(Engine Technology Forum Policy Insider Blog) California’s influence on environmental and climate policy is both undeniable and increasingly controversial. A 2035 ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (gasoline) light-duty vehicles and the mandated sale of zero-emission commercial vehicles
Clean Air Act (CAA)
Back TO HOMECalifornia Dreamin’: The Decades Long Hate-Love-Hate Relationship between California and Ethanol Is Trending the Wrong Way.
by Doug Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) With 29 million cars on the road and a nearly 14 billion gallon gasoline market, the state of California is a market unto itself. With 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol in the
November 12, 2024 Read Full Article
RFA Congratulates Donald Trump on Election Victory
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in yesterday’s 2024 presidential election. The following is a statement from RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper: “On behalf of our nation’s ethanol industry, we congratulate Donald Trump
November 06, 2024 Read Full Article
How Project 2025 Would further Politicize EPA’s Air Program
by Sean Reilly (Politico Pro Greenwire) Bill Wehrum hadn’t long been head of EPA’s air branch when he found himself back in familiar surroundings — the Washington, D.C., offices of his former law firm, speaking to an audience that included a one-time
October 29, 2024 Read Full Article
California Expects EPA to Approve 2035 Zero Emission Vehicle Plan
by David Shephardson (Reuters) A senior California official said on Tuesday he expects the Environmental Protection Agency will approve the state's landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. The California Air Resources Board has sought a waiver from
October 23, 2024 Read Full Article
IL Corn Growers Sues U.S. EPA and U.S. DOT
by Betty Haynes (Farm Progress) ICGA says EPA’s multipollutant rule and DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rule would devastate agriculture. -- The Illinois Corn Growers Association has sued U.S. EPA for its multipollutant rule and the U.S. Department of Transportation for
September 27, 2024 Read Full Article
RFA, Other Petitioners File Initial Brief in Lawsuit Over EPA’s Tailpipe Standards
(Renewable Fuels Association) In a detailed brief submitted late Friday to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Renewable Fuels Association and 55 other parties argued that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully exceeded its statutory authority and acted arbitrarily and capriciously by
September 10, 2024 Read Full Article
US Court Rejects EPA Denials of 2022 Small Refinery Biofuel Waivers
by Richard Valdmanis (Reuters) A federal appeals court said on Friday it rejected the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision in 2022 to deny small oil refineries temporary waivers from the nation’s biofuels blending program, and sent the matter back to the agency
July 29, 2024 Read Full Article
Lupton Petroleum, Brad Hall Associates Retire 273,519 RINs as Part of EPA Settlement Agreement
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on July 18 announced it has reached a settlement with Lupton Petroleum Products Inc., and its affiliate Brad Hall Associates Inc., for violations of the Clean Air Act’s conventional and renewable fuel
July 23, 2024 Read Full Article
Ethanol, Agriculture and the Courts
by Doug Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/South Dakota Farmer's Union) SCOTUS. Not just another Washington, D.C., acronym where everything is given an alphabetized name – USDA, DOE, EPA, DOJ, FBI, DOC – there is no end to the acronyms of our
July 21, 2024 Read Full Article
Supreme Court Curbs Federal Agency Power, Overturning Chevron Precedent
by Ann E. Marimow (Washington Post) The Supreme Court on Friday curtailed the power of federal government agencies to regulate vast swaths of American life, overturning a 40-year-old legal precedent long targeted by conservatives who say the government gives unaccountable bureaucrats too
June 28, 2024 Read Full Article
Top Republican Introduces Bill to Audit EPA Air Programs
by Sean Reilly (E&E Daily) The legislation follows questions about agency spending. -- EPA’s Clean Air Act programs would be singled out for heightened scrutiny under newly introduced legislation by House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers. H.R. 8395 would amend the act
May 17, 2024 Read Full Article
Doubts Abound over US Midcon E15 Shift: NATSO
by Zach Appel (Argus Media) An effort by eight US midcontinent states to start selling 15pc ethanol (E15) gasoline blends year-round starting in 2025 remains unlikely, according to US fuel retailer trade association NATSO. The US approved last month the request from Illinois, Iowa,
May 08, 2024 Read Full Article
EPA Issues Emergency Fuel Waiver for E-15 Sales
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) EPA takes action to provide consumers relief at the pump by helping ensure an adequate fuel supply ahead of the upcoming season -- Today, April 19, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing an emergency fuel waiver to
April 19, 2024 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit Upholds California Clean Air Act Waiver
by Lesley Clark (E&E News) The ruling is a major boost to the Golden State’s ability to set tough tailpipe emissions standards — and the Biden administration’s climate agenda. -- An influential federal appeals court has allowed California to retain its longstanding
April 12, 2024 Read Full Article
Five Major Issues for EPA and Farmers EPA Administrator Highlights $4 Billion in 'Green Fund' for Rural Communities
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) EPA Administrator Michael Regan on Friday spotlighted rural investments in new green funds while saying the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model update is coming in the "very near future"
April 08, 2024 Read Full Article
RFA Urges SAF Interagency Working Group to Use a 30-Year Time Period for LUC Calculations
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels association is urging federal officials to use a 30-year time frame to account for land use change (LUC) emissions as they work to complete the upcoming 40BSAF-GREET model, which will be used
April 03, 2024 Read Full Article
RFS Fight Launches in Appeals Court Interest Groups Argue EPA Illegally Finalized RFS Volumes Through 2025
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Though the EPA finalized Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2023 to 2025 in June 2023, the future of the rule could change depending on the outcome of a legal battle playing out in a federal
March 28, 2024 Read Full Article
In Gasolinegate, the True Cost of Gasoline Far Exceeds What We See at the Pump
by Emily Phillips (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... Even today, gasoline as a fuel dominates the transportation sector, despite attempts to increase the market share of electric and alternative-fuel vehicles. In Gasolinegate, authors Burl Haigwood (advisor to the Clean Fuels Development
March 26, 2024 Read Full Article
Final Rule in Response to Request from States for Removal of Gasoline Volatility Waiver (E15)
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency is responding to requests from state governors to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for gasoline-ethanol blends containing 10 percent ethanol in their states. The governors made their request pursuant to CAA section 211(h)(5),
February 22, 2024 Read Full Article
RFA Petitions Court on RFS Exemptions
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) RFA Petitions Appeals Court for Rehearing on RFS Exemptions Decision -- The Renewable Fuels Association on Monday asked for a rehearing on a previous court decision to overturn EPA's rejection of 100 small-refinery waiver requests to
January 09, 2024 Read Full Article
US EPA Reviewing California 2035 Electric Vehicle Sales Mandate Plan Public Comment DEADLINE February 27, 2024
by David Shepardson (Reuters) The U.S. environmental regulatory agency will hold a hearing next week on whether to approve California's plan to require all new vehicles sold in the state by 2035 to be electric or plug-in electric hybrids. The California Air
January 08, 2024 Read Full Article
The Path to Higher Blends—Artificial Barriers Limiting Us to 10 percent
by Doug Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/South Dakota Farmers Union) ... While almost all gasoline now contains 10 percent ethanol, we are easily producing enough that the base gasoline in the United States could absorb at least 12-15 percent. And, if
January 03, 2024 Read Full Article
Viewpoint: SAF, E15 May Lift US Ethanol Demand in 2024
by Matthew Cope and Payne Williams (Argus Media) Ethanol demand may get a boost next year as the US paves a path for ethanol-derived sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the potential for permanent year-round sales of 15pc ethanol gasoline (E15) in
December 29, 2023 Read Full Article
Biden Admin Unveils Tax Rules for ‘Clean’ Hydrogen Public Comment DEADLINE February 26, 2024
by Brian Dabbs (Politico Pro Energywire) The guidance for the 45V tax credit aims to cut emissions produced by the industry. -- The Treasury Department released heavily anticipated tax guidance Friday that would force companies to use low-carbon or zero-emissions energy to
December 22, 2023 Read Full Article
States Oppose EPA's E15 March Proposal: Iowa, Nebraska Ask Court to Require EPA to Finalize E15 Rule Before March
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The states of Iowa and Nebraska asked a federal court on Wednesday to require EPA to "promptly" finalize a rule to allow permanent, year-round E15 sales in eight states, rejecting the agency's proposed plan to
December 15, 2023 Read Full Article
RFA Thanks Lawmakers for Seeking Swift White House Action on Year-Round E15
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association is applauding a bipartisan group of 22 lawmakers from both the House and Senate, who asked the White House today (December 14, 2023) to swiftly finalize regulations that would allow year-round sales of lower-carbon
December 15, 2023 Read Full Article
House Passes Walberg Bill to Protect Automobile Choice
(Office of Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI 5th)) Today (December 6, 2023), the House passed the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act with bipartisan support by a vote of 221-197. The legislation, introduced by Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) and Andrew Clyde
December 07, 2023 Read Full Article
Congress Watches from Sidelines as Courts Set Ethanol Policy
by Marc Heller (Politico Pro E&E Daily) In the wake of another court ruling on the renewable fuel standard, there's scant sign lawmakers can pass meaningful changes. -- After a federal court ruled last week that small petroleum refiners should be given
November 30, 2023 Read Full Article
CORSIA v. GREET for SAF: What to Do, What to Do
by Tammy Klein (Transport Energy Strategies) ... For SAF and the ethanol-based alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) pathway, the issue is one of models: CORSIA* v. GREET for purposes of calculating the SAF tax credits under the IRA. The IRA states that a fuel’s
November 02, 2023 Read Full Article
INSIGHT: 16 US States May Restrict Sale of Combustion-Based Autos
by Al Greenwood (Independent Commodity Interlligence Services) Several US states could adopt restrictions on the sale of light vehicles that rely primarily on internal combustion engines (ICE), which would lower demand for liquid fuels while increasing demand for plastics and chemicals
October 27, 2023 Read Full Article
Do EVs Reduce NOx or PM Emissions More than Combustion Engine Vehicles? The Answer May Surprise You.
by Gary Yowell (Stillwater Associates) From the 1990s to the present day, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have maintained that EVs have lower nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions than internal
October 19, 2023 Read Full Article
Arkansas, Oklahoma Push Delay for E15 Petition
by Chris Knight (Argus Media) Arkansas and Oklahoma have joined an oil industry effort to delay beyond 2024 a gasoline reformulation that eight Midwestern states have requested to preserve year-round sales of 15pc ethanol gasoline (E15). Unless the fuel specification change is
October 18, 2023 Read Full Article
RFA Calls on California to Stop “Slow-Walking” E15 Approval
(Rnewable Fuels Association) In a letter today to the California Air Resources Board, the Renewable Fuels Association called on the agency to expeditiously approve the use of cleaner-burning, lower-carbon E15 gasoline blends, which contain 15 percent ethanol. RFA noted that California is one
October 04, 2023 Read Full Article
Auto Week at D.C. Circuit Raises ‘Major Questions’ for EPA
by Lesley Clark (E&E News Climatewire) A powerful federal appeals court will hear arguments this week in three challenges to the Biden administration’s efforts to curb the largest source of planet-warming pollution in the United States — and the battles have
September 11, 2023 Read Full Article
RFS15 The Policy Origins of the Renewable Fuel Standard (aka, "Ethanol"): The Ethanol Pivot
by Eric Vettel (Energy Today) ... Replacing lead with MTBE reduced emissions almost overnight. By 1995, the Sierra Club celebrated MTBE as the “innovation of the year,” and George H. W. Bush considered the reform one of the most notable accomplishments
August 07, 2023 Read Full Article
House Panel Sets Vote on Bill to Block EPA Tailpipe Rule
by Lamar Johnson (Politico Pro/E&E Daily) The committee will also vote on legislation to protect internal-combustion engines and prevent renewable fuel incentives from applying to electric cars. A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will vote this week on legislation to block EPA's
July 11, 2023 Read Full Article
House Energy Sub Committee Hearing on Affordable Fuels
(AgNewsWire) A House Energy and Commerce Sub Committee heard testimony this week on “Driving Affordability: Preserving People’s Freedom to Buy Affordable Vehicles and Fuel” regarding several bills related to lowering emissions from transportation vehicles. National Corn Growers Association CEO Neil Caskey testified in support of several bills
June 26, 2023 Read Full Article
IRFA Calls on EPA to Finalize Overdue Midwest Governors' Year-Round E15 Fix
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Still No Final Decision Two Months After Public Comment Period Closed, Eleven Months after Congressional Deadline -- Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today called upon the EPA to finalize its proposed rule to approve the Midwest Governors’
June 23, 2023 Read Full Article
New Book Exposes EPA, Oil Industry’s Role in Ensuring the Dominance of High-Emission Fuels: Gasolinegate Debuts
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, emails obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show that EPA and oil interests collaborated to manipulate computer models used to certify fuel emissions and set standards, say authors Burl Haigwood and Doug Durante
June 13, 2023 Read Full Article
Doug Sombke: Carbon Sequestration Remains a Pipe Dream. Ethanol Fuel Already Has Value
by Doug Sombke (South Dakota Farmers Union/Farm Forum) ... The recent study by South Dakota ethanol producers estimating a value to the state of nearly $6 billion needs to be carefully examined. Argus Leader’s recent article delving into the study does a
June 07, 2023 Read Full Article
Biofuels Timeline Reveals 'Incredible Accomplishment'
by Noah Fish (Echo Press) The biofuels industry has made incredible strides since Michael McAdams joined the sector in 1978. McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA), manages the voice in the U.S. capital for the advanced biofuels industry. ... In an interview
April 19, 2023 Read Full Article
Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Strongest-Ever Pollution Standards for Cars and Trucks to Accelerate Transition to a Clean-Transportation Future Hearing May 2-3, 2023; Public Comment DEADLINE TBD
(Environmental Protection Agency) Building on rapid advancements and investments in clean vehicle manufacturing, including investments in domestic manufacturing in the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA’s proposed standards would deliver on President Biden’s agenda to tackle the climate crisis Today, the U.S. Environmental
April 12, 2023 Read Full Article
Biden-Backed California Rule Pushes Clean Trucks
by Camille Von Kenel and Alex Guillen (Politico) Truck manufacturers will have to sell an increasing share of zero emissions vehicles now that the EPA has approved California’s regulations. California will require more zero emission trucks on the roads after a
March 31, 2023 Read Full Article
Biden Will Let California Lead on Electric Trucks, Despite Industry Protest
by Anna Phillips (Washington Post) The EPA plans to grant California a waiver that will allow the state to phase out diesel-powered trucks, helping communities burdened by truck pollution -- The Biden administration will approve new California rules to cut
March 20, 2023 Read Full Article
'JV Congress': States Say EPA Waiver Gives Calif. too Much Power
by Lesley Clark (Politico Pro Climatewire) The 17 Republican-led states challenging California's ability to set strict tailpipe emissions rules teed up their claims ahead of D.C. Circuit oral arguments in May. Republican states challenging California’s decades-old right to set its own
March 17, 2023 Read Full Article
Maryland Governor Unveils Plan to Phase out New Gas-Powered Cars
by Zack Budryk (The Hill) Maryland will become the latest state to adopt the clean-car rules that originated in California, phasing out new gas-powered car sales by 2035, Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced Monday. The Advanced Clean Cars II rule, first implemented
March 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Republicans Aim to Block California's 'Heavy-Handed' EV Mandates
by Thomas Catenacci , Houston Keene (Fox News) A group of House Republicans introduced legislation Wednesday that would restrict California's ability to ban traditional gas-powered cars as part of the state's electric vehicle push. The four Republicans, led by Rep. John Joyce of Pennsylvania,
March 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Seeks Immediate Action on Year-Round E15
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today applauded a bipartisan group of 31 U.S. Senators and House Representatives for urging the Biden administration to quickly approve a petition from Midwest governors to allow the year-round sale of E15 in their states. “We thank
February 10, 2023 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: State AGs Give EPA until End of January to Respond to Year-Round E15 Petitions
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) With 270 days now passed since a group of Midwest governors asked EPA to take action to allow their states permanently sell E15 year-round, a group of attorneys general are pressing the agency to act. In
January 30, 2023 Read Full Article
RFA Thanks Missouri Gov. Parson for Acting to Secure Year-Round E15
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today applauded Missouri Gov. Mike Parson for notifying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that he is taking action to allow the year-round sale of lower-carbon, lower-cost E15 in the Show-Me State. Missouri is the tenth state
December 23, 2022 Read Full Article
2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality
(California Air Resources Board) This Scoping Plan lays out the sector-by-sector roadmap for California, the world’s fifth1 largest economy, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 or earlier, outlining a technologically feasible, cost-effective, and equity-focused path to achieve the state’s climate
November 18, 2022 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Sends Letter to Treasury on Action to Slash Aviation Emissions
(Growth Energy) Today, Growth Energy sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury on implementation of Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In her letter, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor calls on regulators to
November 04, 2022 Read Full Article
Ag, States Challenge EPA Action on EVs: Ag Groups, States Say EPA, California Used Back Door to Spread Electric Vehicle Use
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Agriculture, fuel interests and several states see EPA's March 2022 decision to reinstate California's legal authority to implement a zero-emissions vehicle sales mandate and greenhouse gas emissions standards as a back-door way to move the
October 28, 2022 Read Full Article
Fuels Groups Flag ‘Major Questions’ In Suit on California Auto GHG Rules
(Inside EPA) Liquid fuels interests challenging EPA’s reinstated approval of California’s vehicle greenhouse gas rules are focusing their legal attacks on claims that the move improperly addresses issues of “vast significance” without clear Clean Air Act (CAA) authority, teeing up
October 26, 2022 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Outlines Opportunity to Reduce Emissions before Washington and Oregon Lawmakers
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy recently submitted comments to the Washington Department of Ecology and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in response to the states’ proposals to follow California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulation requiring 100% sales of zero emission vehicles by
October 25, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes Endangerment Finding for Lead Emissions from Aircraft Engines that Operate on Leaded Fuel
(Environmental Protection Agency) Proposed Endangerment Finding, if finalized, is an important step forward to address the largest remaining source of lead pollution to air -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed determination that emissions of lead from
October 07, 2022 Read Full Article
‘It Makes Climate Change Real’: How Carbon Emissions Got Rebranded as ‘Pollution’
by Kate Yoder (Grist) California activists paved the way for defining climate change as an air pollution problem. Now it's federal law. ... Connecting climate change with something visceral and dangerous brings more immediacy to a problem that’s often seen as
October 03, 2022 Read Full Article
US EPA Set to Finalize Rule on State Sales of Higher-Ethanol Gasoline Blend - Regan
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to finalize a rule before next summer to allow the year-round sale of gasoline blended with a higher level of ethanol in several states, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said on Tuesday. The
September 13, 2022 Read Full Article
Ethanol’s Clean Octane Key to EPA Particulate Rule
by Doug Duarante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Coalition Urges Administrator to Address Mobile Sources -- In a detailed letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) called on the agency to use its existing
September 13, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA’s Fine PM Rule: A Pitch Ethanol Should Hit Out of the Park
by Doug Durante (Biofuels Digest/Clean Fuels Development Coalition) ... EPA was finalizing their proposed rule to reduce fine particulates. To their credit, they had announced early on that they intended to complete their NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) by August and
September 05, 2022 Read Full Article
Toyota Finally Supports California’s Long-Standing Authority to Set Vehicle Emissions Standards
(Sierra Club) Yesterday, Toyota announced its support for the state of California’s authority to set vehicle emissions standards under the Clean Air Act. During the Trump administration, Toyota and other automakers attacked this authority and sided with Trump’s rollback of key climate and
August 24, 2022 Read Full Article
"Democrats Designed the Climate Law to Be a Game Changer. Here’s How."
(Society of Environmental Journalists) "In a first, the measure legally defines greenhouse gases as pollution. That’ll make new regulations much tougher to challenge in court." "When the Supreme Court restricted the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to fight climate change this
August 24, 2022 Read Full Article
Small Refiners Seek to Scrap EPA’s ‘Compressed’ RFS Compliance Rule
(Inside EPA) Small refiners suing EPA over its modified compliance regime for the renewable fuel standard (RFS) say the agency has unlawfully and “extremely” compressed the timetable for them to supply EPA with compliance credits under the guise of a
August 24, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Ag Advisor Updates ACE Conference
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Rod Snyder, Senior Advisor for Agriculture at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was a keynote speaker for the 35th American Coalition for Ethanol annual conference Friday in Omaha to provide an update on the role of biofuels in forthcoming
August 15, 2022 Read Full Article
Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling Could Put Other Regs in Danger
by Rachel Frazen (The Hill) The Supreme Court’s Thursday decision curtailing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority could hamper regulations far beyond climate. The conservative majority in the 6-3 ruling found that an Obama-era power plant rule was not permissible since it didn’t have “clear
July 01, 2022 Read Full Article
Meeting the Methane Pledge: The U.S. Can Do More on Agriculture
by Ben Lilliston (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy) When the United States and European Union signed the Global Methane Pledge in September 2021, it shined a bright light on the urgent need to slash emissions of this potent, short-lived greenhouse
June 30, 2022 Read Full Article
Five Automakers Back California Authority to Set Stricter Vehicle Emissions Standards
by Rachel Frazin (The Hill) A group of five automakers is backing California’s authority to set its own standards for climate-warming emissions for vehicles amid a legal challenge from several Republican-led states. Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, Honda and Volvo on Tuesday backed the Biden administration’s decision
June 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Environmental Group Urges Biden to Wean Nation's Biofuel Program off Liquid Fuels
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Biden administration should rely less on liquid fuels like ethanol and focus more on cleaner technology like electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced biofuels when it reshapes the nation's renewable fuel program, environmental group Evergreen Action said
June 03, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Seeks Nominations for Mobile Sources Advisory Subcommittee DEADLINE: July 11, 2022
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA is seeking nominations for qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee, including candidates that have experience working with processors and shippers of biofuels. The MSTRS provides
June 01, 2022 Read Full Article
New Ethanol Law Could Spark Regional Trend, Biofuels Exec Says
by Jared Strong (Iowa Capital Dispatch) A new state law that requires most of Iowa’s fuel stations to sell a gasoline blend with 15% ethanol will rapidly expand the fuel’s availability, but the law’s long-term effects might be more potent, according
May 19, 2022 Read Full Article
Clearing the Air on E15 and Smog
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) While E15 scored an important temporary victory in April, we need to continue to educate consumers and policymakers about the higher blend's benefits and true regulatory history as the oil industry and
May 18, 2022 Read Full Article
NACS Seeks to Block California Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate
(NACS) Regulators “should encourage innovation to meet environmental performance goals,” NACS says. -- NACS on May 13 filed a petition in federal court in Washington, D.C., to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s grant of a waiver that would allow California to
May 17, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Seeks Input from Small Businesses on Potential Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles for Model Years 2027 and Later DEADLINE: May 31, 2022
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This Panel will focus on the agency’s development of a rule that
May 16, 2022 Read Full Article
Seventeen States Sue EPA for Letting California Set Vehicle Standards
by Zack Budryk (The Hill) Seventeen Republican state attorneys general on Friday announced a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for allowing California to set its own vehicle emissions standards. The lawsuit alleges EPA Administrator Michael Regan violated the Constitution’s doctrine of equal
May 16, 2022 Read Full Article
E15: Silver Bullet for Gasoline Prices?
by Adam Schubert (Stillwater Associates) On April 12th, President Biden announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would issue an emergency waiver of federal gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations this summer for E15—a 15% blend of ethanol with
May 12, 2022 Read Full Article
U.S. Governors Seek to Expand Sales of Higher-Ethanol Gasoline Blend
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. governors from eight Midwest states, many of which are major corn producers, asked the Biden administration on Thursday to apply rules that would allow gasoline blended with a higher level of ethanol to be sold year-round
April 29, 2022 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Three States Ask for Waiver to Allow E15 Sales to Continue Come June 1
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Attorneys general in Iowa, Kansas and the governor of Minnesota asked the EPA for a waiver to allow E15 sales to continue in their states when those sales are set to end starting on June
April 05, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA's Snyder: E15 Work Underway EPA Ag Adviser Tells Ethanol Producers Agency Working with States to Restore E15
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) With the start of the summer driving season fast approaching and year-round E15 sales no longer an option, EPA's Rod Snyder said on Thursday the agency continues to work to restore those sales. Snyder, who is
March 25, 2022 Read Full Article
Ohio Soybean Association Joins Federal Petition in Support of Domestic Biofuels
(Ohio Soybean Association/Highland County Press) At a time of growing consensus on the need for greater reliance on domestic fuel sources, the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) joined other state soybean associations in support of a petition to include biofuels in
March 21, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Restores California’s Right to Set Stricter Car Regs
by Anne C. Mulkern (E&E News) EPA today officially restored California’s ability to set its own rules for vehicle tailpipe emissions and to require automakers to sell an increasing number of clean cars. The Biden administration granted the nation’s most populous state
March 10, 2022 Read Full Article
Ag Groups Challenge EPA’s Vehicle Emissions Rule
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Representatives of the biofuels industry on Feb. 28 filed two separate petitions in with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit challenging a final rule issued by the U.S. EPA in December setting greenhouse gas (GHG)
March 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Proposed Rule and Related Materials for Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards
(Environmental Protection Agency) On March 3, 2022, EPA Administrator Regan signed a proposed rule that would set new, more stringent standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. The proposed standards would significantly reduce
March 07, 2022 Read Full Article
U.S. Senator Capito Joins Forces with Colleagues in Letter to EPA Administrator Regan Regarding EPA’s SRE Denials under RFS
by Lynn L. Bergeson (Bergeson & Campbel Biobased and Sustainable Chemicals Blog) On January 27, 2022, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and 14 of her colleagues submitted a letter to the
March 07, 2022 Read Full Article
Ethanol Producer Not Optimistic about E15 "Policy Failure" Getting Fixed before Summer
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) ... Erik Huschitt with Badger State Ethanol in Monroe, Wisconsin tells Brownfield America had the one-pound waiver approved by the prior administration, “And then, we have a change in the Supreme Court level that doesn’t
March 01, 2022 Read Full Article
Alternative Racing Fuel Study and Demonstration Project Set For 2022
(Fossil Free Racing) Fossil Free Racing, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was founded to become the testbed for an alternative racing fuel that promises to reduce the carbon footprint of race cars by 90% while lowering fuel costs and increasing performance. Motorsports competition
February 11, 2022 Read Full Article
Year-Round E15: There’s More than One Way to Peel a Banana
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Recognizing this, the governors of seven Midwest states sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in early November seeking guidance from the agency on how best to pursue a specific—and
January 27, 2022 Read Full Article
Workshop on Biofuel Greenhouse Gas Modeling --- February 28-March 1, 2022 --- ONLINE Public Comments DEADLINE: April 1, 2022
EPA is hosting a virtual public workshop on biofuel greenhouse gas (GHG) modeling February 28 - March 1, 2022. This is a virtual meeting and open to the public. The purpose of this workshop is to solicit information on the current
December 29, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA: 2 Additional SRE Petitions Filed, 67 Now Pending Public Comment DEADLINE: February 7, 2022
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Dec. 16, reporting that two additional SRE petitions have been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2021. A total of 67
December 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Proposal to Deny Petitions for Small Refinery Exemptions Public Comment DEADLINE: February 7, 2022
(Environmental Protection Agency) On December 7, 2021, EPA proposed to deny more than 60 pending small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions from small refineries seeking exemption from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for one or more compliance years between 2016 and
December 10, 2021 Read Full Article
US Government Urges Supreme Court to Deny Review of E15 Case
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Justice on Dec. 8 filed a brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to deny a writ of certiorari filed by Growth Energy seeking the review of a lower court’s decision that
December 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania's RFS Demands
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Pennsylvania lawmakers are calling on EPA to ease up on biofuel blending requirements to help Northeastern refiners who say they are financially struggling to keep up. The state’s House of Representatives passed a resolution Monday
November 09, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA ‘Greatly Encouraged’ by EPA Rejection of Small Refinery Exemption
(Renewable Fuels Association) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today (November 5, 20212) denied one small refinery exemption petition that had been filed by a refiner looking to escape its renewable fuel blending obligations under the Clean Air Act for the 2019 compliance
November 08, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Applauds Midwest Governors for Proactively Pursuing Year-Round E15 Fix
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked a bipartisan group of seven Midwestern governors for their efforts to explore what actions can be taken to allow the year-round sale of E15 in their states. In a letter sent to EPA Administrator
November 04, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. to Sharply Cut Methane Pollution that Threatens the Climate and Public Health Public Comments DEADLINE: January 31, 2022
(Environmental Protection Agency) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took an important step forward to advance President Biden’s commitment to action on climate change and protect people’s health by proposing comprehensive new protections to sharply reduce pollution from the oil and natural gas industry –
November 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Supreme Court to Hear Case on E.P.A.’s Power to Limit Carbon Emissions
by Adam Liptak (New York Times/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) The case, brought by Republican-led states and coal companies, could frustrate the Biden administration’s efforts to address climate change. The court’s decision to take the case came after a federal appeals court
November 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Fleet Sustainability: Using Biodiesel to Drive Success
(Government Fleet) Fleets are under more pressure than ever to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but fuel cost is still an important factor in making this change. This white paper explains: What is happening with clean air regulations in the U.S. How
October 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Pursues Final Legal Avenue on Year-Round E15
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) Growth Energy files petition to take fight of whether E15 legal to U.S. Supreme Court. --Ethanol and corn producers continue to claim 15% ethanol fuel is safe for year-round use. However, courts have overturned a waiver
October 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Bustos, Axne, Craig, Klobuchar Lead Members across Seven States in Urging Administration to Increase Biofuels Usage
(Office of Congresswomen Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17)) Congresswomen Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Cindy Axne (D-IA-03), Angie Craig (D-MN-02) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a bicameral group of Congressional members spanning seven states in a letter urging the Administration to increase biofuels usage and reject any
September 29, 2021 Read Full Article
100 Groups Demand Biden Cut Airplane Climate Pollution
(Common Dreams/Center for Biological Diversity) Coalition blasts EPA delays on replacing do-nothing Trump rule. ---One hundred environmental, community and public-health groups called on the Biden administration today to set strong standards to cut airplane pollution and avoid industry-promoted biofuel greenwashing. As today’s letter notes, the
September 23, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Opens Comment Period Related to Pyrolysis, Gasification Regs DEADLINE: November 8, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Sept. 8 issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comments to assist in the potential development of regulations for pyrolysis and gasification units that are used to convert solid
September 15, 2021 Read Full Article
E15 Ruling Rehearing Denied
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday denied a petition for rehearing regarding the recent American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA decision, in which the court vacated a 2019 regulation allowing year-round sales of a fifteen percent
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel and Ag Leaders Oppose EPA Motion to Remand 2018 SREs without Vacatur
(Renewable Fuels Association) Last night, the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union opposed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) motion to remand but not vacate the 31 small refinery
September 08, 2021 Read Full Article
The World Has Finally Stopped Using Leaded Gasoline. Algeria Used The Last Stockpile
by Camila Domonoske (NPR) The final holdout, Algeria, used up the last of its stockpile of leaded gasoline in July. That's according to the U.N. Environment Programme, which has spent 19 years trying to eliminate leaded gasoline around the globe. "The successful
August 31, 2021 Read Full Article
The Fuel Economy Rule: An EPA That Won’t See, Hear, or Speak to the Facts
by Doug Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Biofuels Digest) The release of the highly anticipated revision of the Safe Affordable Fuel Efficient Vehicle (SAFE) proposed rule this month was, for the biofuels industry, yet another poke in the eye as the EPA
August 26, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Founder Calls for Correction of EPA Transportation Office’s “Shocking Miscarriage of Environmental Justice”
(Dakota Ag Energy) Speaking to the 14th Annual Bioenergy Conference hosted by Brazilian government and industry stakeholders, the founder of the U.S. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) charged U.S. EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) bureaucrats with a “shocking
August 10, 2021 Read Full Article
To Undo the Damage of Trump Rollbacks, Biden Needs to Set Car Standards Stronger than Obama’s
(American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)) The Biden administration can soon undo the damage of President Trump’s clean car rollback, but only by setting more stringent standards to make up for lost progress. In the face of recent climate change-related extreme
July 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Agriculture and Ethanol Groups Echo Automakers Call for Higher-Octane Gasoline Standard in Fuel Economy Rule
(Clean Fuels Development Coalition) Dozens of agricultural, ethanol, automotive, and manufacturing organizations are calling for higher octane in gasoline to help automakers increase vehicle fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gases. In a letter to President Joe Biden, signed by a range
July 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Blocked By EPA, Biofuels Group Asks OMB For Octane Limit In Vehicle Rule
by Stuart Parker (Inside EPA/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) A coalition of biofuels and farm groups, led by former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), is poised to press White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials to include a high-octane standard
July 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Five Ways to Save Year-Round E15 Sales E15's Path Forward May Include Courts, Congress, Regulation
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The nixing of EPA's E15 rule that allowed year-round sales has in many respects taken the ethanol industry back to square one. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit last week tossed
July 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Auto Alliance Underlines Importance of High Octane Low Carbon Fuels
by Doug Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Commends Daschle HOLC Alliance Fight for National Higher Octane Gasoline Standard in SAFE-2 Rule -- The Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) called a recent letter from automakers in support of high octane
June 25, 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
EPA Seeks Nominations for Technical Review Committee DEADLINE: August 2, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is seeking nominations for its Mobile Sources Technical Review Committee, including nominations for individuals who have experience working with agricultural producers, distillers, processors and shippers of biofuels; renewable fuel producers; and clean
June 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Minnesota 'Clean Cars' Rules May Move forward, Administrative Law Judge Says
by Greg Stanley (Star Tribune) Judge says governor can bypass GOP opposition. -- More electric vehicles could soon be for sale on Minnesota car lots after an administrative law judge ruled Friday that the Walz administration can set new emissions standards
May 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Carper Urges Tough US Rules Barring Gas-Powered Cars by 2035
by Hope Yen and Tom Krisher (Associated Press) A top Senate Democrat is urging U.S. anti-pollution standards that would follow a deal brokered by California with five automakers and then set targets to end sales of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035,
May 01, 2021 Read Full Article
California Scores Tailpipe Emissions Win
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The EPA on Monday said it will reassess the Trump-era rule preventing California from setting stricter car pollution standards than the federal government after a similar move last week by the National Highway Traffic
April 27, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA, Growth Energy and NCGA Defend Year-Round E15 in Court
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today, the D.C. Circuit Court will hear oral arguments in American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA, a case in which oil refiners challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2019 rulemaking that paved the way for the year-round
April 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Algae Oil, Lignin, Plastics, Waste: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Conventional Fuels from Unconventional Sources
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Southwest Research Institute’sEloy Flores, Assistant Director R&D in Chemical Engineering, shared this illuminating slide guide on SwRI’s work with alternative fuels technology and all steps from idea/concept, engine testing to pilot plant, scale up and
April 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Mess with Texas: Time for a 2nd Look at Electric Vehicles
by Burl Haigwood (Clean Fuels Development Coalition) ... Imagine it is 2050 and Texas gets hit by another winter storm, flood, heat wave, or God forbid, a physical or cyber terrorist attack on a vulnerable electric power system. As news cameras
March 18, 2021 Read Full Article
CFDC Calls Nebraska E30 Demonstration One More Step Towards Higher Blends
(Clean Fuels Development Coalition) The Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) today applauded the work of the State of Nebraska following the release of a report that found higher ethanol blends are safe, efficient, and cost effective when used in conventional vehicles. The
March 08, 2021 Read Full Article
SDFU Calls for Repeal & Replace of Fuel Economy Rule to Include Octane and Higher Ethanol Blends
by Rusty Halvorson (KFGO) Speaking at the National Farmers Union National Convention February 26, 2021, South Dakota Chapter President Doug Sombke said ethanol advocates need to prioritize support for a high octane standard in the new fuel economy rule that could triple
March 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Morgan Stanley: Gasoline Industry Is about to Become Totally Worthless
by Alex Kimani (OilPrice.com) The average energy investor is by now well aware of the sector's monumental shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. ... ... Indeed, the global EV sector now carries a higher valuation than the global ICE sector despite
February 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Toyota, Fiat Chrysler Drop Support for Trump Effort to Bar California Emissions Rules
by David Shepardson (Reuters/Yahoo!Finance) Toyota Motor Corp, Fiat Chrysler and other major automakers said on Tuesday they were joining General Motors in abandoning support for former President Donald Trump's effort to bar California from setting its own zero emission vehicle rules. The
February 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Farm, Biofuels, and Environmental Groups Oppose SAFE Rule
(National Farmers Union) An alliance of farm, biofuels, and environmental organizations last night filed an amicus brief in objection to the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficiency Vehicle (SAFE) Rule on the grounds that it both fails to account for toxic pollution from aromatic-laden fuel
January 27, 2021 Read Full Article
All EVs by 2035? Report Shows Roadblocks
by David Ferris (E&E News) This study, an update by the California Energy Commission on the state's EV charging needs, is the first to try to game out the implications of Gov. Gavin Newsom's earthshaking order to ban the sale of
January 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Petitions for a Waiver of the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standards DEADLINE Comments due February 18, 2021
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) EPA seeks comment on several petitions for a waiver of the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) volume requirements from refineries and the governors of several states. The petitions and the associated Federal Register Notice are
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Final Anti-Backsliding Determination for Renewable Fuels and Air Quality
(Federal Register/Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that no additional measures are necessary pursuant to Clean Air Act (CAA) section 211(v) to mitigate the adverse air quality impacts of the renewable fuel volumes required under CAA
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association Files Lawsuit over Emission Standards
(KROXAM) On Wednesday, January 6, the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court alleging Minnesota lacks the authority under the Federal Clean Air Act to regulate motor vehicle emissions and is preempted under federal law from
January 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy, RFA Demand Transparency in Refinery Exemption Process
(Growth Energy) In a court filing today (January 5, 2021), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association continued to call on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to release the names and locations of refineries granted exemptions
January 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Joint Statement from Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association on Motion for Partial Summary Judgment in FOIA Lawsuit Regarding Small Refinery Exemption Transparency
(Growth Energy/Renewable Fuels Association) Upon the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to adequately respond to several Freedom of Information Act requests filed by the biofuels industry regarding the small refinery exemption (SRE) program and EPA’s radical escalation in granting SREs in
October 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Submission by Solutions from the Land on Behalf of the North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance In Response to the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture
(Solutions from the Land) NACSAA 'Capstone Submission' Stresses CSA Is 'Foundational' to Global Agreement -- North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance has handed over its capstone submission into the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture, the global platform for ag policy
October 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Mary Nichols May Be EPA’s Next Boss. Here’s Her Vision
by Maxine Joselow (E&E News/Governors' Solar and Wind Energy Coalition) California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols yesterday outlined her vision for EPA over the next four years. And it starts with science. Nichols — who is widely viewed as a candidate
October 15, 2020 Read Full Article
ACE Rule Heads to Court
by Eric Wolff (Politico's Morning Energy) The Trump carbon rules for power plants goes to court in a mirror image of the case from 2016 when the Obama administration's more stringent rules faced the judges. -- ... It's déjà vu all
October 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Trust Me. I’m from the Government and Here to Help
by Dave VanderGriend (ICM/Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... But what we thought we did know was that he (President Donald Trump) was determined to remove regulations that were holding back American business. So that held some excitement and promise
October 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Behind the Smoke: It’s What You Don’t See That Kills
by Doug Durante and Larry Pearce (Morning Consult) ... But a bigger problem has existed for decades in the air we don’t see — air polluted with toxic ultra-fine particles, or UFPs. For more than 30 years, a small group of U.S. Environmental
September 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Renew Kansas Biofuels Association on E15 Reg.
(KTIC Radio/Renew Kansas) Renew Kansas Biofuels Association submitted written comments to Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regarding the agency’s notice of public hearing on its proposal to revoke an existing regulation limiting the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of ethanol-blended
September 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel Supporters Back in Court: Orgs File Brief Supporting EPA's 2019 Regulation Allowing Year-Round E15 Use.
(Farm Progress/Growth Energy) Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the National Corn Growers Association on Friday filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit supporting and defending the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2019 regulation that allowed year-round
August 31, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA ‘Reset’ Recommendation Addresses RFS, LCFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of six former U.S. EPA administrators representing both republican and democratic administrations are calling for a “reset” of the agency as it approaches its 50th anniversary. The Renewable Fuel Standard and a potential federal
August 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Leaders Urge Noem, Trump to Open Door to “E30 by 2030”
(South Dakota Farmers Union) Compliance with Existing Law Would Inject $8 Billion Per Year into South Dakota Economy -- In a Rapid City Journal ad, a Sioux Falls Argus Leader editorial, and a letter to Governor Kristi Noem, South Dakota ethanol leaders said that a
August 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Leaders See Happy Days in the Future
by Nat Williams (Illinois Farmer Today) The ethanol industry has a long, complicated history. But supporters believe the best days are ahead. “Fuel ethanol was a thing as early as early as automobiles. Henry Ford made his automobiles to run on ethanol
July 27, 2020 Read Full Article
United Refining Sues EPA for Renewable Fuel Exemption (1)
by Maya Earls (Bloomberg Law) The Environmental Protection Agency is failing to act exempting Pennsylvania-based United Refining Co. from the Clean Air Act’s renewable fuel standards, the company says in a D.C. federal court lawsuit. The act mandates that fuel sold in
July 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Prophet Tilts at Petroleum
by Mikkel Pates (AgWeek) South Dakota ethanol promoter Orrie D. Swayze likes to hear promotions for 30% ethanol blends in gasoline but thinks 50% would be better for the environment and human health. -- ... Swazey, 76, ... became worried
July 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Weighing in: A Bipartisan Group of Former EPA and Transportation Department Chiefs Filed a Friend-of-the-Court Brief
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) A bipartisan group of former EPA and Transportation Department chiefs filed a friend-of-the-court brief this week criticizing the Trump administration's revocation of California's fuel economy waiver as having no "no valid legal, factual, or
July 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Ad Urges Visiting Trump to ‘Tear down That (Blend)’ Wall’
by Mikkel Pates (Ag Week) Ethanol proponents try to make some political hay with President Donald Trump when he visits Rapid City. They ask that he “tear down that wall” of 10% ethanol blends, and allow ethanol to climb to
July 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Missouri Soybean Farmers Offer Matching Funds for Biodiesel Infrastructure Development
(Missouri Soybean Association) Applicants may receive up to 25 percent of the required cash match for federal funding. -- Missouri soybean farmers are investing in the future for soy in Missouri through biodiesel with a new infrastructure grant program. A
July 02, 2020 Read Full Article
John J. Mooney: An Appreciation of Performance Directed Engineering Greatness
by Robert Kozak* (Atlantic Biomass/Advanced Biofuels USA) I was sad to see an obituary today for the great engineer John J. Mooney. Who was John J. Mooney you ask? He was the co-inventor of both the 2-way and the 3-way motor
July 01, 2020 Read Full Article
The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America Majority Staff Report: Is It Worth Supporting?
by Robert Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA/Atlantic Biomass, LLC) Today the US House of Representatives Democratic Select Committee on Climate Change released their ideas for a “Clean Energy Economy.” Interestingly, this document is not proposed legislation. Instead, it is simply a
June 30, 2020 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK --- Doug Sombke
South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke points out that Title II of the Clean Air Act requires EPA to reduce toxics in gasoline to the greatest extent possible as new technologies become available. “Higher ethanol blends are that technology, and
June 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Farming, Biofuels, Health Groups Challenge EPA on SAFE Rule
(Morning Ag Clips/South Dakota Farmers Union) Broad coalition challenges the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Rule; In response to EPA’s failure to credibly consider and advance mid-level ethanol fuel blends as an alternative to conventional fuels, the groups filed a
June 30, 2020 Read Full Article
A GOOD IDEA Path to Economic Transformation
by Russ Freeman (Modern Rotating Impact Mill Production Company, llc./Biofuels Digest) So how do we choose a GOOD PATH from many alternatives carbon sources? Repurposing carbon in Municipal Solid Wastes could be exceptionally attractive to local government facing a pandemic-driven loss of both