by Tom (KOWA Radio) A key Senate ethanol backer says the Biden EPA’s threat to lower 2020 biofuel volume requirements on top of rumored cuts to levels for this year and next, would severely damage biofuel and corn producers. Senate Ag Republican
Agricultural Policy
Back TO HOMEVilsack: Biofuels $700M Still on Way -- Secretary of Agriculture Says USDA Biofuels Aid in Hands of OMB
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) About $700 million designed to help biofuels producers is still on the way three months after the USDA made the announcement to help producers hurt by the COVID-19 economic shutdown. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Invests $464 Million in Renewable Energy Infrastructure to Help Rural Communities, Businesses and Ag Producers Build Back Better
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Projects Will Support Climate-Smart Solutions to Lower Energy Costs in 48 States and Puerto Rico -- U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Advances the Future of Sustainable Fuels in American Aviation
(White House) New Actions Aim to Produce Three Billion Gallons of Sustainable Fuel, Reduce Aviation Emissions by 20% by 2030, and Grow Good-Paying, Union Jobs -- Today (September 9, 2021), President Biden is taking steps to coordinate leadership and innovation across
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Brazil’s Biofuel Program Sputters on Weak Emissions Accounting
by Sibélia Zanon (Mongabay; Translated by Maya Johnson) • The RenovaBio program has been encouraging biofuel producers in Brazil to emit less carbon dioxide since the end of 2019. The program survived a rocky first year brought on by the
September 08, 2021 Read Full Article
New Funds Requested for DOE SAF Loan Guarantees
(The Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition/PR Newswire) The Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition (“AFCC”), and its member companies are asking the Biden Administration to incentivize the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) – since it would be critical to
September 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Axne Convenes Rural Task Force Meetings
(RadioIowa) Third district Congresswoman Cindy Axne is co-chair of the new Rural Reinvestment Task Force formed by the New Democrat Coalition in the U.S. House. Axne says she’ll be recruiting other House Democrats who can articulate a policy agenda that supports
September 07, 2021 Read Full Article
West Bengal Will Be Self-Sufficient in Rice Bran-Based Ethanol Production: CM Mamata Banerjee
(Financial Express) West Bengal will soon come up with an ethanol production and promotion policy to make the state self-sufficient in rice bran-based ethanol production that has to be blended with petrol and diesel for lowering pollutants from the fossil fuel. West
September 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Klobuchar, Colleagues Urge Schumer, Pelosi to Support Homegrown Renewable Fuels in Reconciliation Package
(Office of Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)) U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Cindy Axne (D-IA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), and Mark Pocan (D-WI) sent a letter
September 03, 2021 Read Full Article
How Donald Trump United Democrats on Ethanol
by Adam Sullivan (The Gazette) Donald Trump’s refinery waivers were seen as a setback for ethanol producers. In hindsight, it was a gift to the industry. -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, defending champion of the Iowa Republican caucuses, was in the
September 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Decarbonizing Ag & Transportation: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to BETO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office’s Nichole Fitzgerald, Program Manager, shared this short but sweet slide guide on BETO’s goals for 2021-2030 with large volumes of biomass being critical to achieving those goals,
September 01, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Invests $26 Million in Biofuel Infrastructure to Expand Availability of Higher-Blend Renewable Fuels in 23 States
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Projects Will Increase Availability of Biofuels by 822 Million Gallons Annually -- Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $26 million to build infrastructure to expand
August 20, 2021 Read Full Article
There at the Beginning: Bob Dinneen
(Renewable Fuels Association) One of the leading authorities on the history of the U.S. ethanol industry didn’t get his start working for the energy or agriculture sectors. He grew up in the suburbs of Boston before finding his way to our
August 12, 2021 Read Full Article
RBZ Dumps Gono’s Failed Jatropha Project
by Leopold Munhende (New Zimbabwe) THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has finally given up on former Governor Gideon Gono’s Jatropha Biodiesel experiment. RBZ governor John Mangudya said in his 2021 Mid-Term Monetary Policy review the project no longer warranted the central
August 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Lawmakers from Both Parties Call for Investment in Ag as a Climate Solution
(North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance) Thirty lawmakers from both houses of Congress have written a letter urging House and Senate leadership to support an historic, long-term investment in farmers, ranchers and rural communities as a part of upcoming infrastructure and
August 06, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Report: Farmers, Ethanol Producers Would Lose Billions if Summertime E15 Ban Returns
(Renewable Fuels Association) The recent D.C. Circuit Court decision overturning EPA’s approval of year-round E15 sales could have a strongly negative impact on the rural economy and environment in the coming years unless action is taken to allow unimpeded sales of E15 all
August 05, 2021 Read Full Article
President Biden’s Climate Plan and iIts Role in Agriculture & Renewable Biofuels
by Oliver Peoples (Yield10 Bioscience/Biofuels Digest) During President Biden’s April 22nd climate plan speech at the Virtual Leaders’ Summit on Climate, he announced his goal of cutting 50 percent of U.S. carbon-emissions levels by 2030. This is no simple task, and consumers,
August 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Establishing a Fair Ag Carbon Market Will Be Complicated, but Worth the Effort
(Solutions from the Land) The talk among policy makers in Washington to promote a market in which farmers, ranchers and forestland owners can be fiscally rewarded for their efforts to retain carbon in their soil has excited many. The prospect for
August 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Harder Introduces Landmark Legislation to Help Farmers Lead on Climate Change
(Office of Representative Josh Harder (R-CA 10th) Bill will establish billions in new initiatives to support the efforts of the agriculture industry in leading the way on climate -- Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) reintroduced his Future of Agricultural Resiliency and Modernization (FARM)
August 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Vilsack Speech in Iowa Launches U.S. Grains Council Hybrid Summer Meeting
(U.S. Grains Council) The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) brought members together in person Wednesday for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, launching its summer annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, and online through a virtual meeting platform. Joining for
August 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Thune, Farm-State Colleagues to Biden: Biofuels Noticeably Absent From Your Agenda
(Office of Senator John Thune R-SD) U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today led several of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden requesting a meeting with him and representatives of his cabinet to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard and promote biofuels
July 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Letter: Don’t Undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard
by Byron Dorgan (InForum) ... The current year is already half gone and the Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes yet. News reports indicate that oil refiners are demanding the Biden administration slash RFS volumes below what the
July 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Its Time to Make Long-Lasting and Transformative Investments in Biofuels
by Representative Angie Craig (D-MN 2nd) (The Hill) ... I’m a supporter of biofuels. Biofuels offer predictability for farmers, drive economic growth and investment in rural America and decrease the carbon intensity of our transportation sector. These benefits are why
July 28, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Pledge to President: Ethanol to Achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050 or Sooner
(Renewable Fuels Association) In a letter sent today to President Joe Biden, Renewable Fuels Association members from across the country memorialized their commitment to ensuring ethanol achieves a net-zero carbon footprint, on average, by 2050 or sooner. Ethanol is already cutting greenhouse gas
July 28, 2021 Read Full Article
New Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Digester Costs for US Farmers
(Bioenergy Insight) Bipartisan legislation has been introduced by US Senators to encourage investment in biodigester and nutrient recovery systems while establishing a new market for farmers. The Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Act, a bill brought forward by US Senators John Thune and Sherrod
July 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Why All Agriculture Carbon Credits Aren’t the Same
by Helena Bottemiller Evich (Politico) Green groups are calling for USDA to set standards so there’s more clarity in the rapidly changing market. -- Agricultural carbon credit programs are cropping up left and right, but the standards they adhere to are
July 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Feinstein, Toomey, Menendez, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Repeal Ethanol Mandate
(Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)) Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today introduced the Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act, a bill to end the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Standard. The
July 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition Supports Letter from Congress Members Veasey and Granger to Ag Secretary Vilsack about BioPreferred® Program Problems
The Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition supports a bipartisan letter from Texas Members of Congress, Marc Veasey (D-TX 33) and Kay Granger (R-TX 12) to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding flaws in the USDA BioPreferred® Program. Requests include: • Provide a
July 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Central Tuber Crop Research Institute Bets on Cassava as Feedstock for Bioethanol Production
by V Sajeev Kumar (The Hindu Business Line) As a biofuel crop, cassava has comparative advantages vis-a-vis sugarcane -- As the search for alternate feedstock sources for ethanol production gathers pace, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) finds cassava (tapioca)
July 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel Content Hike Closer to 10% Blend Seen Reducing Fuel Consumption by 80 Million Liters
by Angelica Y. Yang (MSN/Business World) THE ENERGY Department’s revised guidelines on biofuel accreditation will help the Philippines reduce its fuel consumption by 80 million liters while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the foreign agriculture unit of US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
July 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Ontario Increases Opportunity for On-Farm RNG Production
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Ontario government on July 5 announced it is changing its biogas regulations under the Nutrient Management Act to enable new on-farm biogas systems and expansions of existing systems to be approved more easily and at
July 15, 2021 Read Full Article
North Carolina Bill Creates General Permit Certain Biogas Systems
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on July 2 signed the North Carolina Farm Act of 2021. The legislation, in part, directs the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission to develop a new general permit for farms
July 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Representataives Angie Craig, Adrian Smith Lead Bipartisan Effort from Congressional Biofuels Caucus in Introducing Legislation to Allow Year-Round E15 Sales
(Office of U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN 2nd) Craig and Smith’s Legislation has been endorsed by Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the National Corn Growers Association -- Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) led Co-Chairs
July 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Infrastructure Can Support Iowa, Save Planet, Says Axne
Cindy Axne (D-IA-3rd) Key funding would help reduce carbon emissions and reliance on foreign energy while investing in Iowa’s rural communities -- Investments in biofuels infrastructure represent the best of all worlds as we chart a path to an energy economy
July 12, 2021 Read Full Article
With Assistance, Agriculture Can Help with Climate Change
by Collin Peterson (Minneapolis Star Tribune/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) ... According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agriculture accounts for just 10% of U.S. CO2 emissions, with livestock accounting for just 4%. On a net basis, agriculture and forestry actually eliminate more
July 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Court Losses Are Only Temporary Setbacks, Says Ethanol Industry
by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) Despite losing two high-profile cases in seven days, the ethanol industry says the future is bright for the corn-based biofuel that it promotes as a low-carbon alternative to gasoline and a tool to slow global warming.
July 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Senators Urge President Biden to Keep Biofuels Promises
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) A group of six U.S. senators, led by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), are holding President Biden accountable for the promises he made on the campaign trail to support biofuels producers and farmers in light of recent reports about his
July 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Groups Urge EPA to Spell out RFS Waiver Rules
by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) ... Farm and ethanol groups said they were confident the EPA will approve few exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard, but they urged the agency on Monday to state how it will run the program in
June 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Big Day on The Hill
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) will unveil a package of bills today with two of her Republican colleagues to boost biofuels infrastructure. Klobuchar and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will introduce the Biofuel Infrastructure and Agricultural Product Market Expansion
June 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Reality Check for USDA's Climate Agenda
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The agriculture industry is anxiously waiting to see how the Biden administration intends to enlist more producers to adopt climate-friendly farm practices. But even as corporations are eager to buy offsets from farmers who
June 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Increasing On-Farm AD Uptake: What Are the Barriers to On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion and How Can They Be Resolved?
(Bioenergy Insight) Why is the uptake of anaerobic digestion (AD) on UK farms so low? What are the barriers to adoption and what can be done to reduce or remove them? These are the questions that have driven recent research
June 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Minnesota Bill Would Allocate $6M to Biofuel Infrastructure
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Minnesota House of Representatives on June 19 voted 112 to 20 to pass an omnibus agriculture bill that includes $6 million to support the development of biofuel infrastructure to supply E15 blends of fuel. The
June 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Skor Highlights Biofuels’ Ability to Drive Economic Growth at Senate Subcommittee Hearing
(Growth Energy) Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor participated in the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy hearing titled “Renewable Energy – Growth and Opportunities for our Rural Economies”. In the hearing, Skor spoke on
June 22, 2021 Read Full Article
RURAL RENEWABLES: The Senate Agriculture Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee Meets Today on Renewable Energy Opportunities in Rural Areas.
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The Senate Agriculture Rural Development and Energy subcommittee meets today on renewable energy opportunities in rural areas. Subcommittee Chair Tina Smith plans to use the hearing to highlight biofuels’ role in emissions reductions, particularly in hard-to-electrify industries like
June 22, 2021 Read Full Article
India Set to Make Flex-Fuel Engines Mandatory, Decision to Be Taken in 8-10 Days' Time
(Press Trust of India/First Post) The government will take a decision over flex-fuel engines in the next 8-10 days as it is considering making these engines mandatory for the automobile industry, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday while asserting that
June 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Investing in Palm Biofuels Gets a RED Card from Brussels
(Palm Oil Monitor) Last week the Commission released its ‘Climate Taxonomy’ document. Basically, this is a new set of regulations that determine whether an investment by an EU bank or institution can be considered ‘climate friendly’. This regulation has been in train for some
June 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Farm Futures Summit Highlights Ethanol
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Farm Futures Business Summit being held this week in Iowa featured corn farmers and ethanol industry leaders on the first day of the program to shed light on the future of ethanol. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) sponsored the panel
June 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Greenhouse Gas Data Deep Dive Reaches New Level of ‘Reasonable and True’
by Lauren Quinn (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) ... For corn ethanol, most greenhouse gas emissions can be mapped to the fuel’s production, transportation, and combustion, but a large portion of the greenhouse gas calculation can be traced right back to the
June 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Shaheen, Collins Lead Bipartisan Letter to EPA Urging Support for Biomass Industry
(Office of Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)) U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) led a bipartisan letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the Biden administration to address languishing applications under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program, including
June 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Distillation Capacities Likely to Be Doubled by 2025, Says Centre
(ANI/Yahoo!) It is likely that ethanol distillation capacities in the country would be more than doubled by 2025 and India would be able to achieve 20 per cent blending target, said Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary of the Department of Food and Public
June 16, 2021 Read Full Article
New Pandemic Dollars Coming for Biofuels, Livestock Producers
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) USDA announces latest COVID aid for biofuels, dairy farmers and processors, livestock farmers and contract growers of poultry. -- As part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, USDA announced additional aid to agricultural producers and
June 15, 2021 Read Full Article
House Biofuels Caucus Requests Pandemic Relief for Biofuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Members of the House Biofuels Caucus sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on June 9 urging the USDA to provide COVID-19 relief to biofuels producers under the agency’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers program. Former
June 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Daschle: New Administration Could Put Ethanol into ‘Orbit’
by Mikkel Pates (AgWeek) Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., talks about corn ethanol opportunities in the Biden administration and reflects on the recent passing of Orrie Swayze, a farmer and former Marine fighter pilot from Wilmot, S.D., who
June 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Govt Should Give Tax Breaks on Ethanol: Expert Committee
by Yogima Seth Sharma (Economic Times) “In order to bring predictability and to encourage investment by entrepreneurs in expansion or setting up of new ethanol capacities, the government may devise and declare a floor price of ethanol for five years with
June 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Climate Policy Is Moving Again and a Voice for Algae Is More Important than Ever
(Algae Biomass Organization) The Biden Administration is weaving climate policy into almost every facet of the government, and at ABO we are working closely with the White House, Congress and federal agencies to ensure that the microalgae and seaweed industry can play its
June 04, 2021 Read Full Article
New Reports Correct the Record on Faulty Land Use Change Assertions
(Renewable Fuels Association) A pair of recent studies examining purported cropland expansion in the Midwest are based on a flawed methodology that “suffers from accuracy and certainty issues,” according to a new review of the studies by researchers at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
June 02, 2021 Read Full Article
USGC Helps Connect Dots on Corn and Ethanol in India
(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council recently participated in the biannual Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Maize Summit, at which both Amit Sachdev, USGC representative in India, and Kansas Corn Commission Executive Director Greg
June 01, 2021 Read Full Article
First Generation Biofuels: Angel or Demon?
by Oliver Mace (Broadmanor Consulting) ... In fact, when it comes to biofuels, sustainability specialists working for the likes of RSB or ISCC have spent countless hours attempting to define what it actually depends ON, in great detail and across many
May 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Jeanne McCaherty's Testimony to MN House Conference Committee on the Future Fuels Act
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) ... Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy and board member of MN Bio-Fuels, testified in support of the Future Fuels Act to the Minnesota House Conference Committee. Here's her testimony in full: ... Specifically, we have discussed strategies that can harness
May 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Fischer, Duckworth Introduce Bipartisan RFS Integrity Act of 2021
(Office of Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE)) U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced the bipartisan RFS Integrity Act of 2021. This legislation would provide more certainty for rural America by
May 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Report Shows How U.S. Farmers Can Fight Climate Change
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) A new report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation finds U.S. farmers have the potential to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and become part of the global solution to climate change. U.S. agriculture contributes about 10% of the
May 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Active Ethanol Policy for Jobs Creation
by Tim Newbold (The Guardian) The global approach to energy is changing rapidly. The urgency of the challenge that climate change presents has focused significant attention and resources on renewable energy solutions, as countries and companies seek to reduce emissions. One
May 24, 2021 Read Full Article
Why Latin America is the Middle East of Biofuel
(Lat Am Investor) ... However, as mining experts reveal elsewhere in this report, copper supply will be unable to replace every existing internal combustion engine with an EV by 2050. ... That means biofuels will also play an important role. Latin
May 24, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Inputs Exempted from State Sales and Use Taxes
(Unicameral Update) Lawmakers passed a bill May 20 containing several sales and use tax exemptions, including one for inputs used to manufacture ethanol. Under LB595, introduced by Thurston Sen. Joni Albrecht, state sales and use taxes may not be imposed on the gross
May 21, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Releases 90-Day Progress Report on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today published the 90-Day Progress Report on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (PDF, 561 KB). The report represents an important step toward in President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and
May 20, 2021 Read Full Article
UK Moves forward with Adoption of E10
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.K. Department for Transport on May 13 released draft legislation to implement the country’s planned adoption of E10. The government in February 2021 confirmed plans to allow E10 following a public consultation opened in March 2020. The U.K.
May 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Winning the Future: Analyzing the CLEAN Future Act and Its Implications for Biofuels
by Jenna Bloxom* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The May 5th, 2021 Congressional hearing of the CLEAN Future Act: Driving Decarbonization of the Transportation Sector was a veritable marathon of legislative discourse just shy of four hours long as both parties debated
May 18, 2021 Read Full Article
FOP and UFOP Call for the Role of Sustainability Certification for Biomass to Be Recognized
(Union for the Promotion of Oilseed and Protein Plants) The French Association of Oilseed and Protein Producers (FOP) and the Union for the Promotion of Oilseed and Protein Plants (UFOP) call on the European Commission to include all European biomass raw
May 17, 2021 Read Full Article
House Ag Panel Hearing Boosts Role of Agriculture in Addressing Climate Change
(Solutions from the Land) The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held its first hearing of the 117th Congress this week, drawing attention to the enormous potential in farm productivity and profitability offered by conservation agriculture. The panel also highlighted
May 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Bustos Talks Biofuels and Climate with Secretary of Energy
by Rhiannon Branch (Brownfield Ag News) US Representative from Illinois Cheri Bustos (D-17) continues to advocate for biofuels and the positive role they play in climate change mitigation. During a House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee hearing last week, Bustos asked Secretary
May 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Vilsack Promotes Aviation Biofuels
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack advocated for the potential for biofuels “to make air traffic more sustainable and decrease the overall carbon footprint of travel and commerce," echoing remarks made by Granholm during her appearance
May 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Midwest Lawmakers Push for Biofuel-Powered Vehicles in Mix of Biden Electric Vehicles
(NewsDakota.com/NAFB) Midwest lawmakers continue to push for inclusion of more biofuel vehicles in the president’s climate effort to convert the nation’s transportation fleet to electric vehicles. Freshman Kansas Republican Roger Marshall is the latest Midwest lawmaker to join the biofuels push, as
May 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden’s EPA Administrator Says RFS Levels Coming ASAP
by O. Kay Henderson (KBOE) The administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spent much of Tuesday in Iowa. It’s the first solo trip Administrator Michael Regan has taken since he was sworn into office. Regan toured an ethanol plant in Nevada
May 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Carbon-50: Leaders Push for 50-State Solution to Climate Change
(Carbon -50) A new network of former lawmakers, farm leaders, and clean energy advocates has gathered under the banner of Carbon-50 to support an inclusive, 50-state strategy to address climate change. The project is co-chaired by former House Education and
May 05, 2021 Read Full Article
American Coalition for Ethanol: USDA Must Reward Farmers, Biofuel Facilities For Carbon-Cutting Contributions
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Grainnet) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) encouraged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help establish a protocol for biofuel producers and farmers to easily document the carbon intensity benefits of changes in agricultural practices in comments submitted April 29 regarding USDA’s climate strategy for President
May 01, 2021 Read Full Article
New Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program Created
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is requesting public input from interested parties, including potential customers and interested stakeholders, to help create a new Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program. To ensure a diverse group of voices are
April 30, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA to USDA: Ethanol Fuels Climate-Smart Agriculture, Energizes Rural Communities
(Renewable Fuels Association) In separate comment letters submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Renewable Fuels Association explained how expanded ethanol production and use can support the administration’s “climate-smart” agriculture goals and encouraged USDA to use the Rural Energy Pilot
April 30, 2021 Read Full Article
EU to Launch Carbon Farming Framework by End-2021 Following Two-Year Study
by Jack Ellis (Ag Funder News) The European Commission – the executive branch of the EU administration which is responsible for proposing bloc-wide legislation – has published the findings of its two-year study into creating a “carbon farming” framework for the EU. The
April 30, 2021 Read Full Article
SfL Lauds Biden’s Recognition of Ag’s Role in Stemming Climate Change
(Solutions from the Land) In his speech to a joint session of Congress tonight, President Biden acknowledged the role of farmers, ranchers and forestland owners in the effort to stem climate change. Among the many steps he said various interests
April 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Agri-Pulse Doing Deep Dive into Biofuels
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Agri-Pulse is investigating how the biofuels industry has changed and where it’s headed in season two of the farm policy news outlet’s Deep Dive podcast series. ... The first episode – “Running on E” – focuses on the history of
April 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Incentives Could Turn Costs of Biofuel Mandates into Environmental Benefits
(EurekAlert!/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment) CABBI studies on the Renewable Fuels Standard indicate a need for more targeted policies that value the environmental benefits of perennial bioenergy crops over cheaper options - and provide
April 28, 2021 Read Full Article
On Earth Day, USDA Invests $487 Million in Rural Water, Energy, and Biofuel Infrastructure
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Today (April 22, 2021), in honor of Earth Day 2021, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $487 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities
April 23, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Deputy Secretary Nominee Gets Warm Reception from Senate Ag
by Steve Davies (Agri-Pulse) ... (Jewel) Bronaugh talked about the importance of biofuels in a clean energy economy, including the development of bio-based products and answered questions that covered a variety of agricultural issues important to the members, mostly by promising
April 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Ag Policy Blog: Growing Climate Solutions Act Returns with Bi-Partisan Backing
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) The U.S. Senate is ready to move ahead with an agricultural climate bill that has bipartisan support and backing from major agricultural lobbies. The Growing Climate Solutions Act was reintroduced Tuesday in the U.S. Senate with
April 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Three Big Trends in the Carbon Marketplace
by Rhonda Brooks (Farm Journal AgWeb) Agriculture has the potential to play a big role in carbon sequestration. -- As U.S. farmers evaluate carbon market opportunities available today, most have more questions than answers. “Farmers aren’t ready to jump in, because it’s
April 20, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Urges Adoption of Nationwide LCFS Policy That Would 'Build' on the RFS
by Jordan Godwin (OPIS Biofuels News) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) will ask Congress to adopt a national clean fuels policy or low carbon fuels standard (LCFS) that would build upon the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the ethanol industry group said
April 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Prepares Sweeping Order on Climate-Related Risks
by Lorraine Woellert (Politico) In a draft executive order, President Joe Biden reaches into all corners of the federal government with plans that would touch every sector. -- President Joe Biden is preparing to instruct federal agencies to take sweeping
April 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Earth Day 2021 Series Day 14: Sustainable Land Use: What Can We Learn from Farmers?
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) They say that Sustainability is a three-legged stool: Environmental Sustainability, Economic Sustainability and Social Sustainability. If any of these legs is missing, the stool falls over. Climate Smart Agriculture The North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance is
April 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Caucus Requests Meeting with EPA Administrator
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) Bipartisan members urge Administrator Regan to maximize benefits of RFS. The bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus extended an invitation to meet with EPA Administrator Michael Regan to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard and other biofuels priorities. In a letter
April 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Senators Ask USDA to Update Biodiesel Emissions Study
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) A group of 10 senators led by Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., on March 18 sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the USDA to complete a full lifecycle assessment of
April 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Transport Energy & Renewables in the EU – What the Latest Commission Data Tells Us
by James Cogan (Ethanol Europe/Biofuels Digest) ... Oil maintains an overwhelming grip on the sector with a steady 94% share. The rest is biofuels with 5.6% and renewable electricity with 0.6%. Three quarters of the extra energy demand over the
April 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Missouri House Passes Bill Establishing Biodiesel Use Requirement throughout State
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) Missouri, where the U.S. commercial biodiesel industry began 30 years ago through an investment by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and where the National Biodiesel Board formed shortly thereafter, took a big step forward
April 06, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Seeks Public Input to Help Create a New Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program DEADLINE: April 29, 2021
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Agency to Host Public Listening Session on April 22, 2021 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is requesting public input from interested parties, including potential customers and interested stakeholders, to help create a
April 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Ag Wary of Biden's Carbon Bank
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The Biden administration is facing skepticism on one of its most ambitious climate change initiatives: A multibillion-dollar bank to pay farmers to capture carbon. While some environmentalists view it as a positive sign of
March 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Regan: EPA to Get RFS Back on Track What the Broader Economy Can Learn From Climate Work Done in Agriculture
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) One day after EPA granted deadline extensions to refiners to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the Biden administration will be working to get the RFS back on track this
March 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Vilsack: US Carbon Market Needs a Focus on Farmers
by Bill Tomson (Agri-Pulse) A priority for the USDA in the coming years will be judging the feasibility of setting up, executing and paying for a federal carbon bank to help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reward them for their
March 23, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Seeks Public Input on Climate-Smart Ag and Forestry Strategy DEADLINE April 30, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA on March 15 announced it is opening a 45-day public comment period to gather input on its climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy, including several topics focused specifically on biofuels, bioproducts and renewable energy. The
March 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Looking ahead to Second-Generation Biofuels
by Janet Kubat Willette (Farm Progress) Madhu Khanna, distinguished professor of environmental economics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, says that CRP acres have the potential to produce harvestable bioenergy crops. Speaking at a Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics webinar earlier this
March 11, 2021 Read Full Article
New Notices of Intent for Sustainable Transportation Technologies Funding Opportunities
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announced its intent to issue three sustainable transportation technologies funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) in Spring 2021. These potential funding opportunities seek innovative research, development,
March 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Bipartisan Senators Call on USDA for Biofuels Relief
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) A bipartisan group of 10 senators is pressing the Biden administration to use authority under the CARES Act to provide targeted relief to the biofuels industry, which is still reeling from the pandemic that collapsed fuel demand. In
March 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Can the Future of Electric Vehicles Destroy the Ethanol Industry?
by Nick Weig (CBS2Iowa) America is in the early stages of a shift from combustion engine cars and trucks to all-electric vehicles, or EV. Electric cars are quiet, sporty and cost a fraction to charge than it costs to gas
March 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Can Contribute Now to a Cleaner Energy Future
by Tom Daschle (Roll Call/The Daschle Group) Smart agriculture policy that has a role for ethanol can help advance Biden’s agenda on all fronts -- Growing up in South Dakota, agriculture has always been in my blood. For nearly three decades, I
February 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Hearing on Climate Change and the U.S. Agriculture and Forestry Sectors
(U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee) House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott delivered the following statement at today's hearing on Climate Change and the U.S. Agriculture and Forestry Sectors: ... Our farmers, ranchers, and forest managers understand these risks, and they
February 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Researchers Challenge the CRP Status Quo to Mitigate Fossil Fuels
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment/Phys.Org) ... (A)llocating CRP land for high-yielding energy biomass might eliminate the need for bioenergy crops and food crops to vie for space. A team led by CABBI Sustainability Theme Leader
February 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Illinois Soybean Growers Are Concerned about a New State Budget Proposal that Would Eliminate the Fuel Sales Tax Exemption for Biodiesel,
(Farm Progress/Prairie Farmer) What about biodiesel? Illinois soybean growers are concerned about a new state budget proposal from Gov. J.B. Pritzker that would eliminate the fuel sales tax exemption for biodiesel, which has existed since 2003. They say the policy has
February 24, 2021 Read Full Article
8 Key Federal Resources Supporting Anaerobic Digestion
by Bill Hagy (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./ Biofuels Digest) ... One of President Biden’s Clean Energy initiatives includes partnering with farmers, ranchers and businesses engaged in livestock production to implement environmentally sound agriculture practices and deploy methane digesters that generate new sources of
February 24, 2021 Read Full Article
Tom Vilsack Confirmed for a Second Stint as Agriculture Secretary with Strong Republican Support
by Laura Reiley (Washington Post) The Senate voted 92 to 7 Tuesday to approve President Biden’s nomination of Tom Vilsack as agriculture secretary. Vilsack had been expected to have a smooth path to confirmation after the Senate Agriculture Committee voted unanimously earlier this
February 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Iowa Biofuels Standard Is a Chance for the State to Lead Nation away from Petroleum
by David May (Des Moines Register) Perhaps the petroleum industry should recognize this legislation as a lifeline rather than a threat. I read with interest the Feb. 15 story "Biofuel bill pits retailers, farmers." I take issue with some of the points made
February 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Cow Excrement Tapped by Town in Hokkaido for CO2-Free Power
By Junichiro Ngasaki (Asahi Shimbun) The feces and urine of thousands of Hokkaido dairy cows may soon power facilities prefecture-wide with a world-first technology invented in Japan that converts them into environmentally friendly liquid biofuel. Kei Okubo, an organic photochemistry professor at Osaka
February 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Joni Ernst: Radical Policies from Coastal Elites Hurt Rural America
(Office of Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)) Just last month, President Biden raised eyebrows when he took executive action to begin transitioning federal government vehicles to electric vehicles. It followed a similar move spearheaded by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who last September,
February 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Agriculture Innovation: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Increase agricultural production while decreasing environmental footprint – that’s the goal in a nuthsell, but check out this slide guide on 5 key USDA themes, USDA’s latest innovation contributions like a new sustainable diesel fuel
February 19, 2021 Read Full Article
New Report: 21st Century Agriculture Renaissance: Solutions from the Land
(Solutions from the Land) “There has never been a greater need for an Agricultural Renaissance. The many voices of farmers, echoing across centuries of scarcity and abundance, challenge us to find new ways forward, paths that produce abundance for expanding populations
February 18, 2021 Read Full Article
E20 Plan Put on Hold Due to Higher Biofuel Prices
(Bangkok Post) A plan to make gasohol E20 the primary fuel for motorists in July has been postponed indefinitely because of higher biofuel prices, creating a financial burden for the Oil Fuel Fund. The Oil Fuel Fund Administration Office (Offo), which
February 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel Production Could Help Revive SA Sugar Industry
by Siyanda Sishuba (Farmer's Weekly) Establishing partnerships between government, the private sector and foreign investors is an important step to launching biofuels projects through innovative financing models in South Africa. This was according to Samukelisiwe Maphumulo, a sustainability officer at the
February 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Growing Interest in Carbon Markets Coming from All Sides
by Rhiannon Branch (Brownfield Ag News) Interest and growth in carbon market programs is booming. A recent ecosystem markets webinar hosted by the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership had more than 1600 participants registered with more than 600 questions submitted ahead of time. Speaker Kari Hernandez,
February 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Biodiesel Board Applaud Governor’s Call for Statewide Biofuels Standard
(Iowa Biodiesel Board) Governor Kim Reynolds has introduced a bill to set a minimum standard of biofuels in the Iowa fuel supply. For biodiesel, this would mean most Iowa diesel would contain at least 11 percent (B11) during warmer months beginning
February 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden's EPA Pick to Review Options for Biofuel Blending Law beyond 2022
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency said he will confer with legal and policy teams to understand the options available for setting mandates to blend biofuels into the nation’s fuel mix beyond
February 12, 2021 Read Full Article
New Federal Funding for Algae in 2021 Will Advance Science and Technology Commercialization
(Algae Biomass Organization) Federal support for advanced algae R&D is on a solid foundation for 2021 with the recent passage of an omnibus appropriations bill that was included in last year’s COVID-19 relief legislation. These funds extend a long-standing tradition
February 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Regan Faces Senate Committee Wednesday: EPA Nominee Regan Tells Grassley Biofuels Part of Biden Climate Plan
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley said he wants regulatory stability in agriculture when considering the Biden administration's nominee to head the EPA, Michael Regan. In a recent conversation with Regan ahead of his Wednesday hearing before
February 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Wisconsin Farmers Union Delegates Discuss the Future of Ethanol
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) Wisconsin Farmers Union has proposed ethanol policy that would seek 20% cost sharing from state and federal governments for blender pump installation. That same proposal would also drop policy language supporting federal subsidies for ethanol
February 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Two Biden Priorities, Climate and Inequality, Meet on Black-Owned Farms
by Hiroko Tabuchi and Nadja Popovich (New York Times) The administration has pledged to make agriculture a cornerstone of its plan to fight warming, but also to tackle a legacy of discrimination that has pushed Black farmers off the land. --
February 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Trump Left Biden a $30 Billion Fund Used for Trade Wars. Biden Has Other Plans for It.
by Liz Crampton (Politico) A Depression-era financial institution was used by the Trump administration to dole out billions to farmers. Now the Biden team has their own ideas about how the money should be spent. The Trump administration used it to
February 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Solutions from the Land Set to Stage Key Side Event For World Food Security Summit Next Week
(Solutions from the Land) Solutions from the Land (SfL) has been selected by organizers of a global food security summit next week to hold a side event which will spotlight systems and practices farmers are using to deliver high value solutions
February 01, 2021 Read Full Article
US Dairy Farms Could Lower Net Emissions to Zero in Next Five Years
by Natasha Lasky (Our Daily Planet) ...A new study from the World Wildlife Fund found that in the next five years, US dairy farms have the potential to reduce their net greenhouse gas emissions to zero. Milk has long been heralded as a superfood
January 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden’s Climate Crisis Order Addresses Biobased Fuels, Products
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) President Biden on Jan. 27 issued an executive order that aims to tackle the climate crisis, create jobs and restore scientific integrity across the federal government. The order addresses the production and sourcing of biobased
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
India Moves Forward Target Of 20% Ethanol-Blending In Petrol By 5 Years
(PTI News/Bloomberg Quint) India has preponed the target of achieving 20% ethanol-blending with petrol by five years to 2025 as it looks to cut dependence on costly oil imports, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday. "In 2014, less than
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden's Carbon Farming Policy Must Heed Recent Lessons
by Jeffrey T. Manuel and Thomas D. Rogers (The Hill) President Biden has placed the Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the center of his administration’s focus on climate change. “We see farmers making American agriculture first in the world to achieve
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Gov. Reynolds Plans to Build ‘Relationships’ with President Biden to Protect Biofuels
by John Steppe (The Gazette/SoutherMinn.com) Gov. Kim Reynolds is looking forward to “building those same relationships” with President Joe Biden and his Environmental Protection Agency staff that she had with the Trump administration to protect biofuels, Reynolds said during Tuesday’s
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Press Release: Advanced Biofuels USA’s “Disappearing Carbon Tax” Proposal Part of The CLEEN Project
For Immediate Release January 27, 2021—Frederick, MD -- With so much talk about carbon taxes, carbon pricing, carbon cost and highway user fees, Advanced Biofuels USA's proposal for a “Disappearing” Carbon Tax, is part of today's launch of The CLEEN Project’s
January 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Pivot under Biden
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Ethanol advocates are pushing for the new Biden administration to boost the portion of each gallon of gasoline that comes from corn. ... WHAT WILL BIDEN DO ABOUT BIOFUELS?President Joe Biden's plan to build out electric
January 27, 2021 Read Full Article
India Takes Action to Increase Use, Production of Ethanol
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) India is taking action to increase domestic production and use of ethanol. The government in December opened a comment period on draft automotive industry standards (AIS) related to the country’s plans to introduce E85 and
January 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Bolivia Announces New Biodiesel Production Plan
(Merco Press) Bolivia will build ecological diesel and biodiesel plants to reduce imports of liquid fuels, Hydrocarbon and Energy Minister Franklin Molina announced over this past weekend. The official underlined that the goal was to further the industrialization process in order
January 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Planting Crops — and Carbon, Too
by Gabriel Popkin (Washington Post) President Biden says farmers can adopt agricultural methods that help fight climate change. Maryland farmer Trey Hill has been trying. ... As the winter cover crops grow, they will feed microbes and improve the soil’s health, which
January 22, 2021 Read Full Article
3 Wednesdays in January: Can biotechnology Heal the Divide?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The divide of 2021 is sectional, too. This time, it is the cities vs the countryside, more or less. as we debate the role of diversity in American life, and the shift of the economy from primary industries
January 22, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA’s Support for Rural Growth: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Rural Business-Cooperative Service
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mark Brodziski, Deputy Administrator at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shared this illuminating slide guide at ABLC 2020 about how the USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service offers programs to support rural business growth across markets in
January 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Top 10 Bioeconomy Must-Knows in the Biden Transition
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who are the key bioeconomy players in the new Biden Administration? What recent moves by the outgoing Trump Administration and Congress will set their budget and regulatory framework for 2021. What will the new Administration
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Will Fight EPA’s Illegal, Last-Minute Refinery Exemptions
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today harshly condemned the Environmental Protection Agency’s unconscionable and unlawful decision to grant three more small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard with just hours remaining before Donald Trump leaves the White House
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Carbon Reductions On the Rise in 2021
by Donnell Rehagen (National Biodiesel Board) With carbon reduction taking center stage, biodiesel and renewable diesel can provide immediate and substantial benefits, including 80% reduction in both greenhouse gases and particulate matter, an over 40% reduction in carbon monoxide, and
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Holding Strong: U.S. Biodiesel Producers Surveyed
by Tom Bryan (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine’s late-2020 survey of producers tells the story of a resilient, changing industry that’s taken mostly indirect hits from the pandemic. Many producers lowered, but later ramped back up, production in 2020. This publication’s survey
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Renewed Focus on Climate Legislation Could Help Biofuels
by Sara Wyant (Ag Week) The biofuel industry argues that President-elect Joe Biden can also make progress on his climate goals by expanding biofuel usage mandates, embracing a low carbon fuel policy and increasing vehicle emissions standards. Now that Democrats have
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Washington Week in Review: Jan. 15, 2021: Rep. Rodney Davis on Impeachment, COVID Aid, and Biofuels
(Agri-Pulse) It's been an eventful two weeks on Capitol Hill, and the impacts could linger for an extended period of time. Illinois Republican Rodney Davis, a veteran of the House Agriculture Committee and the ranking member of the House Administration
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Aviation Sector and NGOs Agree on Sustainability of Future Fuels
(European Climate Foundation) Given that EU leaders have committed to achieving a net-zero-carbon economy by 2050, there is a growing focus on how to accelerate the transition towards climate-neutral aviation. As the European Union is about to unveil new targets for sustainable
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Tired of Waiting on Washington, Ethanol CEO Bets on Animal Feed
by Kim Chipman (Bloomberg) Green Plains Inc. Chief Executive Officer Todd Becker is getting closer to his goal of never having to worry about U.S. ethanol policy again. Instead of awaiting Washington’s next move in the industry’s battle with Big Oil for
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Iowa Has Room for All Renewables - Solar, Wind and Ethanol
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/The Gazette) ... Renewable liquid fuels and renewable electricity are highly complementary ways to reduce America’s carbon footprint. We can have clean renewable energy from solar and wind, as the authors want, and still take
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
'Essential Energy,' the Theme of the Upcoming National Ethanol Conference
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) 'Essential Energy,' the theme of the upcoming National Ethanol Conference, is inspired by the inclusion of U.S. biofuel producers on the Department of Homeland Security's list of critical and essential industries during
January 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Govt Notifies Modified Scheme to Produce 1G Ethanol
(Indian Express News Service) “To increase production of fuel grade ethanol, Govt. is also encouraging distilleries to produce ethanol from maize; & rice available with Food Corporation of India,” the statement said. -- The government on Thursday notified the modified scheme
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
European Policy on Biofuels Is Ill-founded and Flawed, It Should Be Made Good
by Benjamin Lammert (Green Energy Platform/EurActiv) A decade ago the European Commission decided to exclude conventional biofuels from contributing to future policy on renewable energy, climate and agriculture, writes Benjamin Lammert. Benjamin Lammert is a farmer and president of the Green Energy
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
FAO and IRENA Join Forces to Boost Renewables in Food and Agriculture
(Food and Agriculture Organization) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have today underscored their continued commitment to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies in agri-food, fisheries and forestry chains
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Climate Plan Looks for Buy-in from Farmers Who Are Often Skeptical about Global Warming
by Georgina Gustin (Inside Climate News) The administration has options to cut emissions even if a Republican-led Senate opposes climate-focused agriculture policies. -- ... The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the administration said, “has not historically received the sustained political attention of
January 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Rising Salt Water Claiming American’s Coastal Farms
(Our Daily Planet) Salty soil is a death sentence for crops, and for areas of coastal farmland, an increasing threat due to climate change. Known as saltwater intrusion, this occurs when storm surges or high tides overtop areas low in elevation. It
January 05, 2021 Read Full Article
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