by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) A number of biofuels groups testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago Tuesday at a hearing on an agency proposal to make some tweaks to the Renewable Fuel Standard to help perpetuate
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) Major automakers have embarked on an eleventh-hour push to undercut the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to boost climate and fuel efficiency standards for cars over the next decade. The Auto Alliance wants lawmakers to include language
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Dec. 1, the Senate Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing to discuss the U.S. EPA’s management of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) and two Government Accountability Office reports released on
by Jarrod Johnson (Farm Forum) ... However, while the program was created by Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with setting annual blending requirements for conventional and advanced biofuels. Over the past few years, the unelected federal agency has
by Bob Quinn and Doug Cooper (600WMTRadio) At the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management hearing entitled “Examining Two GAO Reports Regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard,” U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) stressed the importance
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA recently published a notice to its website setting the cellulosic waiver credit (CWC) price for 2017 at $2.00. The CWC price for 2016 was set in at $1.33 in November 2015. Within
(Growth Energy) Today, at a hearing in Chicago, Chris Bliley, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Growth Energy testified before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Rule. During his testimony, Bliley outlined Growth Energy’s concern
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management is holding a hearing examining two reports by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The reports incorrectly
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, in Washington and Brussels, four news flashes on global renewable fuel volumes appeared on the radar. Can you safely ignore them and get on with other work, or is there something to get deeply
by Maximilian Heath (Reuters) Argentina's biodiesel producers fear losing access to the United States, the destination of nearly all their exports, after Donald Trump's surprise victory in presidential elections earlier this month, representatives of the sector said. The Republican candidate, who is skeptical
by Keith Laing (Detroit News) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving to quickly finalize stringent gas mileage rules that require automakers to produce car and truck fleets averaging more than 50 miles per gallon by 2025 before President-elect
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued two reports Nov. 28 suggesting that the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program is unlikely to meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and expanding the U.S. renewable fuels sector.
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Biofuels and oil trade bodies have written a letter to the US’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the organisation not to redefine the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The issue centres on whether
by Jason Bordoff (Reuters) Since the Arab Oil Embargo four decades ago, every president has promised to wean the United States off the need for foreign oil. President-elect Trump is no different, promising in his speeches and transition plans to achieve “energy
(Environmental Protection Agency) On November 30, 2016, the Administrator proposed to determine that the MY 2022-2025 standards remain appropriate and that a rulemaking to change them is not warranted. This proposed determination is based on the robust technical record including the draft
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The Renewable Fuel Standard program calls for greater use of advanced biofuels—fuel made from waste fats and oils or crop residues, for example—in the transportation fuel supply through 2022. Yet, there is not nearly enough of this
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Montana, Blue Marble Biomaterials will become the first biomaterials company to utilize Regulation A+, a type of equity crowdfunding regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and will offer equity shares to the public. Regulation
by Kyle Abbott (The Mercury) ... EPA will take full authority over the RFS after 2022 with the power to remove corn ethanol from the mandate completely. This news is alarming considering that the EPA has already begun reducing the gallon amounts of
by Yvonne Tuah (Borneo Post) The United States increasing its biofuel mandate by six per cent to 19.28 billion gallons in 2017 – the highest ever recorded – is expected to benefit crude palm oil (CPO) prices. MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd’s
by James H. Stock (The Hill) ... In establishing the 2017 obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the EPA finally passed a major RFS milestone that will allow moving beyond the fruitless and acrimonious debate between big corn and big
by Brian Dabbs (Bloomberg) A Trump administration and new leadership of the Senate’s environment committee may breathe new life into efforts to roll back the Environmental Protection Agency’s renewable fuel standard, lawmakers and advocates say. House members are continuing to build
(AgriMoney) ... "That larger-than-expected lift [to the EPA target] fuelled ideas that already tight vegetable oil supply would become even tighter in 2017," said Tobin Gorey at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. At Chicago broker Futures International, Terry Reilly said that the
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Nov. 16, U.S. EPA’s proposed Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support rule was published in the Federal Register, officially opening a 60-day public comment period on the proposal. Comments are due Jan. 17. ... The proposal includes
(Federal Register/Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to deny several petitions requesting that EPA initiate a rulemaking process to reconsider or change its regulations that identify refiners and importers of gasoline and diesel fuel as the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Environmental Protection Agency released the 2017 renewable fuel volume obligations (and the 2018 volume obligations for biomass-based diesel), with a strong push beyond what has been termed the “blend wall” and
by Antoine C. Schellinger (Biofuels Digest/ International Alliance Group) ... The EPA has performed lifecycle analysis on certain pathways and published them in the CFR as approved pathways. They are labeled with sequential alphabetical characters and currently range from A to
by Dave Vandergriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM) ... At the Urban Air Initiative, we have been relentless in our efforts to open the market for higher ethanol blends. ... During 2016, we have worked hard to understand where EPA has gotten
by Ryan Fitzpatrick (Real Clear Energy) ... The latest attempt to tie our own hands behind our back is H.R. 5180, a bill that would neuter America’s most effective mechanism for bringing low-carbon liquid fuels to market—the Renewable Fuel Standard.
by Brian Dabbs (Bloomberg BNA) A Trump administration and new leadership of the Senate’s environment committee may breathe new life into efforts to roll back the Environmental Protection Agency’s renewable fuel standard, lawmakers and advocates say. House members are continuing to build
by Jim Talent (The Hill/Americans for Energy Security and Innovation) According to the Wall Street Journal, the “U.S. is on track this year to post the longest stretch of falling food prices in more than 50 years.” The Bureau of
(Federal Register) In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to update both its renewable fuels and other fuels regulations to reflect changes in the marketplace and to promote the growing use of both ethanol fuels (conventional and advanced) and non-ethanol advanced and cellulosic biofuels. The EPA
by Tammy Klein (Biofuels Digest/Future Fuel Strategies) ... With Trump’s outspoken refusal to accept the reality of climate change and promise to reinvigorate the fracking and coal industries, are LCFV initiatives stone dead? What can we expect in a Trump Administration? Let’s break
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Boston Herald) ... But relying upon fracking for our energy future is dangerous on two fronts. For one, reasonable oil supplies are finite and expensive. And lower oil prices have already made some of
(Oklahoma Farm Report) As farmers across the country harvest more corn than ever before this year, paving the way for a future of opportunity in the ethanol business, RON’s Associate Farm Director Carson Horn took the chance to speak with
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making plans to reject a plea by some fuel refiners to shift responsibility for ethanol mandate compliance away from them. A handful of refining companies like Valero Energy Corp. and
(American Council for Capital Formation) With Incoming Trump Administration, Reforms to Ethanol Mandates Could Provide Early, Bipartisan Win -- As the Trump administration readies to take the reins, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could serve as one of the first
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Donald Trump has been elected as 45th President of the United States. In response to the news, several ethanol groups, on behalf of the industry, are sending out their congratulations. “The president-elect repeatedly expressed strong support for
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) ... Biofuels: Trump said in Iowa in January that he wants ethanol volumes set under the Renewable Fuel Standard restored to statutory levels, but he has surrounded himself with RFS opponents, leaving the future of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digests) In Washington, Donald Trump captured the US Presidency in an upset victory that confounded pollsters and political pundits even as it delighted supporters of his maverick candidacy based on themes of immigration and trade reform
(Renewable Fuels Association) ... Leading up to the Paris Agreement, countries submitted individual plans — called Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) — on how they planned to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. At least 37 countries included biofuels in
by Bradley Olson (Wall Street Journal) Some refiners stand to rake in $1 billion by selling fuel credits, while others must spend millions to comply -- Environmental regulations designed to boost the amount of ethanol blended into the U.S. gasoline supply
(Value Walk) Murphy USA is the largest stand-alone fuel retailer in the United States. The majority of its stores are located adjacent to a Wal-Mart, and they pursue a low-cost, high-volume model. -- ... Lastly, Murphy makes a sizeable portion
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Buying bankrupt plants on cheap creates No. 5 U.S. producer; Free-market preachers seek profit without mandated use of fuel -- Jeremy Bezdek admits that the proposal he made to his bosses at Koch Industries Inc. sounded like
by Mark Drajem & Ari Natter and James Rowley (Bloomberg) ... Similar to Hillary Clinton’s dilemma on pipelines, a Trump administration could be caught between competing interests on approval for renewable projects or transmission lines on public lands. Trump has called
by Dale Christensen (Glacial Lakes Corn Processors/The Hill) ... EPA has either through ignorance at best or malice at worst failed to make our continued transition to cleaner, renewable fuels an easier path. Recall the nearly decade old problem with setting
by Laurențiu Rebega (EurActiv/Europe of Nations and Freedom Group) The change of EU policy on biofuels will undermine Romania’s potential to become one of Europe’s most important sources of clean renewable fuel -- ... n addition to the other major advantages, biofuels
by Mark Drajem & Ari Natter (Bloomberg) Early last year the EPA sent a letter to the Argentine biodiesel board that set out how its members could qualify their fuel as having been produced from “qualified land,” allowing them to sell
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) ... EPA’s proposed renewable volume obligation (RVO) is below the statutory 15-bg level established by Congress in 2007, and the Agency suggested the reduction was necessary because the marketplace lacked the capacity to consume
(Environmental Protection Agency) Average fuel economy reaches record 24.8 miles per gallon -- Passenger vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy while outperforming greenhouse gas emission standards in model year 2015, according to two reports released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) For better or worse, the U.S. biodiesel industry continues to consolidate. While 2014-’15 has been a rough period in the sector, the fallout has presented undeniable opportunities for key players with strong balance sheets and
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Rep. Bob Brady is going to press for changes in the Renewable Fuel Standard compliance mechanism that the refineries in his district say costs them millions — and he may try to enlist his old
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has announced plans to hold a public hearing on Dec. 6 in Chicago for its proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support Rule. Those who wish to testify must contact the EPA by
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... The lame duck Congress offers the next best chance for some movement on one issue important to the ethanol industry, said Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol, in his
by Krista Willis Willmar (Hutchinson Leader) ... And some consumer choices do significantly impact our exposure to cancer-causing toxins. Vehicle fuel is an excellent example. That’s why several major chains of gas stations across six states — including Minnoco in
by Andrew Follett (The Daily Caller) A federal ethanol mandate has cost American farmers at least $57 billion dollars through increased corn prices, according to calculations by the National Chicken Council. ... When America became the world’s largest producer of ethanol in
by Mark Sponsler (Colorado Corn/Greeley Tribune) ... In spite of its supporters being hugely outspent, the RFS passed based on the common-sense approach of diversifying fuel sources beyond the effective monopoly of petroleum interests, lessening our dependence on foreign oil, and also
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) Hillary Clinton's campaign mulled supporting the elimination of the Environmental Protection Agency's renewable fuels program before a campaign tour through the corn state of Iowa last year, according to illegally obtained emails posted by the
by John Upton (Climate Central) It may have seemed apparent to members of Congress a decade ago that if a motorist pumped a gallon of fuel made from corn into their gas tank, a gallon of fossil fuel would be
by Retired Maj. Gen. Paul D. Eaton (The Hill/VoteVets.org) Ninety-seven percent America’s motor fuel is blended with homegrown ethanol. From an energy security perspective, this is major progress that should be celebrated and encouraged. Energy is not a luxury; it’s a necessity
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) ... Comb through the tens of thousands of messages from John Podesta’s hacked inbox long enough, and you can find a veritable roadmap to the energy policy Hillary Clinton would execute if she wins the
by Nick Snow (Oil & Gas Journal) The American Petroleum Institute plans to press members of Congress to reform the federal Renewable Fuel Standard when the federal lawmakers return for their 2016 lame-duck session following the Nov. 8 elections, an
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Oct. 19, the U.S. EPA delivered its proposed rule to set renewable fuel standard (RFS) volume standards for 2017 and biobased diesel standards for 2018 to the White House Office of Management and
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The average amount of ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply hit a new record last week of 10.4 percent, just breaking through the 10% blend wall for the second time in a month, according to the
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biofuel critics will continue to distort the truth to fit their own narrative, but you can bet the ethanol industry will hit back with the truth each and every time. -- Stop
by Shelby Shepherd (KWQC) An hour before Trump and Clinton battled it out in Las Vegas, Iowa’s U.S. senate candidates battled it out in the western part the state they are fighting for. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley has held his
(Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Urban Air Initiative has discovered that the U.S. EPA relied heavily on the oil industry to help design test fuels used for the EPAct Study. This is a critical development because the data in
(Renewable Fuels Association) Gasoline supplied to the U.S. market last week contained an average of 10.4 percent ethanol, according to data released this morning by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). It was the second time in the last four weeks
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) A Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) director says the auto industry path to improved fuel economy includes higher blends of ethanol. Randall Doyal, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel in southeast Minnesota, tells Brownfield the ethanol industry is
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) The American Petroleum Institute is hoping that when the EPA sets final biofuel volumes later this year, it will reduce the percentage of ethanol required for blending with gasoline to something under 9.7 percent of total
by Eric Wolff (Politico/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) The Obama administration’s newest plan to stimulate sales of electric vehicles could deliver a political boost to supporters of the Renewable Fuel Standard, aligning automakers with biofuel backers against the oil industry’s attacks on
by George Lurie (The Business Journal) In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Pacific Ethanol’s registration of its Stockton ethanol plant to generate valuable credits by producing cellulosic ethanol with the same equipment the company
(Biogenic CO2 Coalition) Today (October 6, 2016), a coalition of major agricultural groups launched a grassroots campaign to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to remove its regulatory roadblock to development of the emerging bioeconomy. The Biogenic CO2 Coalition is a working
by John Beltz Snyder (AutoBlog) Neste will sell its 100-percent renewable diesel at certain stations in Finland.Produced from renewable ingredients (including waste products), the company's NEXBTL fuel has a lower carbon footprint and fewer emissions than petroleum-based diesel, requires no vehicle
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) US advanced biofuels production could get a boost under a rule change the Environmental Protection Agency is considering that would allow conventional refineries to receive renewable fuel credits for using drop-in biofuels when making gasoline and diesel. Developers
by Michael Hirtzer (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday proposed tweaks to its Renewable Fuel Standard that would allow biofuels to be processed at more than one location and would allow cellulosic ethanol to be made from poplar and
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) The Obama administration's latest effort to stimulate sales of electric vehicles could deliver a political boost to supporters of the Renewable Fuel Standard, aligning automakers with biofuel backers against the oil industry's attacks on the
by Scott Irwin (Farm Doc Daily/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) RINs prices have been making headlines in recent months, with prices at times crossing the psychologically important $1 per gallon mark. Echoing earlier complaints (farmdoc daily, July 19, 2013; December
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol industry leaders have weighed in on a draft technical assessment report for the midterm assessment on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and CAFE standards for model year 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles, focusing on the benefits
(Oil Price Information Service) EPA's move Monday proposing enhancements to its Renewable Fuel Standards program was "not at all unexpected," according to a Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) official. "EPA has been very transparent about this particular proposal," RFA Vice President Geoff
by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) ... 9 things you need to know about high octane fuel, and my perspective on a path forward. High octane fuel enables more powerful or more efficient engines ... But in the context of engines, octane is a
(Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice today announced the filing of a complaint against NGL Crude Logistics, LLC and Western Dubuque Biodiesel, LLC and a settlement with Western Dubuque to address
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) ... Within the proposed rule, the EPA explains that the RFS registration, reporting, recordkeeping and product transfer document (PTD) requirements were designed with the general expectation that renewable biomass would be converted into renewable fuel at
by Tom DiChristopher (CNBC) ... Clinton says she would extend standards for vehicle fuel efficiency, methane emissions, building codes and appliance standards that President Barack Obama implemented or supported, according to a campaign spokesperson. Clinton supports Obama initiatives like the Clean
(Fuel Marketer News) Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their proposed rule for Ethanol Flex Fuel and Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Rule. This proposal intends to provide regulatory clarification for ethanol blends from 16 percent to 50
(Environmental Protection Agency) EPA is proposing enhancements to its Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) program and other related fuel regulations to support market growth of ethanol and other renewable fuels in the U.S. These proposed changes will provide the opportunity for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization released the new white paper, “The Myth of High RIN Prices As Proof of the Blend Wall,” analyzing data recently released by EPA on compliance with the Renewable Fuel
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) ... Data recently released by EPA refutes the widely held assumption that reaching and exceeding the blend wall caused the 2013 rise in RIN prices. This newly available data calls for a thorough
by Liz Mathis (Marion Times) Here in Iowa, we encourage gas stations to install flex fuel pumps and other equipment to offer homegrown, renewable ethanol and biodiesel. The Legislature's investment of $3 million this year will continue to make tax
by Dirk Lohry, McCook Lake (Argus Leader) ... Sen. Mike Rounds is questioning corn ethanol’s future under the RFS. I know that seems counterintuitive, but in 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency will take control of the ethanol mandate, with the authority to
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) ... The Obama Administration has pursued a carefully balanced approach, deploying technologies that improve the very best of our existing energy sources, while rigorously implementing policies that invest in the second and third generations of tomorrow’s fuels. ... In
by Jason Frerichs (Argus Leader) ... As a state senator, I am hopeful we can generate bi-partisan support for putting S.D. state-owned undesignated flex fuel autos on E30. Then, adjoining state leaders will be encouraged to follow our lead to openly
(WHOTV.com) The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, last week released a sweeping critique of U.S. agriculture policy. In a 148 page report, the foundation called for Congress to revamp crop insurance and food standards. It also called for a repeal of
by Jack Fitzpatrick (Morning Consult) Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) is concerned that drivers who want to avoid a 15 percent ethanol blend of gasoline won’t be able to, he said in a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy
(Farm Futures) EPA and DOJ allege Chemoil exported biodiesel, but failed to retire RINs. -- Chemoil Corporation is required to retire 65 million renewable fuel credits to resolve alleged violations of the Renewable Fuel Standard program, according to the terms
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA fully supports meeting the 2022 CAFE standards. It is our understanding that the key to vehicle manufacturers meeting these standards rests on the ability to use high levels of low cost octane to operate
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Comments regarding the goals of the CAFE-GHG standards were due yesterday (September 26, 2016) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ethanol organizations made their voices heard. Comments submitted by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)
by Ron Lamberty (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) With high-profile convenience store chains announcing the addition of E15 and flex fuels to their traditional fuel slates, other chains and individual station owners increasingly are looking for information to explain
by Kerry Smith (The Telegraph) ... With the EPA set to exercise complete control over the RFS program in 2023, traditional corn ethanol may be at risk. Congressman John Shimkus is among those questioning whether the program has run its course.
by John Campbell (Biodiesel Magazine/Ocean Park Advisors) The U.S. EPA has set off a debate within the petroleum industry by suggesting that the point of obligation for compliance with the renewable fuel standard (RFS) be moved from the hands of a
[caption id="attachment_77283" align="alignleft" width="282"] Chris Tindal, U.S. Navy's Director for Operational Energy, explains the launch, operations and use of renewable fuel by the Great Green Fleet.[/caption] by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) An intimate group that shares some background or interest
by Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) ... Automakers have adapted innovations more quickly than anticipated. They implemented technology that wasn’t even anticipated just four years ago and exceeded regulatory targets. As of last year, vehicles sold under these new standards saved consumers $12.3
by John Lippert and Jeff Plungis (Bloomberg) ... As head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s air-quality and transportation office, (Chris) Grundler holds as much sway as any single human over how global automakers allocate more than $100 billion in R&D money
by Anne Steckel (National Biodiesel Board/The Hill) Headlines tell us the world is awash with oil. Gas costs less than bottled water in many places, and petroleum markets are in a prolonged slump that’s wreaking havoc on the industry’s bottom
by Rebecca Chillrud (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) September 22 marks the autumnal equinox and the official end of summer. But for approximately 330 gas retailers, the season ended last week, on September 16—a day celebrated as “E15 Day” in
by Jim Lane and Ron Cascone (Biofuels Digest/NEXANT) Recently, we held a popular webinar on Renewables and the Advanced Bioeconomy with NEXANT principal Ron Cascone, for which you can see the slides here. During the webinar, we received a number of excellent questions,
(American Coalition for Ethanol) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) kicked-off a two week ad campaign today in Environment & Energy Publishing (E&E), a Washington DC-based media outlet with five daily online publications and a daily video webcast for energy
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Earth & Water Group/Bloomberg) — A program to boost the use of biofuels in the U.S. has become vulnerable to scams that have bilked victims out of nearly $1 billion so far, warns a former Environmental
by David Shepardson (Reuters) A congressional panel will hold a hearing on Sept. 22 to look at the fate of U.S. fuel efficiency rules through 2025 amid growing concerns from automakers. An auto trade group representing General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co,
by Todd Neeley (DTN-The Progressive Farmer) Purdue University agriculture economics professor Wally Tyner isn’t exactly ready to discount the theory of indirect land use change, or ILUC, that has been the bane of biofuels’ existence since the creation of the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for agricultural uses. What can you use Aerial Data Analysis for? Says Precision Hawk's Ally Ferguson, quite a lot. Crop health indices, Plant height, Canopy cover, Weed detection, Season monitoring, Environmental
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump on Thursday appeared to weigh into a debate over a controversial U.S. biofuels program with a proposal that would back the position of billionaire investor Carl Icahn, one of his wealthiest
by Marc Levy (Associated Press/The Morning Call) Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and his Democratic challenger Katie McGinty tangled Monday over the use of corn ethanol in motor fuel and post-recession bank regulations as they try to show that the
(CALSTART) First-ever fuel economy survey of auto suppliers: 70 percent don’t want policymakers to change standards -- Tier 1 suppliers want long-term goals, support 2025 targets Major automotive suppliers see national fuel economy standards as important for long-term planning and investment and
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Consumers will have the choice to purchase E15 at the pump again tomorrow, September 15, 2016. For drivers owning a 2001 or newer vehicle, E15 sales are restricted during summer months due to an arcane U.S.
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Sept. 13, the governors of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy asking her to remove the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) limit
by Mike Arbige (DuPont/The Mercury News) Letter to Editor: Next to power plants, transportation remains America’s largest source of carbon emissions. Electrification will help, but only clean-burning biofuels — like ethanol — can immediately and dramatically combat rising levels of smog,
by Jacqueline Campos (Fuel Fix/Opportune) ... When it comes to this year’s election, renewable fuels continue to be well-supported, but policy mandating the use of those renewable fuels in gasoline remains to be seen. ... The dilemma is that RINs cannot be utilized until
(Pacific Ethanol/Globe Newswire) Now generating valuable D3 cellulosic RINs – Expects to produce over one million gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol at Stockton, CA plant -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEIX), a leading producer and marketer of low-carbon renewable fuels in the
by Bill Delahunt (Coastal Angler) ... There is a lot to like about ethanol. It displaces cancer-causing chemicals in gasoline like benzene. It replaced MTBE, which polluted drinking water throughout the 1990s. Just this year, ExxonMobil was required to pay millions for the
by Jay Douthit (Kent County Farm Bureau/My Eastern Shore) To the editor: The Kent County Farm Bureau stands with the Maryland Farm Bureau in support of the National Corn Growers Association’s opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed reduction of the corn-based ethanol
by David Vandergriend (Sacramento Bee) ... But the day-to-day threat facing many communities doesn’t come from carbon. It comes from airborne chemicals with less attention-grabbing names like volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and ozone. As with carbon,
by Robert Rapier (Forbes) ... It would have been one thing if Congress had based the mandates on a fuel that existed commercially. However, they essentially attempted to mandate a nonexistent industry into existence. Unsurprisingly, economic challenges again arose. Despite the mandates, there
by Rebecca Chillrud (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On July 18, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released their Draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR), providing a midterm evaluation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Biotechnology Innovation Organization has released its new report “Advancing the Biobased Economy: Renewable Chemical Biorefinery Commercialization, Progress, and Market Opportunities, 2016 and Beyond,” documenting substantial, ongoing growth in the renewable chemical industry and outlining federal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization released a landmark report “Advancing the Biobased Economy: Renewable Chemical Biorefinery Commercialization, Progress, and Market Opportunities, 2016 and Beyond,” documenting substantial, ongoing growth in the renewable chemical industry and outlining
by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice (Reuters/Yahoo! Finance) ... The alternative is for merchant refiners to increase their ability to blend ethanol. PBF Energy is the latest refiner to take this approach. PBF has asked Delaware regulators to expand its ethanol handling
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., recently met up with the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association to learn more about Minnesota's ethanol industry and show his support for clean homegrown renewable biofuels. "Minnesota and America's heartland are prime locations for
by Todd Neeley (DTN/The Progressive Farmer) With all of the political fights about the role ethanol and other biofuels have in the transportation sector, there is common ground for the ethanol, oil and automobile industries that could bode well for
by Barbara J Powell (Bloomberg) ... RINS aren’t the real problem for the Philadelphia refinery, Robert Campbell, head of oil products research for London-based Energy Aspects, said in a telephone interview today. “East Coast refiners are not particularly competitive in this
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Wisconsin, Tesoro reached an agreement for Tesoro to acquire Virent. The acquisition, the partners said, will support the scale up and commercialization of Virent’s BioForming technology for the production of low carbon bio-based fuels
by Lia Reich (PrecisionHawk) Since receiving an experimental airworthiness certificate from the FAA to research operations within extended visual line of sight, PrecisionHawk has proven a safety case to advance its research to include commercial operations beyond the visual line of
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... Many respected laboratories, agencies, and researchers have used a lifecycle analysis to show that biofuels, particularly advanced biofuels, provide significant carbon benefits compared to gasoline. These benefits have increased in recent years, as biofuels have
by Irshad Ahmed (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels International) If bioenergy represents a sustainable energy future for the planet, then why must it compete with oil prices to be deemed a feasible energy alternative for the society? The answer is simple: It is because
(Quad County Corn Processors/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad recently met with staff and board members from Quad County Corn Processors and representatives from Syngenta, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and the Iowa Corn Growers
by James Dozier (The Gazette/Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions) Sen. Chuck Grassley has displayed a consistent record of leadership when it comes to bringing jobs and clean energy to Iowa and helping to bolster the farm economy. Two recent efforts led
by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg) ... Now the oil industry itself is split over the RFS, or more specifically how the EPA applies it. It’s no mystery what’s inspiring the discord: money. Refiner CVR Energy, in which billionaire investor Carl Icahn owns an 82 percent
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association/Wayne Fueling Systems) Wayne Fueling Systems (“Wayne”), a global provider of fuel dispensing, payment, automation, and control technologies for retail and commercial fuel stations announces that all Wayne North American retail fuel dispensers will be supplied as compatible
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) As expected E15 sales in Minnesota fell in June as a result of the EPA-imposed Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) season, which bars the sale of E15 from June 1 to Sept 15. ... ... the key highlight of the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you were reading BBC’s coverage of the aviation biofuels space yesterday, you would have seen the provocative headline: Wood fuel plan to cut plane CO2 branded as ‘pipe dream’ Then would have looked in vain for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Is there some fundamental reason that the automotive biofuels people haven’t shifted to butanol or iso-butanol or some other compound that would be more compatible with gasoline and the present highly evolved gasoline engines? Is
by Brian Scheid and Herman Wang (Platts) Growing pressure for a federal probe of the opaque market underpinning the Renewable Fuel Standard could bolster efforts to dramatically reform the landmark biofuels policy. Earlier this month, billionaire investor Carl Icahn sent a heated,
by Richard Truett (Automotive News) Raising the octane in gasoline -- seen as a way to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions in today’s high-tech turbocharged, direct-injected engines -- looks like it will get some attention from the EPA. That’s the
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) It’s the Holy Grail for many in the ethanol industry to increase demand for our fuel based on its octane value proposition. The American Coalition for Ethanol has been working on octane
by John M. Urbanchuk (PennLive/ABF Economics LLP) ... Thanks to the RFS, nearly every drop of gasoline sold now contains at least ten percent renewable fuel, like ethanol, made right here in the United States. Last year, this policy allowed drivers to
by Brooke Coleman (Bloomberg/Advanced Biofuels Business Council) ... (Carl) Icahn’s ask is pretty simple. He wants the EPA to change the rules midstream to relieve his petroleum refining assets of their obligations. ... The RFS, for its part, requires petroleum companies like Icahn’s
by Keith Matheny (Detroit Free Press) The multi-billion-dollar U.S. biofuels industry — promoted and expanded for over a decade by the federal government — may be built on a false assumption, according to a new University of Michigan study published today
by James Osborne (FuelFix) Now gas station owners say they, too, are losing out after the price of RINs – the credits which refineries must have to prove there is ethanol and other biofuels in the fuel supply — shot
by Jim Talent (The American Spectator) The case for alternative energy done right. -- ... No other policy has so effectively undermined the international oil cartel that seeks to profit from our dependence on oil. Today, ethanol and other biofuels meet about
by David Shepardson (Reuters) U.S. regulators late on Monday denied a request by major automakers to extend the comment period on a key environmental analysis to determine whether government fuel efficiency requirements are feasible through 2025. ... Automakers had asked to extend
by Doug Durante (The Hill/Clean Fuels Development Coalition) ... The US Department of Energy just last week released a report that confirms the role of high octane and how it would meet automakers' needs for high efficiency, high compression engines. Among
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