(Bergeson & Campbell) On December 28, 2020, the House overrode President Trump’s veto and passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) by a vote of 322 to 87, and the Senate passed the bill on January 1, 2021,
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Back TO HOMEEPA Proposes to Extend 2019, 2020 RFS Deadlines DEADLINE Comments due March 11, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is scheduled to publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register on Jan. 15 extending certain Renewable Fuel Standard deadlines for compliance years 2019 and 2020. A public comment period is open
January 20, 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
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
Official Release of the MOVES3 Motor Vehicle Emissions Model for SIPs and Transportation Conformity
(Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of the (MOVES3) for official purposes outside of California. MOVES3 is the latest state-of-the art upgrade to EPA's modeling tools for estimating emissions from cars, trucks, buses,
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
Truly Renewable Energy: The Importance of Organics Recycling in a Decarbonized Future
by Shawn Kreloff (Bioenergy Devco/Biofuels Digest) ... But what if we could replace a significant amount of these fossil fuels with renewable natural gas (RNG) or Green Hydrogen created solely from advanced processing of organic residuals – byproducts that would
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Outgoing Trump Admin Mulls Industry-Wide Biofuel Waiver for Oil Refiners and E15 Labeling Change
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The Trump administration is considering requests from the oil refining industry and its backers for a sweeping nationwide waiver to exempt them from their obligations to blend biofuels, a measure they argue would help them weather the
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
House Biofuels Caucus Urges Trump to Reject SRE Petitions
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Members of the House Biofuels Caucus sent a letter to President Trump on Jan. 12 urging him to direct the U.S. EPA to immediately reject any pending small refinery exemption (SRE) requests that do not meet criteria established
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Thanks Senate Midwest Republicans for Backing Renewable Fuel Standard
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association expressed gratitude today to seven Republican members of the Senate who called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to back down from rumored small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard. “Lawmakers on both sides of the
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
AFPM Sees Alignment with Biden on Trade, Economy
by Elliott Blackburn (Argus Media) ... (President-elect Joe) Biden also campaigned on goals to increasingly electrify the US vehicle fleet and maintain support for renewable fuels, which would erode market share for the petroleum fuel that dominates AFPM membership's output. But
January 15, 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
U.S. EPA Eyes Extending Refinery Biofuel Deadlines, No Action on Waivers
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it would propose to extend deadlines for refiners to prove compliance with biofuel laws, but signaled it would not decide on a slew of pending waiver requests submitted
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Senators Ask Biden to Restore the Integrity of the RFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of six democratic senators sent a letter President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 11 urging his administration to support U.S. farmers and the biofuels industry by restoring the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard. The
January 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Will EPA Torpedo RFS Again on Wheeler’s Way Out?
by Jennifer Shike (Farm Journal Ag Web) With just eight days left in EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s term, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Geoff Cooper told AgriTalk’s host Chip Flory on Tuesday that he’s not surprised
January 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Here’s How President-elect Biden Can Slash Carbon Emissions by 12 Million Metric Tons on Day One in Office
(Renewable Fuels Association) On “Day One” in office, President-elect Biden’s incoming administration can immediately secure 10.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions simply by rejecting the 66 pending waiver requests from oil refiners who are looking to dodge their
January 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Exclusive: Trump Administration Expected to Grant Biofuel Waivers for Some Oil Refiners - Sources
by Stephanie Kelly, Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Trump administration is expected to grant waivers to some oil refiners that would exempt them from requirements to blend biofuels into their fuel mix for the 2019 compliance year, according to two sources
January 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Coalition Rejects EPA’s Excuses for Failing to Comply with 2017 Court Order
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (January 7, 2021), a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed its reply in support of its motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. The motion, originally filed
January 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Coalition Rejects EPA’s Excuses for Failing to Comply with 2017 Court Order
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (January 7, 2021), a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed its reply in support of its motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. The motion, originally filed on
January 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Climate Team Says It Underestimated Trump's Damage
by Adam Aton (E&E News) President-elect Joe Biden's transition team says the Trump administration has done more damage than anticipated to the government's ability to address climate change. Potentially lowering expectations for the incoming president's early climate efforts, Biden officials say their
January 07, 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
Consent Decree Throws RFS Refinery Exemption Decisions into Biden's Lap
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) A consent decree published today in the Federal Register gives EPA until Feb. 19 to decide whether to exempt a refinery owned by United Refining Co. in Pennsylvania from the 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard requirements.
January 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Building Back Better with Biofuels
by Emily Skor (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Expecting heightened attention on renewable energy in the years ahead, Growth Energy will be working with America’s elected leaders to unleash ethanol as the engine of the rural economy and the foundation of
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Accelerating Demand: A Roadmap for Sparking New Demand for Ethanol
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Coalition for Ethanol is ready to execute on Accelerate, a roadmap for sparking new demand for ethanol. The plan is built around implementing new clean fuel policies, protecting what
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Petroleum Opposes Biofuels RFS Remand: Petroleum Group Opposes Ag, Biofuels Lawsuit on 500 Million-Gallon Remand
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) As biofuel producers attempt to force EPA to restore 500 million gallons that a court found were improperly waived from the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2016, a petroleum interest group is arguing those groups have
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Finalizing First-Ever Airplane Emissions Rules
by David Shepardson (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday said it was finalizing the first-ever proposed standards regulating greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes. The EPA said its new requirements for airplanes used in commercial aviation and for large
December 29, 2020 Read Full Article
15 Billion Biodiesel Gallons by 2050: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to National Biodiesel Board
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed Kurt Kovarik, National Biodiesel Board’s VP of Federal Affairs, at ABLC this summer, check out this slide guide where he outlines NBB’s vision, their new mission of 15 billion gallons of biodiesel
December 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Analysis: Biofuels Sector Hopeful Over Biden RFS Stance, Wary of GHG Policy
by Patrick Newkumet (Oil Price Information Service) Renewable fuel industry officials are mostly optimistic that the incoming Biden administration will be more supportive of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) than the Trump White House, though some worry that the president-elect's
December 24, 2020 Read Full Article
The Big, Big Package: What’s under the Christmas Tree for the Bioeconomy, in the $1.4T New Spending Bill?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The $1.4 trillion spending package includes appropriation for Fiscal Year 2021, the COVID stimulus package, extensions of popular tax credits that otherwise expired on December 31st, and the Energy Act of 2020, a $35B version
December 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Biden EPA Designee Reaches Out to Corn Growers
by John Herath (Farm Journal AgWeb) President-Elect Joe Biden officially announced his climate cabinet on Saturday, including the nomination of Michael Regan of North Carolina to be EPA Administrator. On the eve of that announcement, Regan was on the phone with
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Carbon Intensity Is Important for Renewable Fuels Investments
by Dave Collings (1898 & Co./Burns & McDonnell) As developers, investors and plant operators explore options to increase production and market share of renewable fuels, the concept of carbon intensity (CI) must be well-understood. It might be the deciding factor that
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Is Your Renewable Diesel Project Sustainable?
by Dave Collings (1898 & Co./Burns & McDonnell) For organizations looking to develop, construct and commission a new renewable diesel plant, it’s important to understand the various market conditions at play to avoid poorly made investments and the pitfalls of lost
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Top 10 Ag Stories of 2020 - 9 Ethanol's 2020 Full of Bumps, Bruises in Fight to Maintain Business
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Each year, DTN publishes our choices for the top 10 ag news stories of the year, as selected by DTN analysts, editors and reporters. Today, we continue the countdown with No. 9 looking at
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA: 66 SRE Petitions Now Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Dec. 17, reporting that five additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency seeking exemptions of Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements. The status
December 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Biden Fills up Climate Cabinet
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Enegy) With the selections of New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland for Interior secretary and North Carolina regulator Michael Regan for EPA chief, the Biden administration has rounded out the top brass of its climate team.
December 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Biden Picks Top North Carolina Environmental Official to Run EPA
by Brady Dennis, Steven Mufson and Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) President-elect Joe Biden will choose to nominate Michael S. Regan, who heads the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, as the next Environmental Protection Agency administrator, according to two individuals
December 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Pete Buttigieg Tapped as Biden's Transportation Secretary Pick
(Our Daily Planet) Yesterday President-elect Joe Biden announced former South Bend mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg as his nominee for Transportation Secretary. Buttigieg would be one of the youngest cabinet secretaries and the first openly gay person to lead a federal
December 16, 2020 Read Full Article
OMB Updates Timelines for 2021 RFS, E15 Label Rules
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Information released by the White House Office of Management and budget indicates the a proposed rule to set 2021 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard could be released soon. A rulemaking is
December 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Biden Team Considering North Carolina Official to Lead U.S. EPA
by Ari Natter and Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) Former NYU Law School dean also said to be under consideration; Biden nearing final decisions on environment, climate picks -- ... Michael Regan is now among the top contenders to be Environmental Protection Agency administrator, according
December 15, 2020 Read Full Article
New Legislation Sets Policy Menu for Sustainable Aviation Fuels
by Jeff Overton (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) As the aviation industry recovers from the severe contraction caused by the pandemic, sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) will be essential to help the sector achieve a path to net-zero carbon emissions by
December 12, 2020 Read Full Article
DOJ Asks SCOTUS to Pass on Refinery Exemption Case
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politco's Morning Energy) The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court not to review the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision creating a strict new definition of who qualifies for small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
December 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels Coalition Files Brief Challenging 31 Small Refinery Exemptions in 2018
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union today filed a brief challenging EPA’s August 2019 decision to exempt 31 small refineries from their obligations to comply
December 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Report: E15 Poised to Fast-Track Climate Progress
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Growth Energy, the nation’s largest association of biofuel producers and supporters, released a new report examining the potential climate benefits of a nationwide transition from the standard 10-percent ethanol blended fuel (E10) to a 15-percent ethanol blend (E15). The report was authored by Air Improvement
December 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Study: EPA Miscalculating Health Costs of Pollution
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The agency is significantly underestimating the public health costs of air pollution, which in turn leads to undercounting the benefits of regulations that reduce such pollution, according to a study conducted by the Analysis Group. The
December 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Ag Leaders Meet with Biden Team to Explain Priorities
by Ben Nuelle (AgriPulse) ... Carbon sequestration payments to farmers is something said to be on the table for the incoming Biden administration as a path to address emissions reduction. Duvall said any potential program should be a market-based system and
December 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Submits Notice of Intent to Sue EPA Over Failure to Issue 2021 Biofuel Blending Targets
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy submitted a notice of intent to sue letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its failure to fulfill its statutory obligation to issue the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) by November 30th, 2020, an annual deadline set by
December 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Who’s in Hot Water, Cold Water, and Who’s Just Right?: Mitsubishi, Monolith Materials, Codexis, Casdin, LG Chem, Neste, Wells Fargo, EPA, NXTLEVVEL, Elementis, Growth Energy, US National Labs, Ginkgo Bioworks in the News
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who’s in Hot Water? Some of the Usual Suspects get into the usual trouble. We note that EPA missed the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation deadline, and Growth Energy threatens a lawsuit. Really. We get tired of reporting on
December 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Nitty Gritty of Digester Operations
(BioCycle Magazine) The U.S. EPA AgSTAR program released its Anaerobic Digester/Biogas System Operator Guidebook in November, a comprehensive technical resource offering best practice guidance related to the operation and maintenance (O&M) of anaerobic digestion (AD)/biogas systems. The Guidebook covers topics for a wide
December 02, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Review: Automakers Approve E15 in Nearly All 2021 Vehicles, but FFV Offerings Continue to Slide
(Renewable Fuels Association) An annual analysis of vehicle owner’s manuals and warranty statements by the Renewable Fuels Association reveals that while nearly all new 2021 automobiles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use E15 gasoline, far fewer models are being offered as
December 01, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Misses Statutory Deadline to Set 2021 RFS RVOs
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has missed its Nov. 30 statutory deadline to set the 2021 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard, as well as the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel. While the delay was
December 01, 2020 Read Full Article
An Open Letter to the Ethanol Community from Ethanol Producers
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... (T)he overriding objective should be to increase demand, which increases ethanol volume and corn grind. With that in mind, do we continue to fight for what is almost certain to be a reduced
November 30, 2020 Read Full Article
ORNL Joins Effort to Make Plastic More Recyclable
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) From soda bottles to car bumpers to piping, electronics, and packaging, plastics have become a ubiquitous part of our lives. Advancements in materials have made plastics low cost, flexible, hygienic, lightweight, durable and readily available. While some
November 27, 2020 Read Full Article
The TIPping Point: Technology, Investment, Policy, and the advanced bioeconomy, Dioxide Materials, Genomatica, ADM, InnovaFeed, Aemetis, Nova Pangaea, and the UK Are Showing the Way
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s possible to summarize the advanced bioeconomy in three words, technology, investment, policy. These are the sine qua non, the foundational forces. Technology without investment and policy is a bunch of pretty things on a shelf,
November 25, 2020 Read Full Article
New Biofuel-Trading Venue Sees Untapped Demand in Green Revival
by Kim Chipman (Bloomberg/Yahoo! Finance) The U.S. market for biofuel credits has long drawn calls for reform over lack of transparency. Trading-technology expert Julian Anstes says he has the answer. Anstes and the firm he runs, London-based OTC Direct Markets Ltd., have
November 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Leaders Urge Courts to Hold EPA Accountable on Improper 2016 Waiver
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today, a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia asking the court to enforce its 2017 decision requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address its improper waiver of 500
November 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Should Ethanol Go Back to Business as Usual after COVID-19?
by Christina Stella (WVIK/NPR) ... As Americans hunkered down for lockdowns, gasoline demand across the country plummeted. Ethanol industry leaders issued warnings that the financial repercussions of widespread lockdowns could be significant to plants across the country. They later reported half of
November 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Outlines 2021 Biofuel Policy Priorities
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor today outlined the biofuels industry’s top federal priorities for 2021, highlighting key measures that elected leaders must take to protect the climate, revitalize rural communities, and offer more consumers clean, affordable options
November 20, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA: 6 More SRE Petitions Filed, 58 Now Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Nov. 19, reporting that six additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency, including one for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year 2019 and
November 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Brownley Introduces Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act
(Office of Representative Julia Brownley (D-CA 26)) Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act, legislation to incentivize the production of sustainable aviation fuel and help the aviation sector reduce carbon emissions. “As a member of the House Select Committee
November 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Transition Book: Priorities for Administrative Action on Carbon Removal in 2021+
(Carbon 180) We partner with policymakers, scientists, and businesses around the globe to develop policy, promote research, and advance solutions that transform carbon from a pollutant to a resource and foster a prosperous, carbon-conscious economy that removes more from the
November 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Applauds Streamlining Advanced Biofuels Registration Act of 2020
(Growth Energy) Today, U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Jim Hagedorn (R-MN) introduced the Streamlining Advanced Biofuels Registration Act of 2020 to encourage low-carbon fuel production and increase production of cellulosic biomass into renewable fuels. This legislation would expedite the approval process
November 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Small Refinery Gets Second Win in Battle for Renewable-Fuel Hardship Exemption
by Sebastien Malo (Reuters/WestLaw) A federal appeals court vacated for the second time on Tuesday a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denial of small oil refinery Ergon West Virginia Inc's (EWVI) request for an exemption from the country's biofuel regulations after finding
November 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Ag Retailers: Zero-Emission Truck Plan Could ‘Devastate’ Agriculture
by John Gallagher (Freight Waves) Ag retailers: Zero-emission truck plan could ‘devastate’ agriculture -- An environmental policy promoted by Democratic lawmakers to effectively ban internal combustion engines (ICEs) for heavy-duty trucks by 2040 would be a major economic blow to agribusiness
November 17, 2020 Read Full Article
CountryMark, Ceres Solutions and USDA Bring E15 to Rensselaer
(95.3 MNC) Jasper County, Indiana will soon have its first E15 fueling station thanks to efforts from two farmer-owned cooperatives and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ... Ceres Solutions owns the CountryMark-branded station on North McKinley Avenue in Rensselaer, Indiana,
November 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Senate Finance Chair Says EPA Leader Should Follow RFS or Resign
(WNAX) Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley told farm reporters Thursday that 2020 has been a tenuous year for renewable fuels. He says ethanol demand has been hurt by the pandemic and gap year waiver requests for refiners has created a lot of
November 16, 2020 Read Full Article
California Official Sees State Auto Emissions Deal as 'Template' for Biden
by Nichola Groom, David Shepardson (Reuters) California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, who sources say could be the next federal environment chief, said on Thursday her state’s agreement with manor automakers for fuel efficiency requirements could serve as a “good
November 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Biden Sets Agency Transition Teams
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) — The Biden transition named members of the teams that will guide the transfer of power inside federal agencies. — World leaders piled on the congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden this week, with many pledging to
November 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Post-Election Analysis from ABFA: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Advanced Biofuels Association’s Election View
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Did the bioeconomy win or lose? If you missed the conversation on Thursday at DigestConnect, check out this slide guide from Mike McAdams, President of Advanced Biofuels Association for his post-election analysis from the Presidential
November 10, 2020 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Geoff Cooper
RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper reminds us that President Elect Joe Biden committed on the campaign trail to put an end to the Trump Administration’s EPA small refinery waivers on day one according to Brownfield Ag News. READ MORE
November 10, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Renewable Fuels Legislation Could Garner Bipartisan Support under Biden
by Stephanie Kelly and Laura Sanicola (Reuters) Renewable fuels are a niche market for now, but with Democratic President-Elect Joe Biden set to enter office with a divided Congress, legislation supporting demand for products like renewable diesel could garner bipartisan
November 10, 2020 Read Full Article
University of Kentucky Researchers Launch a $2 Million Project to Study Sulfur Variability in Biofuel Feedstocks
by Katie Pratt (University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment) Sulfur found in biofuel feedstock could pose serious problems to the industry, because it causes pollution, is toxic to the catalyst and corrosive to biorefinery equipment. A national group
November 06, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Asks SCOTUS for Delay in RFS Case: Trump Administration Asks for Time to File Response in Small-Refinery Exemption Case
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The EPA has asked the Supreme Court for an extension to file a response to a refiner's petition for review of an appeals court's January 2020 ruling on small-refinery exemptions. HollyFrontier Corp. appealed to the high
November 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Final Chapter for Cellulosic Ethanol?
by Rod Swoboda (Wallaces Farmer) ... Poet’s cellulosic ethanol plant at Emmetsburg was named Project Liberty. Following Poet’s lead, two other companies built cellulosic ethanol plants — one in Kansas and one at Nevada in central Iowa. The owners of those
November 04, 2020 Read Full Article
US Elections: Ernst Holds onto Iowa Senate Seat after Race Tests Biofuel Support
by Meghan Gordon (S&P Global Platts) Republican played key role in biofuel mandate talks; Opponent supported clean energy, denounced 'Big Oil'; Ernst took heat for commodity prices, EPA confirmation -- US Senator Joni Ernst, Republican-Iowa, held onto her seat after a tight race
November 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Factbox: Unresolved Biofuel Policy Issues Facing the Next U.S. President
(Today/Reuters) Both U.S. President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden have tried to clinch rural votes ahead of the election by voicing support for corn-based ethanol. But big questions remain over how either would administer the nation's biofuel law,
November 04, 2020 Read Full Article
RNG Revolution: The North American Renewable Natural Gas Industry Has Boomed over the Past Decade and Potential Remains Vast.
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) ... Particularly for those feeling the heat when it comes reducing carbon footprints, interest in renewable natural gas (RNG) as an alternative vehicle fuel is an all-time high, and for good reason. Not only does
November 03, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Administrator: RFS Waiver Requests to Wait on Court Appeal
by John Herath (Farm Journal's Ag Pro) Wheeler (EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler) said on the AgriTalk Radio Show on Monday that he will not consider those waiver requests until after the courts have spoken on that appeal. “The refiners appealed that to
November 03, 2020 Read Full Article
LETTER: Biofuel Targets Should Be Set Now
by Marc Berger (Daily Citizen) ... The EPA announced that E15 -- a gasoline blend made with 15% ethanol -- can be pumped through existing E10 infrastructure, helping expand the market for ethanol at a critical time. Despite this, we’re
October 30, 2020 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
RFA, Others Seek Certainty and Consistency in EPA Treatment of Flex Fuel Vehicles
(Renewable Fuels Association) In comments submitted today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding emissions standard compliance calculations for Flex Fuel vehicles (FFVs), the Renewable Fuels Association supported the EPA’s new approach to maintaining some level of certainty for automakers in the absence
October 27, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Considering E15 Labeling Changes at Gas Pumps: Sources
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering changes to labels for gasoline containing higher blends of ethanol, or E15, in an effort to appease the biofuel industry’s concerns that current labels discourage use of the fuel, according
October 27, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Says Oil State Senators Request To Freeze RFS For 2021 Is Ridiculous
(WNAX) Senators from 15 oil producing states have written to the EPA Administrator asking him to freeze the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2021. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says courts have already determined that what they’re asking for
October 26, 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
National Biodiesel Foundation Receives DERA Grants for 2021
(National Biodiesel Board) BF Receives Grants through US EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program -- The National Biodiesel Foundation was awarded two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants through the 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. The first is in partnership with the
October 23, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA: Oil-State Senators Ask EPA to Violate the Law, Ignore the Courts
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today blasted the latest attempt by oil refiners and their supporters in the Senate to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard. On Wednesday, a small group of oil-state Senators submitted a short letter to EPA Administrator Andrew
October 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Your Views: EPA Needs to Support Farmers, Homegrown Fuels
by Doug Rebout (GazetteXtra) ... The EPA has consistently undercut the Renewable Fuel Standard by granting Small Refinery Exemptions—or waivers—to big oil, essentially cutting billions of gallons of biofuel demand and cutting off this vital market to corn farmers. The president
October 19, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Issues Final Fuels Streamlining Rule
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Oct. 15 issued its final Fuels Streamlining Rule, which streamlines the agency’s existing regulations for gasoline, diesel and other fuels. It does not, however, change the stringency of existing fuel quality
October 19, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA: 2 Additional SRE Petitions Filed for Compliance Year 2019
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Oct. 15, reporting two additional SRE petitions have been filed for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year 2019. No other changes were made to the
October 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump in Iowa Touts Ethanol, Farm Policy
by Erin Murphy (The Courier) Campaigning in Iowa on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump touted his administration’s work to boost the ethanol industry and help farmers in Iowa. Trump’s administration this year issued a rule that allows gas stations to
October 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Biden's Energy Future
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Joe Biden put some space between his clean energy plan and that of the Green New Deal during last night's town hall, while also pitching renewables and carbon capture. ... Former Vice President Joe
October 16, 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
EPA Drags Feet on Remaining Small Refinery Exemption Requests
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The EPA recently denied 54 so-called “gap year” small refinery exemption requests, but Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper tells Brownfield the agency is still considering 31 petitions for 2019 and a couple for 2020. “We
October 14, 2020 Read Full Article
New California Port Emissions Data Shows Advanced Diesel Technology Boosts Clean Air for Frontline Communities
(Diesel Technology Forum) ... “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that the Commercial Vehicle Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Standards Phase 1 rules saved 270 million tons CO2 and 530 million barrels of oil
October 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Trade, Biofuels and the Environment: Key Agriculture Issues in U.S. Election
by P.J. Huffstutter, Karl Plume and Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump enjoys broad support among farmers, but some are unhappy about the impact of his trade and biofuel policies on crop prices and international demand for U.S. agricultural products.
October 13, 2020 Read Full Article
New RIN Futures Launch Nodal, IncubEx to Launch 8 New Physically Delivered RIN Futures
(DTN Progressive Farmer) Nodal Exchange, a derivatives exchange, and IncubEx on Friday, Oct. 9, announced the upcoming launch of eight new Renewable Identification Number futures and options contracts. Pending regulatory review, Nodal will launch the first-ever physically delivered futures contracts on
October 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Elected Officials Urge Automakers to Support Cleaner Cars
by Chris Teale (Smart Cities Dive) More than 200 elected officials at the city and state level issued a joint declaration Thursday calling on automakers to stop supporting the Trump administration's rollback of national and state clean car standards. The "Clean Cars Declaration" urges
October 09, 2020 Read Full Article
The Great Success of the Virtual 2020 Algae Biomass Summit
(Algae Biomass Organization) The virtual Algae Biomass Summit concluded last week, and the most significant takeaway was that the new online format provided a more dynamic collaboration than ever before, and with larger group of participants spread across the globe. Speakers, poster presenters,
October 08, 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
Ethanol's Recovery Readout
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A survey of ethanol plant CEOs and general managers shows the COVID-19 downturn had a significant impact on their operations. Most producers have substantially ramped up production since spring, but a full recovery is
October 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Monster on the Big Muddy: REG Geismar to Expand Renewable Hydrocarbon Production to 340 Million Gallons
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Louisiana, Renewable Energy Group said it will undertake a capacity expansion of its Geismar, Louisiana biorefinery by 250 million gallons annually to 340 million gallons per year. This announcement follows a thorough review and
October 07, 2020 Read Full Article
US EPA Announces $3 Million for 12 Food Waste AD Projects
(Bioenergy Insight) The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected 12 organisations and projects to receive around $3 million (€2.55 million) in funding to help reduce food loss and waste and divert food waste from landfills by expanding anaerobic digestion
October 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Nacelle Solutions, U.S. Gain Complete Two Wisconsin RNG Facilities
by Michael Bates (NGT News) Nacelle Solutions says two renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities in Wisconsin – S&S Jerseyland Dairy in Sturgeon Bay and Dallmann East River Dairy in Brillion – have been completed and recently begun operations. Nacelle will own, operate
October 06, 2020 Read Full Article
New Report Reveals EPA Reform on Biogenic Crops Ruling Could Add Hundreds of Millions in Wages, Thousands of Jobs to U.S. Economy
(Biogenic CO2 Coalition) Scientifically Backed Change in Status of Carbon Emissions from Ag Feedstocks Could Provide Massive Boost to Struggling U.S. Economy -- The Biogenic CO2 Coalition, a working group of leading trade associations that support American agriculture, today released a new
October 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Climate Change Suit on SCOTUS Docket
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) : The Supreme Court will hear an appeal from oil companies aiming to overturn lower court rulings that state court is the proper venue for the climate change lawsuit brought by the city of
October 05, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Extends Public Comment Period on ICR On Anaerobic Digestion Facilities Processing Wasted Food DEADLINE October 29, 2020
(Bergeson & Campbell) On September 29, 2020, EPA announced that it has submitted for review and approval an information collection request (ICR) on Anaerobic Digestion Facilities Processing Wasted Food to Support EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Program and Sustainable Management of
October 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Joni Ernst Is Now in Trouble. Trump Is a Huge Part of Her Problem.
by Art Cullen (Washington Post/Storm Lake Times) One big reason Republicans are shoving a Supreme Court appointment through the Senate before the election is their rising fear of losing the upper chamber — and the White House — in November.
September 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Ag Policy Blog: House Democrats Get Aggressive on Biofuels
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) ...What did become clear was Democrats in both the House and the Senate are paying more attention to biofuels at the moment. And yet, given that Congress is going to pass a temporary funding
September 28, 2020 Read Full Article
RFS Rule in Court, Chapter 2019
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The D.C. Circuit on Friday hosted the annual legal rite: a challenge to EPA's blending mandate under the Renewable Fuel Standard, with this round focusing on the rule governing 2019 requirements. Biofuel producers argued that
September 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Bustos Introduces Next Generation Fuels Act
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., on Sept. 24 introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act, a bill that establishes a minimum octane standard for gasoline and requires sources of added octane value to reduce carbon emissions by
September 25, 2020 Read Full Article
TSCA Fundamentals --- October 19-29, 2020 --- ONLINE
Invaluable training on the essentials of TSCA -- Implementation of the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is very much a work in progress, and the US EPA’s regulatory actions require continuous monitoring. Staying on top of these changes is
September 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump, Eyeing Farm Country, Starts Working on Ethanol Industry's Year-Old Wishlist
by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) President Donald Trump, looking to shore up support in the U.S. Farm Belt during a tight race for re-election, is taking steps to help producers of corn-based ethanol using a list of policy goals
September 24, 2020 Read Full Article
California to Ban Sales of Gas Cars by 2035
(Our Daily Planet) Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state will phase out sales of all gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. As Governor Newsom said in a separate event with Democratic governors yesterday, people have climate “goal fatigue” and are ready
September 24, 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
Our View: Ethanol: Trump, Hagedorn, EPA Leave Farmers behind
(Mankato Free Press) President Donald Trump and his Environmental Protection Agency have about six weeks to keep their promises to farmers on ethanol, which have been broken for the past three years. While farmers have backed Trump in varying degrees since he
September 23, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA: 7 New SRE Petitions Filed, Including 5 Gap Year SREs
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Sept. 17 published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data that reflects the denial of 54 gap year SRE petitions announced by the agency on Sept. 14. The data also shows seven new
September 22, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Delivers Final Fuels Regulatory Streamlining Rule to OMB
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released a proposed rule on April 13 that aims to streamline and modernize the agency’s existing fuels regulations. In the rulemaking, the EPA said it is proposing “some slight modifications to
September 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Clean Fuels Standard Misses the Mark on Biofuels
(Grain Farmers of Ontario/Globe Newswire) Grain Farmers of Ontario opposed to land use restrictions, and seek transparency on certification criteria -- Grain Farmers of Ontario, the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers today has
September 22, 2020 Read Full Article
FEW General Sessions Address Policy, Production
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol, told audience members at the 2020 Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo during the general session panel Sept. 16 that the gap waiver denial, two days before,
September 22, 2020 Read Full Article
ACE Helps Retailers Determine E15 Compatibility by Launching "Flex Check" Tool
(American Coalition for Ethanol) The American Coalition for Ethanol’s fuel-marketer focused Flex Fuel Forward website releases tool for fuel retailers to see how E15-compatible their station is right now. -- The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today launched a tool on
September 18, 2020 Read Full Article
House Ag Plans Detailed to NFU Pelosi: House Will Bring Up Biofuels Integrity Bill
by Jerry Hagstrom (DTN Progressive Farmer) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Tuesday that the House will take up the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act sponsored by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., just as the House Energy and Commerce
September 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Decision Bolstering Ethanol Becomes Campaign Flashpoint
(The Gazette) President Donald Trump has been receiving praise from farm state Republicans for his decision to deny the “gap year” waivers and increase access to E15 corn-based ethanol. But it also was panned by Democrats Wednesday as nothing more than
September 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Administration Eyes at Least $300 Million Aid to Refiners Denied Biofuel Waivers: Sources
by Stephanie Kelly, Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Trump administration is considering at least $300 million in cash aid to U.S. oil refiners that are denied exemptions to U.S. biofuel blending laws for the 2019 compliance year, two sources familiar with
September 17, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Releases Final Rule Intended to Promote Transparency in Developing Regulatory Guidance Documents
(Bergeson and Campbell) On September 14, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a pre-publication version of a final rule establishing the procedures and requirements for how EPA will manage the issuance of guidance documents consistent with Executive Order (EO) 13891,
September 17, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Applauds Congressional Efforts to Enhance Transparency of Small Refinery Waiver Process
(Renewable Fuels Association) The House Committee on Energy and Commerce today unveiled the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which contains provisions requiring more transparency and accountability in EPA’s process for evaluating small refinery exemption requests under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The provisions
September 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Letter Urges EPA to Comply with GOA Investigation of SRE Process
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Seven federal lawmakers sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Sept. 15 expressing disappointment with the agency’s failure to cooperate with the Government Accountability Office’s investigation into the small refinery exemption (SRE)
September 16, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Presidential Candidate Biden Rips Trump's Record on Ethanol
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden late on Tuesday attacked President Donald Trump’s record on ethanol, saying his administration’s recent moves to help the industry were too little, too late and transparently political. U.S. Democratic presidential nominee
September 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Biogenic CO2 Coalition Files Formal Petition for Rulemaking with EPA
(Biogenic CO2 Coalition) Includes Legal Justification to Change Status of Carbon Emissions from Ag Feedstocks -- The Biogenic CO2 Coalition today filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), providing a detailed explanation of the scientific and legal basis for the agency
September 15, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Denies Gap Year RFS Waiver Requests
by John Herath (Farm Journal Ag/Web) Applications for oil refiners to be exempted from the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) have been a contentious election for President Donald Trump in Iowa. His administration took a step to alleviate those political pressures Monday
September 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Considers Cash Aid for Refineries Denied Biofuel Waivers
by Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) Trump administration officials are developing a plan to offset the potential economic damage of denying dozens of refineries waivers from biofuel-usage mandates: giving them financial aid. The approach is actively being discussed by top Environmental Protection Agency officials
September 12, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Provides Testimony to EPA Advisory Committee
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) EPA’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Advisory Committee is meeting virtually this week to provide policy advice, information, and recommendations on a range of environmental issues and policies important to agriculture and rural communities. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO
September 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Faces Multiple Issues as Harvest Just around Corner
by Lori Potter (Kearney Hub) ... There are tariff and other trade issues that make U.S. ethanol less competitive in export markets. Also, industry leaders continue to wait for Environmental Protection Agency officials to rule on a growing number of
September 10, 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
RINs Jump 18% on News Trump Wants All Gap Year Requests Denied
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In New York state, Reuters reports that RIN prices skyrocketed a two-year high of 55 cents for D6 credits on the back of its exclusive story that President Trump told the EPA to deny all gap-year
September 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Deadline to Appeal Refinery Exemption Case to SCOTUS Whooshes by
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politco's Morning Energy) Friday was the last day to ask the Supreme Court whether it would review a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision from January that threatened the entire refinery exemption program under the Renewable Fuel
September 08, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Calls for Nominations for 2021 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards DEADLINE: December 4, 2020
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. These prestigious awards recognize innovation by American businesses and researchers that redesign chemical products and processes to reduce or
September 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Without a Grand Deal, Trump Tries to Dodge Ethanol Question
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) ... And with the election just two months away, all signs are Trump is trying to push back a decision on the how much ethanol to blend into the nation’s gasoline supply until after the
September 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Why Should You Care about the VRIN?
by Jim Ramm (EcoEngineers) The VRIN is an important piece to maintaining RFS compliance -- Intimate knowledge of clean fuel regulations and record-keeping requirements is needed to maintain compliance in the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The USEPA bases much of
September 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Study: Ag Crops Don’t Contribute Increase Atmospheric GHG Levels
(Biogenic CO2 Coalition/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Biogenic CO2 Coalition today (August 17, 2020) released a scientific literature review conducted by Seungdo Kim, a leading researcher at Michigan State University, that surveyed peer-reviewed journal articles from all over the world. The review confirms
September 01, 2020 Read Full Article
The Case for Climate Action: Building a Clean Economy for the American People
(Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis) ... In the near term, we must continue to significantly grow solar and wind energy, energy storage, and electric vehicles while conducting more research into new technologies, advanced biofuels, and smaller and
August 31, 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
House Ag Chair Backs Biden on Killing Trump Tariffs
by Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson supports Joe Biden’s plan to eliminate President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China but said he isn’t sure what the alternative is for countering Chinese trade practices. “First thing I want to see
August 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Can Iowa Farmers Survive without Ethanol? Can Trump Survive without Iowa Farmers?
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register/Ames Tribune) ... "I've sat in front of the president, and he does look you in the eye, and he does listen to you," (Bill) Couser said, adding, "It just makes you wonder what happens after
August 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Joni Ernst Sells Out Iowa In RNC Speech
by Pat Rynard (Iowa Starting Line) Sen. Joni Ernst’s undying loyalty to Pres. Donald Trump was rewarded tonight with a high-profile speech at the Republican National Convention. She repaid Trump for the political boost to her reelection campaign by betraying the
August 27, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Seeks Input on F-factor for E85 FFVs DEADLINE: October 26, 2020
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA published notice on Aug. 26 requesting comment on sources and analytical approaches on which to base an EPA determination of an updated weighting factor (F-factor) for E85 flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) for
August 27, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Urges Immediate EPA Action on ‘Litany’ of Outstanding RFS Issues
(Renewable Fuels Association) Citing the need for more certainty and stability in uncertain times, as well as the legal requirement to meet statutory deadlines, the Renewable Fuels Association today urged EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to immediately address a number of unresolved
August 27, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Makes Plea for Action -- Wheeler: EPA Still Working on RFS Issues Including 98 Pending Exemption Requests
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler gave no timeline for releasing 2021 renewable volume obligations in the Renewable Fuel Standard or for deciding on pending small-refinery exemptions, during a teleconference with reporters on Wednesday, as pressure mounts
August 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Biden Campaign: Statement on Commitment to Renewable Fuel Standard Amid Trump Administration’s Repeated Attacks on Farmers and Producers
(WisPolitics.com) Instead of standing with those who till our land and sow our fields, we have a president who has sold out our farmers by undercutting the Renewable Fuel Standard with the granting of waivers to Big Oil. Those waivers severely
August 27, 2020 Read Full Article
NBB Launches Ad Campaign Urging President to Reject “Gap” SRE Petitions
(National Biodiesel Board) NBB encourages farmers, biodiesel producers to ask President Trump to keep his promise -- The National Biodiesel Board today launched a radio advertising campaign in six Midwestern states, urging President Donald Trump to keep his promise on the