by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Chief Economist Scott Richman hits back at a new ad campaign by an oil refiners coalition that blames high gas prices on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in a blog post explaining the inconvenient truth that refiners are making record profits while consumers pay at the pump.
Federal Regulation
by Scott Richman (Renewable Fuels Association) If you watched the Sunday morning talk shows last weekend, you might have noticed a new advertisement (paid for by oil refiners) that attacks the Renewable Fuel Standard. The ad notes that consumers are paying record-high prices at the pump (something that has nothing to do with
by Adam Schubert (Stillwater Associates) On April 12th, President Biden announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would issue an emergency waiver of federal gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations this summer for E15—a 15% blend of ethanol with gasoline. This action was finalized on April 29th. As ethanol is
by Michael Booth (Colorado Sun) Carbon America will gather 350,000 tons of carbon a year from Yuma and Sterling ethanol makers and store it deep underground in climate change fight. A pioneering carbon capture company wants to take the climate change fight to northeastern Colorado by gathering 350,000 tons of
by Arianna Skibell (E&E News) The International Council on Clean Transportation says the proposed zero-emission vehicle credit system, which allows manufacturers to use EV credits to offset emissions, would raise the pollution limit. The International Council on Clean Transportation is calling on EPA to abandon its proposed zero-emission vehicle credit
(360 Fuel) The White House has unveiled a new strategy and investments as part of a long-term commitment to spur smart development and adoption of sustainable, homegrown fuels across the United States (U.S.). The President declared new steps to achieve this goal by increasing fuel supply, offering new options for consumers, and
(Inside EPA) Refiners are suing EPA in different federal appellate courts over the agency’s novel retroactive denial of 36 waivers from renewable fuel standard (RFS) biofuel blending obligations for 2018, signaling a venue fight with EPA that may set a precedent for other possible litigation. Louisiana refiner Calumet Shreveport Refining
(Growth Energy) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan joined Agritalk Radio to discuss the latest news on SREs, RVOs, and the future of the RFS. On EPA proposing to deny all pending SRE requests…. I believe we need to be on course to grow biofuels in this country, and
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 15-day public comment period on the pool of twenty (20) candidates for the external peer review of the Biofuels and the Environment: Third Triennial Report to Congress (RtC3). The peer review will be conducted under the framework
by Bryen Alperin, Gary Blitz, Sarah Grey, Steve Whittaker, John Koenig, John Pierce, and Jason Kuzma (Carbon Capture Magazine) The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 expanded the 45Q tax credit, the most important federal incentive for encouraging private investment in the development and use of carbon capture technologies and facilities.
(News Press Now) Normally, any move to increase the supply of renewable fuel should draw widespread praise. Even more so if this measure saves the average consumer $9 a month and reduces dependency on oil exports that finance Russia’s war of brutality in Ukraine. But that’s not the case with
by Erin Murphy (Sioux City Journal) …Differences over a hard line on when to send U.S. troops to Ukraine and over ethanol policy were among the few contrasts to emerge during a televised debate Saturday night between the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in Iowa. … The candidates also had
by Lynn L. Bergeson (Bergeson & Campbell) On April 20-21, 2022, EPA held a virtual public meeting to provide an overview of the TSCA New Chemicals Collaborative Research Program and give stakeholders an opportunity to provide input. As reported in our March 14, 2022, memorandum on the draft document entitled “Modernizing the Process and
by Emily Pontecorvo (Grist) Companies want to build pipelines to capture and store carbon, but a new report warns that regulators aren’t prepared. — … But as the number of pipeline proposals multiplies, a new report commissioned by the Pipeline Safety Trust, a nonprofit advocacy group, warns that CO2 pipeline regulations aren’t
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Office of Science and Technology Policy, a part of the Executive Office of the President, is taking action to improve the federal definition of “sustainable chemistry” via a public comment period that is open through June 3. The OSTP published a notice of request for
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol) Climate-smart farming practices, efficiencies at ethanol plants, and the capture and sequestration of biogenic CO2 from facilities puts ethanol on a trajectory to reach both net-zero and net-negative emissions, a trajectory that is unique to ethanol. … (D)uring its final meeting of 2021,
by Kellan Heavican (Brownfield Ag News) Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says the ethanol industry can support increased demand for permanent, year-round sales of E15. She tells Brownfield there’s adequate infrastructure to deliver the fuel to retailers. “There is now. Now, if demand is goes sky high, we may have to beef
(Farm Journal Ag/Web/Pro Farmer Editors) Biofuel and farm groups see E15 and other higher blends of corn ethanol into gasoline as the strategy to increased sales, but the current structure of the Renewable Fuel Standard “does not serve to incentivize ethanol blends higher than E10,” according to a report from
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Washington Post) Americans should be thanking President Biden for allowing the continued sale of lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 this summer (letters, “No more ethanol in gas,” April 22). E15 is saving drivers as much as 30 cents per gallon, cutting the typical U.S. household’s annual fuel bill by
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has sent a rule on U.S. biofuel blending mandates to the White House for final review, according to a notice posted by the Office of Management and Budget. The oil and biofuel industries, which have in the past been at odds over
by Leo Wolfson (Cowboy State Daily) One of Wyoming’s three oil refineries is among 36 nationally to have its request to be exempted from biofuel blending rules refused. Documents filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals showed the Sinclair Refinery near Rawlins applied with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for an
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency waiver for a higher-ethanol gasoline blend on Friday, allowing summertime sales of the fuel in an attempt to help lower gasoline prices at the pump. The move represents a temporary win for the biofuels industry and corn farmers, as
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. governors from eight Midwest states, many of which are major corn producers, asked the Biden administration on Thursday to apply rules that would allow gasoline blended with a higher level of ethanol to be sold year-round in their states. Governors from Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota said
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) The April announcement by Joe Biden that E15 would be allowed to be sold year-round set off a frenzied spate of new attacks on the good fuel…the clean fuel…the 100% domestically produced fuel: ETHANOL. TV and radio stations all over the country have been
(Growth Energy) The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today (April 25, 2022) approved a consent decree agreement between Growth Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that requires EPA to finalize its 2020-2022 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) by no later than June 3rd. The consent decree follows
(Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA)) Gov. Reynolds released the following statement today in response to the legislature passing HF2128: “This is a historic win for Iowa families, for our agriculture and biofuels industry, and for Iowa’s entire economy. By increasing access to more affordable, homegrown biofuels made right here in Iowa,
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Media coverage of President Biden’s announcement last Tuesday that consumers will continue to have access to lower-cost 15% ethanol fuel this summer contained a great deal of misinformation, despite the best efforts of the ethanol industry to get the facts out. In a blog post Monday, Renewable
by Ty Higgins (Ohio Farm Bureau) Last week, the Biden administration discussed how its strategy to spur the development of homegrown biofuels is critical to expanding Americans’ options for affordable fuel in the short term and to building real energy independence in the long term by reducing our reliance on
(Great Lakes Energy) Says E30 Blends Can More than Offset the loss of Russian Oil, No RVP Waiver Needed — – Opening the door to 30% ethanol blends would save consumers billions of dollars at the gas pump and reduce imported oil by as much as one billion barrels per
by Janet McGurty (S&P Global) US refiners seek remedy for high gasoline prices; High RFS costs shut refineries, cuts supply; E15 waiver directly helps Midwestern drivers — US refiners are taking their plea to the public with a new ad campaign launched by Fueling American Jobs Coalition asking President Biden to lower gasoline
by Kelsey Brugger (E&E News) … The Council on Environmental Quality finalized the first phase of planned changes to the rules governing NEPA, a core environmental law that guides federal scrutiny of major projects like pipelines, bridges and transmission lines. The action coincides with other announcements during what climate adviser Gina McCarthy
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In the lower Central Valley, Calgren Renewable Fuels makes three biofuels—ethanol, biodiesel and renewable natural gas—and the latter operation just keeps growing. — As out-of-state ethanol producers strive for lower carbon intensity scores to make good in California’s market, one legacy low-CI producer in
by Matt Reese and Dusty Sonnenberg (Ohio’s Country Journal) … “In a life cycle analysis of ethanol and electric vehicles, you have to look at the base load of carbon intensity. Right now, that number is 114 grams of CO2 per megajoule for the U.S. on average. If you took a
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) pathways for certain biofuels that are produced from canola/rapeseed oil and is providing an opportunity for comment on the Agency’s lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis of these pathways. With the approval, these fuel pathways
by Paul Adler (KY3.com) … Most gasoline sold in the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol. The biofuel is currently cheaper than pure gas. E15 is usually prohibited between June 1st and September 15th. The administration predicts their action will save drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon based on current prices. Fuel Analyst
by Alex Whitney (Nebraska.TV) Anyone who has hit the road lately can tell you that the price of gas has gone way up in the last few months. One remedy for high gas prices has been pushing alternative fuels and a recently signed law here in Nebraska is making it even
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A public comment period on the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s interim guidance on carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) closed on April 18. The Carbon Capture Coalition is among the groups that weighed in on guidance document, which aims to assist federal agencies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Carbon Americashared this illuminating slide guide at ABLC Connect highlighting how they are a “super developer” with developing, building, financing, owning and operating carbon capture and sequestration projects. They also have their own cryogenic flue gas CO2 technology for power plants and industrial facilities. In
by Damian Mason (The Business of Agriculture) In February of 2022 a “study” caught wide media attention (as it was designed by its sponsors to specifically do). The study, commissioned by National Wildlife Fund, found that corn ethanol is worse for the environment than fuel derived from oil. Groups ranging
(Tennessee Corn Promotion Board/Press Newswire) Last week President Biden announced that E15 will be sold this summer in an effort to reduce gasoline prices. E15 is a plant-based fuel made from corn. Often marketed as Unleaded 88, E15 is a renewable resource that’s made with regular gasoline and a smaller amount
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) … It is hard to predict the demand picture under the expanded E15 scenario, but lower estimates of a continued status quo indicate at least 300 million gallons of additional ethanol could be used by consumers with the year-round use of E15. “But (if you
by Jenna Hoffman (Farm Journal/AgWeb) Vilsack says concerns over inflated food costs due to increased E15 consumption can be put to rest — any grocery price hike is not coming from E15 because “there’s plenty of corn here.” — Corn chatter has stretched across The Hill in recent weeks, as USDA
by Mark Dorenkamp (Browfield Ag News) U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is dismissing the food versus fuel debate that seems to be reemerging after the Biden administration announced it will allow summertime sales of E15. The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield without ethanol farmers wouldn’t grow as much corn, so the impact on
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA on April 12 published a proposed rule approve Renewable Fuel Standard pathways for renewable diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, naphtha, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) produced from canola/rapeseed oil via a hydrotreating process. EPA’s assessment proposes to find that these fuel pathways meet
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on April 5 released its fiscal year (FY) 2023 congressional budget justification, outlining the agency’s plans for the $11.88 billion in agency funding requested by President Biden in his FY 2023 budget request on March 28. Initiatives related to the Renewable Fuel Standard are
(Diesel Technology Forum) … Reducing Emissions should be more than just Setting New Engine Standards, but also Implementing More Immediate Term Solutions Like Use Of Renewable Fuels And Accelerating The Turnover Of The Legacy Fleet The most substantial opportunities to reduce emissions in our communities in the relative near term
by Jeff Stein and Evan Halper (Washington Post) The EPA plans to issue a national, emergency waiver to allow use of blended biofuels over the summer hours after report is expected to show inflation keeps surging — The White House plans to roll out new policies Tuesday aimed at curbing
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) President Joe Biden is expected to announce in a Tuesday visit to central Iowa that his administration will suspend a ban on summer sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. The White House said Biden will speak Tuesday at a Poet ethanol plant in Menlo, a town of
(Renewable Fuels Association) A new campaign by the Renewable Fuels Association encourages consumers to call on their elected officials for immediate action to allow the continued sale of E15—the lowest-cost, lowest-carbon fuel available at the pump—throughout the summer. Due to a lawsuit filed by oil refiners, retail stations in most of
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has denied 36 petitions from oil refiners seeking exemptions to the nation’s biofuel blending laws for the 2018 compliance year, but will provide 31 of those refineries with another avenue to seek relief, the agency announced on Thursday. The action will align
(Bergeson & Campbell) On April 6, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a webinar on “New Chemical Risk Management Actions under TSCA.” As reported in our January 24, 2022, blog item, in January 2022, EPA announced an effort to streamline the review of new biobased or waste-derived chemicals that could displace current,
(Solutions from the Land) … Unfortunately, he has ignored a widely available, less expensive source of clean transportation fuel – biofuels, like ethanol – that could help ease those prices and supply concerns. Russian oil represents only 2 percent of all U.S. oil imports, but that same amount is a more
(KLGR) Two Senate Ag Committee members recently urged the Environmental Protection Agency to update its greenhouse gas modeling for biofuels. Senators John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, and Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, asked the EPA to adopt the Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation,
(Renewable Fuels Association) Sales of E15, a gasoline blend containing 15 percent ethanol, hit a record 814 million gallons in 2021, according to a new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association. The 2021 volume represented a 62 percent increase over the prior year and was nearly double pre-pandemic sales volumes in 2019. However,
(Bergeson & Campbell) The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published on April 4, 2022, a request for information (RFI) from interested parties on federal programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry. 87 Fed. Reg. 19539. OSTP notes that “[t]he term “sustainable chemistry” does not have a consensus definition and
by Marc Heller (E&E News) House Agriculture Committee lawmakers pressed the administration to expand ethanol use in response to high gasoline prices. — House Agriculture Committee Republicans yesterday bashed the Biden administration’s energy policies, saying the White House focus on long-term alternatives to fossil fuel ignores a more immediate crisis in
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the agency’s particulate matter (PM) emissions standards and test procedures for jet engines, and the role biofuels play in reducing PM and greenhouse gas emissions in mobile sources including the aviation sector. “As we have already seen with higher
by Madelyn Ostendorf (Successful Farming) In a first-of-its kind study, researchers at Purdue University have illustrated the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on the production of biofuels. Over the past 15 years, production and consumption of biofuels have increased in the United States, caused by a variety of market
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Attorneys general in Iowa, Kansas and the governor of Minnesota asked the EPA for a waiver to allow E15 sales to continue in their states when those sales are set to end starting on June 1, the start of the summer driving season. In recent
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In South Dakota, The American Coalition for Ethanol submitted feedback to the Environmental Protection Agency’s request for comment on the current scientific understanding of greenhouse gas modeling of land-based crop biofuels. ACE CEO Brian Jennings and ACE Board Director Ron Alverson contributed to the feedback after attending
(U.S. Department of Transportation) Standards to require fleet average of 49 mpg by 2026, save consumers money, and advance U.S. energy independence — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced new, landmark fuel economy standards which follow President Biden’s executive order to drive American leadership forward
by Spencer Chase (Agri-Pulse) The Biden administration is fielding a steady stream of requests for emergency action to allow for summertime sales of E15, but those calls are coming up against the realities of the fuel supply chain as demonstrated by the actions of a pro-biofuel company. In various outreach
by Ariana Fine (NGT News) Fleet Advantage, a truck fleet business analytics, equipment financing and life cycle cost management (LCCM) company, has released a program to help corporate truck fleets certify their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) output, which was recently mandated under a proposed rule issued by the Securities and Exchange
by Nicolas Bulver (Renewable Energy Group/Union Pacific Track Record) What is causing the increased demand for renewable diesel and biodiesel and what is the impact on supply chains? Can waste products become fuel? The answer is yes if you’re talking about vegetable oils, greases or animal fats. These very products,
(Intercontinental Exchange/Business Wire) Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology, and market infrastructure, today announced the launch of two Renewable Volume Obligation futures contracts, expanding ICE’s U.S. renewable fuels futures markets. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates the incorporation of renewable fuels
by Alex Guillén (Politico) The Biden administration has issued a final rule applying a major hike in penalties for automakers who fall short of fuel economy standards back through model year 2019 vehicles. The decision is expected to lead to hundreds of millions in additional annual penalties, though environmentalists argue it will also
(Renewable Fuels Association) Sales of E85 flex fuel in California surged to a new record in 2021, jumping 55 percent over 2020 levels and nearly doubling since 2018, according to new data released by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Last year, California drivers purchased nearly 62.5 million gallons (mg) of E85 flex fuel,
RNG, Renewable Fuels from Solar, Waste Wood & Carbon: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Third generation tech is what Aemetis calls it – using renewable fuels for carbon capture & sequestration siphons carbon from the atmosphere into crops which are converted into renewable fuels, then the solar energy is released as transportation energy while the CO2 from biofuels production
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) With the start of the summer driving season fast approaching and year-round E15 sales no longer an option, EPA’s Rod Snyder said on Thursday the agency continues to work to restore those sales. Snyder, who is the ag adviser to EPA Administrator Michael Regan and
by Estella Shi, Will Sommer, Andrew Smiddy (U.S. Energy Information Administration) In our Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (AEO2022) Reference case, which reflects current laws and regulations, we project that renewable diesel supply (domestic production and net imports) will exceed biodiesel supply in the near term. We project that renewable diesel supply will increase to
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA in holding webinars on March 23 and April 6 related to its January 2022 announcement that the agency is launching a new initiative under the Toxic Substances Control Act that aims to streamline the review of new biobased fuels and chemicals that could be
by F. Taheripour, S. Mueller, H. Kwon, M. Khanna, I. Emery, K. Copenhaver, M. Wang (Argonne National Laboratory) The Systems Assessment Center and its collaborators provide a detailed technical review of a recently published article “Environmental Outcomes of the US Renewable Fuel Standard” by Lark et al. (2022). Our review
by Roxby Hartley (EcoEngineers) California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (CA-LCFS) continues to be the largest regional carbon credit market. It’s been successful in driving carbon reduction across the state. CA-LCFS credit prices hovered around $200 per metric ton (MT) of CO2e for several years from 2018, providing a strong incentive to
(Ohio Soybean Association/Highland County Press) At a time of growing consensus on the need for greater reliance on domestic fuel sources, the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) joined other state soybean associations in support of a petition to include biofuels in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) vehicle standards. OSA filed
by Ashley Davenport (Hoosier Ag Today) … “We have the Next Generation Fuel Bill, which would bring energy security to our fuel situation with higher gas prices,” says Matt Frostic, a Michigan farmer and at-large member of NCGA. “It allows higher compression engines that the automotives would like to build, which would
by Douglas MacMillan and Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) From Coca-Cola to Tesla, companies report emissions in widely different ways. A new federal rule is expected to standardize climate disclosures, putting the U.S. on closer footing with other countries. — The Securities and Exchange Commission plans to require all publicly traded
by Matthew Choi (Politico’s Morning Energy) House progressives are planning to request Biden use emergency measures to ban future fossil fuel drilling on federal lands and deploy the Defense Production Act to ramp up clean energy generation, POLITICO’s Josh Siegel reports. The call will also touch on other progressive priorities like immigration,
by Daniel Grant (Farm Week Now) While the U.S. scrambles to fill the void in the oil market created by the ban of Russian imports, commodity group leaders believe the solution is closer to home than Venezuela or Saudi Arabia. “If ever there was a time that underscores the need to
by C. Boyden Gray (Boyden Gray & Associates/Real Clear Politics) … Currently, the EPA regulates fuels and automobiles separately, instead of as a single system. Automakers have the technological know-how to make much more efficient car engines, but regulatory barriers prevent them from doing so because they do not permit the
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on March 10 issued a notice to all obligated parties under the Renewable Fuel Standard that the agency will disclose certain confidential business information (CBI) related to small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions to the U.S. Government Accountability Office on March 28. According
by Anne C. Mulkern (E&E News) EPA today officially restored California’s ability to set its own rules for vehicle tailpipe emissions and to require automakers to sell an increasing number of clean cars. The Biden administration granted the nation’s most populous state a waiver under the Clean Air Act, allowing California
( Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice of disclosure to all obligated parties under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program that have petitioned for a small refinery exemption (SRE) or that have submitted any of the following RFS compliance reports: RFS2500 Efficient Producer Data
(Solutions from the Land) … The news of increased fuel costs comes as the Biden administration is considering a relaxation of federal requirements calling on blenders to mix specific amounts of ethanol or biodiesel when producing the nation’s petroleum-based fuel supply. To even consider backing away from the statutory obligation to
by Savannah Bertrand (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States contains toxic chemicals called aromatic hydrocarbons—mainly mixtures of BTEX chemicals, which stands for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene—that increase octane. Higher octane levels prevent engines from prematurely combusting, or knocking, which can damage the engine and make
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Yesterday, Growth Energy submitted supplemental comments to the U.S. EPA responding to erroneous comments from others on the environmental, economic, and compliance impacts of EPA’s proposed 2020, 2021, and 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Growth Energy’s supplemental comments are in addition to its
by James Arkin (Law360) The United States and United Kingdom will ban imports of Russian oil and gas, the countries announced Tuesday in the latest round of sanctions to target Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. President Joe Biden said the move targets “the main artery of Russia’s economy.” “We’re banning
(Environmental Protection Agency) On March 3, 2022, EPA Administrator Regan signed a proposed rule that would set new, more stringent standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. The proposed standards would significantly reduce emissions of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) from heavy-duty
by Lynn L. Bergeson (Bergeson & Campbel Biobased and Sustainable Chemicals Blog) On January 27, 2022, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and 14 of her colleagues submitted a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Michael Regan, requesting that
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is studying whether waiving biofuel blending mandates could help offset a surge in prices for key food ingredients like corn and soy oil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, two sources familiar with the matter said. … But prices of corn, soy
(Inside EPA) As EPA comes under growing pressure to increase its estimates of how much greenhouse gas emissions biofuels save over their lifetime, the agency is holding consultations that could result in changes that may boost programs encouraging biofuels use such as the renewable fuel standard (RFS), which are now
(Bergeson & Campbell) On February 23, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a webinar on requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the premanufacture notice (PMN) process for biofuels. As reported in our January 24, 2022, blog item, in January 2022, EPA announced an effort to streamline the review of
(Renewable Fuels Association) America’s top biofuel and farm advocates called on President Biden to swiftly expand access to plentiful, lower-cost biofuels as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushes fuel prices closer to record levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soon expected to finalize biofuel blending requirements for 2021 and 2022 and address a controversial
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Pictures worth 1000 words show the prices on March 1 at a Sheetz in Virginia. Compare the E10 Regular to E15 Unleaded 88 and E85 FlexFuel. Compare those to the price of E0 — no ethanol gasoline. The message is clear. Higher ethanol blends
by Joel Rosenblatt (Bloomberg) Renewable fuel producers join Valero unit in court challenge; EPA rule governs release of carbon dioxide from car tailpipes — The gasoline industry and alternative fuel makers, frequent foes, put aside their differences for court challenges to a Biden administration rule imposing limits on automobile greenhouse-gas emissions.
by Clark Mindock (Law360) A Texas-led group of states is slamming the Biden administration’s push to strengthen greenhouse gas standards for auto emissions, telling the D.C. Circuit on Monday it must intervene and stop a purported federal war on fossil fuels. The 14-state coalition headed by Lone Star State Attorney General Ken
(Inside EPA) EPA officials say they expect “most” biofuels will meet regulatory criteria requiring review and likely regulation under TSCA, though any such limits are likely to end once the substance is incorporated into the fuel supply because it presents similar risks as conventional fossil fuels, whose end use is
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) … Erik Huschitt with Badger State Ethanol in Monroe, Wisconsin tells Brownfield America had the one-pound waiver approved by the prior administration, “And then, we have a change in the Supreme Court level that doesn’t acknowledge that change, and so here we are now all
by Suriya Jayanti (Time Magazine) … If this is what we have to work with, let us at least make it truly hurt by including embargoes of Russian energy, too. … Oil prices have insulated Russia from sanctions hits, at least in the short to medium term. … Yet so far
by Justine Calma (The Verge) The Biden administration says the US will ‘likely’ need controversial carbon capture tech to meet climate goals — On Tuesday(February 15, 2022), the Biden administration issued new guidelines for federal agencies on how to assess proposals to capture and sequester carbon dioxide pollution. The new guidance
by Michael H. Levin (BioCycle Magazine) EPA’s “proposed adjudication” of 65 pending small-refiner exemption requests could deny virtually all such requests — now and in the future. — … In June 2021, the Supreme Court (reviewing a Tenth Circuit decision) ruled that EPA lacked “clear authority” under the RFS Program to
(Renewable Fuels Association) In his annual State of the Industry Address, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said that, while the U.S. ethanol industry has a long history of capitalizing on unique opportunities, the global quest to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 “may very well be the greatest opportunity
(Growth Energy) Following settlement discussions with Growth Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will file a notice in the Federal Register tomorrow seeking comment on a proposed judicial consent decree that would require EPA to finalize the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs), which are the subject of a pending rulemaking,
(U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry) Today, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking the administration to take a meaningful step in addressing the climate crisis by increasing federal investments in
by Matthew Choi (Politico’s Morning Energy) Geoff Cooper, head of the Renewable Fuels Association, said Tuesday that the trade group heard from EPA that it’s aiming to propose a rule for the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard by late spring or early summer. Under legislation from 2007, Congress set
by Julia Bayly (Bangor Daily News) … The 2018 farm bill may have legalized hemp production, but it’s going to take language in the 2023 farm bill to remove lingering red tape regulating the crop. Those regulations stem from laws governing production of marijuana and, according to hemp growers, cast an unfair net
(Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) The Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA), the leading voice of energy innovators working to decarbonize transportation fuel, released comments calling on the U.S. EPA to restore regulatory certainty in their proposed renewable volume obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard. ABFA’s comments support a higher standard for the advanced (D5) pool than
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is seeking nominations for scientific experts to serve on an external expert panel to peer review the agency’s third triennial report to congress on biofuels and the environment. The agency is required to report to congress on the environmental and resource conservation
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In South Dakota, the American Coalition of Ethanol said a report released recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences by Tyler Lark and others brought to life several misrepresentations of the environmental outcomes of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and refutes three key
by Scott Richman (Renewable Fuels Association) Gasoline prices are high—up 50% in 2021 and rising further this year, with California prices reaching record levels—but what’s worse is that they might go even higher, given the distinct possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine and oil hitting $100 a barrel or more. Given the strong
by Arianna Skibell (E&E News) The Biden administration is preparing to reinstate California’s authority to set auto emissions rules that are more stringent than federal standards, taking a major step toward cutting transportation-related climate pollution and continuing to chip away at former President Trump’s environmental rollbacks. The waiver, granted decades ago
(Renewable Fuels Association) Enacted in 2005 and expanded in 2007, the Renewable Fuels Standard has been a “resounding success” by any measure, the Renewable Fuels Association told the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in testimony submitted today ahead of a hearing on the landmark energy and environmental policy. “In addition to
by Rebecca White, Lieve Laurens, Nate Kommers (Algae Biomass Organization/Biofuels Diges) Among the dozens of policy innovations that Congress must consider in climate change legislation is a tool that could help trigger the next stage in decarbonizing one of the most significant industries in the world: aviation. The provision is a
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) The Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA) released comments it submitted to U.S. EPA on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard rule. The comments support a higher standard for the advanced biofuel (D5) pool, referencing data on available feedstocks and production capacity to support up to 7 billion
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) A new report published today (February 14, 2022) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences, funded in part by the National Wildlife Federation, purports to examine the “environmental outcomes” of the Renewable Fuel Standard. In keeping with their previous “research” on biofuels
(Inside EPA) Oil sector groups are divided over EPA’s proposal to deny all remaining requests from small refiners for compliance waivers from the renewable fuel standard (RFS), with smaller refiners arguing the plan is illogical and unlawful, while bigger firms say large-scale exemptions are unwarranted. The divisions mark a rare
by Bruce Comer, Frank Kim and Zak Putlak (Ocean Park/Biofuels Digest) As ethanol producers pursued mergers and acquisitions, and renewable diesel firms built and expanded plants, the biofuels industry increasingly focused on securing feedstocks. Producers seeking to consolidate, optimize or sell plants helped double the number of mergers and acquisitions in
(Comstock Mining) Technologies Enable Dramatic Reduction in Carbon Intensity for America’s Decarbonization Portfolio — Comstock Mining Inc. (NYSE: LODE) (“Comstock” and the “Company”) today announced its submission of comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) calling for enhanced regulations governing the use of biomass-derived intermediates in the production of renewable
(Fossil Free Racing) Fossil Free Racing, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was founded to become the testbed for an alternative racing fuel that promises to reduce the carbon footprint of race cars by 90% while lowering fuel costs and increasing performance. Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners
by Brendan Cole (Newsweek) The administration of President Joe Biden faces an escalating battle over fossil fuel production in the U.S. after the American Petroleum Institute (API) said it would challenge a January court decision to annul a massive sale of oil and gas leases. The API move against the invalidation of November’s
by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) A U.S. Senate committee is expected to hold a hearing around the nation’s biofuel blending laws next week, as the Biden administration works to finalize controversial proposals around blending requirements and exemptions for oil refiners, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today expressed strong support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to deny 65 pending small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions, noting that such an action would “restore confidence” in the Renewable Fuel Standard program. EPA’s proposal also would ensure that, moving forward, the SRE program complies with the
by Chris Peterson (Biomass Magazine) The manure supply agreement is among the most heavily negotiated documents in a renewable natural gas project. … Additionally, having an agreement that will pass the scrutiny of the developer’s lender can be a challenge for the unwary. Successful manure supply agreements identify the big
RFA Supports EPA’s Proposed 2022 RFS Volumes, Urges Agency to Abandon Retroactive Cut to 2020 Volume
(Renewable Fuels Association) In comments submitted today (February 4, 2022) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Renewable Fuels Association expressed strong support for the agency’s proposed 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVO) while opposing the proposed retroactive reduction of the previously finalized 2020 RVO requirements. In early December, EPA published its proposal to set
(AgWeb/Pro Farmers) EPA has forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review a proposed rule regarding canola oil pathways for renewable diesel, jet fuel, naptha and liquid propane gas under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Under the proposed rule, EPA said it was “providing an opportunity to comment
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Members of the biofuel industry who wish to comment on the U.S. EPA’s proposed rule to set 2020, 2021 and 2022 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) have less than a week to do so. The public comment period on the proposed rule closes
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked a bipartisan group of 14 senators for urging EPA to swiftly issue final regulations that restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard and put the program back on track. In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the senators outlined several actions
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has released a new request for information (RFI) on several priority areas relating to activities in the Conversion Research and Development (R&D) program, including: Improved Robustness of Microbial Cells (Category 1) Improved
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has released a new request for information (RFI) for feedback related to community-scale resource and energy strategies from organic waste streams. The RFI, titled “Community-Scale Resource and Energy Recovery from Waste Solutions,”
(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) is pleased to announce today that it has begun the process of bringing its wholly owned dairy manure-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) project online. Located in northwest Iowa, the project is known as Gevo NW Iowa RNG, LLC (“NW Iowa RNG”), and it is expected
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service is amending its program offering $700 million in COVID-19 aid to biofuel producers by allowing production to meet marketing obligations or fulfill or maintain essential markets to be included in the calculations of a biofuel producer’s market losses as a
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) … I (Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Association CEO and President) also think the industry understands that we have a vision for the future of ethanol production that’s progressive and exciting. Too many people are pessimistic about the future of ethanol and obsessed with the
by Liz Hampton (Reuters) …The rules governing the carbon-injection wells for most states require federal approval with the first permits taking around six years to win a green light. Oil states, including Texas and Louisiana, want to take over permit reviews and enforcement authority, also known as primacy, from the
(Solutions from the Land) California is known for pursuing aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and the effort to stem climate change that can achieve those goals. But state leaders were taken aback by research now showing the state is unlikely to meet its 2030 targets, despite a continued drop in
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … Recognizing this, the governors of seven Midwest states sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in early November seeking guidance from the agency on how best to pursue a specific—and little known—provision of the Clean Air Act that allows independent
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) … Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, provided an overview of political and regulatory issues impacting the biofuels sector, stressing that Iowa’s biofuel industry is “fed up but fired up.” The industry entered 2021 with renewed optimism, he said. “Vaccines were
by Jasmin Melvin (S&P Global Platts) More than 30 biofuels-related reviews pending before agency; Would amount to nearly 800 million gal/year of advanced biofuels — The US Environmental Protection Agency Jan. 21 announced plans to streamline reviews of new chemicals that could be used to produce biofuels and in turn displace dirtier
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Jan. 20, reporting that two additional SRE petitions have been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2020. A total of 69 SRE petitions are now pending, up from 67 that were pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed the important role biofuels and biobased manufacturing play in the rural economy and highlighted the agency’s efforts to support those industries during a Jan. 20 hearing held by the House Agriculture Committee. In his opening statement, Vilsack focused on the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last week,we were surrounded by a Ministry of All the Talents, as you might say, experts from the holy of holies, IHS Markit, yes, Dan Yergin’s fabled firm. Want to find out what was covered with Christoph Berg, Stephan Li and Kevin Lindemer? From biofuels
by Guil Signorini (Ohio’s Country Journal) … The Brazilian fuel sector is just as clean. Nearly all fuel stations sell ethanol, gasoline, and diesel. Most passenger cars and motorcycles are equipped with flex-fuel engines that can take gasoline, ethanol, or any blend between the two fuels. The choice is at the
by Katanga Johnson (Reuters) As the U.S. securities regulator wraps up a draft of a landmark new climate change rule, environmental campaigners and activist investors want it to require companies to disclose not only their own greenhouse gas emissions but those generated by their suppliers and other partners. Corporate groups, meanwhile,
EPA Seeks Input from Small Businesses on Potential Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles for Model Years 2027 and Later DEADLINE: May 31, 2022
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This Panel will focus on the agency’s development of a rule that would propose to reduce air pollutant emissions, including greenhouse gas