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by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) As discussions about climate change ramp up, ethanol and its impact on emissions and the environment should be top of mind. — We’re only halfway through the 116th Congress and, already, there have been nearly 40 legislative proposals and resolutions introduced to tackle climate
Federal Legislation
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 Amy Harder (Axios) Trees, plastics and favorable tax policy are at the core of House Republicans’ new push on climate change — an effort to reassure voters they care about the problem after a decade of dismissing it. Why it matters: The policies reveal how Republicans hope to counter Democrats’
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 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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(House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis) The climate crisis already is harming communities across America. The costs and impacts to the United States in the coming decades could exceed hundreds of billions of dollars annually. To limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, global net carbon
September 17, 2019
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by Josh Siegel & Abby Smith (Washington Examiner) … Readers are probably familiar with the concept of the U.S. imposing “border carbon adjustments” on other countries. This has been a regular feature of carbon tax proposals in Congress and a component of Democratic presidential climate plans, as a mechanism to avoid harming
September 13, 2019
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by Abby Smith (Washington Examiner) The Senate will soon be getting its own bipartisan caucus focused on addressing climate change. A bipartisan duo of Sens. Mike Braun of Indiana and Chris Coons of Delaware are organizing the new caucus, which is still in the planning stages and will be formally unveiled in
September 13, 2019
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(Wall Street Journal) The great myth of political subsidies for business is that they will help an industry get started and then go away. We’ll soon see if Congress can for once live up to its temporary promise and block the emerging effort to continue subsidizing the affluent to buy
September 3, 2019
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s nothing like a former fed to give a unique perspective on federal programs and policy. Paul Argyropoulos, President of Policy Nexus Advisors, gave this illuminating overview of what he thinks the future holds, influencing factors and drivers that can change the whole planes, trains
September 3, 2019
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In New Jersey, Senator Cory Booker announced that, if elected as US President, he would “Immediately end the granting of unwarranted RFS small refinery waivers to big oil companies, and substantially increase funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Booker became the second US
September 3, 2019
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by Brian Jennings (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) … Are we simply going to play defense on the RFS and hope the E15 market develops quickly, or can we turn the page, go on offense and initiate a new legislative or regulatory strategy to increase ethanol use far beyond
September 3, 2019
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by Doug Sombke (The Hill/Farmers Union Enterprises and the South Dakota Farmers Union) … I recently wrote a letter to the president suggesting a pathway out from under the proverbial rock. I urged him to direct the EPA to enforce the mandatory provision of the Clean Air Act that requires it to reduce the toxic
September 1, 2019
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by Alex Guillén (Politico’s Morning Energy) EPA’s internal watchdog is being asked to determine how the agency decided to grant the vast majority of exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard that oil refiners have requested. EPA approved 31 petitions for waivers from the 2018 requirements, while rejecting just six, and
August 21, 2019
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(Solutions from the Land) Florida Rep. Kathy Castor told a group of farmers, ranchers and timber producers in her state Monday that responding to a changing climate must be a collaborative effort, drawing together producers, government agencies and academics to develop the steps needed for the agriculture sector to adapt
August 14, 2019
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by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) It’s fitting that the Cornhusker State should be an important player in the nation’s ethanol industry. Second only to Iowa in production, Nebraska’s ethanol industry has a big impact on the state’s economy. In addition to a strong corn-growing contingent, Nebraska has an impressive cattle
August 6, 2019
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by Cole Rosengren (Waste Dive) … The expiration of the ITC benefits in 2016, followed by the expiration of related production tax credits in 2017, are frequently cited as key limitations for financing new biogas infrastructure. While other incentives such as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard have helped fill the gap for
August 5, 2019
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by Jason Ye (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions) There are various market-based approaches to pricing carbon (e.g. carbon tax, cap and trade, and a clean energy standard). All of these can reduce emissions cost-effectively while driving clean energy innovation. This factsheet compares six carbon tax and cap-and-dividend proposals introduced in the 116th
August 5, 2019
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by Clayton Coleman and Emma Dietz (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) A recent analysis published in Nature Energy found that continuing current fossil fuel subsidies would make it profitable to extract half of all domestic oil reserves. This could increase U.S. oil production by 17 billion barrels over the next few decades and emit
August 2, 2019
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by Elvina Nawaguna (Roll Call) The bill would set aside $1 billion to build charging and fueling stations for electric-, hydrogen- and natural gas-powered vehicles — A provision in the Senate’s surface transportation bill that would help pay for charging and refilling stations for zero- or low-emissions vehicles should also support more stations for biofuels
August 2, 2019
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by Ashley Halsey III and John Wagner (Washington Post) … The bill got pushback from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), whose state is a major producer of ethanol, the corn-based product that is added to about 98 percent of gasoline. She objected to a provision to promote electric charging stations. “If all
August 1, 2019
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(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association has invited U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler to visit an ethanol plant as a follow-up to his tour of a Pennsylvania oil refinery. Wheeler was scheduled to visit Monroe Energy’s plant in Trainer, Penn., today at the invitation of Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA),
July 29, 2019
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by J.D. Prose (The Times) U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is working to repeal the ethanol mandate with California Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The Restore Environmental Sustainability to Our Renewable Energy (RESTORE) Act would abolish the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The ill-conceived RFS forces American motorists
July 29, 2019
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by Danny Richter (Citizen’s Climate Lobby) … First, Florida Republican Rep. Francis Rooney has introduced the bipartisan Stemming Warming and Augmenting Pay (SWAP) Act with cosponsor Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL). Together, these two representatives have also introduced the Raise Wages, Cut Carbon Act. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is pleased to see the introduction of these bipartisan
July 26, 2019
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(Office of Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX 35)) Today (July 18, 2019), U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and House Budget Committee Member, along with Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Chair of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, together with several colleagues, introduced
July 19, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will consider 23 bills this morning on issues ranging from carbon capture to nuclear energy. Texas Sen. John Cornyn’s bill, S. 1685 (116), for one, would require DOE to establish a carbon capture technology research program, while
July 16, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The annual defense policy bill, H.R. 2500 (116) , passed Friday by the House now heads to conference, where lawmakers will have to work out their differences and overcome objections from the White House — particularly on toxic PFAS contamination. … The … Act would also
July 15, 2019
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(Office of Senatory Ed Markey (D-MA)) Will leverage $35 billion in public funds to fund as much as $700 billion in total investment into projects that support clean energy, reduce emissions — Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), members of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today introduced
July 12, 2019
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by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) Republicans on Wednesday launched an environment-minded conservation caucus aimed at battling the perception that their party doesn’t care about climate change. Dubbed the Republican Roosevelt Conservation Caucus after National Park Service founder President Teddy Roosevelt, the bicameral group lists public land access, water quality and ocean
July 12, 2019
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by Humeyra Pamuk (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump’s request for a review of the administration’s expanded use of biofuel waivers for oil refiners is holding up its decisions on 2018 applications, according to three sources familiar with the matter, two of whom said Trump may soon host a meeting on the
July 11, 2019
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition advocates for public policy to promote the development and production of alternative fuels and chemicals, especially sustainable aviation fuels. It’s a collaborative government affairs effort formed just months ago in January 2019 and organized by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton & American
July 11, 2019
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by Tara Golshan (Vox) Climate activists around the world are pushing governments to treat global warming as an emergency. — … On Tuesday, they got three prominent progressive allies in the United States to publicly join their cause: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). The lawmakers
July 10, 2019
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(American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers) Today (July 8, 2019), AFPM launched an advertising campaign asking President Trump to keep his promise to protect U.S. refiners from unchecked ethanol mandates that threaten to kill our jobs. This campaign comes on the heels of increasing calls from the ethanol industry to eliminate small
July 9, 2019
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., introduced legislation June 21 that aims to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard. Rooney cited the impact of ethanol on boat engines and the U.S. EPA’s rule to allow year-round E15 sales as the reasons for his action. The legislation, titled
July 2, 2019
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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, introduced the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 on June 18. The bill extends several biofuel- and bioenergy-related tax credits. … According to information provided by Thompson’s
July 2, 2019
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by Josh Siegel (Washington Examiner) Mayors gathering for their annual meeting Monday approved a resolution urging Congress to pass carbon pricing legislation. It’s the first time the United States Conference of Mayors voted on a carbon pricing resolution. At least a few Republican mayors supported the proposal, although the vote tally was still
July 2, 2019
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by Dino Grandoni and Steven Mufson (Washington Post) … GM, like a fleet of other car manufacturers, is seeking the extension of a tax break that has for a decade helped sustain the sale of cars that need little to no gasoline to run. This has triggered an intense lobbying battle with oil and
June 26, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy)Presidential contenders lock horns tonight in Round One of the primary debates in Miami to prove they’re ready to take on President Donald Trump — and show Democratic voters they have a plan to fight climate change. Democratic National Committee chief Tom Perez said earlier
June 26, 2019
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(Office of Congressman Steve King (R-IA-4th) Legislation Recovers Volume Lost to Waivers by Increasing RFS Requirement Gallon -for-Gallon — Congressman Steve King releases this statement following his introduction of two bills that are designed to protect the volume requirements in the Renewable Fuels Standard from being undermined by the Environmental Protection Agency’s
June 25, 2019
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by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson (D-CA) has introduced legislation to extend expired tax incentives, including the biodiesel tax incentive, which is scheduled for mark up Thursday June 20. The proposal would provide U.S. biodiesel producers certainty through 2020 and incentivize investment
June 19, 2019
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(Office of Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)) Financing Our Energy Future Act would give clean energy projects access to a tax advantage currently available only to oil, gas, and coal projects — U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA-05) and Ron Estes (R-KS-04) re-introduced bipartisan legislation to level
June 19, 2019
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(Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)) Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and 15 of their collegues reintroduced the Carbon Pollution Transparency Act (S. 1745), legislation to ensure the federal government implements a science-based process to account for the cost of carbon pollution in regulations through a standard metric. The bill was
June 17, 2019
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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Reps. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Ron Estes, R-Kan., reintroduced bipartisan legislation June 13 that aims to give investors in clean energy projects access to the use of master limited partnerships (MLPs). A MLP is a business
June 17, 2019
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by Jarrett Renshaw and Richard Valdmanis (Reuters) Two Midwest senators said on Friday they have introduced a bill to reform the Environmental Protection Agency’s opaque biofuel waiver program, which the corn industry says helps oil companies at the expense of farmers here by threatening ethanol demand. The bill, introduced by Republican Deb Fischer of
June 17, 2019
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(Office of Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)) U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today reintroduced a bill to make it easier for power plants and industrial facilities to finance the purchase and installation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage equipment. “Reducing carbon pollution while creating good-paying jobs is something
June 12, 2019
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Reps. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, and Josh Harder, D-Calif., authored a letter June 3 urging the House Ways and Means Committee to extend, and retroactively apply, several expired biofuel tax credits. The letter was signed by 17 additional members of the House. The letter specifically addresses
June 11, 2019
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by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) The Green New Deal may be floundering in Washington. But it is alive and well in left-leaning states and cities across the country. From Maine to California, Democratic politicians have begun adopt the Green New Deal brand — a progressive movement to dramatically tackle climate change over the next decade
June 3, 2019
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by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth asked the Environmental Protection Agency’s inspector general Thursday to investigate whether the agency broke the law in granting dozens of waivers to the oil industry to not blend corn ethanol into the gasoline supply. Duckworth said new documents show that EPA has
May 24, 2019
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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Reps. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., introduced legislation May 23 that aims to increase transparency surrounding Renewable Fuel Standard small refinery exemptions (SREs) and ensure any waived volumes are reallocated. The bill, titled the “Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act of 2019,” would ensure key
May 24, 2019
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(Office of Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)) Legislation allows the use of biomass waste from certain federal lands in the making of renewable fuels — U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced bipartisan legislation to allow the use of biomass from certain federal lands needing ecological restoration in the making of
May 24, 2019
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(Office of Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine)) The bipartisan bill authorizes $300 million over five years to reduce the cost of promising grid-scale energy storage systems, similar to DOE’s SunShot Initiative that decreased the price of solar by 75% — In order to accelerate the development of next-generation energy storage, U.S. Senators Susan
May 23, 2019
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(National Biodiesel Board) Congress can address the growing economic crisis in the agriculture sector, trade groups write — Thirteen trade groups representing farmers, rural lenders, crop and biobased oil producers, and biodiesel producers today wrote leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate, asking them to take action on bipartisan legislation to
May 23, 2019
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by Dave VanderGriend (Urban Air Initiative) Now that we are well into the current Congress, it is clear that many new members are riding in on a green wave with a renewed emphasis on climate, carbon and pollution. Committees in the House of Representatives are fighting for attention as they all
May 17, 2019
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by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Trump administration made it easier for oil refineries to get waivers from the nation’s biofuel law at least four months before a 2017 court decision it often cites to justify the move to the corn lobby, and the move was motivated by a desire to save
May 16, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) CAPTURING HEARTS AND MINDS: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will dive into the Energy Department’s carbon capture, utilization and storage programs during a hearing this morning (May 16, 2019), where Assistant Energy Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg will testify. The panel
May 16, 2019
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by Matt Laslo (Vice News) … The same week the United Nations released a report stating that a million animal and plant species are on the verge of extinction, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Europe proclaiming that melting sea ice should be seen as an economic opportunity. “The Arctic
May 14, 2019
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … (C)onsider this for now a Digested summary of the (Washington, DC) news you can use, as short as we can make it so that we return you to the business of building the bioeconomy that will, increasingly in the now and surely in the
May 14, 2019
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by Nick Snow (Oil & Gas Journal) US Reps. Bill Flores (R-Tex.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) reintroduced legislation on May 7 which would limit ethanol quotas under the Renewable Fuel Standard to 9.7% of the total gasoline volumes projected to be sold in the coming year. H.R. 2540 recognizes negative impacts higher ethanol
May 10, 2019
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by Dean Scott (Bloomberg Environment) Senate Democrats home in on strategy for raising clean energy tax credits, highway bill reauthorization; Parallel effort on making infrastructure better resilient to climate change — … They are likely to score their biggest victories in two must-pass bills in the 116th Congress: a tax “extenders” package, in which
May 7, 2019
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and 25 colleagues introduced legislation May 2 that aims to overhaul the federal tax code and consolidate the current 44 energy incentives into three technology-neutral provisions that encourage clean electricity, clean transportation and energy efficiency. The bill, titled the Clean Energy
May 3, 2019
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(USA Today) It’s not as bold as the Green New Deal but House Democrats on Thursday are poised to adopt the most significant climate legislation in a decade: A bill that would prevent the Trump administration from exiting the international Paris Agreement aimed at global warming. The Climate Action Now Act “is a first step to get Congress off
May 2, 2019
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by Jennifer Rubin (Washington Post) A new report confirms that President Trump is causing the most pain in areas of the country that were the most supportive of his 2016 campaign. Personal income for farmers fell by the most in three years in the first quarter, as losses to U.S. agriculture mount
May 1, 2019
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by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) It is one of most popular plans among economists for addressing climate change. Many Democrats have embraced it. Even some Republicans have come around to the idea. But a carbon tax is increasingly out of favor among left-wing climate activists, who are animating the push for a Green New
May 1, 2019
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(Atlantic News Telegraph) U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) introduced an amendment to H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, to extend tax credits for Iowa’s biodiesel, second generation biofuels and wind power industries. The Climate Action Now Act, which Rep. Axne has co-sponsored, would direct the President to develop a plan
May 1, 2019
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by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) Correcting Bad Revisionist History About Ford’s Model T Automobile — The most venerated automobile of all time is Henry Ford’s Model T. Nicknamed “Tin Lizzie,” “Leapin’ Lena,” and sometimes “Flivver,” the Model T went into production in 1908 and the last models rolled off the assembly
May 1, 2019
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by Donnell Rehagen (National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) … This past year we engaged with organizations like National Renderers Association, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, American Soybean Association, Petroleum Marketers of America, and many more. The National Biodiesel Board has strengthened its reach and relationships by increasing regular dialogue with our industry
April 17, 2019
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(National Air Transportation Association /Aviation Pros) The letters were jointly issued by the Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, the Cargo Airline Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the NATA, the NBAA, and the Regional Airline Association — Today, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) led a coalition of top aviation
April 17, 2019
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by Miranda Green (The Hill) A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill Thursday to increase federal funding toward developing carbon capture technology while also committing to fossil fuel use. Introduced by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee ranking member Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the bill is being hailed as an important step to addressing
April 12, 2019
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by Jennifer McDermott (Associated Press) … Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, is targeting so-called “dark money” because he thinks opposition to addressing climate change in Congress is propped up by the fossil fuel industry. “If you kicked out that support, the opposition would fall,” said Whitehouse, who was sworn
April 12, 2019
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by Margaret Johnston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On March 14th in Washington DC, I attended a Green New Deal Dialogue. Speakers came from all over the country to discuss possibilities of green growth, implementation strategies, and current (financial, racism, and energy) inequalities as well as others that may arise. The event
April 1, 2019
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(American Energy Society) Energy Policy – Beltway Buzz – The Senate voted on (and rejected) the Green New Deal; Majority Leader Mitch McConnell teased the vote for weeks, while Republicans railed against the proposal as socialism; however, liberal activists upended the conversation about climate change and forced both parties to respond
April 1, 2019
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by Miranda Green (The Hill) Democrats are putting the Green New Deal in the rearview mirror, but they’re not abandoning climate change legislation. Supporters of the progressive measure are shifting their sights away from passing a comprehensive plan to create green jobs and pursue 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. They are
March 28, 2019
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(Convenience Store Decisions) A high-octane standard for the U.S. gasoline market could be the fastest and most cost-effective way to enhance fuel efficiency for vehicles produced in the next few years. New reports published by the Fuels Institute analyze the market’s ability to deliver higher octane gasoline to consumers — and how it would
March 28, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) CARBON CAPTURE ON THE MIND: Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Don Beyer are set to talk carbon capture during a discussion today, where they will also reintroduce the “Healthy Climate and Family Security Act” — their cap-and-trade bill. Bill text. READ MORE
March 28, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) — The Green New Deal resolution sunk in the Senate on Tuesday. Now Senate Democrats will unveil their own Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, while House Republicans press ahead with their own push for a floor vote on the resolution. … The Senate may
March 27, 2019
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by Zack Colman and Anthony Adragna (Politico) Tuesday’s expected Senate vote rejecting the Green New Deal masks a striking reality: In a matter of months, liberal activists have upended the conversation about climate change among both parties in Washington. Democratic presidential candidates are rallying around calls from their base for immediate action
March 26, 2019
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by Zack Coleman (Politico) Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is circulating a “Green Real Deal” resolution to counter the “Green New Deal” floated by Democrats, according to a draft copy obtained by POLITICO. The resolution acknowledges climate change as a threat to national security and says the government should promote innovation to reduce greenhouse
March 26, 2019
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by Jonathan L. Ramseur and Jane A. Leggett (Congressional Research Service) … Members of Congress and stakeholders articulate a wide range of perspectives over what to do, if anything, about GHG emissions, future climate change, and related impacts. If Congress were to consider establishing a program to reduce GHG emissions, one option would be to
March 25, 2019
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by Mike Naig and Dave Loebsack (Quad City Times) We may come from different political parties, but we share at least one common vision. Both of us strongly support renewable fuel, like biodiesel, for the vital role it plays in Iowa’s farm economy and job market, creating a cleaner environment, enhancing
March 21, 2019
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by Scott Waldman (E&E News) President Trump’s top economic adviser is not backing away from his belief that a carbon tax would be an effective way to address greenhouse gas emissions. Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, has expressed support for a carbon tax for years. In
March 21, 2019
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by Gerald F. Seib (Wall Street Journal) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce isn’t exactly a hotbed of pro-tax sentiment. So when the chamber advocates for a tax increase, it’s worth sitting up to take notice. That’s what’s happening now. Chamber President Thomas Donohue told Congress this month that the chamber advocates
March 21, 2019
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by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) …Collaborate with the automotive industry, the petroleum industry, fuel retailers and other stakeholders in the liquid fuels market to push for a national high-octane standard. “We’re advocating for a reasonable and manageable proposal—a new, national high-octane based fuel for all new vehicles,” said Dan
March 20, 2019
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by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) (Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works/OurEnergyPolicy) Read the entire piece and comment! Senator Barrasso’s staff will be monitoring the discussion, and OurEnergyPolicy.org will prepare a discussion wrap-up for the Senator in two weeks. The Senator would like comments to the following questions: What should be the
March 19, 2019
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by Art Cullen (The Guardian) Here in farming country we have the opportunity to rethink our approach to renewable energy and food production — … Meanwhile, we’re losing our precious topsoil and polluting our rivers – killing the Gulf of Mexico in the process – as we chase ever-higher corn yields in
March 15, 2019
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by Jordain Carney (The Hill) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is setting up a fight over the Green New Deal later this month. McConnell, wrapping up the Senate’s work for the week, scheduled a procedural vote on the progressive resolution for after the chamber returns from a one-week recess. … McConnell initially
March 15, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Youth activists concerned by the threat of climate change will skip class across more than 100 countries today to call for greater climate action. The U.S. effort is inspired by 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg, who held weekly strikes to protest outside the Swedish
March 15, 2019
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by Jordain Carney (The Hill) Senate Republicans will bring the Green New Deal resolution to the floor as they try to jam Democrats on the progressive proposal. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of Senate GOP leadership, said that he expected Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would bring the resolution up for a vote the week
March 14, 2019
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by Yoel Fessahaye and Monica Medina (Our Daily Planet) The Green New Deal has been the subject of an avalanche of media coverage. But other than the bumper sticker labels that have been applied to it — Socialism, Communism, Unrealistic, Infeasible, Unaffordable — what exactly is it? That is the $64
March 13, 2019
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The Republican-backed Climate Leadership Council says it will have GOP co-sponsors for its carbon price initiative in the third quarter. CLC Chief Executive Ted Halstead wouldn’t name names but said CLC is aiming at getting up to five Republicans to join the charge to put
March 12, 2019
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by Susan Cornwell (Reuters) Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday the U.S. Senate would vote in coming weeks on the “Green New Deal,” an ambitious Democratic environmental proposal that has become a lightning rod for Republican criticism. … Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa called it the “green raw deal” and
March 6, 2019
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by Marianne Lavelle (Inside Climate News) The contest is elevating climate policy conversations on the campaign trail and in Washington. It could inspire compromises that bring together pieces of each. … On one side are the student activists of the Sunrise Movement and Congress’s new young firebrands; on the other, more moderate groups, including grassroots
March 5, 2019
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by Coral Davenport and Sheryl Gay Stolberg (New York Times) Facing a showdown vote as early as this month over the embattled “Green New Deal,” Senate Democrats are preparing a counteroffensive to make combating climate change a central issue of their 2020 campaigns — a striking shift on an issue they
March 5, 2019
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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Feb. 28, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced legislation to extend 29 tax credits, including those that benefit producers of renewable diesel, second generation biofuels and bioenergy. According to information released by the Senate Committee on Finance,
March 1, 2019
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(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) Today (February 27, 2019), U.S. Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Chuck Grassley of Iowa introduced the Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2019(S.581), legislation that would remove burdensome regulations on domestic energy production. “The Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act provides new economic opportunity for Kentucky farmers
March 1, 2019
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by Kelsey Taborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) The Louisiana lawmaker newly selected as the top Republican on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis has a lifetime score of 3 percent from the League of Conservation Voters but has also cited climate change as one issue where he differs with his
March 1, 2019
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USDA Seeks Input on New Ethanol Sales Infrastructure Incentive Program
(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