by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has denied a petition for reconsideration of its finding that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aircraft cause or contribute to air pollution that may be reasonably anticipated to endanger public health and
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Back TO HOMERepublicans Can Cancel Some Obama Environment Rules. But They’ll Have to Choose Carefully.
by Chelsea Harvey (The Washington Post) ... Two bills under consideration in Congress, each expected to go to a swift vote, could help expedite the process of undoing recent regulations — or even make it more difficult to pass them in the
January 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump EPA Nominee Won't Gut Ethanol Law, Grassley, Ernst Say
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) Midwest Republican senators got reassurances from EPA chief nominee Scott Pruitt that he will "follow the law" that requires ethanol and biodiesel to be blended into the nation's fuel supply, Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck
January 06, 2017 Read Full Article
American Drivers Surpass 500 Million Miles on E15
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy announced today that the most tested fuel in history, E15, has reached a remarkable milestone. Based on sales and consumption data reported over the past 12 months by major gasoline retailers, drivers across the United States
January 06, 2017 Read Full Article
No Playbook on Renewable Fuels in Trump Huddle
by Douglas Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Midwest Producer) ... No issue has received more early scrutiny than the Renewable Fuel Standard as pundits speculate how Mr. Trump can honor campaign promises to fully support ethanol while some of his well-heeled oil supporters
January 05, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Seeks to Ban Genscape from Verifying Renewable Fuel Credits
by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to revoke Genscape's ability to verify biofuels compliance credits after regulators say it failed to detect a massive fraud perpetrated by companies it was monitoring. The announcement, made
January 05, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Optimistic about Ethanol in 2017 (and other opinions)
by Andy Eubank (Hoosier Ag Today) ... “One that comes readily to mind is the disparate treatment of E10 and E15 and other high level blends with respect to evaporative vapor control, RVP. Right now E10 and E15 are treated differently
January 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Branstad Says Trump Assures EPA Chief Will Be Pro-Ethanol
by O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa) Iowa’s governor says President-elect Donald Trump has reassured him the Trump Administration will be pro-ethanol. Governor Terry Branstad was concerned initially when he heard Trump asked the attorney general from oil-rich Oklahoma to be head
January 04, 2017 Read Full Article
The Rockefeller Foundation, USDA, and EPA to Lead Creation of National Resource Center for Action Against Food Waste
(PR Newswire) Coalition of 12 organizations set to launch FurtherWithFood.org, an online hub for information and solutions to cut food waste -- Today, The Rockefeller Foundation announced its collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection
January 04, 2017 Read Full Article
AFPM Sends US EPA Petition to Request Waiver of 2016 Cellulosic Biofuel Volumetric Requirements
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) has sent a petition to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that it waives its 2016 cellulosic biofuels volumes “due to an inadequate domestic supply of such
January 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Producers Back Renewable Credit Trading Transparency
by Brian Dabbs (Bloomberg) Recent criticism of secrecy and alleged manipulation in biofuel credit trading, delivered by a top adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, is striking a chord among ethanol and other renewable fuel producers. Those producers suggest insufficient credit trading oversight
January 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry May Have the Juice to Endure to Trump's EPA Chief Pick
by Chuck McCutcheon (Scientific American) Despite concerns over Scott Pruitt’s record of opposing ethanol, experts say the renewable-fuel program is on safe ground -- ... Ethanol advocates, however, do not seem to worry that Pruitt will make similar waves involving their
December 23, 2016 Read Full Article
I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In: Anellotech, Edeniq, Novvi
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... For Anellotech, a new technology to extend catalyst life by reducing catalyst poisons that cause catalyst and product cost to soar. For Novvi, a signature investment from Chevron. From Edeniq, word that their technology is
December 23, 2016 Read Full Article
A Few Reasonable RIN Ideas
by John Campbell (Ocean Park Advisors) The RINs market would be improved with timely blend targets and compliance reporting, increased transparency and trading limits. -- ... Although it might reduce undesirable trading practices, moving the point of obligation would not
December 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Icahn Named Special Trump Adviser to Roll Back Regulations
by Mike Dorning and Beth Jinks (BloombergPolitics) $20 billion net worth makes him one of richest men in America; Trump says Icahn will advise on ‘strangling regulations’ -- Trump often spoke admiringly of (Carl) Icahn during his presidential campaign and cited
December 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Extension of Comment Periods for: The Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and the Proposed Denial to Change the Point of Obligation
(Environmental Protection Agency) On December 20, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued extensions of the comment periods for two actions: the Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and the Proposed Denial to Change the Point
December 22, 2016 Read Full Article
US Biodiesel Producers Lose Court Challenge over Argentinian Imports
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) A US appeals court Tuesday dismissed a challenge by American biodiesel producers to the Environmental Protection Agency's decision allowing Argentinian biodiesel to qualify for US renewable fuel credits. The National Biodiesel Board trade group had argued that EPA
December 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump’s Nixonian Pivot
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) News of high-level appointments have been streaming out of Trump Tower all this week and last, and two trends are already clear: it’s a group mostly out of the business and military communities, and there’s
December 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Tough Path to Reach US Ethanol Max in 2017
(Argus Media) US ethanol producers may never hit the 15bn USG target federal regulators included in biofuel blending mandates next year as they run into infrastructure, demand and regulatory hurdles. ... Stores can only sell higher-ethanol blends through authorized dispensers and may
December 20, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Approves Flint Hills Resources for Cellulosic Ethanol from Edeniq’s Pathway Technology
(Edeniq/Business Wire) Edeniq, Inc., a leading cellulosic and biorefining technology company, today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Flint Hills Resources’ registration of its 120 MGPY Shell Rock, Iowa ethanol plant for cellulosic ethanol production using
December 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Volkswagen to Recall 83,000 3.0 Liter Diesel Vehicles and Fund Mitigation Projects to Settle Allegations of Cheating Emissions Tests on Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche Vehicles
(Environmental Protection Agency) Settlement requires Volkswagen to offer to buy back older vehicles, and spend $225 million to mitigate NOx pollution. Volkswagen will also repair newer vehicles to comply with the standards to which they were certified In a second partial
December 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Response to Petitions for Reconsideration of RFS2 Rule to Change the Point of Obligation
(Environmental Protection Agency) EPA proposed to deny requests from petitioners to initiate a rulemaking to change the point of obligation for compliance under the Renewable Fuel Standard program. Due to the importance, complexity, and broad stakeholder interest in this issue,
December 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Donald Trump Sends Mixed Signals on Ethanol Mandate
by Amy Harder and Jacob Bunge (The Wall Street Journal) President-elect backed the federal biofuels rules as a candidate, but his EPA pick opposes them -- ... Mr. Trump’s pick to run the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt,
December 19, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Amends Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has published a final rule amending specific provisions of its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule with the goal of streamlining and improving implementation of the rule and improving the quality and consistency
December 19, 2016 Read Full Article
ACE to Grassroots: Urge Senators to Get Ethanol Support from EPA Nominee Pruitt in Nomination Process
(American Coalition for Ethanol) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) issued a call-to-action to its grassroots membership today, urging ethanol supporters to contact their U.S. Senators about the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection
December 15, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Releases Final Report on Impacts from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities on Drinking Water
(Environmental Protection Agency) EPA’s report concludes that hydraulic fracturing activities can impact drinking water resources under some circumstances and identifies factors that influence these impacts -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing its scientific report on the impacts
December 14, 2016 Read Full Article
The RFS and Domestic Consumption of Conventional Ethanol and Biomass-Based Diesel to 2022
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDoc Daily/University of Illinois) In the farmdoc daily article of November 30, 2016, we examined the magnitude of the "push" in production and consumption of biofuels implied by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
December 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Icahn Cheers Trump EPA Pick Amid Calls for Fuel-Rule Revamp
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Icahn refiner wants $15 billion renewable-fuels market changed; Cost of credits surged as U.S. mandates on biofuels at record -- Six weeks before he becomes U.S. president, Donald Trump is already disrupting an obscure, $15 billion corner of
December 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Nebraska Congressman to Continue Push for More E-15 Sales
by Brent Martin (Nebraska Radio Network) ... Congressman Adrian Smith says the move helps the ethanol industry, but he adds more can be done. “I’m continuing to work on a bill that I introduced some time ago that would allow, not mandate,
December 13, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Seeks Comments on Flex Fuel Provisions of REGS Rule
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Dec. 2, the U.S. EPA issued a notice of data availability (NODA) that will make additional data available for comment on the ethanol flex fuel (EFF) provisions of its proposed Renewables Enhancement and
December 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Economists Examine RVO Impact on Conventional, Advanced Biofuels
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Two central questions arise when considering biofuels consumption through 2022, write University of Illinois ag economists Scott Irwin and Darrel Good: “When will domestic consumption of ethanol reach the statutory RFS mandate ceiling
December 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Governors Press Trump on RFS Following Pruitt EPA Nomination
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Just two days after President-elect Donald Trump's transition team announced Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt was the nominee to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Governors' Biofuels Coalition reminded Trump about his
December 12, 2016 Read Full Article
What’s Next in Cellulosic Biofuels?: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Iogen and the Cellulosic Sector
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Iogen says it has has “one of the world’s largest and most experienced teams in developing, designing, de-bugging, scaling-up and deploying cellulosic biofuel technology. We’re using innovative thinking and disciplined engineering to transform cellulosic biofuels
December 12, 2016 Read Full Article
RINs, Refiners and Rational Energy Policies
(The Wall Street Journal) Letters to the Editor -- Rewriting the RFS could undermine years of progress toward U.S. energy security. by Jeff Broin (POET) Carl Icahn’s proposal to rewrite the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) (“If Oil Refiners Crash, So Will
December 08, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Holds RFS Rule Hearing in Chicago
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Environmental Protection Agency held a public hearing in Chicago yesterday to hear testimony the agency’s proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) rule. The rule includes several actions that would help allow the market to
December 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Nebraska Drivers Save $17 Million Using Ethanol-blended Fuel
(Nebraska Ethanol Board/KOOL Radio) In 2016, Nebraska drivers will save approximately $17 million by using ethanol-blended gasoline. The savings is based on lower prices for ethanol compared to wholesale gasoline and the state’s projected spark-ignition fuel consumption of 900 million
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Improving Infrastructure Influences RFS
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) A Midwestern senator says advancements in infrastructure helped convince the Environmental Protection Agency to raise Renewable Volume Obligations for 2017 to statutory levels. Al Franken of Minnesota tells Brownfield the normal pushback from EPA on concerns like
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Groups Make Case for Change on E15
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) A number of biofuels groups testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago Tuesday at a hearing on an agency proposal to make some tweaks to the Renewable Fuel Standard to help perpetuate
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Automakers Look to Put EPA Rules on Ice in Spending Bill
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) Major automakers have embarked on an eleventh-hour push to undercut the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to boost climate and fuel efficiency standards for cars over the next decade. The Auto Alliance wants lawmakers to include language
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Senate Committee Hearing Focuses on GAO’s RFS Reports
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Dec. 1, the Senate Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing to discuss the U.S. EPA’s management of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) and two Government Accountability Office reports released on
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
The RFS: A Ticking Time Bomb for Corn Ethanol
by Jarrod Johnson (Farm Forum) ... However, while the program was created by Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with setting annual blending requirements for conventional and advanced biofuels. Over the past few years, the unelected federal agency has
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Sets Cellulosic Waiver Credit Price for 2017 at $2.00
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA recently published a notice to its website setting the cellulosic waiver credit (CWC) price for 2017 at $2.00. The CWC price for 2016 was set in at $1.33 in November 2015. Within
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Testifies to EPA Regarding Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support Rule
(Growth Energy) Today, at a hearing in Chicago, Chris Bliley, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Growth Energy testified before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Rule. During his testimony, Bliley outlined Growth Energy’s concern
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
McCarthy Confident EPA's Mission Will Survive
by Stephen Davies (Agri-Pulse) ... The administrator touted the new Renewable Fuel Standard requirements, released Nov. 23. The final biofuel usage mandate includes 15 billion gallons of conventional corn ethanol, the same level as the annual target in the 2007
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
When Price Is Right FFV Drivers Choose #Ethanol
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) When fuel prices are competitive, drivers of flex fuel vehicles (FFV) will fill up with high-ethanol blends such as E85 according to a new article published in Energy Policy. Authors Sébastien Pouliot and, Bruce A. Babcock
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Announces $1.3 Million to Small Businesses to Support the Nation’s Green Economy
(Environmental Protection Agency) This year’s projects focus on cookstoves, manufacturing, toxic chemicals, water, and building materials -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $1.3 million to 13 small businesses nationwide to develop and commercialize technologies to help solve
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Administration Could Be a Bend in the Road for Biofuels Blending
by Meghan Gordon and Brian Scheid (Platts) Total renewable fuel is slated to be more than 10% of the US fuel supply in 2017, breaking through the so-called blendwall. But how will a new presidential administration affect targets for the Renewable
December 05, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA Statement on Senate Hearing Focused on GAO RFS Reports
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management is holding a hearing examining two reports by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The reports incorrectly
December 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Recent Renewables Required Reading: What Can You Skip, What d’ya Gotta Read?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, in Washington and Brussels, four news flashes on global renewable fuel volumes appeared on the radar. Can you safely ignore them and get on with other work, or is there something to get deeply
December 02, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Rushes to Finish MPG Regs before Trump Takes Office
by Keith Laing (Detroit News) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving to quickly finalize stringent gas mileage rules that require automakers to produce car and truck fleets averaging more than 50 miles per gallon by 2025 before President-elect
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
GAO RFS Reports Paint Incomplete Picture of Advanced Biofuels
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued two reports Nov. 28 suggesting that the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program is unlikely to meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and expanding the U.S. renewable fuels sector.
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Oil and Biofuels Trade Bodies Make Unprecedented Move to Link Together to Call on EPA Not to Change RFS Point of Obligation
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Biofuels and oil trade bodies have written a letter to the US’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the organisation not to redefine the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The issue centres on whether
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA Analysis: Automakers Approve E15 in More than 80% of New 2017 Vehicles
(Renewable Fuels Association) More than 80 percent of new 2017 model year (MY) vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use 15 percent ethanol blends (E15), according to an analysis of warranty statements and owner’s manuals conducted by the
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Forecast Dreary for Farmers
by Kyle Abbott (The Mercury) ... EPA will take full authority over the RFS after 2022 with the power to remove corn ethanol from the mandate completely. This news is alarming considering that the EPA has already begun reducing the gallon amounts of
November 28, 2016 Read Full Article
A Bipartisan Opportunity to Move Forward on Biofuels Policy
by James H. Stock (The Hill) ... In establishing the 2017 obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the EPA finally passed a major RFS milestone that will allow moving beyond the fruitless and acrimonious debate between big corn and big
November 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuel Mandate Opponents Build Overhaul Momentum
by Brian Dabbs (Bloomberg) A Trump administration and new leadership of the Senate’s environment committee may breathe new life into efforts to roll back the Environmental Protection Agency’s renewable fuel standard, lawmakers and advocates say. House members are continuing to build
November 25, 2016 Read Full Article
AM Markets: US Biofuel Boost Sends Palm Oil to 4-Year High
(AgriMoney) ... "That larger-than-expected lift [to the EPA target] fuelled ideas that already tight vegetable oil supply would become even tighter in 2017," said Tobin Gorey at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. At Chicago broker Futures International, Terry Reilly said that the
November 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Comment Period Opens on EPA Rule to Update RFS, Fuel Regulations
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Nov. 16, U.S. EPA’s proposed Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support rule was published in the Federal Register, officially opening a 60-day public comment period on the proposal. Comments are due Jan. 17. ... The proposal includes
November 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Notice of Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Denial of Petitions for Rulemaking To Change the RFS Point of Obligation
(Federal Register/Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to deny several petitions requesting that EPA initiate a rulemaking process to reconsider or change its regulations that identify refiners and importers of gasoline and diesel fuel as the
November 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Argentina Biodiesel Producers Fear Losing Access to U.S. Market
by Maximilian Heath (Reuters) Argentina's biodiesel producers fear losing access to the United States, the destination of nearly all their exports, after Donald Trump's surprise victory in presidential elections earlier this month, representatives of the sector said. The Republican candidate, who is
November 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Back on Track: EPA Issues On-Time, Robust Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes for 2017-18
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Environmental Protection Agency released the 2017 renewable fuel volume obligations (and the 2018 volume obligations for biomass-based diesel), with a strong push beyond what has been termed the “blend wall” and
November 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Biointermediates and U: A Potential Step Change in Advanced Biofuel Economics
by Antoine C. Schellinger (Biofuels Digest/ International Alliance Group) ... The EPA has performed lifecycle analysis on certain pathways and published them in the CFR as approved pathways. They are labeled with sequential alphabetical characters and currently range from A to
November 22, 2016 Read Full Article
2016: Looking Back on a Busy Year
by Dave Vandergriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM) ... At the Urban Air Initiative, we have been relentless in our efforts to open the market for higher ethanol blends. ... During 2016, we have worked hard to understand where EPA has gotten
November 21, 2016 Read Full Article
Emails Show Collusion against Ethanol
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... This one’s about the U.S. EPA and a Freedom of Information Act request that uncovered emails providing evidence of collusion between EPA and the oil industry to make sure ethanol looks bad. Many
November 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuel Mandate Opponents Build Overhaul Momentum
by Brian Dabbs (Bloomberg BNA) A Trump administration and new leadership of the Senate’s environment committee may breathe new life into efforts to roll back the Environmental Protection Agency’s renewable fuel standard, lawmakers and advocates say. House members are continuing to build
November 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Environmental Protection Agency Publishes Proposed REGS Regulations in Federal Register
(Federal Register) In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to update both its renewable fuels and other fuels regulations to reflect changes in the marketplace and to promote the growing use of both ethanol fuels (conventional and advanced) and non-ethanol advanced and cellulosic biofuels. The EPA
November 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Won. What Does It Mean for Low Carbon Fuels & Vehicles?
by Tammy Klein (Biofuels Digest/Future Fuel Strategies) ... With Trump’s outspoken refusal to accept the reality of climate change and promise to reinvigorate the fracking and coal industries, are LCFV initiatives stone dead? What can we expect in a Trump Administration? Let’s break
November 17, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Biotech Review Staff Prepares To Handle Engineered Microorganism TSCA Submissions
(Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group) On November 9, 2016, Inside EPA published “New TSCA Requirements Raise Challenges To EPA Biotech Review Staff” (subscription required), outlining what EPA has done to adapt to revised Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requirements
November 16, 2016 Read Full Article
What’s Next for Advanced Biofuels?
by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) As for what is left to do after Congress returns on Nov. 15, extending existing biofuel tax credits are number one on the list. ... In early October, the U.S. EPA released a new set
November 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Advocate Calls EPA's Actions Regarding Biofuels a Slap in the Face to Farmers
(Oklahoma Farm Report) As farmers across the country harvest more corn than ever before this year, paving the way for a future of opportunity in the ethanol business, RON’s Associate Farm Director Carson Horn took the chance to speak with
November 14, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Rejects Plea to Tweak Ethanol Mandate’s Rules
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making plans to reject a plea by some fuel refiners to shift responsibility for ethanol mandate compliance away from them. A handful of refining companies like Valero Energy Corp. and
November 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Reject Backward Thinking on Carbon
by Carol Werner (Environmental and Energy Study Institute/Morning Consult) ... H.R. 5180, a proposal introduced by U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-Texas), would place a 9.7 percent cap on consumption of homegrown biofuels, rolling back 11 years of progress under the Renewable
November 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Time to Rein in the EPA
by Dale Christensen (Glacial Lakes Corn Processors/The Hill) ... EPA has either through ignorance at best or malice at worst failed to make our continued transition to cleaner, renewable fuels an easier path. Recall the nearly decade old problem with setting
November 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Board to Argue against Argentine Imports
by Mark Drajem & Ari Natter (Bloomberg) Early last year the EPA sent a letter to the Argentine biodiesel board that set out how its members could qualify their fuel as having been produced from “qualified land,” allowing them to sell
November 06, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA’s Final RVO for Conventional Renewable Fuel Simply Has to be 15 Billion Gallons—Here’s Why…
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) ... EPA’s proposed renewable volume obligation (RVO) is below the statutory 15-bg level established by Congress in 2007, and the Agency suggested the reduction was necessary because the marketplace lacked the capacity to consume
November 04, 2016 Read Full Article
With Canada and Mexico on Board, Carbon Pricing Could Become a Reality Across North America with Expanded U.S. Action
(Center for American Progress) Carbon taxes and emissions trading systems, once considered political moonshots in the battle to combat carbon emissions, have found purchase in Canada, Mexico, and parts of the United States, raising the possibility that carbon pricing could
November 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Automakers Outperform Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for 4th Consecutive Year
(Environmental Protection Agency) Average fuel economy reaches record 24.8 miles per gallon -- Passenger vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy while outperforming greenhouse gas emission standards in model year 2015, according to two reports released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection
November 02, 2016 Read Full Article
National Biodiesel Board Taps Donnell Rehagen as New CEO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Missouri, the National Biodiesel Board has named Donnell Rehagen as the trade group’s chief executive. Rehagen was named interim CEO in June after serving 12 years as NBB’s chief operating officer. ... It’s dead obvious, as
November 02, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Schedules Public Hearing on Proposed Rule to Update RFS
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has announced plans to hold a public hearing on Dec. 6 in Chicago for its proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support Rule. Those who wish to testify must contact the EPA by
November 02, 2016 Read Full Article
VW Billions to Foster Natural Gas Vehicles?
by Rich Piellisch (Fleets & Fuels) NGVAmerica Urges States to Take Advantage of Settlement -- States should take advantage of the big diesel emissions settlement with Volkswagen to promote natural gas vehicles to reduce pollution, says NGVAmerica. The association notes that
October 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Finance Conference Meets in Minneapolis
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... The lame duck Congress offers the next best chance for some movement on one issue important to the ethanol industry, said Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol, in his
October 24, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol in U.S. Gas Tanks Is Backfiring for Climate Change
by John Upton (Climate Central) It may have seemed apparent to members of Congress a decade ago that if a motorist pumped a gallon of fuel made from corn into their gas tank, a gallon of fossil fuel would be
October 24, 2016 Read Full Article
White House OMB Reviews 2017 RFS Rule
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Oct. 19, the U.S. EPA delivered its proposed rule to set renewable fuel standard (RFS) volume standards for 2017 and biobased diesel standards for 2018 to the White House Office of Management and
October 21, 2016 Read Full Article
Judge and Grassley Face off in Iowa U.S. Senate Debate
by Shelby Shepherd (KWQC) An hour before Trump and Clinton battled it out in Las Vegas, Iowa’s U.S. senate candidates battled it out in the western part the state they are fighting for. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley has held his
October 21, 2016 Read Full Article
UAI: EPA Emails Show Oil Industry Helped Design Test Fuels
(Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Urban Air Initiative has discovered that the U.S. EPA relied heavily on the oil industry to help design test fuels used for the EPAct Study. This is a critical development because the data in
October 20, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Awards $10.8M for National Environmental Education Training Program
(Environmental Protection Agency) More than 4,400 environmental educators will gain training and leadership opportunities in 2017 through a new cooperative agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). EPA is funding up
October 20, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Calls for Nominations for 2017 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards DEADLINE: December 31, 2016
(Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its call for nominations for the 2017 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for companies or institutions that have developed a new process or product helping to protect public health
October 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Once More into the Blendwall Breach
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) The American Petroleum Institute is hoping that when the EPA sets final biofuel volumes later this year, it will reduce the percentage of ethanol required for blending with gasoline to something under 9.7 percent of total
October 19, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA’s Plan for Electric Vehicles Could Upend RFS Politics
by Eric Wolff (Politico/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) The Obama administration’s newest plan to stimulate sales of electric vehicles could deliver a political boost to supporters of the Renewable Fuel Standard, aligning automakers with biofuel backers against the oil industry’s attacks on
October 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Value of E30 Proven in Real Time
by Jim Seurer (Glacial Lakes Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Our good friend and colleague Dave VanderGriend wrote in this column in April that a little place called Watertown, South Dakota, could be the beginning of a revolution in how we think about
October 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Letter to the Editor: Fixing the RFS Pothole
by David Uible (Clermont County Commissioner/Clermont County GOP/The Clermont Sun) ... On principle, I believe in free markets, and in keeping the government small and control as local as possible. The EPA, an unelected federal agency, shouldn’t have the power to control
October 13, 2016 Read Full Article
USGC Hosts Southeast Asian Industry Representatives on an Ethanol Tour
(Biofuels International) The US Grains Council (USGC) recently hosted a team of car, fuel, and ethanol industry representatives from Southeast Asia to engage in a fact finding mission about higher blends of ethanol in the petrol pool. As Thailand has already
October 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Drop-In Biofuel Developers See Promise in US EPA Rule Change
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) US advanced biofuels production could get a boost under a rule change the Environmental Protection Agency is considering that would allow conventional refineries to receive renewable fuel credits for using drop-in biofuels when making gasoline and diesel. Developers
October 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Fed Approval Paves Way for Low-Cost Cellulosic Ethanol Production
by George Lurie (The Business Journal) In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Pacific Ethanol’s registration of its Stockton ethanol plant to generate valuable credits by producing cellulosic ethanol with the same equipment the company
October 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Biogenic CO2 Coalition Launches Grassroots Outreach: Urges EPA to Remove its Regulatory Roadblock to Development of the Bioeconomy
(Biogenic CO2 Coalition) Today (October 6, 2016), a coalition of major agricultural groups launched a grassroots campaign to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to remove its regulatory roadblock to development of the emerging bioeconomy. The Biogenic CO2 Coalition is a working
October 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Recharge Wrap-up: VW Beetle EV? EPA Could Allow Higher Ethanol Blends
by John Beltz Snyder (AutoBlog) Neste will sell its 100-percent renewable diesel at certain stations in Finland.Produced from renewable ingredients (including waste products), the company's NEXBTL fuel has a lower carbon footprint and fewer emissions than petroleum-based diesel, requires no vehicle
October 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Drop-In Biofuel Developers See Promise in US EPA Rule Change
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) US advanced biofuels production could get a boost under a rule change the Environmental Protection Agency is considering that would allow conventional refineries to receive renewable fuel credits for using drop-in biofuels when making gasoline and diesel. Developers
October 11, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes Poplar, Willow Trees for Ethanol in U.S. Biofuel Rule Tweak
by Michael Hirtzer (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday proposed tweaks to its Renewable Fuel Standard that would allow biofuels to be processed at more than one location and would allow cellulosic ethanol to be made from poplar and
October 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Jolt of Electricity for RFS
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) The Obama administration's latest effort to stimulate sales of electric vehicles could deliver a political boost to supporters of the Renewable Fuel Standard, aligning automakers with biofuel backers against the oil industry's attacks on the
October 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Says Ethanol Can Help Meet CAFE, GHG Standards
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol industry leaders have weighed in on a draft technical assessment report for the midterm assessment on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and CAFE standards for model year 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles, focusing on the benefits
October 06, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA's Proposed Enhancements to RFS Program Not a Surprise: RFA
(Oil Price Information Service) EPA's move Monday proposing enhancements to its Renewable Fuel Standards program was "not at all unexpected," according to a Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) official. "EPA has been very transparent about this particular proposal," RFA Vice President Geoff
October 06, 2016 Read Full Article
The Road to High Octane Fuels
by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) ... 9 things you need to know about high octane fuel, and my perspective on a path forward. High octane fuel enables more powerful or more efficient engines ... But in the context of engines, octane is a
October 06, 2016 Read Full Article
U.S. Files Complaint, Announces Settlement to Address Alleged Renewable Fuel Standard Violations by NGL Crude Logistics and Western Dubuque Biodiesel
(Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice today announced the filing of a complaint against NGL Crude Logistics, LLC and Western Dubuque Biodiesel, LLC and a settlement with Western Dubuque to address
October 05, 2016 Read Full Article
What a Donald Trump EPA Will Look Like with Climate Change Skeptic Myron Ebell at the Helm
by Paul Raeburn (Newsweek) ... (Myron) Ebell, the director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and a prominent climate-change skeptic, was chosen at the end of September to head the Environmental Protection Agency’s transition team
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
BDC Fall, 2016 Symposium Presentations Posted
(Bioenergy Deployment Consortium) A successful BDC Fall Symposium was held in Washington DC on September 27-28, 2016. A combination of Government Agency Directors and Sr. Advisors were joined by outstanding leaders in the bio-industry to discuss the advancement of the
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes Major Updates to RFS Regulations
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) ... Within the proposed rule, the EPA explains that the RFS registration, reporting, recordkeeping and product transfer document (PTD) requirements were designed with the general expectation that renewable biomass would be converted into renewable fuel at
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Releases Ethanol Flex Fuel Rule/(REGS) Rule
(Fuel Marketer News) Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their proposed rule for Ethanol Flex Fuel and Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Rule. This proposal intends to provide regulatory clarification for ethanol blends from 16 percent to 50
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Rule
(Environmental Protection Agency) EPA is proposing enhancements to its Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) program and other related fuel regulations to support market growth of ethanol and other renewable fuels in the U.S. These proposed changes will provide the opportunity for
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
“The Myth of High RIN Prices As Proof of the Blend Wall”: New Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization released the new white paper, “The Myth of High RIN Prices As Proof of the Blend Wall,” analyzing data recently released by EPA on compliance with the Renewable Fuel
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
It’s Time to End the Myth That High RIN Prices Prove Existence of the Blend Wall
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) ... Data recently released by EPA refutes the widely held assumption that reaching and exceeding the blend wall caused the 2013 rise in RIN prices. This newly available data calls for a thorough
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Americans Deserve Fuel Choices at the Pump
by Liz Mathis (Marion Times) Here in Iowa, we encourage gas stations to install flex fuel pumps and other equipment to offer homegrown, renewable ethanol and biodiesel. The Legislature's investment of $3 million this year will continue to make tax
October 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Letter: Will Renewable Fuel Standard Hurt Economy?
by Dirk Lohry, McCook Lake (Argus Leader) ... Sen. Mike Rounds is questioning corn ethanol’s future under the RFS. I know that seems counterintuitive, but in 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency will take control of the ethanol mandate, with the authority to
October 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Understanding Biofuel Standards
By Angela Fivga and Zsuzsa A. Mayer (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) The analysis and standardization of biofuels are in constant development, therefore in many studies they follow a historic view or borrow unsuitable methods from fossil fuel analysis. An
October 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Letter: A Big Vision Business Plan
by Jason Frerichs (Argus Leader) ... As a state senator, I am hopeful we can generate bi-partisan support for putting S.D. state-owned undesignated flex fuel autos on E30. Then, adjoining state leaders will be encouraged to follow our lead to openly
October 01, 2016 Read Full Article
API Says Biodiesel Groups Can't Weigh In On EPA Fuel Row
by Adam Lidgett (Law360) The American Petroleum Institute said Wednesday a swath of biodiesel industry groups shouldn't be able to chime in on a set of consolidated appeals in the D.C. Circuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's volume obligations
September 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Sensenbrenner Extends RFS Debate to Number of Hoses at Gas Stations
by Jack Fitzpatrick (Morning Consult) Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) is concerned that drivers who want to avoid a 15 percent ethanol blend of gasoline won’t be able to, he said in a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy
September 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Chemoil Must Pay Largest Settlement in History of EPA's Fuel Programs
(Farm Futures) EPA and DOJ allege Chemoil exported biodiesel, but failed to retire RINs. -- Chemoil Corporation is required to retire 65 million renewable fuel credits to resolve alleged violations of the Renewable Fuel Standard program, according to the terms
September 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Submits Comments on CAFE Standards Midterm Review
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA fully supports meeting the 2022 CAFE standards. It is our understanding that the key to vehicle manufacturers meeting these standards rests on the ability to use high levels of low cost octane to operate
September 30, 2016 Read Full Article
#Ethanol Groups Submit CAFE Comments
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Comments regarding the goals of the CAFE-GHG standards were due yesterday (September 26, 2016) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ethanol organizations made their voices heard. Comments submitted by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)
September 30, 2016 Read Full Article
ACE’s New E15, Flex Fuel Retailer Roadmap
by Ron Lamberty (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) With high-profile convenience store chains announcing the addition of E15 and flex fuels to their traditional fuel slates, other chains and individual station owners increasingly are looking for information to explain
September 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Comments on the Draft Technical Assessment Report for Model Years 2022 – 2025 Greenhouse Gas Emission and Fuel Economy Standards Submitted by Minnesota and Illinois Growers
(Minnesota Corn Growers Association Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council and the Illinois Corn Growers Association) Early this year, the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council approved a research grant to Defour Group LLC (D4) and Air Improvement Resource INC
September 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Letter: Energy Relies on Free Market
by Kerry Smith (The Telegraph) ... With the EPA set to exercise complete control over the RFS program in 2023, traditional corn ethanol may be at risk. Congressman John Shimkus is among those questioning whether the program has run its course.
September 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Will Changing the Point of Obligation Improve the RFS?
by John Campbell (Biodiesel Magazine/Ocean Park Advisors) The U.S. EPA has set off a debate within the petroleum industry by suggesting that the point of obligation for compliance with the renewable fuel standard (RFS) be moved from the hands of a
September 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Biorenewable Deployment Consortium Holds Candid Discussion of Current Bioeconomy Happenings from a Forest Resources Perspective
[caption id="attachment_77283" align="alignleft" width="282"] Chris Tindal, U.S. Navy's Director for Operational Energy, explains the launch, operations and use of renewable fuel by the Great Green Fleet.[/caption] by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) An intimate group that shares some background or interest
September 28, 2016 Read Full Article
The Car-Emissions Sleuth Who’s Costing Chrysler $5 Billion
by John Lippert and Jeff Plungis (Bloomberg) ... As head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s air-quality and transportation office, (Chris) Grundler holds as much sway as any single human over how global automakers allocate more than $100 billion in R&D money
September 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Letter to the Editor: Time to Give Ethanol Credit
by Bill Bushong (Northern Virginia Daily) I have been following coverage of the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent decision to alter the renewable fuel standard with a reduction to the renewable volume obligation on corn-based ethanol, and as a grain and
September 26, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA President Says There’s No Ethanol Fraud In RINS Program
(WNAX) A report out by a former EPA official says that the RINS market or renewable identification numbers may be ripe for fraud or abuse. In order to comply with the RFS, refiners are required to blend a percentage of
September 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Summer Is Over: Bring on the Pumpkin Spice and the E15
by Rebecca Chillrud (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) September 22 marks the autumnal equinox and the official end of summer. But for approximately 330 gas retailers, the season ended last week, on September 16—a day celebrated as “E15 Day” in
September 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Backs off Plan to Eliminate EPA
by Kyle Feldscher (The Washington Examiner) Donald Trump appeared to back off his proposal to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency as president, instead promising to "refocus" the agency on a less regulatory-heavy mission. ... He promised to open up more drilling off
September 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Answers to Your Questions about Renewables and the Advanced Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane and Ron Cascone (Biofuels Digest/NEXANT) Recently, we held a popular webinar on Renewables and the Advanced Bioeconomy with NEXANT principal Ron Cascone, for which you can see the slides here. During the webinar, we received a number of excellent questions,
September 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Like Consumer Choice at the Pump? Don’t Back Blend Wall Bill
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) If legislation was introduced that would prevent the latest iPhone from being sold and instead require users to return to the days of big brick phones and other technology relics, you’d be up in arms.
September 21, 2016 Read Full Article
jetBlue loves you: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to SG Preston
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) jetBlue has announced a 10-year, 330 million gallon renewable jet fuel purchase agreement with SG Preston. This marks one of the largest renewable jet fuel purchase agreements in aviation history, and the largest, long-term, binding
September 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Murky Biofuel Market Vulnerable to Fraud, Former EPA Cop Warns
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Earth & Water Group/Bloomberg) — A program to boost the use of biofuels in the U.S. has become vulnerable to scams that have bilked victims out of nearly $1 billion so far, warns a former Environmental
September 20, 2016 Read Full Article
U.S. Congressional Panel to Hold Fuel Rules Hearing
by David Shepardson (Reuters) A congressional panel will hold a hearing on Sept. 22 to look at the fate of U.S. fuel efficiency rules through 2025 amid growing concerns from automakers. An auto trade group representing General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co,
September 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Alternative Jet Fuels Tackle Rising Aviation Emissions
by Rebecca Chillrud (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued an endangerment finding for aircraft, indicating that greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft are hazardous to public health. This finding requires the EPA to begin crafting
September 19, 2016 Read Full Article
JetBlue Announces One of the Largest Renewable Jet Fuel Purchase Agreements in Aviation History
(JetBlue) Preparing for a Lower Carbon Future, Airline Partners with SG Preston to Purchase Renewable Jet Fuel; JetBlue Expects To Take First Delivery of Renewable Jet Fuel In 2019 With A 10-Year Purchase Agreement and the Ability to Lower the
September 19, 2016 Read Full Article
William Holmberg, Decorated Marine Who Became Renewable Energy Advocate, Dies at 88
by Bart Barnes (The Washington Post) William C. Holmberg, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel who received the Navy Cross for his actions on a Korean battlefield and later spent decades as an advocate on Capitol Hill for renewable energy
September 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Want Level Playing Field
(KTIC/DTN/Progressive Farmer) With all of the political fights about the role ethanol and other biofuels have in the transportation sector, there is common ground for the ethanol, oil and automobile industries that could bode well for the long-term health of the
September 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Consumers Ability to Choose #E15 Back at the Pumps
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Consumers will have the choice to purchase E15 at the pump again tomorrow, September 15, 2016. For drivers owning a 2001 or newer vehicle, E15 sales are restricted during summer months due to an arcane U.S.
September 14, 2016 Read Full Article
7 Governors Ask EPA to Remove RVP Limit on E15
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Sept. 13, the governors of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy asking her to remove the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) limit
September 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Edeniq: The Billion Dollar Baby Is Torn between Two Lovers
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Edeniq is torn between two lovers: its current ownership group, which shuffled together a financing this week; and Aemetis, which is supposed to be acquiring Edeniq this year for $23 million. How Edeniq landed in this
September 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standards Will Help Fight Climate Change
by Mike Arbige (DuPont/The Mercury News) Letter to Editor: Next to power plants, transportation remains America’s largest source of carbon emissions. Electrification will help, but only clean-burning biofuels — like ethanol — can immediately and dramatically combat rising levels of smog,
September 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Pacific Ethanol Receives EPA-Approved Registration for Cellulosic Ethanol Production at Stockton Plant
(Pacific Ethanol/Globe Newswire) Now generating valuable D3 cellulosic RINs – Expects to produce over one million gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol at Stockton, CA plant -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEIX), a leading producer and marketer of low-carbon renewable fuels in the
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Dear EPA: Watertown Is 'Premium E30 Ready'
by Jim Seurer (Watertown Public Opinion/Glacial Lakes Energy, LLC) ... The E30 Challenge is a campaign initiated by GLE and its industry partners ICM and Urban Air Initiative to encourage the voluntary use of Premium E30 fuel (30 percent ethanol blend)
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Debating the Value of Ethanol as a Viable Fuel (3 Letters)
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Denver Post) Re: “EPA dodges responsibility on ethanol,” Sept. 3 editorial. The ethanol industry agrees with The Denver Post that the Environmental Protection Agency should conduct updated scientific assessments on the impacts of biofuels. In
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Present Solution to Harmful Airborne Chemicals
by David Vandergriend (Sacramento Bee) ... But the day-to-day threat facing many communities doesn’t come from carbon. It comes from airborne chemicals with less attention-grabbing names like volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and ozone. As with carbon,
September 11, 2016 Read Full Article
CAFE Standards: What’s Biomass Got to Do with It?
by Rebecca Chillrud (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On July 18, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released their Draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR), providing a midterm evaluation
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
U.S. Refiners Revamp Operations as Renewable Fuel Costs Surge
by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice (Reuters/Yahoo! Finance) ... The alternative is for merchant refiners to increase their ability to blend ethanol. PBF Energy is the latest refiner to take this approach. PBF has asked Delaware regulators to expand its ethanol handling
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
High-Octane Hopes: Biofuels Want Level Playing Field
by Todd Neeley (DTN/The Progressive Farmer) With all of the political fights about the role ethanol and other biofuels have in the transportation sector, there is common ground for the ethanol, oil and automobile industries that could bode well for
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
The 15-Percent Solution
(The Gasconade County Republican) The Environmental Protection Agency apparently has postponed indefinitely a decision due whether or not to increase the allowable blend of ethanol in gasoline from 10 to 15 percent. More tests and studies are needed, the EPA