by Robert Miller (TC Palm) ... The oil industry doesn't want ethanol to go away, but it doesn't want to give up any more market. It needs the low-cost oxygenate as refineries have been retooled to run more profitably by producing a
by Katie Fehrenbacher (Fortune Magazine) This is how much methane pollution that eleven oil and gas companies emit annually. Eleven oil and gas giants in the U.S. leak so much of a potent green house gas into the atmosphere every year that
by Devin Henry (The Hill) A bipartisan group of senators on Friday chided federal regulators for pulling back on the federal ethanol mandate. In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, the 39 senators said the agency should
(Gas & Electricity) By now, most are familiar with biodiesel. It is a cost-effective and more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional petroleum-based diesel fuels when used in the correct applications. ... However, there are limitations when compared to petroleum-based diesel. Biodiesel typically
by Zahra Hirji (Inside Climate News) Two activist groups used government data to show 12.4 million people in the U.S. live within a half-mile of an oil and gas facility—and its pollution. -- Environmentalists have launched a new mapping tool
by Bob Dinneen (Richmond Times-Dispatch) ... Joe Geiger’s recent Business Principles 101 column on business fads contained a number of fundamental inaccuracies related to the U.S. ethanol industry. As the saying goes, people are entitled to their own opinion, but
by Ryan Rowden (Missouri Petroleum Council/Kansas City Star) ... It’s good to be the world’s leading oil and natural gas producer. But an obsolete law passed before the U.S. energy resurgence could interfere. ... The problem could be even worse in Missouri if
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, following a lobbying push by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, 45 congressmen have sent a letter to the EPA administrator voicing concerns about the 2016 blending mandate under the Renewable Fuel Standard and
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) EPA’s new methodology for setting annual Renewable Fuel Standards continues to chill investment in advanced biofuels, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) finds in a new analysis released today. Investment patterns clearly demonstrate that EPA is sending a
(National Biodiesel Board) Biodiesel is delivering the vast majority of Advanced Biofuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard and is poised for continued growth with strong policy, National Biodiesel Board Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel said in prepared testimony
by Chris Soules (The Courier) ... The RFS is one law nearly every farmer knows. It requires oil companies to offer consumers clean, renewable choices at the gasoline pump, including blends of homegrown ethanol produced from agricultural products. For family
by Bob Dinneen (The Hill) ... It’s worth recalling why a bipartisan coalition of policymakers, including President George W. Bush, worked together in 2007 to expand the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires oil companies to make increasing amounts of biofuel
by Austin Harrington (Ames Tribune) ... During the trip, Culhane (Dan Culhane, president and CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and the Ames Economic Development Commission) and the other members of the delegation had a meeting that lasted nearly a
by Dave VanderGriend (ICM, Inc./Urban Air Institute/Ethanol Producer Magazine) In the world of ethanol, we need to get people smarter and "coach up" the public, media and policymakers as to the real story about our product. -- ... In our world
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle, is leading an effort to ensure that high octane, low carbon fuels are part of EPA’s midterm evaluation of the progress of federal fuel economy standards. Daschle was the
by Brad Plumer (Vox) A new energy era is upon us: For the first time since 1979, America’s cars, trucks, and airplanes emit more carbon dioxide than its power plants do. ... The story here is that the United States has made
(Bergeson & Campbell) On June 7, 2016, the Senate passed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg) by voice vote and sent it to President Obama for signature. As reported in our May 26, 2016,
(Argus Media) US Environmental Protection Agency administrators should shift the burden of US biofuel blending mandates closer to retail stations, US independent refiner Valero said today. The company, one of the largest US producers of both gasoline and ethanol, petitioned EPA
by David VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM Inc./Urban Air Initiative) ... We’ve learned that we can reduce harmful emissions by replacing toxic compounds in gasoline with clean burning ethanol, which improves air quality and protects public health. We can do so
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Between June 6 and 10, the Department of Energy (DOE) held its Annual Merit Review (AMR) in Washington D.C. At the meeting, over 350 national lab activities were evaluated within the Vehicle and Fuel Cell
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Archer Daniels Midland Co and other supporters of biofuels on Thursday said U.S. regulators grossly underestimated the amount of higher-ethanol fuel blends at pumps when requirements for next year's use of renewables were proposed. The comments came
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) The ethanol industry will lay into the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday for proposing a 2017 renewable fuel standard that it says is based on oil industry "hogwash." The industry also will threaten continued litigation if
by Mike Lefever (Post Independent/Citizen Telegram) ... In the end, though, I hope your take away is the same as mine; there’s a place at the pump for ethanol, petroleum and other fuels. We just don’t want ethanol to lose its place
(Fuels America/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The nation’s leading biofuel advocates are rallying supporters to urge the U.S. EPA to increase its proposed 2017 targets under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). With the start of the EPA’s public comment period this week
by Jane Fyksen (AgriView) ... But the proposed increases fall short of National Corn Growers Association expectations. Chip Bowling, National Corn Grower president and Maryland farmer, said while the EPA has moved in a better direction, the organization is disappointed
by Jonathan H Harsch (AgriPulse) The 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) proposed by EPA disappointed both biofuels and fossil fuels advocates. That's because EPA set next year's mandate for corn ethanol at 14.8 billion gallons - 200 million gallons below the level
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On May 31, the U.S. EPA published its proposed rule to set 2017 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volume requirements in the Federal Register and posted dozens of supporting documents under the rule’s docket folder
by Charlie Good (Des Moines Register/Good and Quick) ... Today, due to a combination of a quirk in federal regulation and the heavy-handed tactics of the oil industry, I walk out to my fuel pumps and change a sticker so that
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Growth Energy has spoken out to applaud a statement made by presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in support of the renewable fuel standard (RFS). Meanwhile, two former senators are asking Trump’s energy advisor
by Senator Timothy Wirth and C. Boyden Gray (Yale Environment 360) The criticism of ethanol by environmentalists is misguided and just plain wrong. In fact, thanks to improvements in farming techniques, increasing the amount of corn ethanol in U.S. gasoline
(Bergeson & Campbell) The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg) makes important changes to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that result in fundamental shifts in the requirements and approach under the law, while introducing
by Kevin Skunes (Grand Forks Herald) ... Thankfully, there's one vital energy policy that both Trump and his opponent, Hillary Clinton, have promised to support: the Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires that oil companies make increasing levels of clean, homegrown fuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has announced it will hold a public hearing June 9 in Kansas City, Missouri, on its proposed rule for the 2017 renewable fuels standard (RFS). Parties wishing to testify at the
by Erica Quinlan (AgriNews) Bobby Likis is an engine builder with 45 years of experience in the automotive service industry. He’s serviced around 200,000 vehicles and answered upward of 100,000 car-related questions on the radio. In this time, he’s seen no mechanical
by Don Scott (National Biodiesel Board/Biofuels Digest) EPA proposes to continue growing the Required Volume Obligations (RVO) for Biomass Based Diesel (BBD) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), but at a paltry 100 million gallons a year to 2.1 billion gallons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform has been a “work in progress” for years. House and Senate passage in 2015 of substantive TSCA reform measures considerably improved the odds that Congress would enact TSCA-reform legislation
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) ... The practical and legal constraints on the RFS are mostly of EPA’s own making. As EPA admitted in the final 2014-2016 rule, it set the volume obligations for those years according to
by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg) Say what you will about the EPA, but it doesn’t take the easy way out. EPA issued its proposal for the 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard yesterday, surprisingly early given that it has been increasingly tardy in issuing the
by O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa) Senator Joni Ernst says EPA administrators may be called before congress to explain the agency’s recent decision on renewable fuel standards. “There is clear direction from congress,” Ernst says, “and the EPA continues not to
by Isaac Orr (Quad City Times/The Heartland Institute) ... Many of the agriculture-related policy discussions taking place in the nation’s capital focus on how corn farmers will be hurt by the biofuel mandate because RFS requires traditional forms of biofuel,
by Keith Alverson (Argus Leader) As a sixth-generation corn farmer in South Dakota, and one who is deeply involved in sustainability programs in U.S. agriculture, I have learned first-hand how biofuels such as ethanol are good for our health and environment,
by John M. Urbanchuk (The Intelligencer) I am writing in response to Andrew Mikula's May 13 letter ("With oil now plentiful, why the need for ethanol in gasoline?"). Several points come to mind. Ethanol has several characteristics that make it an ideal
by Nicole Heslip (Brownfield Ag News) The National Biodiesel Board says the industry has already met the biodiesel targets set by EPA for 2018. Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel tells Brownfield they’re happy to see the timeliness of EPA’s
By Ed Hubbard (Renewable Fuels Association) ... At APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum), I found a delegation of countries that weren’t just committed to biofuels, but eager about the future and promise they held for those countries’ domestic economies, energy
by Tracey King (Detroit News) While our automobiles have experienced remarkable changes over the past several decades, the fuels we put in them have not. Specifically, the octane rating of regular gasoline today is the same as it was 40
by Laura Blewitt (Bloomberg) Federally mandated ethanol blending is adding extra pressure to the faltering profits of U.S. refiners. The worst crude oil downturn in a generation, which at first helped refiners’ profits, has now passed through to the fuel prices. Now,
by Jim Talent (Americans for Energy Security and Innovation/The Hill) Opponents of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) claim that the free hand of an unrestricted marketplace will guide biofuels into our fuel supply, driving economic competition and giving consumers better
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Def Con 2 alert from the biofuels educational and advocacy group (Advanced Biofuels USA) noted a House Subcommittee draft for defense appropriations, which had this language in Section 8132: None of the funds made available
by Devin Henry (The Hill) The Obama administration on Thursday finalized a new rule designed to cut methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector, pushing a stronger standard than one proposed last summer. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) methane
by Maura Keller (Fuel Marketer News) ... The argument among those marketers and retailers that have embraced the fuel is that E15 fuel allows them to market a cleaner-burning, higher-octane fuel that can technically be used by more than 200 million cars
by Kali Hays (Law360) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday sent some proposed changes to its Renewable Fuel Standard program to the White House for review, as the agency looks to promote the production of renewable fuels by removing
(Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The effort to stop the U.S. EPA from implementing a model that unfairly blames ethanol for increased emissions hit a “temporary setback,” according to officials from the Urban Air Initiative in response to action by
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... To achieve CAFE for the light duty fleet – there is no one-sized fits all solution. Considering each potential CAFE compliance pathway alone -- biofuels, improvements in fuel efficiency and electrification -- won’t realistically allow
by Senator Mike Rounds, R-SD (Capital Journal) In a recent letter to the editor, “Rounds sends mixed signals on ethanol,” the author’s critique was based on my decision to speak at an event sponsored by an anti-ethanol group. I’d like to be very
by David Roberts (Vox.com) Media coverage of the Democratic primary has not shed much light on Hillary Clinton's proposals for climate change and clean energy policy. But oh, she has proposals. Lots of them! I read the white papers. And
by Terry Anderson (Lee Agri-Media/Iowa Farmer Today) Great market opportunities exist for the ethanol industry, Doug Durante said as he opened the Ethanol 2016: Emerging Issues Forum April 28. “We can help the auto industry meet their requirements,” he said. “They provide
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) Energy security remains a top concern, even with growing U.S. supplies of oil, natural gas and renewable energy, said U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, kicking off a public forum on energy policies, electric markets and the grid in Des
by Katie Colling (Sioux City Journal) ... So my question is, why should non-farming Iowans care about RFS or any of the tax incentives for production of alternative energy forms? ... Iowa now has 41 corn ethanol plants and two cellulosic plants and
by Jessica Rose Spangler (Lancaster Farming) Ethanol isn’t a new concept. Using corn to make it isn’t either. And Pennsylvania even has a plant to create it, Pennsylvania Grain Processing LLC in Clearfield, which is capable of producing 110 million gallons
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) ... Ethanol also remains stuck in a battle with EPA over vapor pressure with 15% ethanol over the summer months. 10% ethanol, E10, has such a waiver so it can be sold during the
by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) Once again, we enter spring awaiting the U.S. EPA’s proposal for the renewable volumes obligations (RVO) for the next year. After six years in this cycle, we know that EPA must propose a
by Leif Magnusson (CLAAS Global Sales America Inc./Association of Equipment Manufacturers/Morning Consult) We have heard a lot about the importance of manufacturers during this election season, and as the head of a manufacturing business in Nebraska, I couldn’t agree more.
(U.S. Department of Energy) Bioenergy Technologies Office, in partnership with the Vehicle Technologies Office and DOE national laboratories, hosted a stakeholder listening day last June to concurrently investigate the optimization of fuels and vehicles. Formerly called “Optima,” this work is now
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) According to Syngenta, the combination of Cellerate process technology with Enogen can increase ethanol production by 20 percent. The 18 day trial was conducted at the Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) plant. Since going online, the
by Michael Grunwald (Politico) The administration floats a rule governing transportation projects. -- Administration officials told POLITICO they are about to propose rules that could force recipients of federal transportation dollars to track transportation-related emissions and set goals for cutting
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) ... Nearly a third of global GHGs come from the transportation sector making it a key area of focus in efforts to reduce emissions. Studies have shown that biofuels, like ethanol, are proven to reduce harmful GHGs
by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) Addressing climate continues to be one of the major reasons to support and develop advanced and cellulosic biofuels. -- Once again, we enter spring awaiting the U.S. EPA’s proposal for the renewable volumes obligations
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA delivered the proposed rule for the 2017 renewable fuel standard (RFS) to the White House Office of Management and Budget on April 15. OMB review marks a final step before the
by Kurt A. Rosentrator (Distillers Grains Technology Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Altered, novel products may require new AAFCO definitions, GRAS affirmations. -- ... During the past two years, we have reviewed and commented on two key rulings in the Food Safety Modernization Act,
by Bob Dinneen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Nearly 30 years ago, the U.S. EPA provided a 1-pound-per-square-inch (psi) waiver of the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility requirements for certain ethanol blends. It did so in recognition of the fact that lower
by Erin Wicox (Capital Journal) Recently, South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds was a keynote speaker at an event in Washington, D.C. hosted by the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF). The ACCF sounds harmless, but if you do a little
(Urban Air Initiative) Urban Air Initiative joined the Energy Future Coalition and the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition (GBC) in calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize an overwhelming body of new evidence showing fuel ethanol can reduce carbon
by Alan Neuhauser (US News and World Report) America's fracking boom promised big paychecks, but thousands of workers were exploited, the Labor Department says. -- ... Despite booming industry profits and record oil and gas output – which together rejuvenated the
by Dave VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM/Urban Air Initiative) We have a tremendous opportunity to make the case in the Midterm Review in what EPA says will be a "data driven and transparent process." We can show how carbon reductions are indeed
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In short, renewable fuels has reached a crisis of growth in the United States — years of expansion have halted, and everyone is entitled to ask why. ... Let’s look at the hard data. Demand signals As
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) A cornerstone of U.S. environmental policy has been the reduction of harmful tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks. Thanks to EPA regulations of mobile sources, air pollutants have been reduced by millions
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The American Petroleum Institute has unveiled yet another anti-biofuel poll. The latest released during a media call today was conducted by Harris Poll. According to the poll, 77 percent of registered voters are concerned that breaching
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The U.S. imported a record volume of biomass-based diesel in 2015. ... This increase in imports is particularly interesting because 2015 was a year with no forward-looking $1-per-gallon blender’s tax credit, and, for 11 months
by Todd Neeley (DTN/The Progressive Farmer) California's controversial low-carbon fuel standard may not be able to survive long term unless more biodiesel and corn-based ethanol are allowed into the state's market quickly, according to a new study. The analysis, conducted by
(Bergeson & Campbell/BRAG) On March 29, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Partial Exemption of Certain Chemical Substances from Reporting Additional Chemical Data final rule in the Federal Register. This final rule amends the list of chemical substances
by Robert Bradley Jr. (Master Resource) ... 1) Do you support ending all energy subsidies, including cleaning up the tax code to treat all types of energy the same? A: Yes, I support a true all-of-the-above approach to energy, ending all
(Stratas Advisors) The 2016 elections have raised clouds of questions for many involved in the US biofuels markets. The conflicting and inflated rhetoric surrounding biofuels and climate policy gives the impression that drastic change is on the horizon with multiple
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 64 countries have targets or mandates - but how much where, and when, and what? The bulk of mandates continue to come from the EU-27, where the Renewable Energy Directive specified a 10 percent renewable content
by Katie E. Moore-Drougas, Daniel T. Schwartz, Laurel James and Jim Durglo (Brookings Institution) ... One solution that has the potential to substantially curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a change in the Energy Independence and Security Act’s (EISA) definition of “renewable
by Tom Buis (Growth Energy) Last week, the Heartland Institute published a blog post claiming the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has a detrimental impact on American farmers and rural corn producing areas. Growth Energy responded to the post, pointing to the
(Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.) Many Americans today, including many legislators at the federal and state levels, were not yet born when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created by President Nixon in 1970, or they were too young to
(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and 17 other senators today urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set high blending targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2017,
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) ... Reuters' analysis of vehicle sales and government data shows that almost a fifth of the vehicles on U.S. roads can safely handle E-15 fuel, a gasoline with 15 percent ethanol content, or 50 percent more than
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg Business) ... Back in 2007, when crude oil was headed toward a record $147.27 a barrel, ethanol was being touted as a cheap alternative from abundant domestic resources. The U.S. is the world’s biggest corn grower and
by Alexis Bateman and Yossi Sheffi (MIT Sloan Management Review) How a Lack of Systemic Thinking Threatens a Sustainable U.S. Energy Policy -- ... In 2011, a combination of market conditions and government policies in the U.S. and Brazil led to a
by Ann Purvis (Heartland Institute) ... (A) new study from researchers at Strata Policy (SP) and the Institute of Political Economy (IPE) at Utah State University suggests RFS also harms the very farmers the ethanol mandate was designed to help. ... According to
by John O’Dell (Forbes/Trucks.com) With diesel fuel prices hovering at lows not seen in a decade, the smart money might bet against businesses developing products to replace the diesel engines and technology that keep the nation’s trucks on the road. But entrepreneurs
by John Miller (The Energy Collective) U.S. total carbon emissions increased to a historic high in 2007. During the 2007-09 Great Recession U.S. total carbon emissions declined rapidly due to a combination effective Government energy and carbon policies, and economic factors.
(Renewable Fuels Association) Fueling retailer Thorntons announced today that it will offer its branded E15 option, Unleaded15, at all 43 Chicago-area locations beginning this month. In response, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued the following statement: “We are
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) For a meeting about renewable energy held on St. Patrick's Day, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Janet McCabe, began her address with appropriate words from an old Irish
by Mike Jerke (Dickinson Press/Guardian Energy LLC) American-made ethanol is a clean-burning, environmentally friendly biofuel that represents an exciting step forward from dirty, foreign-sourced oil, yet an op-ed (“Renewable Fuel Standard continues to devastate”, March 10) being circulated in papers
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The House Oversight Subcommittees on Interior and Healthcare, Benefits and Administrative Rules held a joint hearing Wednesday to ostensibly examine the Renewable Fuel Standard but was basically an attack on the law. EPA Office of Transportation and Air
(Diesel Technology Forum) While diesel passenger vehicles sales have decreased in recent months, there are some positive signs that indicate diesel sales will recover and expand in the coming years, according to Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) New study finds renewable fuels continue to power Iowa's economy, but they could do a lot more. -- Joined by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds at the Iowa State Capitol on March 9, the
by Herman Wang (Platts) The US Environmental Protection Agency is considering a request by several independent refiners to shift the responsibility for complying with the federal biofuels mandate to blenders, a top agency official said Wednesday. But any such move would not
(Rep. Adrian Smith’s office/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., presented at a briefing March 1 to educate congressional staff on the impacts of a U.S. EPA regulation that currently prevents the sale of E15 during the summer months. Though E15
by Doug Durante (The Hill/ Clean Fuels Development Coalition) With regard to the recent opinion expressed by Rob Green of the National Council of Chain Restaurants, all I can say is gosh, what a better source for an objective assessment
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... To write this, I talked to Chris Disher and Max Kinast. As Disher said, it’s a story full of controversy, intrigue and lies. And, even though that conversion kit was ultimately certified by the U.S.
by Robin Vercruse (Fuel Freedom) ... Initially focused on reducing our nation’s petroleum use in the wake of the oil crisis of the 1970s, coupled with tailpipe emissions standards, the CAFE Standards have since become the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
by Ron Lamberty (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Ethanol’s high octane value is important and valuable, and it’s a part of most math and money discussions I regularly have with fuel station owners. In market conditions like we’re seeing today, as ethanol’s
(1380KCIM.com) Congressman Steve King has endorsed Texas Senator Ted Cruz for the GOP Presidential nomination, causing many to ask Iowa’s fourth-district representative about his commitment to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). ... Cruz’ plan is to phase down the RFS over
(FactCheck) ... Cruz said he bravely opposed ethanol mandates in Iowa where they are popular with corn growers, but Trump accused him of waffling on that issue. ... During the run-up to Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, Cruz publicly defended his long-standing opposition to
by David Babson (Union of Concerned Scientists) ... But recent science suggests that we don’t have a great handle on how large methane emissions really are, so we are going to need strong science to back up this commitment. Methane is a
by Brad Plummer (VOX) ... Note that the CAFE standards come up for a midterm review in 2017. Some automakers have been arguing that the rules should be weakened in light of recent low oil prices and shifting preferences. A recent
(Institute for Energy Research) 2015 was a good year for the ethanol industry for both production and blending. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. ethanol producers increased their production 3.4 percent to 14.81 billion gallons in 2015, and
(Environmental Compliance News) ... Americans should not misunderstand the current state of domestic production, foreign production, international economics, and low prices, according to Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council. “Oil dependence is still a problem, and recent
(Renewable Fuels Association) In an interview with POLITICO Pro Energy’s Morning Energy, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard stipulated that his organization was pivoting its strategy toward reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard rather than continuing to call for
(Industrial Biotechnology) ... My current assessment is that there exists an unlimited sense of opportunity in the biobased products and bioenergy sector. I look at the work being done at the USDA, which is extensive and has been helpful in getting
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has scheduled a public meeting of the chartered Science Advisory Board March 31-April 1. During the meeting, the SAB is expected to conduct a quality review of a draft report on the
(OPIS) The Renewable Fuels Supply Supplement is the first publication in the OPIS Market Trends series and is now available! This supplement is designed to analyze, educate and inform the global downstream industry of the latest trends, technologies and regulatory
by Tristan R. Brown (The Conversation) The 2016 primary race is defying conventional wisdom, with erstwhile fringe candidates competitive in the polls despite their unorthodox policy positions. The Iowa Republican Caucus provided additional material for this storyline as Senator Ted Cruz defied
by Adam Christensen, Benjamin Hobbs (Science Direct/Applied Energy) Biofuel policy is under near constant review at both the federal and state level. For example, as part of on-going implementation of the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), the California Air
by Eric Wolff (Politico) ... The oil lobby is polling its members to develop ... a new strategy on the Renewable Fuel Standard in the wake of significant policy and political shifts in the ethanol world, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO
by John Martin (Fleet Equipment Magazine) ... The fuel tax credit for LNG was also made in energy equivalency rather than gallons since LNG occupies so little volume. The tax credit will either be calculated on a diesel—gallon equivalency or a
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) Regardless of their political party, Iowans strongly support a government program promoting ethanol — reaffirming its popularity in the nation's No. 1 ethanol-producing state, according to results of the new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. Seventy-one percent of Iowans favor the Renewable
(VTDigger.org) Vermont Law School research commissioned by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund will help reach biodiesel goals of Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan -- A new report, On-Farm Biodiesel Production in Vermont: Legal and Regulatory Overview, conducted by the Institute for
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest/Biotechnology Innovation Organization) ... The challenge our industry faces right now is to continue building investment in the biobased economy. That can be accomplished with both policy and non-policy activities. ... On the policy front a new coordinated federal
by Fred Yoder (The Columbus Dispatch/Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association) When the original renewable fuel standard was passed in 2005, gasoline manufacturers were under heavy pressure to do something about the contamination of thousands of groundwater sources from using methyl
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) Federal support for biofuels came up for discussion at this week’s House Agriculture Committee hearing on the state of the rural economy. Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia questioned Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about the USDA’s
by Monica Trauzzi (OnPoint/E&E TV) As the renewable fuel standard continues to face legal and legislative challenges, advanced biofuels companies are seeking alternative investment markets. During today's OnPoint, Hugh Welsh, president of DSM North America, discusses his company's ongoing work
(Agricultural & Applied Economics Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Just last year the USA Today and Chicago Tribune called for an end to the mandate that was created, in part, to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign oil. Professor Bruce Babcock of Iowa
by Glenn Kessler and Michelle Ye Hee Lee (The Washington Post) “What I said is that ethanol [mandate] will phase out; it is phasing out now. By 2022, that program expires by virtue of the existing law, and at that point
(BOAT-US) ... E0 (zero-ethanol) gasoline, which is sold at marinas and gas stations, is in effect being pushed out of boat fuel market to make room for the Renewable Fuel Standard-mandated E15 and higher ethanol blends. This means boaters may see
By Spencer Chase (Agri-Pulse) After failing in recent years to meet mandated timelines for the Renewable Fuel Standard, the Environmental Protection Agency is vowing to get the program back on schedule. “We don't like missing deadlines at all,” Janet McCabe, EPA's acting
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Valero Energy Corp. has filed with a petition for reconsideration with the U.S. EPA, asking it to revise its definition of “obligated party” under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The company has also petitioned
by Jessica Lyons Hardcastle (Enviromental Leader) In the latest efforts to repeal the US biofuel mandate, last week the American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers both filed lawsuits challenging the Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires refiners to
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... A new campaign, called “Flex My Choice,” gives consumers a voice to support FFVs. The effort is aimed at automakers, auto dealers and the U.S. EPA. As the CAFE credits are phased out for
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Feb. 11, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on U.S. EPA policies that impact the rural economy. The renewable fuel standard (RFS) and Clean Power Plan were among the programs discussed
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) EPA reduced ethanol volumes below statutory levels in November; Valero Energy files suit against U.S. government over target --- The conflict between agriculture and petroleum interests over the government’s ethanol mandate shows no signs of abating, U.S. Department
by Dave VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM/Urban Air Initiative) ... Regardless of where candidates stood on ethanol, having this first step on the road to the White House begin in Iowa provides an opportunity to talk about an issue that affects everyone
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) hosted an Ag Executive Outlook panel during the opening day of the 2016 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville this week and one of the top issues for the organization is
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Valero Energy Corp filed lawsuits against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday to push the regulator to alter a U.S. policy designed to boost use of renewables in transportation fuels. The country's top refiner and No.
by Wayne Madsen (GazetteXtra) EDITOR’S NOTE: The writer is addressing the question, “Should the U.S. scrap ethanol mandates and use its energy surplus to spur the economy?” Critics, particularly big businesses and right-wing conservatives, keep carping about the costs of the
by Dan Charles (New England Public Radio) ... If you oppose government interventions in the free market, as Cruz does, the RFS is an outrage. ... This view of the RFS is widely shared across the political spectrum, including, for instance, the
by Jonathan Coppess (Farm Doc Daily) The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been a hot topic of late given the release of the final rule and its rather prominent feature leading up to the recent Iowa caucuses. The RFS discussions have
by Kelly Davis (Renewable Fuels Association) The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a final rule on how ethanol blends above 10% must be labeled at retail fuel stations. The final rule, which was published on Jan. 14, will go
(Biodiesel Magazine/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. EPA, filed a civil complaint Jan. 4 in federal court in Detroit, Michigan, against Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group
(DTN/Progessive Farmer/KTIC Radio) DuPont filed a motion Friday to intervene in a lawsuit seeking review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest Renewable Fuel Standard volumes, arguing the final volume requirements put the company’s cellulosic ethanol investments at risk. ... DuPont has completed
by Robert E. Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Of all the grandstanding by politicians over the Flint, Michigan, drinking water disaster perhaps the most hypocritical has been that of Democrats such as Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton heaping all the blame on
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) I really enjoyed learning about research into midlevel ethanol blends from Timothy Theiss and Brian West, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "E25, E40 for the masses" went live on our website last week
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has published a proposed rule that aims to amend specific provisions in the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule, including some provisions related to biogas and ethanol. ... Regarding ethanol, the proposed rule aims to
(American Coalition for Ethanol) To coincide with the fly-in, ACE created an ‘infographic’ promoting the benefits of the RFS. Titled “The Right Direction: How the RFS is a Map to Progress,” the new infographic pinpoints how the RFS is accomplishing
by David Ripplinger (NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics) When I returned to the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University in 2010, I expected my research to focus on the economics of liquid biofuels. The
by Renee Schoof (Bloomberg BNA) A group of farm-state governors and some advocates for clean energy are pressing the Environmental Protection Agency to get tougher on toxic air pollution from motor vehicles in a way that could lead to a bigger
by Laura Blewitt and Mario Parker (Bloomberg) ... Biodiesel’s become so cheap in the U.S. that some refiners are being paid to use it. Midwest refiners are paying as little as 64.5 cents a gallon for the fuel after factoring in a $1-a-gallon
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