by David Hallberg (Ethanol Producer Magazine) (T)he U.S. Department of Energy's adherence to laws, and a proposal from the Urban Air Initiative to escape the aromatics dilemma. -- ... Hopefully Pruitt has established a precedent that will apply to one of
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) RIN values do affect fuel prices, but Ron Lamberty, senior vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol, says it’s not the effect many assume. -- ... A higher RIN, they say, increases the price of
by Adam Lidgett (Law 360) Refiners and a biodiesel trade group have taken aim at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that set the levels of renewable fuel that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply, with the refiners telling the
by Wes Swift (Platts) The US biodiesel industry has enough capacity to meet the 2018 and 2019 blending mandates from the federal government, the head of the industry's trade group told attendees at its annual conference Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas. Donnell
by Scott Waldman (E&E News) Scott Pruitt is one of the Trump administration's most aggressive critics of climate change science, but lately he's been talking about the dangers of greenhouse gas. Well, one greenhouse gas in particular: methane. ... But when it comes to
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Seven years after the U.S. EPA published the final rule for administering the Renewable Fuel Standard, the path to getting corn kernel fiber-to-ethanol approvals appears to be getting much shorter. Edeniq CEO Brian Thome reports
by Bob Dinneen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... This new era of getting our country back on track has and will continue to extend into the biofuels industry, making sure we are providing the cleanest, lowest-cost and highest-octane fuels at the pump.
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) ... "Sport utility vehicles reached record-high market share, while also achieving record-low CO2 emissions and record high fuel economy," according to the Environmental Protection Agency's report on model-year 2016 vehicles' fuel economy trends. Smaller two-wheel drive
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) New research from Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago at Illinois and the International Food Policy Research Institute shows that incorporating conservation practices can both increase soil organic content and improve the
by Debra J. Saunders (Tampa Bay Newspapers) ... But now free-market conservative groups and oil-state Republicans are pushing the administration to cut the corn cord. For Ken Cuccinelli of the conservative group FreedomWorks, it’s a moral issue. As the former GOP Virginia
by Richard Perrin, Lilyan Fulginiti, Subir Bairagi, Ismail Dweikat (KRVN) It has been proposed that non-irrigated sweet sorghum might be grown in western Nebraska as a seasonal substitute for corn grain in corn ethanol plants. In the research summarized here1, we
by David Bennett (Convenience Store Decisions) Whether it’s teaming with Tesla to install charging stations or integrating alternative fuel solutions, retailers are part of a changing transportation marketplace. -- ... Some analysts insist the internal combustion engine has been around more than
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Texas Republican John Cornyn is drawing up ideas for new legislation to overhaul the Renewable Fuel Standard, in a bid to end the stalemate between corn-state lawmakers and oily ones. "Cornyn's office has been hosting talks for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sometimes, what an engine needs to roar to life is a spark. Or a SPARC, as in this case. As in the Southeastern Partnership for Advanced Renewables from Carinata (SPARC), a consortium consisting of the University of Florida (lead),
by Doug Sombke (Argus Leader/South Dakota Farmers Union) Our esteemed U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released a report of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. While it is hard to get excited over any government report, I had high hopes
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Velocys plc has announced that Envia Energy, the joint venture plant that utilizes its technology, has applied for a fuel pathway approval under the Renewable Fuel Standard to produce D7 cellulosic diesel renewable identification numbers (RINs). According
by Pete Kolbenschlag (Post Independent/Citizen Telegram) ... Rep. Welch from Vermont is leading an effort to rethink ethanol, and to lead Congress to fix this broken policy. Colorado's congressional delegation should join in this effort before more land goes under the plow,
by David Shepardson (Reuters) California and the Trump administration will hold a series of new talks over fuel efficiency rules as the auto industry still hopes for a deal to retain nationwide requirements. Officials from the California Air Resources Board are set
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) President Donald Trump's administration and some members of Congress want oil and ethanol interests to just get along and work out their differences on the Renewable Fuel Standard. But the leader of the nation's
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... The argument is roughly – increased biofuels mandates lead RINs to spike in cost, translating to billions in compliance costs, particularly for small refiners. While somewhat logical, as higher RINs costs have
by David Shepardson (Reuters) Senior U.S. government officials held talks in recent weeks with California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) to discuss the goal of maintaining one set of national requirements for automakers, a move that will determine the fate of vehicle
by Art Cullen (The Storm Lake Times) ... Markets and Nature are so large, and the Iowa budget is so small. We would be better off to leave water quality funding — that is, writing a big fat check to farm
by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) Last year was among the most active and interesting years we’ve seen in the biofuels space. The industry has confronted multiple challenges over the past 12 months, culminating in meetings between senators supportive of
by Timothy Gardner (Reuters) ... Another political flashpoint has been the administration’s waffling over proposed changes to biofuels policy. Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency initially entertained a plan from oil refiners to upend regulations requiring them to blend ethanol into their gasoline -
(Southern Farm Network Today) Texas Senator Ted Cruz recently proposed to put a cap on the price of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) as a way to control the cost for refiners that blend renewable fuels into the nation’s gasoline supply. What
(North Iowa Today) Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa marked a series of policy and oversight accomplishments in 2017. ... Grassley introduced the Food Security is National Security Act of 2017, which would give top U.S. agriculture and food officials permanent representation on the Committee
by Rick Santorum (Washington Examiner/Americans for Energy Security and Innovation) ... But some petroleum companies seem to be taking their influence for granted, and that could prove their undoing with a White House that is known for drawing a clear line
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... ACE believes the best way to grow demand well into the future is to harness the low-carbon, high-octane value of ethanol. That’s why we were very encouraged that for the first
by Emily Skor (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... While we haven’t yet achieved Reid vapor pressure (RVP) parity for E15 and higher blends, we made dramatic headway by broadening our base of supporters and positioning retailers as the new face of
by Monty Shaw (Iowa Renewable Fuels Association/Des Moines Register) About a year ago, an Iowa front group for Big Oil tried to trick former state legislators into signing letters to the editor that sounded “pro-ethanol” but actually advocated for a policy
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) Attack on federal biofuels mandate provides chance to appeal to base -- ... But for the junior senator, facing re-election this year as Democrats show new swagger in the age of Trump, ethanol provides the chance to appeal
In a special to the Biofuels Digest, South Dakota Farmers Union president, Doug Sombke, pointed out that "Section 202(l) provision (of the Clean Air Act) requires EPA to regulate and reduce toxics in gasoline to the “greatest degree achievable”. In a review
by Doug Sombke (South Dakota Farmers Union/Biofuels Digest) ... I am referring to the mandatory requirements in the Clean Air Act that EPA enforce section 202 (l), the “clean octane” provision designed to reduce the use of toxic aromatic compounds in gasoline.
by James C. Greenwood (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/The Hill) ... The refiners want to lower the price of renewable identification numbers, or RINs, which are the credits they must accumulate to prove compliance with the program — every gallon of biofuel that
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) To kick off the new year, we rounded up a few experts to discuss five main industry topics: exports, policy, production, finance and technology. Find out what they said. -- As we head into 2018, ethanol
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman became the first New York statewide elected official to back a carbon tax this week, POLITICO New York's Danielle Muoio reports. "That includes passing legislation to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including a carbon
(Wisconsin State Journal) ... A study conducted for the U.S. Agriculture Department found corn ethanol’s life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, by 2022, will be 43 percent lower than gasoline baseline emissions if ethanol plants continue as usual. If ethanol production makes improvements with available
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Over the years we’ve all seen a lot of curveballs in the advanced bioeconomy. You see companies like Valero, which lobby the United States Congress with unbridled intensity to get rid of the Renewable Fuel Standard,
by Todd Neeley (DTN/KTIC) Capping the price of biofuel credits at 10 cents would essentially eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard mandate for biodiesel and possibly hurt corn-based ethanol, according to an analysis by farmdoc at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In meetings
by Aaron Smith and Vernon Smith (The Hill) ... But while cellulosic biofuel can be produced from inedible plant sources such as switchgrass and corn stover, currently no commercially viable technology exists to produce it. ... The most sensible policy would be
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking provides notice and an opportunity to comment on the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with biofuels that are produced from grain sorghum oil extracted at dry mill ethanol plants. EPA's
by Hagstrom Report (The Fence Post) Renewable fuels groups this week issued statements celebrating the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which established the Renewable Fuel Standard and called for an even bigger commitment
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) 2017 was a roller coaster year. There was a paradigm shift in biofuels, technology advancements, innovations abounded, politics chaotic. Some companies shut down and disappeared like the Hobo vanishing in the snow atop the Polar
by Jennifer A Dlouhy and Jesse Hamilton (Bloomberg) ... In his first year as president, Trump studded his cabinet with people who previously fought to undermine what some see as the traditional missions of the agencies they now lead. EPA Administrator
by Arianna Skibell (E&E News) An independent government watchdog has agreed to examine how the Trump administration uses the social cost of carbon, the metric used to calculate the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. READ MORE WATCHDOG AGENCY TO STUDY TRUMP CHANGES
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) President Trump has hosted two meetings in recent weeks with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and others focused on the Renewable Fuel Standard and renewable identification numbers (RINs). Those representing the biofuels industry are speaking out
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) To cut petroleum usage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fuel efficiency standards are set to rise significantly by 2025 under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) standards—jointly administered by the National Highway
by Jessie Stolark (Enviromental and Energy Study Institute) On December 12, the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing, “Update on the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program (CAFE) and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Motor Vehicles.” At the heart of
by Orrie Swazye (Argus Leader) This is America: Contrary to EPA statements, all auto owners have the self-evident, unalienable constitutional right to save typically several dollars/tank by choosing splash blended 94 octane thus premium half E85/ E30’s more power, same mileage
(Biobased and Renewable Products Update) On December 8, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice in the Federal Register regarding its plans to submit an information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on recordkeeping and reporting
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) U.S. lawmakers from states that produce corn for ethanol plants said on Wednesday they would consider proposals from Senator Ted Cruz of Texas to help the oil refining industry cope with the nation’s biofuels regulation, but would never
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has published a notice on its website setting the cellulosic waiver credit (CWC) price for 2018 at $1.96. The price is slightly lower than the CWC price for 2017, which was set at $2.00
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... What are the top trends? Here are the 11 we see dominating the debate on the stage and on the floor. Jet fuel deployment – how much, how soon, by whom? California, look up, not down!
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) Oil interests are intensifying efforts to force changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). ... “Texas is already blending more than 9.7 percent! Nationally, we’re blending more than 10 percent. There’s no reason to go backwards
(Agri-Pulse) This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. While countless farm groups and members of the agriculture industry have expressed concern with the Trump Administration’s threats to pull out of the North American Free Trade
by Richard Valdmanis and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) President Donald Trump’s administration called two lawmakers from the U.S. corn belt to convince them to join talks about potential changes to biofuels policy to ease the burden on oil refineries, according to a spokesman for
(U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works) Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to request that the EPA
by Susan Cornwell (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump is open to reforming the country’s biofuels policy if it can be done in a way that protects jobs in both the refining and agriculture industries, senators said on Thursday after a meeting with
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) The American Enterprise Institute is out with a report looking at policymaking lessons from the RFS. It argues the biofuels mandate would be better as a rate standard than a volume standard, EPA should issue
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) At least 22 Democratic senators, led by Ed Markey, Sheldon Whitehouse and Kamala Harris , are sending Pruitt a letter this morning urging him not to weaken emissions standards for model years 2021 through
by Andrew F. Quinlan ( Center for Freedom and Prosperity/The Hill) ... A refiner must earn RIN credits to meet its annual obligation by selling enough gallons of biofuel or by purchasing them — the credits, not the actual product — from others with
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Tulsa World) The staggering number of misstatements about ethanol contained in Tulsa World Editorial Pages Editor Wayne Greene’s column would fill a barrel (“Refiners over a barrel ... and the barrel is full of ethanol,”
by Marc Heller (E&E Publishing/Greenwire) U.S. EPA will report on the environmental effects of biofuel mandates next spring, four years later than required by Congress, the agency said in documents accompanying its announcement of renewable fuel volumes for the next year.
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) ... In a large farm shop with ethanol and biodiesel posters adorning the walls, Pruitt touted his two biofuels announcements in recent weeks. He noted EPA had struggled under the Obama administration to meet
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, in a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) asked the agency to waive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for his state to no more
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There are two approaches to encouraging low-carbon fuels — volumetric mandates and carbon reduction incentives. What is different about a Low Carbon Fuel Standard — as compared to a Renewable Fuel Standard? There are 4 primary differences. 1. An
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Ahead of a Thursday meeting between Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz and other senior officials about biofuels policy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott formally asked for a Renewable Fuel Standard waiver from Pruitt. "The time is ripe
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On November 30, the EPA released its final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVOs) proposal, the amount of biofuels it will require to be blended into the U.S. fuel supply in 2018 as part
by Jarrett Renshaw, Richard Valdmanis (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with representatives of the oil refining industry and their legislative backers to discuss the nation’s biofuels program, according to two sources briefed on the matter. The White House meeting
by Eric Junga (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy) In responding to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action on vehicle standards, ACEEE found that average vehicle prices have remained essentially flat over the past 15 years, even as average fuel economy improves. The finding
by Ron Paul (Campaign for Liberty/Fox News) ... While I am sure many Republicans would love to see the RFS repealed entirely – myself included – some have proposed a simple compromise that would seemingly benefit even the ethanol lobby: allow
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency released its final Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations for 2018. The agency finalized a total renewable fuel volume of 19.29 billion gallons , of which 4.29 BG is advanced
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor today released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of the final renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018. The total renewable fuel volume is 19.29 billion gallons, which includes 15 billion
(National Biodiesel Board) NBB: EPA Missed an Opportunity to Grown American-Made Energy and Jobs -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the required volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and failed to grow the biomass-based diesel
(Environmental Protection Agency) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) program for 2018, and biomass-based diesel for 2019. "Maintaining the renewable fuel standard at current levels
(National Biodiesel Board) Starting today, nearly 100 members of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) are in Washington, D.C., to participate in their biannual fly-in to the Nation’s Capital. NBB members plan to storm the Hill to encourage reinstatement of the biodiesel
by Laura Blewitt (Bloomberg) With higher blend credit prices come stronger gasoline margins; Refiners likely to pass higher costs at the pump: Wells Fargo -- ... Despite the petroleum lobby’s efforts, the Environmental Protection Agency last week rejected a petition from independent refiners including Valero Energy
by Dave VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM/Urban Air Initiative) ... In an over-simplified explanation, the EPA has claimed the legal authority to regulate ethanol blends under section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act, known as the “sub-sim” law. Under EPA’s current interpretation
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rejected several petitions to change the point of obligation in the Renewable Fuel Standard in a notice released on Wednesday ahead of a posting in the Federal Register. In the
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Cellulosic technology companies have invested time and millions of dollars to explore ways to convert biomass into cellulosic ethanol for the better part of 20 years. Most technologies have fallen victim to high capital and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana professor Madhu Khanna has been raising issues with including an indirect land use change factor for compliance with low carbon fuel standards. Why, since ILUC is a required calculation for the Renewable Fuel
(National Biodiesel Board) NBB's Governing Board Members Emphasize That Growth in RFS Volumes is Needed -- Today the executive leadership of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) sent a letter to President Trump regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In the letter, the
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA)’s recent claims that underground storage tanks at fueling stations cannot legally store gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) are “grossly overstated” and the group’s conclusion that Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) Giving consumers year-round access to E15 fuel is a major focus of the ethanol industry. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, says getting the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver extended to E15 is the key. “You give
by Jarrett Renshaw, Chris Prentice (Reuters) Oil refiner Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) has raised tens of millions of dollars in cash by selling U.S. biofuels credits in recent weeks, according to sources familiar with the transactions, an unusual move for a company
Renewable Fuels Association's Bob Dinneen explained the implications of RFA's latest review of vehicle warranties: “The oil company explanation for their failure to invest in infrastructure allowing E15 has been there isn’t sufficient demand for E15 because it isn’t warrantied.
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) Nearly 90 percent of new 2018 model year (MY) vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use 15 percent ethanol blends (E15), according to the results of an annual analysis of warranty statements and owner’s manuals
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Sen. Ted Cruz, having seemingly failed to secure a meeting with Midwestern senators brokered by the White House, has turned to newly fledged Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to try and bring corn-staters to the table.
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing examining how high-octane, low-carbon fuel can enable CAFE compliance. Research suggests that high-octane, low-carbon fuel is the lowest-cost compliance option for both consumers and the automotive industry. Taking steps
by Scott Goss (The News Journal/DelawareOnline) Delaware City Refinery rally to call on President Trump to fix the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and protect well-paying jobs for East Coast refiners and manufacturing workers. Area oil refineries, union leaders, a Republican lobbying firm
(Energy.AgWired.com) CEO Emily Skor attends National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention The Growth Energy Driving Ethanol podcast this week comes from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting 74th annual convention in Kansas City last week. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor spoke with
by Michael McAdams (Biomass Magazine/Advanced Biofuels Association) On Oct. 4, the U.S. EPA published a Notice of Data Availability soliciting input on lowering the renewable volume obligation (RVO) mandates even further than the proposed 2018 volumes released this summer. ... Let me be
(CGCN GROUP) Please join Governor John Carney (D-DE), Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ), other elected officials, union leaders, and employees of PBF Energy, Monroe Energy, and Philadelphia Energy Solutions on Monday, November 13th to call on President Trump to fix the Renewable
by Anne C. Mulkern, ClimateWire (Scientific American) State leaders are discussing banning the sale of cars that run on gasoline or diesel -- ... Switching to all clean cars would require a herculean transformation in the Golden State. They accounted for less than
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) A group of advanced biofuel producers, including ethanol giants Archer Daniels Midland and POET, sent a letter to Trump thanking him for past support of the ethanol industry and asking him to make sure
by Miles Weiss, Jennifer A Dlouhy, and Mario Parker (Bloomberg) U.S. Attorney for Southern District of N.Y. seeks information; Icahn Enterprises discloses request in securities filing -- Federal investigators have issued subpoenas for information on Carl Icahn’s efforts to change biofuel policy while
(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced it is withdrawing a proposed rule to revise the Agency’s biotechnology regulations and will re-engage with stakeholders to determine the most
(Office of Senator Tom Carper) Bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers assert market volatility hurts East Coast refineries like PBF in Delaware City -- Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, along with a bipartisan, bicameral group of
(Darling Ingredients Inc./PR Newswire) Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) and Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO) ("Valero") announced today that in anticipation of growing demand for renewable diesel due to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and global low carbon markets, they will
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Two corn-state Republican EPW senators - Deb Fischer and Joni Ernst - are publicly undecided about Kathleen Hartnett White's nomination to run the White House Council on Environmental Quality after meeting with her over past
by Brendan Sullivan, Kyle J. Nixon (World-Herald) Novozymes was honored to have Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts join us earlier this year to announce a $36 million expansion in Blair, Nebraska, where we’re pioneering technologies that will accelerate Nebraska’s leadership in renewable
by Brian Scheid (Platts) The US Environmental Protection Agency has sent for review the final renewable fuel volume standards for 2018 and biomass based diesel volume for 2019, making it likely that the agency will release the volumes by the statutory
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) If Trump watches the ads on Fox & Friends, then he's getting an earful on the Renewable Fuels Standard these days. Starting today and through the Nov. 20, Fuels America, an umbrella group of
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Thursday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) asked the agency to waive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the Northeast region to no more
(Detroit News) ... His (Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) defense of the mandates was as a jobs program. That’s a poor basis for energy policy, and the president was wrong to cave.. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had proposed only a modest reduction in the
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Industry stakeholders and legal experts discuss the recent RFS court ruling, the ongoing U.S. trade cases against Argentina and Indonesia, and the biodiesel tax credit in context of U.S. EPA’s Notice of Data Availability. -- ... According
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Wall Street Journal) President Trump is faithfully sticking to his campaign promise to “do all that is in my power as president” to achieve the goals of the Renewable Fuel Standard. -- Regarding your editorial “Trump Caves
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt called for "some reforms" to the program under the Renewable Fuel Standard through which companies buy credits to comply with biofuels mandates during a Sunday radio interview . "There's lots of
by Ken Silverstein (Environmental Leader) ... Some automakers like Toyota and Lexus have warned drivers that if they fill up with E85 that their warranties may not cover engine damage, a Fox story had said. To be clear, there are two generations of ethanol: the
by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) The Environmental Protection Agency, in its ambitious effort to roll back the previous administration's energy and environmental policies, has had a significant stumble with Republicans lawmakers. On both sides of the ethanol debate. ... On Thursday, nine Republican senators
by Mary Kuhlman (Public News Service) The huge algal bloom in Lake Erie is receding, but clean water advocates say the annual problem won't go away without changes in federal policies. One measure raising concerns is the ethanol mandate, which requires a
(Platts) The US ethanol industry represents a modern-day farm policy as the primary means of creating demand for ever-growing corn supplies, and the industry maintains a profitable outlook, Green Plains CEO Todd Becker said Tuesday. "This is the modern-day farm program," Becker
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s been a very busy week in Washington DC, the high point being a letter to seven senators sent late Thursday by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who took significant (and as of a few days ago,
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) In a letter to three federal agency heads on Tuesday, a group of 79 bipartisan members of the United States House of Representatives expressed concern about the direction being taken to regulate agriculture biotechnology, http://bit.ly/…. In
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Sen. Joni Ernst released a letter late Thursday from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt outlining a number steps the agency intends to take on the Renewable Fuel Standard that will be music to the ears
(NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services/Biodiesel Magazine) New York City submitted comments to the U.S. EPA Oct. 19, protesting any rollback of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which calls for minimal use levels for renewable fuels like biodiesel. Biodiesel has proven a
(National Biodiesel Board) EPA Letter Does Not Include a Commitment to Raise Biomass-Based Diesel Volumes -- Yesterday the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) responded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Notice of Data Availability (NODA), focusing on the advanced biofuel standard for
by Jennifer A Dlouhy , Jennifer Jacobs, Ari Natter (Bloomberg) Market for biofuel credits rebounds after lawmakers weigh in; Iowa governor says Trump affirms commitment to biofuel program President Donald Trump intervened personally with the Environmental Protection Agency amid pressure from Republicans in the politically important state of
by Ben Wolfgang (The Washington Times) Citing one nominee’s stance on the federal ethanol mandate and another’s supposed ties to Koch Industries, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Democrat, on Wednesday placed holds on two key nominations for top-level jobs at the Environmental Protection Agency. The move
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the biggest news sweeping the floor at ABLC Next 2017 and perhaps the biggest industrial biotechnology update of 2017, the long-awaited financing is approaching completion for Fulcrum Bioenergy’s highly-anticipated waste-to-fuels project in Nevada, that
by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) (The Hill) There is a reason that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), our nation's policy governing the production and sale of biofuels, has broad bipartisan support in Congress. This policy is helping us revive rural economies,
by Joseph Morton (Omaha World-Herald) The head of the Environmental Protection Agency sought Tuesday to calm Midwestern senators who could block his nominees if the agency sets renewable fuel mandates too low. All four GOP senators from Iowa and Nebraska attended Tuesday’s
(Public News Service) Farmers in North Dakota and across the country are pushing policymakers in Washington to support renewable fuels. The National Farmers Union, in conjunction with the North Dakota Farmers Union and counterparts in other states, wants Congress and the Trump
(Edeniq Inc./Ethanol Producer Magazine) Edeniq Inc., a leading cellulosic and biorefining technology company, recently announced that the U.S. EPA has approved Flint Hills Resources’ registration of its 100 million gallons per year Iowa Falls, Iowa, ethanol plant for cellulosic ethanol production
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Seven corn-state Republican senators emerged smiling from what they deemed a "good" meeting with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Tuesday but they got no concrete policy promises on the Renewable Fuel Standard from him, Pro's
by David Friedman (The Hill/Consumers Union) What if our government rolled back a program that saved consumers over $45 billion on fuel since 2010? What if they did this despite the fact that the industry involved enjoyed record sales and profits
by Curtis Tate (NorthJersey.com) ... The flammable biofuel is transported in trains that look virtually identical to the oil trains that have attracted so much attention, and controversy, in the country's energy boom of the past decade. But according to federal data, 1
(National Biodiesel Board) “We Were Drawn to Your Explicit Promises to Our Farmers… But Now We Are Concerned” -- Today four Republican Governors sent a letter to President Trump with concerns on the recently proposed changes to America’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),
(Advanced Biofuels Association) On October 13, members of the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA) sent a letter to President Trump expressing their opposition to the proposals in the EPA’s October 4th Notice of Data Availability (NODA), which requests comments on “potential options for
(Office of Senator Heidi Heitkamp) Senators: EPA Proposal to Cut Renewable Fuel Standard Would Cost Jobs in Rural America -- U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today led a bipartisan letter with U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) Despite continued claims by opponents of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), prices of the Renewable Identification Number (RINs) credits used for RFS compliance have not caused changes in retail gasoline prices, according to a new analysis by Informa
by Jonathan Coppess and Scott Irwin (Farms.com/University of Illinois/farmdocdaily) As discussed last week, the Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting data and feedback on the biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels components of the Renewable Fuels Standard, including the general waiver authority (see, farmdoc
(Biofuels International) The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Flint Hills Resources’ registration of its 100 million gallons per year Iowa-based ethanol plant. The plant will use Edeniq’s technology. Flint Hills Resources’ Iowa Falls plant is the fifth existing ethanol
by Keith Laing (Detroit News) U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, has introduced legislation that would allow automakers to apply credits for gas mileage improvements from model years as far back as 2009 to help comply with emission rules that require
by Tammy Mastroberte (Convenience Store News) ... One of the top issues right now is the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which provides for the inclusion of increasing volumes of renewable fuel into the marketplace each year. With the convenience store industry selling more
by Randy Krehbiel (Tulsa World) Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt may have declared an end to the "war on coal" earlier this week, but what some consider Pruitt's own war on alternative energy seems to be just getting started. Largely unnoticed
by Alanis King (Jalopnik) 1st Gear: Surprise, Self-Driving Cars Need A Lot Of ‘Brain’ Power -- Oh, you want an electric car that can also shuttle you around without you having to move a muscle? What do you think this is, magic fairy
(Huggins Consulting Group LLC/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Competitive landscape, innovative technologies and emerging energy policy were hot topics as a diverse group of nearly 150 thought leaders, industry representatives, researchers and suppliers convened in the heart of renewable energy production for the
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) In response to fuel marketers asking how they can help support their flex fuel infrastructure and customers, the American Coalition for Ethanol organized a joint letter signed by fuel marketers and retailers representing nearly
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Both Senate EPW Chairman John Barrasso and bill sponsor Deb Fischer now say a measure S. 517 (115) that would allow year-round sales of higher blends of ethanol won't even get a committee vote this
by Kathie Obradovich (Des Moines Register) ... Trump, while campaigning in Iowa, pledged to protect the RFS, which sets the minimum volume of renewable energy that must be part of the transportation fuels sold in the United States. The National Biodiesel Board posted
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and American Coalition for Ethanol have all submitted public comments to U.S. EPA and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration stressing the benefits of high-octane ethanol fuels in response to
by Daniel Lane and Mindy Collier (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) However, while business matters are important when determining a location to build and operate a production facility, it’s important to pay close attention to regulatory and community concerns. While it’s certainly possible
(Reuters) A group of 38 U.S. senators asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday to abandon plans to lower biofuel requirements for oil refiners in 2018, according to a letter made public by the office of Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On October 5, EESI submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on their midterm evaluation of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for light-duty vehicles. ... In its comments, EESI
(U.S. Energy Information Agency) Renewable natural gas (RNG), which is derived from biogas collected at landfills and other facilities, is increasingly used to meet government targets for renewable fuel production. In 2016, about 189 million gallons of RNG were used to
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Regarding the Midterm Evaluation Draft Technical Assessment Report for Model Year 2022–2025 Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFE Standards, Advanced Biofuels USA offered the following comments and recommendations. Current EPA CAFE Fuel Mileage Regulations Are Not an Expedited
(National Biodiesel Board) Manufacturing Day 2017 Highlights Biodiesel's Job Creation -- Biodiesel is a driving force in America’s manufacturing sector, supporting more than 64,000 good paying, clean energy jobs across the country. These jobs are contributing to a vibrant manufacturing sector, reinvigorating
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) This document provides additional data and an opportunity to comment on that data and potential options for reductions in the 2018 biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel volumes, and/or the 2019 biomass-based diesel volume
(Argus Media) US independent refiners seized on protectionist themes and two key biofuel industry victories this year to argue regulators must reduce federally mandated blending of renewable fuels. Refiners framed a US-first pitch to slash more than 1bn USG — almost 7pc
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