by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) During the ethanol boom of the early 2000s, Congress set an ambitious target of quadrupling the amount of renewable fuel mixed into gasoline for America’s cars and pickup trucks. But while corn ethanol has lived up
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Back TO HOMEEPA: 2 Additional SRE Petitions Filed, 67 Now Pending Public Comment DEADLINE: February 7, 2022
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Dec. 16, reporting that two additional SRE petitions have been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2021. A total of 67
December 17, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Analyses of 2022 Automobile Models: More E15 Approvals, but Fewer FFVs
(Renewable Fuels Association) Environmentally conscious and budget-savvy consumers who are in the market for a new car, SUV, or pickup will find both good news and bad news as they peruse auto dealer lots and showrooms this holiday season. The good news?
December 16, 2021 Read Full Article
New HEI Report Examines Major Sources of PM and Impacts on Global Health
(Health Effects Institute) A new report published by HEI brings together for the first time comprehensive global estimates of the most common sources of fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution and its impacts on global health. Key findings in the report, Global Burden
December 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden to Toughen Auto Emissions Limits to Counter Climate Change
by Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg Quint) The Biden administration is preparing to impose more stringent limits on car and truck emissions in an effort to clamp down on a top U.S. source of the greenhouse gases fueling climate change. The standards,
December 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Producers, Advocates Aim for Net-Zero Ethanol by 2050
by Susanne Retka Schill (Great Plains Institute) As US and world leaders engage on climate change and carbon reduction efforts, leaders in the American ethanol industry have announced pledges and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The country’s largest
December 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Feinstein Urges EPA to Update Feedstock Eligibility under RFS
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Dec. 7 sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to revise the Renewable Fuel Standard to allow biomass harvested from federal land as part of wildfire mitigation
December 15, 2021 Read Full Article
OMB Reveals Expected Timeline for Post-2022 RFS Rule, Other Rules
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Biden administration has signaled its intent to publish a proposed rule setting Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2023 and beyond next spring. A variety of other rulemakings impacting biofuel producers are
December 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Report: E15 Ready to Fuel 98 Percent of U.S. Miles Traveled
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy, the nation’s largest association of biofuel producers and supporters, released a new report showcasing nearly universal compatibility with fuel blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15) among vehicles on the road today. The report was prepared by Air Improvement Resource, Inc. (AIR), a leading
December 14, 2021 Read Full Article
The Biden Administration's Regulatory To-Do List
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The Office of Management and Budget revealed the administration’s key regulatory goals for 2022 on Friday under its Unified Agenda. The laundry list of action items include further rollbacks of Trump-era actions and other self-imposed
December 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Proposal to Deny Petitions for Small Refinery Exemptions Public Comment DEADLINE: February 7, 2022
(Environmental Protection Agency) On December 7, 2021, EPA proposed to deny more than 60 pending small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions from small refineries seeking exemption from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for one or more compliance years between 2016 and
December 10, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Wants SCOTUS to Stay Out of E15 Case
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA doesn't want the Supreme Court to wade into the ongoing fight over the year-round sale of 15-percent ethanol blends in gasoline. The agency submitted a brief to the high court this week in the
December 10, 2021 Read Full Article
US Government Urges Supreme Court to Deny Review of E15 Case
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Justice on Dec. 8 filed a brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to deny a writ of certiorari filed by Growth Energy seeking the review of a lower court’s decision that
December 09, 2021 Read Full Article
CHS : Growing a Renewable Diesel Revolution
(Market Screener) As the United States focuses on tackling climate change, the energy market is seen as a key part of the solution. While federal policy and funding is focused on electric vehicles, a quieter potential answer is emerging: the growing
December 09, 2021 Read Full Article
What Happens to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) after 2022?
(Renewable Fuels Association) ... Here are the facts about administration of the RFS program after 2022: The RFS does not “phase out” or “sunset” at the end of 2022. In adopting the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA),
December 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy: EPA Proposal a Mixed Bag for Biofuels Industry: Proposal Shows Strong Movement on SREs and 2022 RVOs but Illegally Rolls Back 2020 RVOs Public Comments DEADLINE: February 4, 2022
(Growth Energy) Today (December 7, 2021), Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor offered a mixed review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rulemaking regarding domestic biofuels blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The agency’s proposed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs)
December 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Hinson Says Bill Would Protect Ethanol Blends
by Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa) Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says two Democrats are co-sponsoring a bill with her dealing with ethanol. “There are a lot of rumors circulating that the EPA might retroactively reduce the biofuels blending requirements for 2020. So,
December 06, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA to Propose Expanding Credit Eligibility under Biofuel Program -Sources
by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Biden administration is expected to propose expanding the kinds of renewable fuel production processes that are eligible to receive credits under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard program, three sources familiar with the matter
December 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Proposed Rule: Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program: Extension of Compliance and Attest Engagement Reporting Deadlines Public Comment DEADLINE: January 3, 2022 PUBLIC HEARING: December 3, 2021
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to modify certain compliance dates under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. First, EPA is proposing to extend the RFS compliance reporting deadline and the associated attest engagement reporting deadline for the 2019
December 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Advancing the Bioeconomy in TX, CA, and OH: Comprehensive Geospatial Biomass Feedstock Inventories for Potential Conversion to Biofuels, Biochar, Co-products
by : Richard J. Brenner, Wes Jurey and Todd Campbell (Agricultural Technology Innovation Partnership) Introduction. The ATIP Foundation (Agricultural Technology Innovation Partnership) conducts projects in multi-county regions of 3 states to “advance the rural bioeconomy,” using a replicable model we developed
December 02, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Plan to Delay RFS Requirements Pt 2
(AgInfo/Washington State Farm Bureau Report) I’m Bob Larson. The ethanol industry claims the Biden administration could secure lower gas prices “almost immediately” if it allowed higher blends of corn ethanol, YEAR-ROUND, into the nation’s fuel supply. All eyes are on the
December 02, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Misses Statutory Deadline to Release Renewable Volume Obligations under RFS
by Mark Dorenkamp (1430WCMY) The EPA will miss its statutory deadline of November 30th to release Renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa says not meeting the RVO compliance deadline for 2019 or 2020, as
December 01, 2021 Read Full Article
EIA Expands Data Coverage of Biofuels
by Estella Shi (Hydrocarbon Processing) In October 2021, the EIA began publishing expanded data on biofuels other than ethanol in their monthly energy review (MER), including production, imports, feedstocks, and consumption. The expanded biofuels data provide a more detailed look at
November 30, 2021 Read Full Article
As American Gasoline Prices Soar, Some Blame Ethanol
by Christopher M. Matthews (Wall Street Journal) Prices for the biofuel have surged, rekindling a debate about whether it’s contributing to pain at the pump -- ... Now, lobbyists for the refining industry are seizing on the recent ethanol-price jumps and
November 29, 2021 Read Full Article
South Dakota Senator Expresses Disappointment over Biofuel Blending Obligations
(RFD TV) Speculation is growing about what’s going on behind the scenes at the EPA as they continue to extend their own deadline for biofuel blending mandates. “I think part of it is because they are focusing on electric vehicles,
November 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Ashley Hinson: The Clear Case for Investing in Ethanol, Iowa’s Clean Energy Fuel Source
(Office of Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA 1st) The Biden administration should respect current law and uphold the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard. -- In just 10 months in Congress, I’ve seen my fair share of shattered promises and absurd
November 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Ag Secretary Expects “Certainty” from EPA for Biofuels
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) On the day last week that the Environmental Protection Agency proposed extending the deadlines for refiners to comply with Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told farm broadcasters that the biofuels industry can expect “certainty”
November 22, 2021 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Monte Shaw
“It is absolutely perplexing why the Biden EPA would delay and potentially plan to undermine the only federal law that is designed to reduce carbon emissions. To do so now, at a time of high gasoline prices, makes this action
November 19, 2021 Read Full Article
House Hearing Focuses on Biofuels, the Renewable Economy
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit on Nov. 16 hosted a hearing on the renewable economy to help inform development of the next Farm Bill. The event featured testimony on the
November 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Bioeconomy Was Like an Old Truck Stuck in the Mud. The Tow Truck Has Arrived
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) One of the speakers on the second day of the Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition’s Global Biobased Economy Conference & Exhibit, noted that 5 years ago the bioeconomy was like an old truck stuck
November 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Highlights from USDA’s Leadership Briefing at Alternative Fuels and Chemicals Coalition Conference
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Investment, Climate smart agriculture. Incentives. Markets. These are words heard repeatedly at the opening sessions of the Alternative Fuels and Chemicals Coalition Global Biobased Economy Conference & Exhibit this week near Washington, DC. The first
November 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Keep the Tailpipe, Lose the Carbon
by Keith Reid (Fuels Market News) LEADING FUELS-FOCUSED GROUPS SEE ALTERNATIVE FUELS AS KEY PLAYERS IN A NET-ZERO ENVIRONMENT. ... From international political centers to state governments, there seems to be a rush to not only work toward low-carbon goals
November 12, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Delivers Final Vehicle Emissions Standards Rule to OMB
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Nov. 11 submitted its final rule to revise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for model year (MY) 2023 and later light-duty vehicles to the White House Office of Management and Budget.
November 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Planes, Trains and Automobiles: It’s Transport Day at COP26. Here’s What You Need to Know.
by Tik Root (Washington Post) ... The International Energy Association (IEA) reports that transport emissions are still increasing and account for roughly a quarter of all carbon dioxide released from fuel combustion. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency says that the
November 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden’s Crackdown on Auto Emissions to Be Tougher than Proposed
by Jennifer Dlouhy (Bloomberg) EPA head Regan said final mandate to be ‘more aggressive’; Methane curbs for oil wells may also be strengthened -- The Biden administration will strengthen its proposed limits on auto and truck emissions, U.S. environmental chief
November 11, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. Oil Refiners Bet the Farm Biden Will Back Them on Biofuels
by Jarrett Renshaw, Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. merchant oil refiners like Monroe Energy and PBF Energy Inc are playing chicken with the White House, taking moves in the biofuels credit market that could force them to close plants and fire
November 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Garamendi Introduces Bill Requiring EPA to Process eRIN Pathways
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., on Nov. 5 introduced the Biomass and Biogas for Electric Vehicles Act, which aims to require the U.S. EPA to process long-delayed Renewable Fuel Standard pathway applications to generate eRINs, allowing
November 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania's RFS Demands
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Pennsylvania lawmakers are calling on EPA to ease up on biofuel blending requirements to help Northeastern refiners who say they are financially struggling to keep up. The state’s House of Representatives passed a resolution Monday
November 09, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA ‘Greatly Encouraged’ by EPA Rejection of Small Refinery Exemption
(Renewable Fuels Association) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today (November 5, 20212) denied one small refinery exemption petition that had been filed by a refiner looking to escape its renewable fuel blending obligations under the Clean Air Act for the 2019 compliance
November 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Bustos Fights for Renewable Fuel Standard in House Ag Committee Hearing
(Office of Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17)) Today (November 3, 2021), during a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the immediate challenges to the nation’s food supply chain, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17)responded to testimony urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set lower
November 04, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Applauds Midwest Governors for Proactively Pursuing Year-Round E15 Fix
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked a bipartisan group of seven Midwestern governors for their efforts to explore what actions can be taken to allow the year-round sale of E15 in their states. In a letter sent to EPA Administrator
November 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Submits Notice of Intent to Sue EPA Over Biofuel Delays
(Growth Energy) Today (November 2, 2021), Growth Energy submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a notice of intent to sue regarding its failure to timely fulfill the agency’s statutory obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to issue the 2022
November 03, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. to Sharply Cut Methane Pollution that Threatens the Climate and Public Health Public Comments DEADLINE: January 31, 2022
(Environmental Protection Agency) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took an important step forward to advance President Biden’s commitment to action on climate change and protect people’s health by proposing comprehensive new protections to sharply reduce pollution from the oil and natural gas industry –
November 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Supreme Court to Hear Case on E.P.A.’s Power to Limit Carbon Emissions
by Adam Liptak (New York Times/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) The case, brought by Republican-led states and coal companies, could frustrate the Biden administration’s efforts to address climate change. The court’s decision to take the case came after a federal appeals court
November 01, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA School Bus Replacement Rebates (National) DEADLINE: November 5, 2021
(Clean Air Choice) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has two concurrent funding opportunities for the replacement of older diesel school buses (2006 or older) with new school buses. The new American Rescue Plan Electric School Bus Rebates program will benefit eligible
October 27, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA: 3 New SRE Petitions Filed, 65 SRE Petitions Now Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Oct. 21 published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data, reporting that there are currently 65 SRE petitions pending under the Renewable Fuel Standard, up from 62 that were pending as of mid-September. The
October 26, 2021 Read Full Article
DC Gets Grant for B100 Biodiesel Project
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) is getting some help toward lower greenhouse gas emissions in the District thanks to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant. The Project will
October 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Climate Change Fuels Drive toward Cleaner Tractors
by Marc Heller (E&E News) Making tractors burn with less pollution has long posed a trade-off: cleaner air, but less power to drag heavy equipment. Now manufacturers say they’re making strides to help close the gap. The latest entrant is a biomethane- and
October 21, 2021 Read Full Article
North Dakota Regulators Approve First Carbon Storage Project in 'Landmark Day'
by Amy R. Sisk (Bismarck Tribune) North Dakota regulators granted several approvals Tuesday for what's expected to become the first carbon dioxide storage project in the state at an ethanol plant near Richardton. The project at Red Trail Energy aims to
October 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Overcoming Funding Barriers to Meet Immediate Fleet Sustainability Goals
(Advanced Clean Tech News/Trillium) The heavy‑duty freight transportation system in the United States is at a tipping point. To meet increasingly ambitious sustainability goals and quickly approaching regulatory deadlines, fleets are turning to the cleanest‑available heavy-duty vehicle technologies and fuels. But
October 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Request for Nominations of Experts to the EPA Office of Research and Development's Board of Scientific Counselors DEADLINE: November 12, 2021
(Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking nominations for technical experts to serve on its Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC), a federal advisory committee to the Office of Research and Development (ORD). Submission of nominations
October 18, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Approves RFS Fuel Pathway for Kansas Ethanol Plant
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) According to the EPA, corn ethanol produced via Kansas Ethanol’s dry mill process achieves a GHG reduction of 45.6 percent, while its grain sorghum ethanol process will achieve a 50 percent reduction. -- The U.S.
October 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Potential Future Regulation Addressing Pyrolysis and Gasification Units Public Comments DEADLINE: November 8, 2021
(Federal Register) A Proposed Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting information and requesting comments to assist in the potential development of regulations for pyrolysis and gasification units that are used to convert solid
October 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel Industry Pushes for ‘All-the-Above’ Approach
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) Things are looking up, but they are also very much up in the air when it comes to ethanol this year. While ethanol production facilities have benefited from an improved national economy as the U.S. emerges
October 12, 2021 Read Full Article
US Secretary of Energy Granholm and US Senator Ossoff Visit LanzaTech Innovation Hub in Georgia and Site of the World’s First LanzaJet Sustainable Fuels Plantl
(LanzaTech) Visit highlights the potential of rural America to create domestic supplies of sustainable fuels and chemicals. -- LanzaTech and LanzaJet welcomed Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and Senator Jon Ossoff to the Freedom Pines Biorefinery in Soperton, Georgia. [caption id="attachment_149372"
October 12, 2021 Read Full Article
On the Move – U.S. EPA, Aemetis, Transform Materials, Swift Biosciences, Neste, Avantium, U.S. Grains Council and more
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There was quite a bit of movement the past few months in the biobased world. From the U.S. EPA appointing a new Agriculture Advisor, a former Chevron expert joining Aemetis for renewable jet/diesel projects, 2
October 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Pacific Biodiesel’s Kelly King Invited to COP26, Appointed to EPA Advisory Committee
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) Kelly King, cofounder of Pacific Biodiesel and councilmember for the Maui county government in Hawaii, is one of just two U.S. delegates from the international nongovernmental organization ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability invited to participate
October 08, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA's Missed Opportunity to Address Climate and Public Health
by Ernest C. Shea (Solutions from the Land/The Hill) Sometimes it helps to state the obvious: If you want to reduce emissions from vehicles, you should consider both the vehicle and the fuel it uses. A rule proposed recently by the Environmental Protection Agency
October 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Can Chemical Recycling Reduce Plastic Pollution?
(Government Accountability Office) ... From 1970 to 2018 (the most recent data available), plastic waste in the U.S. grew tenfold. While recycling rates remained low, advanced recycling technologies could help increase recycling rates, and in turn reduce waste and pollution, especially
October 08, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. States Push to Surpass World Emissions Norms on Aviation
by David Shepardson and Allison Lampert (Reuters) U.S. President Joe Biden's administration should exceed global standards designed to curb emissions from flights, as pressure mounts to limit the sector's greenhouse gases, five states told the White House in a letter seen by Reuters. Major
October 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Pursues Final Legal Avenue on Year-Round E15
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) Growth Energy files petition to take fight of whether E15 legal to U.S. Supreme Court. --Ethanol and corn producers continue to claim 15% ethanol fuel is safe for year-round use. However, courts have overturned a waiver
October 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Bustos, Axne, Craig, Klobuchar Lead Members across Seven States in Urging Administration to Increase Biofuels Usage
(Office of Congresswomen Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17)) Congresswomen Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Cindy Axne (D-IA-03), Angie Craig (D-MN-02) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a bicameral group of Congressional members spanning seven states in a letter urging the Administration to increase biofuels usage and reject any
September 29, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Now Hosting Biweekly National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Calls --- Various Dates -- ONLINE
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites Environmental Justice (EJ) advocates and the public to participate in the agency’s National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Calls, now happening biweekly, to discuss and receive feedback on all aspects of EJ at EPA with
September 28, 2021 Read Full Article
ACE Urges EPA Recognize Ethanol’s Role in Reducing Vehicle GHGs and Improving Fuel Efficiency in Final Rule
(American Coalition for Ethanol/GrainNet) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) set forth recommendations today (Sept. 27) on how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards can and should place much greater emphasis on improving the quality of
September 28, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. Environment Agency Urged by 21 States to Toughen Vehicle Emissions Rewrite
by David Shepardson (Reuters) A group of 21 state attorneys general, the District of Columbia, and several major U.S. cities urged the Biden administration to finalize significantly stricter vehicle emissions rules than it has proposed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in
September 28, 2021 Read Full Article
No Better Time than Now
by Anna Simet (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... While “accelerate” was the theme of the American Coalition for Ethanol’s 34th annual conference—market growth being vital—the myriad policy, investment and operational issues explored at the event orbited largely around the industry’s overarching
September 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Matching For More: The Defour Group's Dean Drake's Plan Involves Match Blending Mid-Level Blends
by Melissa Anderson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Defour Group's Dean Drake, a former GM public policy analyst, says liquid fuels have a shared future with electric vehicles if ethanol blending methods, engine technology and policy can align. His plan involves
September 25, 2021 Read Full Article
100 Groups Demand Biden Cut Airplane Climate Pollution
(Common Dreams/Center for Biological Diversity) Coalition blasts EPA delays on replacing do-nothing Trump rule. ---One hundred environmental, community and public-health groups called on the Biden administration today to set strong standards to cut airplane pollution and avoid industry-promoted biofuel greenwashing. As today’s letter notes, the
September 23, 2021 Read Full Article
EXCLUSIVE Biden Administration Mulls Big Cuts to Biofuel Mandates in Win for Oil Industry -Document
by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is considering big cuts to the nation's biofuel blending requirements, according to a document seen by Reuters, a move triggered by a broad decline in gasoline demand
September 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Members to Biden: Uphold Your Commitments to Clean Energy
(Growth Energy) During Growth Energy’s virtual fly-in, 87 Growth Energy members sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to stand behind his promise to take clear action on climate change by supporting low-carbon biofuels and upholding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) through strong biofuel
September 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Notification: EPA Oversight of the Renewable Fuel Standards Renewable Identification Number Market
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The OIG plans to begin fieldwork on an audit of the EPA’s oversight of the Renewable Fuel Standards Renewable Identification Number, known as RINs, market. READ MORE The Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Environmental Protection
September 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Choosing America’s Farm Fields Over OPEC Oil Fields
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The key to cleaner and more affordable energy for American consumers lies not in the oil fields of Saudi Arabia and Russia, but in the farm fields of our nation's heartland. Our
September 21, 2021 Read Full Article
ME First: RIN Talk
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Democratic members of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation are calling on the Biden administration to alter the Renewable Identification Number credits markets to protect union jobs at independent refineries, who typically purchase the credits to meet biofuel
September 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Board Renews Request for Meeting with EPA Administrator Regan
(GrainNet) Thursday (Sept. 16), the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) delivered a letter to Michael Regan, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), renewing a request made in May 2021 to meet and discuss the findings of a new study, Assessment of Health Benefits from Using Biodiesel as a
September 17, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Emission Standards Require Improvements in Fuel Quality Public Comment DEADLINE September 27, 2021
(Solutions from the Land) The EPA is proposing to revise the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for light-duty vehicles for 2023 and later model years to make the standards more stringent. As part of an executive order issued in January by President Biden, the
September 16, 2021 Read Full Article
The Landfill Group, LS Power Announce South Carolina RNG Project
(LS Power/Biomass Magazine) The Landfill Group and LS Power today announced that Enerdyne Power Systems, a Landfill Group company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has begun construction on a state-of-the-art renewable natural gas (RNG) project at the Twin Chimneys Landfill
September 15, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Opens Comment Period Related to Pyrolysis, Gasification Regs DEADLINE: November 8, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Sept. 8 issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comments to assist in the potential development of regulations for pyrolysis and gasification units that are used to convert solid
September 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Call for Nominations for EPA’s 2022 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards DEADLINE: December 10, 2021
(American Chemical Society) The American Chemical Society (ACS), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announces the call for nominations for the 2022 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards to recognize businesses, academic institutions and nonprofits for innovative green chemistry solutions
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
IRFA Issues Open Letters to Sanders, Cruz on RFS, Ethanol
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association on Aug. 27 issued open letters to Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The letter to Sanders urges him to rethink his support for the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act,
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Grassley Slams Biden EPA’s Possible RVO Reductions
by Tom (KOWA Radio) A key Senate ethanol backer says the Biden EPA’s threat to lower 2020 biofuel volume requirements on top of rumored cuts to levels for this year and next, would severely damage biofuel and corn producers. Senate Ag Republican
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
E15 Ruling Rehearing Denied
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday denied a petition for rehearing regarding the recent American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA decision, in which the court vacated a 2019 regulation allowing year-round sales of a fifteen percent
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Advances the Future of Sustainable Fuels in American Aviation
(White House) New Actions Aim to Produce Three Billion Gallons of Sustainable Fuel, Reduce Aviation Emissions by 20% by 2030, and Grow Good-Paying, Union Jobs -- Today (September 9, 2021), President Biden is taking steps to coordinate leadership and innovation across
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
OMB Schedules 12 Meetings Related to Review of RFS Proposal
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The White House Office of Management and Budget has scheduled 12 meetings with interested parties to discuss a proposed rule to set renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The U.S EPA on Aug.
September 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel and Ag Leaders Oppose EPA Motion to Remand 2018 SREs without Vacatur
(Renewable Fuels Association) Last night, the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union opposed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) motion to remand but not vacate the 31 small refinery
September 08, 2021 Read Full Article
NGVAmerica Asks for NGV Inclusion in Light-duty CAFÉ Standards Redo DEADLINE: September 27, 2021
(NGVAmerica/NGV Journal) NGVAmerica President Dan Gage provided testimony at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) hearing on the Biden administration’s notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the greenhouse gas emission standards for light-duty vehicles for Model Year 2023 and later. The much-expected
September 06, 2021 Read Full Article
The World Has Finally Stopped Using Leaded Gasoline. Algeria Used The Last Stockpile
by Camila Domonoske (NPR) The final holdout, Algeria, used up the last of its stockpile of leaded gasoline in July. That's according to the U.N. Environment Programme, which has spent 19 years trying to eliminate leaded gasoline around the globe. "The successful
August 31, 2021 Read Full Article
US EPA Issues RVP Waiver for Gasoline in Louisiana, Mississippi following Ida
by Jeff Mower (S&P Global) Waiver valid through Sept. 15, 2021; Ida brings down roughly 2.2 mil b/d refining capacity; NYMEX RBOB prices edge lower -- The US Environmental Protection Agency has issued a temporary waiver to federal RVP requirements
August 31, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA: Simple Action by EPA Can Help Reduce Hurricane Ida’s Fuel Price Shock
(Renewable Fuels Association) With Hurricane Ida impacting the nation’s liquid fuel supply and distribution, the Renewable Fuels Association today urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take two quick and simple steps that can extend fuel supplies and reduce price spikes expected at
August 31, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Seeks Remand Of Trump-Era RFS Waivers, Opening Door To New Policy
(Inside EPA) EPA is asking a federal appeals court to voluntarily remand Trump-era decisions that granted 31 small refinery waivers from renewable fuel standard (RFS) compliance and denied a smaller number of waiver requests, opening the door for the Biden
August 30, 2021 Read Full Article
12 DC Water Trucks Receive DERA Grant to Run on 100% Biodiesel, June 2021
(Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition) Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant through the 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. In partnership with the DC Department of Public Works and DC Water,
August 27, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Recommends Lowering 2020 Biofuel Mandates Retroactively -Sources
by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended retroactively lowering biofuel blending mandates for 2020, two sources familiar with the matter said, after the agency on Thursday sent a proposal on the mandates to
August 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry Hopes Its Efforts to Cut GHG Emissions Will Keep It Relevant as White House Pushes EVs
by Jeff Barber (OPIS) After four years of the Trump administration’s often-chaotic approach to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), many in the biofuels industry were hoping President Joe Biden would bring a level of stability and support to the program. While the
August 26, 2021 Read Full Article
The Fuel Economy Rule: An EPA That Won’t See, Hear, or Speak to the Facts
by Doug Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Biofuels Digest) The release of the highly anticipated revision of the Safe Affordable Fuel Efficient Vehicle (SAFE) proposed rule this month was, for the biofuels industry, yet another poke in the eye as the EPA
August 26, 2021 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit Stays RFS Suit as EPA Mulls Reconsideration of 2020 Rule
(Inside EPA) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has accepted EPA’s request to further delay litigation against the agency’s renewable fuel standard (RFS) for 2020 while the agency decides whether to reconsider the rule in
August 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy’s Bliley Testifies before EPA on Proposed Emissions Standards
(Growth Energy) Today, Growth Energy’s Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during its hearing on the proposed rulemaking, Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards. Earlier this month,
August 25, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Testimony to EPA Calls for Inclusion of High-Octane Low-Carbon Fuels
(Renewable Fuels Association) In a hearing today on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed greenhouse gas emissions standards for 2023-2026 light-duty vehicles, the Renewable Fuels Association is spotlighting the role high-octane, low-carbon fuels like ethanol can and must play in increasing fuel efficiency
August 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Toomey and Colleagues Urge EPA to Waive Biofuel Blending Requirements
(Office of Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA)) U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and 16 of his colleagues sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the EPA to mitigate the harm imposed on consumers and refiners by the
August 25, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA to Recommend Lower U.S. Biofuel Blending Mandates below 2020 Levels - Sources Say
by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters/Capital) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to recommend to the White House reducing federal biofuel blending mandates for 2021 to below 2020 levels in what would be a blow to the biofuels
August 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Let's Prioritize American Renewable Fuels over Foreign Oil and Minerals
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/The Hill) ... But what’s not easy to see is why the White House recently chose to respond to higher pump prices by pushing OPEC+ countries to increase oil production. It was a baffling move that raised
August 23, 2021 Read Full Article
New Proposed Federal Greenhouse Gas, Vehicle Efficiency Standards: A Missed Opportunity to Address Climate Change Now DEADLINE for Public Comment: September 27, 2021
(Solutions from the Land) Earlier this month, the EPA published in the Federal Register a rule proposing its Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards. Seeking public comment through Sept. 27 (a public hearing is set for next Wednesday, Aug. 25),
August 20, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA: 59 SRE Petitions Now Pending, Down from 64 in July
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Aug. 19, reporting that there are currently 59 SRE petitions pending under the Renewable Fuel Standard, down from 64 that were pending as of
August 20, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Approves “Koole-Neste Pathway” for D4 RIN Production from SAF
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, Koole Tankstorage Botlek B.V. (Koole) and Neste Oyj (Neste) asked the Envrionmental Protection Agency to approve a pathway for the generation of biomass-based diesel (D-code 4) renewable identification numbers (RINs) for renewable jet fuel and
August 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel and Farm Group Intervenors File Petition for Rehearing of D.C Circuit RVP Decision
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association filed a petition for rehearing with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the recent American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA decision, in which the court vacated
August 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for Model Years 2024-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks Public Comment DEADLINE: September 27, 2021 Hearing: August 25, 2021
(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) NHTSA, on behalf of the Department of Transportation, is proposing revised fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2024-2026. On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order (EO) 13990, “Protecting
August 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Strategic Biofuels Achieves Major Project Milestone Towards World’s First Carbon Negative Renewable Diesel Plant
(Strategic Biofuels/Business Wire) Successful sequestration test well significantly de-risks the project while demonstrating carbon dioxide can be safely stored underground--Strategic Biofuels LLC, the leader in developing negative carbon footprint renewable fuels plants, announced today that its Carbon Capture and Sequestration
August 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Exclusive-Exxon, Chevron Look to Make Renewable Fuels without Costly Refinery Upgrades -sources
by Laura Sanicola (Reuters) ... The companies (Exxon and Chevron) are looking into how to process bio-based feedstocks like vegetable oils and partially-processed biofuels with petroleum distillates to make renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable gasoline, without meaningfully increasing
August 12, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Founder Calls for Correction of EPA Transportation Office’s “Shocking Miscarriage of Environmental Justice”
(Dakota Ag Energy) Speaking to the 14th Annual Bioenergy Conference hosted by Brazilian government and industry stakeholders, the founder of the U.S. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) charged U.S. EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) bureaucrats with a “shocking
August 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Gevo to Sell Renewable Natural Gas to bp
(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), is extremely pleased to announce today that its wholly-owned dairy manure-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) project company located in northwest Iowa, Gevo NW Iowa RNG, LLC (“NW Iowa RNG”), has signed binding, definitive agreements with BP
August 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Groups to Biden: Biofuels Can Reduce GHG Emissions Now
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) President Biden on Aug. 5 signed an executive order that sets a target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles. Representatives of the ethanol industry, however, say biofuels can
August 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Proposed EPA Vehicle Emissions Standards Fail to Address Biofuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Aug. 5 released a proposed rule to set light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards through 2026. Despite calls from government officials and industry trade groups, the rule does not address
August 06, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA to Overhaul Pollution Standards for Passenger Vehicles and Heavy-Duty Trucks, Paving Way for Zero-Emission Future PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE: September 27, 2021
(Environmental Protection Agency) Today (August 5, 2021), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to set robust federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks to secure pollution reductions through Model Year (MY) 2026. The proposal, which revises
August 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Seeks to Electrify Auto Industry: White House Driving Electric Vehicles, Raising Questions on Direction of Biofuel Policies
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) The president will sign an executive order to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 "zero-emission" vehicles, including battery, fuel-cell and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The executive order also will set new long-term
August 05, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Report: Farmers, Ethanol Producers Would Lose Billions if Summertime E15 Ban Returns
(Renewable Fuels Association) The recent D.C. Circuit Court decision overturning EPA’s approval of year-round E15 sales could have a strongly negative impact on the rural economy and environment in the coming years unless action is taken to allow unimpeded sales of E15 all
August 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Better Bioblendstocks for Cleaner Diesel Vehicles
by Trevor Smith (U.S. Department of Energy) ... But new fuel blendstocks from biomass and waste resources, combined with advanced engine designs, are bringing us ever closer to a vision of clean transportation. Achieving this vision is critical for meeting
August 04, 2021 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit 2019 RVO Decision Is a Mixed Bag for Biofuels
by Sarah Main and Shailesh Sahay (Foley Hoag) ... On July 16, 2021, the D.C. Circuit issued a decision that resolved several challenges to its 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) rulemaking. ... Renewable fuel producers challenged the volume requirements set in the
August 03, 2021 Read Full Article
CHS Expands E15 Availability through 19 Additional Fuel Terminals
(CHS/PR Newswire) CHS Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSCP), the nation's leading agribusiness cooperative, will expand access to higher ethanol blend fuels by offering E15 through 19 additional fuel terminals starting in early August 2021. CHS is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as
August 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Four Years Later, EPA Has Failed to Restore 500 Million Lost RIN Gallons
(Growth Energy) Today marks the four-year anniversary of the July 2017 ruling in Americans for Clean Energy v. EPA. The 2017 ruling required EPA to address its improper waiver of 500 million gallons for 2016 renewable fuel blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel
July 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Thune, Farm-State Colleagues to Biden: Biofuels Noticeably Absent From Your Agenda
(Office of Senator John Thune R-SD) U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today led several of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden requesting a meeting with him and representatives of his cabinet to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard and promote biofuels
July 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Wants to Turn America’s Auto Fleet Electric. It’s Harder than It Seems.
by Juliet Eilperin and Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) When it comes to meeting President Biden’s climate goals, the math is clear: Half of all cars and SUVs sold in 2030 need to be electric. Next week, the president, major carmakers
July 29, 2021 Read Full Article
To Undo the Damage of Trump Rollbacks, Biden Needs to Set Car Standards Stronger than Obama’s
(American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)) The Biden administration can soon undo the damage of President Trump’s clean car rollback, but only by setting more stringent standards to make up for lost progress. In the face of recent climate change-related extreme
July 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Governors Ask Biden Administration to Expand the Market for Higher-Octane Gasoline in New Fuel Economy Rule
(Governors' Biofuels Coalition) High-Octane Ethanol Should Replace Carcinogenic Gasoline Aromatics -- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem sent a letter to the Biden Administration pointing out the role that higher-octane ethanol could play in meeting the Administration’s climate and
July 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Blue Biofuels Files 3 Additional Patents on Its CTS Technology
(Blue Biofuels) Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc., DBA Blue Biofuels, (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it filed 3 additional patents that follow on the granted patent to its Cellulose-to-Sugar (“CTS”) technology system. In the process of testing and perfecting towards commercialization,
July 23, 2021 Read Full Article
BPA Dismayed at DC Circuit Ruling against Clean Electricity Fuel
(Biomass Power Association/Biomass Magazine) The Biomass Power Association on July 17 expressed concern over a D.C. Circuit decision allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to delay crediting cellulosic fuel in a challenge to the agency’s 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation rule. The case
July 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Exclusive-White House Delays Biofuel Mandates Due to Political Concerns -Sources
by Stephanie Kelly, Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The White House has delayed an annual process meant to decide how much ethanol and other biofuels U.S. oil refiners need to blend into their fuel each year, as it seeks a solution for an
July 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog RFA's Cooper: Group Intends to Ask DC Circuit Court for Rehearing on E15 Ruling
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The Renewable Fuels Association is planning to petition the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for a rehearing of an E15 case that could jeopardize the year-round sale of the 15% ethanol
July 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Fischer: More Choices and Cleaner Fuel at the Gas Pump
(Office of Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE)) ... The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which I reintroduced with Sen. Amy Klobuchar in response to the ruling, offers a common-sense solution to this problem. Our bill would reinstate the waiver that
July 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Groups Urge EPA to Propose Higher Octane Fuel Standard
(South Dakota Farmers Union) South Dakota Farmers Union is among a coalition of agriculture and biofuel groups urging the administration to propose a higher octane fuel standard as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updates its greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger
July 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: D.C. Circuit Court Sends 2019 RFS Back to EPA, Rejects Biofuels Argument on Gallons Lost to Exemptions
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday denied a biofuels group's challenge to EPA's inaction on restoring 4.3 billion gallons to the Renewable Fuel Standard lost to small-refinery exemptions
July 19, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA: D.C. Circuit Court Blasts Refiner Arguments on RFS
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed the D.C. Circuit Court’s outright rejection of arguments from oil refiners that the Renewable Fuel Standard causes them economic hardship and therefore the Environmental Protection Agency should have waived their 2019 RFS
July 19, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA: 6 SRE Petitions Withdrawn, 64 Currently Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on July 15, reporting that six SRE petitions have been withdrawn in the past month. There are now 64 SRE petitions pending, down from 70 in
July 16, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA CEO: Multiple Reasons for Ethanol Optimism
(Renewable Fuels Association) Low-carbon ethanol’s “brightest and sunniest days remain ahead” despite recent judicial setbacks and a growing policy push on electric vehicles, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in keynote remarks today at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and
July 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Representataives Angie Craig, Adrian Smith Lead Bipartisan Effort from Congressional Biofuels Caucus in Introducing Legislation to Allow Year-Round E15 Sales
(Office of U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN 2nd) Craig and Smith’s Legislation has been endorsed by Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the National Corn Growers Association -- Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) led Co-Chairs
July 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Agriculture and Ethanol Groups Echo Automakers Call for Higher-Octane Gasoline Standard in Fuel Economy Rule
(Clean Fuels Development Coalition) Dozens of agricultural, ethanol, automotive, and manufacturing organizations are calling for higher octane in gasoline to help automakers increase vehicle fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gases. In a letter to President Joe Biden, signed by a range
July 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Blocked By EPA, Biofuels Group Asks OMB For Octane Limit In Vehicle Rule
by Stuart Parker (Inside EPA/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) A coalition of biofuels and farm groups, led by former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), is poised to press White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials to include a high-octane standard
July 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Infrastructure Can Support Iowa, Save Planet, Says Axne
Cindy Axne (D-IA-3rd) Key funding would help reduce carbon emissions and reliance on foreign energy while investing in Iowa’s rural communities -- Investments in biofuels infrastructure represent the best of all worlds as we chart a path to an energy economy
July 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Buttigieg Hints Fuel Economy Standards Will Be Ambitious
by Josh Siegel (Washington Examiner's Daily on Energy) Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stressed the importance of strict fuel economy standards to clean up the transportation sector because, even as the U.S. shifts to more electric vehicles, gas-powered cars will still be on the
July 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Racing ahead with Biofuels – Bentley, BMW, Porsche, Others Embrace Biofuels
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Bentley’s Continental GT3 Pikes Peak racecar proved to be fastest racecar running on renewable fuel at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2021, beating out all other sustainability-focused entrants (like Tesla’s Model S and an Acura
July 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: American Petroleum Institute Pushes EPA to Cut Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) As the ethanol industry waits for volume proposals for 2021 and 2022 in the Renewable Fuel Standard expected in the coming weeks, petroleum interests have been pressing EPA to reduce volumes from their 2020 levels. A
July 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Five Ways to Save Year-Round E15 Sales E15's Path Forward May Include Courts, Congress, Regulation
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The nixing of EPA's E15 rule that allowed year-round sales has in many respects taken the ethanol industry back to square one. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit last week tossed
July 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Iowa Congressman Becoming “Very Concerned" about EPA’s Regan
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) Iowa Republican Randy Feenstra tells Brownfield he had a great conversation with Administrator Michael Regan a few weeks back when Regan visited his district. ... Feenstra is also worried about biofuels under Regan’s watch. “When he talks,
July 09, 2021 Read Full Article
E15 Summertime Use Rule in Force until August 16, Despite Court Action
(National Association of Farm Bureaus/NewsDakota.com) Last week’s D.C. federal court ruling does not mean retailers must stop selling 15-percent ethanol-blended gas immediately. The court ruling was another setback for the ethanol industry, discouraging future blending pump investments if it sticks, and coming
July 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Research Suggests Use of Biofuels Reduces Cancer Risk
(Renewable Fuels Association) Review points to fewer toxic chemicals in ethanol-blended gasoline emissions -- A newly published review of top scientific literature suggests that ethanol-blended fuels widely available at gas stations as E10, E15, or E85 result in less toxic emissions from
July 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Bill Aims to Clarify Congressional Intent on ‘Extension’ of SREs
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Reps. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, and Angie Craig, D-Minn., on July 2 introduced the Small Refinery Exemption Clarification Act of 2021, a bill that aims to clarify the definition of “extension” in response to the U.S. Supreme
July 07, 2021 Read Full Article
With Assistance, Agriculture Can Help with Climate Change
by Collin Peterson (Minneapolis Star Tribune/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) ... According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agriculture accounts for just 10% of U.S. CO2 emissions, with livestock accounting for just 4%. On a net basis, agriculture and forestry actually eliminate more
July 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Court Losses Are Only Temporary Setbacks, Says Ethanol Industry
by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) Despite losing two high-profile cases in seven days, the ethanol industry says the future is bright for the corn-based biofuel that it promotes as a low-carbon alternative to gasoline and a tool to slow global warming.
July 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy, RFA, NCGA Disagree with Court’s Decision to Reverse E15 Year-round
(Growth Energy) The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a 2019 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency that lifted outdated restrictions on the sale of a fifteen percent ethanol fuel blend (E15). The case, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs.
July 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Report — Stronger Tailpipe Rules Coming
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA and the Transportation Department soon will propose a rule boosting federal tailpipe standards almost to Obama-era levels, with an eye toward more aggressive requirements later this decade to goose electric vehicle sales, the
July 02, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Supports New Bill Reinforcing Intent behind RFS Small Refinery Waivers
(Renewable Fuels Association) he Renewable Fuels Association today thanked Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Angie Craig (D-MN) for introducing legislation that reinforces the intended meaning of the term “extension” as it relates to the Renewable Fuel Standard’s small refinery exemption provisions. The bill stipulates
July 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Groups Urge EPA to Spell out RFS Waiver Rules
by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) ... Farm and ethanol groups said they were confident the EPA will approve few exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard, but they urged the agency on Monday to state how it will run the program in
June 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Supporters Concerned about Biden's RFS Support
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) Biofuels supporters remain opposed to President Biden considering relief for oil refiners from biofuel blending requirements. Jonathan Gibbs with the Wisconsin Soybean Board tells Brownfield Biden’s planned Tuesday visit in Wisconsin would be a good