engineers are expected to spend six months studying the feasibility of piping carbon dioxide from White Energy’s ethanol facilities
June 20, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) A new group with a conservative backing has formed to push for a carbon tax. The Americans for Carbon Dividends is co-chaired by two former senators: John Breaux and Trent Lott. The group calls itself “an education and advocacy campaign to build support for
June 20, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) New polling shows that voters across three Midwestern states are disappointed with Trump administration decisions they view as broken promises of support for local agriculture and renewable fuels industries. In a survey of voters in Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota, respondents overwhelmingly say they support federal policies to
June 18, 2018
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by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday it will not reallocate exempt biofuel obligations under the small refinery waiver program without an act of Congress, setting the stage for a new clash with lawmakers in corn producing states. The agency has issued a record number of small
June 18, 2018
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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On June 13, the Senate ag committee approved the its version of the 2018 Farm Bill with bipartisan support. The legislation includes an amendment offered by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., that restores mandatory funding to Farm Bill Energy Title programs. The legislation, officially titled the Agriculture
June 14, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The Senate Agriculture Committee will take up amendments to the farm bill today, but negotiations were still ongoing as to just which of 186 submitted would get a vote. Here are a few energy highlights from a list obtained by POLITICO. — If E15 at
June 13, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) ON THE HILL: GOP Sen. John Cornyn says finding common ground on an overhaul of the RFS is “like trying to come up with peace in the Middle East.” Cornyn has not yet put pen to paper on a bill, though he’s still holding discussions
June 13, 2018
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by Tim Albrecht (Biomass Magazine) Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., introduced three bills this week to boost rural economic opportunities by expanding USDA funding eligibility for clean energy projects. This funding would help improve electric grid security, create more energy choices for businesses, and advance the development and deployment of low-carbon, clean
June 8, 2018
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by Jesse Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On Friday, June 8, the Senate Agriculture Committee released the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. In contrast to the GOP-only bill that has advanced in the House, the bipartisan Senate farm bill refrains from eliminating the Energy Title, but provides mandatory funding to only one
by Jenna Bloxom (Colorado State University/Biofuels Digest) … Now is the critical juncture for a unified bioeconomy to re-assert biofuels as a political powerhouse and compelling policy agenda that defies partisan, geographical, and generational divisions. … (T)his industry must take the initiative to drastically alter the public’s understanding and attitudes about biofuels
June 8, 2018
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(Office of Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)) Senator Leads Bipartisan Push for Strong Funding and Focus on Energy As Senate Begins Work on Farm Bill in Coming Days — As the Senate prepares to begin work on the 2018 Farm Bill, U.S Senator Tina Smith, today told the leaders of the Senate Agriculture
June 7, 2018
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In mid-May, Reps. Austin Scott, R-Ga., and Lois Frankel, D-Fla., introduced legislation that aims to introduce more stringent labeling requirements for E15. The bill, titled the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2018, or H.R. 5855, was introduced May 16 and referred to the
June 6, 2018
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by Tom Polansek and Michael Hirtzer (Reuters) The biggest U.S. biodiesel lobbying group has dropped its nine-year push to covert a $1-per-gallon tax credit available to blenders of the biofuel into one for producers, the vice president of federal affairs said on Friday. The tax credit benefits companies that blend biodiesel into
May 29, 2018
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by Josh Siegel (Washington Examiner) The Senate Appropriations Committee easily advanced its Energy-Water fiscal 2019 spending bill on Thursday, rejecting Trump administration efforts to reduce funding for energy and science research. The $43.8 billion bill, approved by a 30-1 vote, is $566 million more than this year’s appropriation and $7.2 billion
May 25, 2018
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by Brent Erickson (The Hill/Biotechnology Innovation Organization) Since 2002, the farm bill has contained an energy title, with cost-effective programs that support private investment in renewable energy, biobased manufacturing and energy efficiency. The programs are extremely successful in helping businesses create employment and economic growth opportunities in rural communities across the
May 24, 2018
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by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, would like to see administrative changes made to how EPA hands out Renewable Fuel Standard waivers to small refiners, estimated by one ethanol industry study to have resulted in about 1.5 billion gallons of lost ethanol blending since 2016. Though
(CNBC/Reuters) The U.S. House of Representatives will vote for a second time on a massive farm bill after the measure was defeated last week, according to a report. The vote on the $867 billion bill will be held on June 22, Republican Representative Steve Scalise said, Roll Call reported. Roll
May 23, 2018
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(WBIW) Following reports that gas prices are on the rise, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly today urged President Trump to take an important step towards addressing the price surge by reducing regulatory burdens around the blending of biofuels. Current regulations on Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) prevent most retailers from selling American-made fuels
May 22, 2018
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by Jerry Hagstrom and Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) The cheers and jeers were all over the spectrum Friday after the House of Representatives failed to pass its version of the farm bill following a raucous debate this week. … The bill went down to defeat with 198 members voting for
May 21, 2018
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(Biofuels International) Following the introduction of a bill to warn consumers about the perceived dangers of E15 in small engines, representatives from the ethanol industry have questioned the rationale for the legislation. The biofuel proponents say that the new rules are designed to create confusion for consumers and reduce the use of higher-blend
May 21, 2018
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by Mikkel Pates (Agweek) Ag technology promoters are pedaling hard for biofuels-friendly policies in Washington, D.C., to make life livable for cash-strapped farmers supplying markets that didn’t exist 30 years ago. Erick Lutt, director of industrial and environmental policy for Biotechnology Innovation Organization, speaking at the 2018 Bio Industry Summit
May 21, 2018
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by Pat Westhoff (Columbia Tribune) … Biofuel policy decisions also have the potential to have large impacts on commodity markets and farm income. Most cars in this country run on a blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol. At current gasoline consumption levels, that requires around 14 billion gallons of
May 18, 2018
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(Yamaha Marine Group/Business Wire) Legislation would require more detailed labeling of gas pumps that dispense E15 fuel, which causes corrosion and mechanical problems in equipment with small engines — Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) and Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21), members of the Congressional Boating Caucus, introduced the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act
May 18, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Breaking news arrives from the Ag Energy Coalition regarding the 2018 Farm Bill. Green Capiltol’s Lloyd Ritter writes: Rep. Biggs farm bill amendment was made in order by the Rules Committee last night to eviscerate the clean energy title programs of the farm bill. It
May 18, 2018
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by Aaron Smith and Vincent Smith (Investor’s Business Daily) … The most immediate impact of the RFS wars is to focus attention on corn ethanol and petroleum gasoline at the detriment of second-generation biofuels. These fuels — produced from the inedible parts of plants with much lower greenhouse gas emissions than corn
May 18, 2018
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(Renewable Energy World) The U.S. House Appropriations Committee yesterday approved an energy and water funding bill that, as compared to fiscal year 2018, cuts energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE) programs by $243 million, and increases research and development funding for fossil fuels by $58 million. In a statement, the committee
May 18, 2018
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(Office of Congressman Marc Veasey) The Fossil Energy Research and Development Act would set the course for the next generation of climate change mitigation — Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Science Committee’s Energy Subcommittee, along with Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV) and Science Committee Ranking Member Eddie
May 15, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The American Petroleum Institute is no fan of Trump’s effort to make administrative changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Trump administration is working on a memo laying out a series of administrative changes, including allowing year-round sale of 15 percent ethanol fuel, and possibly
May 15, 2018
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The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the American Biogas Council (ABC) invite you to a briefing about the numerous challenges posed by organic wastes—to human health, water and air quality, and to businesses that must manage these wastes—and how anaerobic digestion offers solutions to these pressing issues. Anaerobic digestion is the process
May 14, 2018
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by Mahmood Ebadian and James D. McMillan (IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter) … The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was enacted in 2007 to enhance domestic production of fuels and spur economic development while reducing reliance on imports and improving the environment (through reducing both the absolute level of fossil fuel
May 11, 2018
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by O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa) California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi — the top-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives — toured a central Iowa farm early this morning. Pelosi’s visit follows her speech last (Sunday) night at a fundraiser for Polk County Democrats, where she told the crowd the Farm
May 10, 2018
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by Mike Carr (New Energy America/The Hill) Recently, Chet Thompson of American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) testified before Congress and proposed a “fuel neutral” octane standard as a “potential replacement” for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Octane is a fuel characteristic that allows engines to run more efficiently and without “knock.” Refiners use
May 9, 2018
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by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) At ABFA, we’ve been keeping our eyes on the U.S. EPA during the first quarter of 2018. The EPA’s actions over the next several months will have ripple effects through the industry, in the RIN markets, and on Capitol Hill. As such, I think
May 9, 2018
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(Institute for Energy Research) The Trump administration is considering expanding the ethanol fuel waiver in the Clean Air Act (CAA) to allow E15 fuel (gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol) to be sold year round. The Environmental Protection Agency has indicated that it has been exploring this action as well, and
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) A coalition of Midwest biofuels associations sent a letter Thursday to EPA asking it to move administrative time and staff away from Renewable Fuel Standard exemptions and instead toward approvals for cellulosic ethanol. “The discrepancy between the way EPA is handling RFS exemptions and
May 4, 2018
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by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, mentioned on Tuesday he wants to change language in recent appropriations bills approved by Congress in the past three years. Grassley told agricultural journalists the language may be one of the reasons why the EPA has expanded the number of
May 3, 2018
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by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters/Successful Farming) The Trump administration has invited a group of U.S. senators to the White House early next week to discuss biofuels policy, the latest in a series of such meetings aimed at helping refiners cope with the Renewable Fuel Standard, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The senators
May 3, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … The deal creates the largest US oil refiner (and a top-five refiner globally) at 3.1 million barrels per day of capacity — Valero is around the same size, but that includes overseas operations. … The (Marathon Petroleum) Company formed a joint venture with The Anderson’s, Inc., The
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The Trump administration plans to argue that California does not have the authority to enforce stringent greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars, despite the Obama administration’s 2009 waiver, according to a source familiar with a forthcoming proposed regulation. The draft, which is a National Highway Traffic
April 30, 2018
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(DTN The Progressive Farmer) Oil state partisans, including certain refiners, have raged about a credit-trading market within the program that they say causes undue economic pain. The biofuels industry counters that those compliance credits, known as renewable identification numbers, are essential to making the mandate work. While the battle has heated
April 26, 2018
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by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) In another blow to support for the House version of the farm bill, the National Farmers Union’s board of directors early Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution to oppose the bill as it cleared the House Agriculture Committee last week. NFU leans more to the
April 26, 2018
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(Algae Biomass Organization) Algae is on a roll in Congress. Despite a challenging fiscal environment, the latest federal spending bill passed by Congress includes new funding for algae R&D that will be available in FY2018 and, for the first time, tax credits for algae-based carbon capture and use (CCU). New proposals
April 25, 2018
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(Stanford University/Phys.Org) Although considered critical to avoiding catastrophic global warming, the feasibility of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it underground – known as negative emissions – has been in question. But researchers at Stanford and other institutions have found new hope for cost-effective carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).
April 24, 2018
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by Barry Amundson (Grand Forks Herald) U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D, is concerned about two major issues that can affect farmers and ranchers this year. One is the farm bill that faces an uncertain future as it’s set to expire in September. The other is waivers that some small U.S. refineries have
April 23, 2018
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) … In a statement, House Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., criticized the legislation, calling it “a flawed bill that is the result of a bad nontransparent process.” Cuts to Energy Title programs are among the specific provisions of the bill that Peterson criticized. “…$500
April 20, 2018
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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On April 12, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduced the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, bipartisan legislation that aims to legalize and clearly define hemp as an agricultural commodity and remove it from the list of controlled substances. A statement released by McConnell explains that
April 18, 2018
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(Massachusetts Institute of Technology/EurekAlert!) Several different carbon-pricing approaches would help reduce emissions, and some would be fair as well, researchers report — Putting a price on carbon, in the form of a fee or tax on the use of fossil fuels, coupled with returning the generated revenue to the public in one
April 18, 2018
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On April 12, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, released a draft of the 2018 Farm Bill, officially titled the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. The legislation reauthorizes many bioenergy-related programs, but provides them with only discretionary funding. The draft bill spans
April 13, 2018
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by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Details have yet to emerge from a planned meeting at the White House on Monday between President Donald Trump and members of his cabinet regarding possible changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The meeting reportedly was scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and
April 10, 2018
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by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Since their inception in the 2002 Farm Bill, Energy Title (Title IX) programs have helped farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and rural communities generate thousands of jobs and millions in economic development. The sectors impacted by the Energy Title range from renewable energy—including wind, solar, geothermal,
April 6, 2018
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by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The White House plans to hold a Monday meeting to discuss possible changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Minnesota Corn Growers president Kirby Hettver says it appears EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt will present President Trump with a series of options, including a cap on RIN
April 6, 2018
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by Jarrett Renshaw, Chris Prentice (Reuters) Lawmakers spearheading efforts to reform U.S. biofuels regulations are considering a blanket waiver for all small refineries, according to four sources familiar with their draft legislation. The move would save some refiners a fortune but would outrage the powerful corn lobby. The draft bill, led by
April 6, 2018
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(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Rep. Collin Peterson visited the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant in Benson on March 28 to reiterate his support for Minnesota’s ethanol industry. “Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company is doing some exciting work and are continuing to find new innovative markets for ethanol and its coproducts. While at
April 3, 2018
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by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) President Donald Trump is seriously considering abandoning efforts to remake the nation’s biofuel laws after wading deep into an issue that divides some of his core constituencies, according to three sources familiar with the administration’s thinking. Advisers have urged Trump to instead let Congress tackle the
March 30, 2018
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(Algae Biomass Organization/Globe Newswire) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today applauded the introduction of the Algae Agriculture Act of 2018, a bill that would give algae cultivators and harvesters many of the same advantages as other traditional crops in United States agricultural policy. The bill was
March 23, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) Congress Reaches Another Deal to Fund the Government That Fails to Reinstate the Biodiesel Tax Credit — Today, the U.S. Congress is expected to pass an omnibus spending bill to fund the government that did not include a reinstatement of the biodiesel tax credit. “The National Biodiesel Board is
March 22, 2018
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by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee are getting ready to move ahead on drafting a farm bill, ideally in April, and will seek to avoid the rancor over food assistance that has tied up farm-bill discussions in the House. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat
March 22, 2018
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by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) A special assistant to President Donald Trump on agriculture said Wednesday, “the search for a win-win continues” in the debate over how to relieve oil refiners of their obligations under the Renewable Fuels Standard. Ray Starling, a special assistant to the president, spoke at
March 22, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) EPA grants rise: The agency’s operational budget would remain pretty much the same, but grant programs get a boost, Alex Guillén and Annie Snider report. That means the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving funds are slated to get an extra $300 million each, for
March 22, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. John Shimkus have some ideas. The two have been working on a bill for well over a year to overhaul the Renewable Fuel Standard, a likely vehicle for the fixes Perdue referenced, Pro’s Helena Bottemiller Evich and Eric Wolff report. But
March 21, 2018
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by Joshua D. Rhodes (University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute) Expanded Carbon Credit Could Spur New Coal Power Investment — The Furthering carbon capture, Utilization, Technology, Underground storage, and Reduced Emissions (FUTURE) Act, part of the recently enacted Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, extended and expanded the 2008 tax credits for capturing
March 19, 2018
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by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Riding the recent wave of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) reform talks, Representative Welch (D-VT) and Senator Udall (D-NM) introduced the Growing Renewable Energy through Existing and New Environmentally Responsible Fuels Act (GREENER Fuels Act) (H.R.5212 and S.2519) on March 8. On balance, the bill
March 18, 2018
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by Lacey Johnson (Greentech Media) The Under Secretary of Energy defends a Trump administration proposal to cut $1.3 billion in funding from the DOE’s renewable energy office. — The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is so successful that its funding should be diverted elsewhere, said the
March 18, 2018
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by Ben Wolfgang (Washington Times) Green organizations back ending corn ethanol mandate — … The intense opposition to the RFS from environmental and conservation groups comes as the White House and congressional leaders work to craft the most serious reforms the program has seen since it was established more than 10 years
March 16, 2018
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by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and more than 50 member organizations are urging Congressional leaders to extend the biodiesel tax credit as soon as possible for at least 2018. In a letter to House and Senate leadership sent in advance of a hearing Wednesday morning, the biodiesel stakeholders said, “We
March 15, 2018
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by Doug Sombke (The Hill/South Dakota Farmers Union) As a card carrying Democrat, I resent the broad brush generalization of the Hill’s March 8 headline, “Dem Bill Would Overhaul Ethanol Mandate.” To imply to readers that the measure by Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) is some type of party-wide position is
March 15, 2018
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by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AdWired.com) The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy heard from representatives of the biodiesel and advanced biofuels industries Wednesday on the need for “Post Tax Reform of Recently Expired Tax Provisions” that are helping move the nation toward more diverse renewable fuels. Renewable Fuels Association General Counsel Ed Hubbard
March 15, 2018
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(Politico’s Morning Energy) With a settlement between refiner Philadelphia Energy Solutions and EPA in hand and voting in the Pennsylvania special election over, some biofuels observers think the issue may fall off Trump’s radar. A biofuels source told ME Tuesday they suspect “it will get demoted and less likely to have
March 14, 2018
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by Travis J. Tritten (Washington Examiner) … (Former Navy Secretary Ray) Mabus’ vision is, however, quietly moving forward under the Trump administration. The Pentagon has authorized $140 million to help build two biofuel refineries in recent months, a move that has agitated some top Republican lawmakers who have long opposed
March 13, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) Biodiesel Tax Credit Requires Reinstatement, Will Be Discussed Tomorrow in Ways and Means Committee — Today the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and more than 50 of its member organizations sent a letter to Congressional leaders that calls for extending the biodiesel tax credit as soon as possible for at
March 13, 2018
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(Renewable Fuels Association) Another White House meeting has been scheduled for Monday, March 12, to continue discussions between oil refinery and biofuels interests over the price of Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, which were created under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as a way to encourage refiners to blend more biofuels.
March 9, 2018
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by Michael McAdams (Biomass Magazine) This year is setting up to be a long year for the biofuels industry. First on the agenda is the fate of the biofuels tax extenders, including the biodiesel blenders, renewable diesel credit, second-generation and alternative fuels credits, which all expired at the end of 2016. These
March 9, 2018
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Pruitt Unveils Controversial ‘Transparency’ Rule Limiting What Research EPA Can Use COMMENT DEADLINE extended to August 16, 2018
by Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis (The Washington Post) Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt moved Tuesday to limit what science can be used in writing agency regulations, a change long sought by conservatives. The proposed rule would only allow the EPA to consider studies where the underlying data is made available