by Emily Mangan (Transportation for America) Last week, Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) introduced a bill that would measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled on our roadways. This would be transformative. ... Transportation is the single largest source of
Legislation-Federal
Back TO HOMEMcEachin, Haaland, Dingell, Blumenauer, Tonko & Pingree Introduce 100% Clean Legislation
(Office of A. Donald McEAchin (D VA-04)) Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) introduced the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 with Representatives Deb Haaland (NM-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Chellie Pingree (ME-01). This legislation sets
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Trade Association Leaders Plead for Congress to Act on Tax Extenders
(Ohio's Country Journal) Executives from 11 national trade associations sent a letter to House and Senate leaders, highlighting the urgent need for Congress to extend the expired biodiesel tax incentive before the end of the year. The association executives state in the
December 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Bipartisan Solutions to Protect the Environment and the Economy
(House Energy & Commerce Committee Republicans) “There are bipartisan bills in Congress that we could pass right now to ensure the United States remains a global leader in emissions reduction, economic productivity, and clean energy production, all at once.” That’s what Energy
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
EESI Submits Recommendations to House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) today submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis an extensive set of policy recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. “The Select Committee’s
November 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Rep. Escobar to Visit Rio Valley Biofuels Plant in El Paso, Texas
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, co-sponsor of the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act (H.R. 2089), is scheduled to visit Rio Valley Biofuels, a biodiesel production facility in El Paso, Texas, on Nov. 26. Escobar serves Texas’ 16th
November 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Farm Credit Head: Stabilize Ethanol, Pass USMCA
(The Fence Post/The Hagstrom Report) Farmers need the Trump administration to stabilize the biofuels market and Congress to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, Farm Credit Administration Chairman and CEO Glen Smith told the House Agriculture Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit
November 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Democrats Unveil Draft of GREEN Act that Includes Extending Biofuel Tax Credits
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Committee Democrats released a discussion draft of the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now (GREEN) Act. This draft legislation is
November 21, 2019 Read Full Article
REG Puts $30 Million Seneca Expansion on Hold Due to Tax Credit Extension Delays
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Iowa, local press reports that the Renewable Energy Group has decided to halt its $30 million expansion project at its Seneca plant, saying the 22 months since the biodiesel producers tax credit lapsed has left
November 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Congress Now Offers Venues for Ag to Address Threats from a Changing Climate
(Solutions from the Land) The testimony of SfL Co-Chair Fred Yoder before the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis (HSCCC) two weeks ago represented an early opportunity for farmers, ranchers and forestland owners to advance proven, pragmatic and practical solutions
November 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Rep. Welch, Sen. Udall Introduce Legislation to Reform the Renewable Fuel Standard to Benefit the Environment
(Office of Representative Peter Welch (D-VT)) Bill would phase out corn ethanol mandate, reverse tide of habitat destruction, and boost the mandate for advanced biofuels that reduce greenhouse gases -- Today (November 14, 2019), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced
November 15, 2019 Read Full Article
NBB Releases New Report on the Importance of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive
(National Biodiesel Board) The tax incentive is crucial to continued growth of the U.S. biodiesel industry -- Today (November 12, 2019), the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) released a new report, "The Importance of the Biodiesel Tax Credit," showing how the emerging
November 13, 2019 Read Full Article
How Iowans Drove The National Debate On Carbon Farming
by Isabella Murray (Iowa Starting Line) ... (Beto) O’Rourke had read a guest op-ed by Leonard and Matt Russell, executive director of Interfaith Power and Light — a group that pushes for faith-based solutions to climate change — in the New York Times
November 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Making the Carbon Tax Pitch
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) More than 800 volunteers across the U.S. will be on Capitol Hill today to meet with lawmakers on the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763 (116), on behalf of the Citizens' Climate
November 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Senate Interior Appropriations Bill Requires EPA to Act on eRINs
(RFS Power Coalition/Biomass Magazine) The RFS Power Coalition today applauded the passage of H.R. 3055 (116), the Senate’s Interior Appropriations bill. The Interior-EPA portion of the spending package includes a provision led by Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, requiring the EPA to
November 06, 2019 Read Full Article
New Senate Climate Caucus Rooted in Industry Shift
by Abby Smith (Washington Examiner) When the Senate's new bipartisan climate caucus meets for the first time this week, members will be joined by another group looking to engage more in climate policy discussions on Capitol Hill: industry CEOs. The choice of
November 05, 2019 Read Full Article
How Lithium Could Be Calif.'s Next 'Gold Rush'
by David Ferris and David Iaconangelo (E&E News) ... EnergySource, based in San Diego, is making an expensive gamble that it can be the first to tap a vast reserve of lithium here that has frustrated engineers for decades. Lithium
October 31, 2019 Read Full Article
House Energy Hearing Pits Ethanol vs. EPA, Administration
by Matt Kaye (FarmWeekNow.com) Renewable Fuels Association chief Geoff Cooper called the proposed supplemental rule issued by EPA a "bait and switch." -- ... During a hearing before a U.S. House Energy subcommittee, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) chief Geoff Cooper
October 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Senate Dems Propose Major Clean Cars Push As Court Rejects Challenge to Clean Car Rollback
(Our Daily Planet) Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, on Friday announced a $450 billion/10 year “Clean Cars For America Climate Proposal” to accelerate the
October 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Planting a Trillion Trees Will Not Halt Climate Change
by Kay Ledbetter (Farm Progress/Southwest Farm Press) Tree planting in natural grasslands can destroy plant and animal habitat and won't sequester enough carbon to compensate for fossil fuel emissions. -- A group of 46 scientists from around the world, led by
October 28, 2019 Read Full Article
House Committee Approves Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act
by Lynn L. Bergeson (TSCAblog) On October 17, 2019, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology unanimously approved the Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act (H.R. 2051), a companion bill to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senators Chris
October 26, 2019 Read Full Article
E&C Subcommittee Announces Legislative Hearing to Address EPA's Mismanagement of Renewable Fuel Standard Program
(U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee) Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) announced today that the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on Tuesday,
October 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Lawmakers Pitch Plan to Trash Ethanol Mandate Amid Industry Clashes
by Brian Dabbs (National Journal) ... Now, though, two retiring Republican House members want to carve out a new future for U.S. liquid transportation fuel policy. Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois, who represents some of the most prolific corn-producing counties
October 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Algae Could Be Turned into Climate-Friendly Food and Fuel
by Stephanie Manuzak (Yale Climate Connections) The newest farm bill offers support for algae growers. -- ..."Currently companies in the industry are producing plastics, and recyclable foam, and animal feed for cows and chickens and pigs, and aquafeed for shrimp,”
October 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Cruel Summer
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) A series of unfortunate events this summer—all caused by U.S. government action or inaction—has led to a precarious situation in the biodiesel sector, but there may be a silver lining. -- ... The volume of
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Senate Bill Provides Tax Incentives for Biogas Investments
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., reintroduced the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Act on Sept. 24. The bill aims to expand the biogas market by providing a 30 percent investment tax credit to help offset
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Big Law Firms Draft Model Climate Laws in Pro Bono Project
by Stephanie Russell-Kraft (Bloomberg) More than 20 law firms join pro bono effort led by two law school professors; Draft laws and regulations will be publicly available to local, state and federal lawmakers -- More than 20 Big Law firms have
September 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Bipartisan Carbon Pricing Bill Introduced
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a group of House lawmakers introduced a bipartisan carbon pricing measure — the MARKET CHOICE Act — that would fund infrastructure investments by pricing carbon and eliminating the gas tax. "We
September 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Prospects for Biofuels Use by Other Transportation Modes
by Stephanie Mercier (Farm Journal AgWeb) ... While supporters of the U.S. biofuel industry will no doubt continue to advocate for some remedial action by the administration on the SRE/RFS issues, they should not overlook the fact that the U.S.
September 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Economist Proposes Two RFS Changes to Appease Oil, Ethanol
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) With a reported big deal for biofuels in flux, an economist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign put forward a plan on Thursday to account for more than 4 billion gallons of biofuels exempted
September 23, 2019 Read Full Article
NGVAmerica Members Host Senator Ted Cruz
(NGVAmerica/NGV Journal) NGVAmerica members hosted a facility tour and policy roundtable with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to discuss the importance of parity for natural gas powered vehicles.VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio’s public transit agency, joined with NGVAmerica to host Senator Cruz
September 20, 2019 Read Full Article
Davis Introduces Pro-Ethanol Legislation
(The Telegraph) Local ethanol officials are lauding the Small Refinery Exeption Fairness Act of 2019 introduced Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville. Davis introduced the bill after the EPA continues to increase the number of small refineries exempted from the Renewable
September 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Threatened as Push Builds for Electric Vehicles
by Ben Nuelle (Agri-Pulse) Biofuel advocates may be fuming about the Environmental Protection Agency's recent actions granting small refinery exemptions to oil refineries, but they'd better check their rearview mirror. Electric vehicles may soon have policy in place to put
September 18, 2019 Read Full Article
House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Request for Information DEADLINE: November 22, 2019
(House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis) The climate crisis already is harming communities across America. The costs and impacts to the United States in the coming decades could exceed hundreds of billions of dollars annually. To limit global warming to
September 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Daily on Energy: How the US Could Get Caught up in a ‘Carbon Trade War’
by Josh Siegel & Abby Smith (Washington Examiner) ... Readers are probably familiar with the concept of the U.S. imposing “border carbon adjustments” on other countries. This has been a regular feature of carbon tax proposals in Congress and a component of
September 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Republican Mike Braun Looks to Bring GOP 'in the Game' with Bipartisan Climate Caucus
by Abby Smith (Washington Examiner) The Senate will soon be getting its own bipartisan caucus focused on addressing climate change. A bipartisan duo of Sens. Mike Braun of Indiana and Chris Coons of Delaware are organizing the new caucus, which is still
September 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Subsidize My Electric Car, Please: Auto Makers Want Congress to Expand This Gift to the Affluent.
(Wall Street Journal) The great myth of political subsidies for business is that they will help an industry get started and then go away. We’ll soon see if Congress can for once live up to its temporary promise and block
September 03, 2019 Read Full Article
View from a Former Fed: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Multi-Slide Guide to Policy Nexus Advisors’ Federal Programs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s nothing like a former fed to give a unique perspective on federal programs and policy. Paul Argyropoulos, President of Policy Nexus Advisors, gave this illuminating overview of what he thinks the future holds, influencing
September 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Booker: We Will Stop the Oil Refinery Waivers, as Part of $3 Trillion Clean Energy and Infrastructure Plan
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In New Jersey, Senator Cory Booker announced that, if elected as US President, he would “Immediately end the granting of unwarranted RFS small refinery waivers to big oil companies, and substantially increase funding for the Rural
September 03, 2019 Read Full Article
What’s the Plan to Increase Ethanol Use? Low Carbon Octane Standard Could Be the Way to Increase Ethanol Use beyond E15.
by Brian Jennings (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) ... Are we simply going to play defense on the RFS and hope the E15 market develops quickly, or can we turn the page, go on offense and initiate a new
September 03, 2019 Read Full Article
A Farmer's Plea to the President: Fix our Fuel
by Doug Sombke (The Hill/Farmers Union Enterprises and the South Dakota Farmers Union) ... I recently wrote a letter to the president suggesting a pathway out from under the proverbial rock. I urged him to direct the EPA to enforce the mandatory provision
September 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Wound up over Waivers
by Alex Guillén (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA's internal watchdog is being asked to determine how the agency decided to grant the vast majority of exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard that oil refiners have requested. EPA approved 31 petitions for waivers
August 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Report: Trump Ordered Waivers: Ongoing Court Challenges May Be Only Avenue Left for Biofuels
by By Todd Neeley and Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) ...The president sided with oil refiners over ethanol producers and corn farmers, just two months after reiterating his support for ethanol at a rally held at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy
August 19, 2019 Read Full Article
A 'Golden Triangle': In Nebraska, Ethanol, Cattle and Agriculture Are Intertwined, with Major Impacts on the State's Economy.
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) It’s fitting that the Cornhusker State should be an important player in the nation’s ethanol industry. Second only to Iowa in production, Nebraska’s ethanol industry has a big impact on the state’s economy. In addition to
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Federal Bill Could Create Biogas Tax Credits, Bolster Organics Infrastructure
by Cole Rosengren (Waste Dive) ... The expiration of the ITC benefits in 2016, followed by the expiration of related production tax credits in 2017, are frequently cited as key limitations for financing new biogas infrastructure. While other incentives such
August 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Carbon Pricing Proposals in the 116th Congress
by Jason Ye (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions) There are various market-based approaches to pricing carbon (e.g. carbon tax, cap and trade, and a clean energy standard). All of these can reduce emissions cost-effectively while driving clean energy innovation. This factsheet compares
August 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Fact Sheet: Fossil Fuel Subsidies: A Closer Look at Tax Breaks and Societal Costs
by Clayton Coleman and Emma Dietz (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) A recent analysis published in Nature Energy found that continuing current fossil fuel subsidies would make it profitable to extract half of all domestic oil reserves. This could increase U.S. oil production by
August 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Senate Biofuel Advocates Want a Piece of Transportation Bill
by Elvina Nawaguna (Roll Call) The bill would set aside $1 billion to build charging and fueling stations for electric-, hydrogen- and natural gas-powered vehicles -- A provision in the Senate’s surface transportation bill that would help pay for charging and refilling stations for zero-
August 02, 2019 Read Full Article
The Energy 202: Kamala Harris and Jay Inslee's New Climate Plans Target 'Environmental Injustice'
by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) ... On Monday, two contenders, Sen. Kamala Harris of California and Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington, released climate plans aimed at ensuring communities already facing an exceptionally large amount of pollution don't get saddled with any more. The proposals
August 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Senate Committee Acknowledges Climate Change in Passing $287 Billion Transportation Bill
by Ashley Halsey III and John Wagner (Washington Post) ... The bill got pushback from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), whose state is a major producer of ethanol, the corn-based product that is added to about 98 percent of gasoline. She objected
August 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Bill from U.S. Sens. Toomey, Feinstein Would Abolish Ethanol Mandate
by J.D. Prose (The Times) U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is working to repeal the ethanol mandate with California Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The Restore Environmental Sustainability to Our Renewable Energy (RESTORE) Act would abolish the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable
July 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Four New Carbon Pricing Bills Drop in Congress
by Danny Richter (Citizen's Climate Lobby) ... First, Florida Republican Rep. Francis Rooney has introduced the bipartisan Stemming Warming and Augmenting Pay (SWAP) Act with cosponsor Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL). Together, these two representatives have also introduced the Raise Wages, Cut Carbon Act. Citizens’ Climate
July 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Paving the Way for Green, Local Leadership: Doggett Introduces Green Transportation Act to Reduce Pollution & Mitigate Climate Change
(Office of Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX 35)) Today (July 18, 2019), U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and House Budget Committee Member, along with Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Chair of the House
July 19, 2019 Read Full Article
A Bill Bonanza: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Will Consider 23 Bills
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will consider 23 bills this morning on issues ranging from carbon capture to nuclear energy. Texas Sen. John Cornyn's bill, S. 1685 (116), for one, would require
July 16, 2019 Read Full Article
On to Conference: The Annual Defense Policy Bill, H.R. 2500 (116)
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The annual defense policy bill, H.R. 2500 (116) , passed Friday by the House now heads to conference, where lawmakers will have to work out their differences and overcome objections from the White House —
July 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Senators Markey and Van Hollen Introduce Legislation to Create a National Climate Bank
(Office of Senatory Ed Markey (D-MA)) Will leverage $35 billion in public funds to fund as much as $700 billion in total investment into projects that support clean energy, reduce emissions -- Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.),
July 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Marco Rubio Introduces Bill to Combat China's Rare Earth Monopoly
by Megan Henney (Fox Business) Sen. Marco Rubio introduced legislation on Thursday intended to boost American competitiveness in processing critical rare-earth minerals after China signaled it could weaponize its dominance in the sector in the midst of the year-long trade war. The Florida Republican’s plan, named the RE-Coop 21st
July 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Republicans Form Conservation Caucus to Take on Environment, Climate Change
by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) Republicans on Wednesday launched an environment-minded conservation caucus aimed at battling the perception that their party doesn’t care about climate change. Dubbed the Republican Roosevelt Conservation Caucus after National Park Service founder President Teddy Roosevelt, the bicameral
July 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Trump Intervention Delaying EPA Biofuel Waiver Action, Sources Say
by Humeyra Pamuk (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump’s request for a review of the administration’s expanded use of biofuel waivers for oil refiners is holding up its decisions on 2018 applications, according to three sources familiar with the matter, two of
July 11, 2019 Read Full Article
New Coalition Working on SAF: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to AFCC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition advocates for public policy to promote the development and production of alternative fuels and chemicals, especially sustainable aviation fuels. It’s a collaborative government affairs effort formed just months ago in January
July 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Bernie Sanders and AOC Want Congress to Declare a National Emergency over Climate Change
by Tara Golshan (Vox) Climate activists around the world are pushing governments to treat global warming as an emergency. -- ... On Tuesday, they got three prominent progressive allies in the United States to publicly join their cause: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Reps.
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
24 Governors Call on Trump to Halt Rollback on Rules for Clean Cars
by Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) The opposition to one of President Trump’s most consequential regulatory rollbacks — a plan to weaken pollution standards for automobiles nationwide — widened on Tuesday when 24 governors, including three Republicans, urged the president to abandon his plan. The governors’ plea adds
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Rooney Introduces Bill to Repeal the RFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., introduced legislation June 21 that aims to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard. Rooney cited the impact of ethanol on boat engines and the U.S. EPA’s rule to allow year-round E15
July 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Bill Aims to Extend Biofuel, Bioenergy Tax Credits through 2020
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, introduced the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 on June 18. The bill extends several biofuel- and
July 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Mayors Approve Resolution Pressing for Carbon Pricing in Congress
by Josh Siegel (Washington Examiner) Mayors gathering for their annual meeting Monday approved a resolution urging Congress to pass carbon pricing legislation. It’s the first time the United States Conference of Mayors voted on a carbon pricing resolution. At least a few Republican
July 02, 2019 Read Full Article
In Lobbying Battle for Electric Vehicle Tax Credit, It’s Car Makers vs. the Oil and Gas Industry
by Dino Grandoni and Steven Mufson (Washington Post) ... GM, like a fleet of other car manufacturers, is seeking the extension of a tax break that has for a decade helped sustain the sale of cars that need little to no gasoline to
June 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Up for a Climate Debate--Welcome to Miami: Presidential Contenders Lock Horns tonight in Round One of the Primary Debates
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy)Presidential contenders lock horns tonight in Round One of the primary debates in Miami to prove they're ready to take on President Donald Trump — and show Democratic voters they have a plan to fight
June 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Report on 2019 Crappie Masters
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) With retail sales of E15, or 15% ethanol, now approved in the summer months, some oil industry-backed organizations are issuing dire warnings about damage to boat engines – but E15 is clearly labeled as NOT approved for
June 25, 2019 Read Full Article
King Introduces Bills Protecting RFS from Small Refinery Exemptions
(Office of Congressman Steve King (R-IA-4th) Legislation Recovers Volume Lost to Waivers by Increasing RFS Requirement Gallon -for-Gallon -- Congressman Steve King releases this statement following his introduction of two bills that are designed to protect the volume requirements in the Renewable
June 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Proposed Legislation Would Extend Biodiesel Tax Incentive
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson (D-CA) has introduced legislation to extend expired tax incentives, including the biodiesel tax incentive, which is scheduled for mark up Thursday June 20. The proposal would
June 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Sens. Coons, Moran, Reps. Thompson, Estes Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Level the Playing Field for Clean Energy
(Office of Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)) Financing Our Energy Future Act would give clean energy projects access to a tax advantage currently available only to oil, gas, and coal projects -- U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Representatives
June 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Feinstein, Bennet Introduce Bill to Lock In a Science-Based Method to Determine the Cost of Carbon Pollution
(Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)) Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and 15 of their collegues reintroduced the Carbon Pollution Transparency Act (S. 1745), legislation to ensure the federal government implements a science-based process to account for the cost of carbon
June 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Bill Aims to Extend MLPs to Bioenergy, Biofuel Projects
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Reps. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Ron Estes, R-Kan., reintroduced bipartisan legislation June 13 that aims to give investors in clean energy projects access to the use of
June 17, 2019 Read Full Article
U.S. Farm State Senators Unveil Bill to Overhaul Biofuel Waiver Program
by Jarrett Renshaw and Richard Valdmanis (Reuters) Two Midwest senators said on Friday they have introduced a bill to reform the Environmental Protection Agency's opaque biofuel waiver program, which the corn industry says helps oil companies at the expense of farmers here by threatening
June 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Bipartisan Legislation Would Help Finance Carbon Capture and Storage Projects
(Office of Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)) U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today reintroduced a bill to make it easier for power plants and industrial facilities to finance the purchase and installation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage
June 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Letter Urges Extension of 3 Biofuel-Related Tax Credits
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Reps. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, and Josh Harder, D-Calif., authored a letter June 3 urging the House Ways and Means Committee to extend, and retroactively apply, several expired biofuel tax credits. The letter was signed by
June 11, 2019 Read Full Article
The Energy 202: Green New Deal Is Alive and Well in Liberal Cities and States
by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) The Green New Deal may be floundering in Washington. But it is alive and well in left-leaning states and cities across the country. From Maine to California, Democratic politicians have begun adopt the Green New Deal brand -- a
June 03, 2019 Read Full Article
What If Scientists, Not Politicians, Called the Shots on Climate Policy
by Michael Langford (The Hill/Utility Workers Union of America) ... For example, carbon capture technology could broadly decarbonize power generation including both natural gas and coal-fired plants as well as heavy industries such as steel, cement and ethanol manufacturing to cite
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
All For One: The American Coalition for Ethanol’s Annual Washington, D.C., Fly-In
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) During a meeting with three attendees of the American Coalition for Ethanol’s 2019 Washington, D.C., fly-in, Jaqueline Schmitz, senior policy advisor for Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said New Jersey voters are against ethanol. They don’t
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Duckworth Accuses EPA of Deception, Calls for Probe into Ethanol Waivers
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth asked the Environmental Protection Agency's inspector general Thursday to investigate whether the agency broke the law in granting dozens of waivers to the oil industry to not blend corn ethanol into the
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Bill Would Increase SRE Transparency, Reallocate Waived Volumes
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Reps. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., introduced legislation May 23 that aims to increase transparency surrounding Renewable Fuel Standard small refinery exemptions (SREs) and ensure any waived volumes are reallocated. The bill, titled the “Renewable
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Cleaner Transportation Fuel, Healthier Forests
(Office of Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)) Legislation allows the use of biomass waste from certain federal lands in the making of renewable fuels -- U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced bipartisan legislation to allow the use of biomass from
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Senators Collins, Heinrich Lead Bipartisan Group in Introducing Energy Storage Bill to Bolster Renewables, Fight Climate Change
(Office of Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine)) The bipartisan bill authorizes $300 million over five years to reduce the cost of promising grid-scale energy storage systems, similar to DOE’s SunShot Initiative that decreased the price of solar by 75% -- In order to
May 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Agriculture Industry Groups Call on Congress to Immediately Extend the Biodiesel Tax Credit
(National Biodiesel Board) Congress can address the growing economic crisis in the agriculture sector, trade groups write -- Thirteen trade groups representing farmers, rural lenders, crop and biobased oil producers, and biodiesel producers today wrote leaders of the House of Representatives and
May 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Exclusive: Trump EPA Did Not Await Court Ruling to Loosen Biofuel Rules for Refiners - Documents
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Trump administration made it easier for oil refineries to get waivers from the nation’s biofuel law at least four months before a 2017 court decision it often cites to justify the move to the corn lobby,
May 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Carbon Removal Takes Hold on Hill
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) CAPTURING HEARTS AND MINDS: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will dive into the Energy Department's carbon capture, utilization and storage programs during a hearing this morning (May 16, 2019), where Assistant Energy
May 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Republicans Want a Climate Bill — but Please Don't Call It the Green New Deal
by Matt Laslo (Vice News) ... The same week the United Nations released a report stating that a million animal and plant species are on the verge of extinction, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Europe proclaiming that melting sea
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Letter from Washington – Taxes, Blends, RINs, Jobs and “The Year of the Tree”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (C)onsider this for now a Digested summary of the (Washington, DC) news you can use, as short as we can make it so that we return you to the business of building the bioeconomy
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Flores and Welch Reintroduce Bill to Limit Ethanol Quotas under RFS
by Nick Snow (Oil & Gas Journal) US Reps. Bill Flores (R-Tex.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) reintroduced legislation on May 7 which would limit ethanol quotas under the Renewable Fuel Standard to 9.7% of the total gasoline volumes projected to be
May 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Democrats See Opening for Climate in Tax Extenders, Highway Bill
by Dean Scott (Bloomberg Environment) Senate Democrats home in on strategy for raising clean energy tax credits, highway bill reauthorization; Parallel effort on making infrastructure better resilient to climate change --- ... They are likely to score their biggest victories in two must-pass bills
May 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Bill Introduced to Overhaul Renewable Fuel, Energy Tax Credits
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and 25 colleagues introduced legislation May 2 that aims to overhaul the federal tax code and consolidate the current 44 energy incentives into three technology-neutral provisions that encourage clean electricity, clean
May 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Sunrise Movement, the Force Behind the Green New Deal, Ramps Up Plans for 2020
by Tessa Stuart (Rolling Stone) ... The science is really clear, the solutions are ready, overwhelmingly popular, will create millions of good jobs. In 2019 and in 2020, the goal of young people everywhere who are interested in Sunrise is to
May 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Democrats Are Trying to Block Trump from Exiting Paris Agreement by Pushing New Climate Bill
(USA Today) It's not as bold as the Green New Deal but House Democrats on Thursday are poised to adopt the most significant climate legislation in a decade: A bill that would prevent the Trump administration from exiting the international Paris Agreement aimed at global warming. The Climate Action
May 02, 2019 Read Full Article
The Energy 202: Why Some Climate Activists Are Cooling on a Carbon Tax
by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) It is one of most popular plans among economists for addressing climate change. Many Democrats have embraced it. Even some Republicans have come around to the idea. But a carbon tax is increasingly out of favor among left-wing climate
May 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Rep. Axne Introduces Amendment to HR 9 to Support Renewable Fuel Industries
(Atlantic News Telegraph) U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) introduced an amendment to H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, to extend tax credits for Iowa’s biodiesel, second generation biofuels and wind power industries. The Climate Action Now Act, which Rep. Axne
May 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Yes, Tin Lizzie Was an Alcoholic
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) Correcting Bad Revisionist History About Ford's Model T Automobile -- The most venerated automobile of all time is Henry Ford's Model T. Nicknamed "Tin Lizzie," "Leapin' Lena," and sometimes "Flivver," the Model T went into production
May 01, 2019 Read Full Article
More Energy Companies Lobbying on Climate Issues, Including Green New Deal
by Esther Whieldon and Molly Christian (S&P Global Market Intelligence) The number of power companies lobbying on climate-related issues at the federal level nearly tripled in the first quarter of 2019 over the prior quarter as the topic became a key focal
April 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Modifying the Message: With a Democratic-Majority House of Representatives, the Ethanol Lobby Emphasizes Carbon Reduction.
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The ethanol industry has done a great job making friends throughout the political spectrum, says John Fuher, vice president of government affairs for Growth Energy. “You have to have support from people across the divide,”
April 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Bonanza: How Federal Subsidies Prop Up the Industry and Cost Taxpayers Billions
(Taxpayers for Common Sense) The federal government has subsidized the mature U.S. biodiesel industry for more than a decade. In years when subsidies are larger and more predictable, the industry responds with higher production levels to take advantage of billions of dollars in
April 24, 2019 Read Full Article
New Study Underscores the Need to Make Rare Earth Metal Use More Sustainable
(Our Daily Planet) We don’t recycle these metals and their extraction is rife with human rights abuses. As Phys reported, a new study, commissioned and funded by the non-profit EarthWorks, “shows that as demand for minerals such as lithium and rare earths skyrockets, the already significant environmental
April 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Thank You, Biodiesel Industry
by Donnell Rehagen (National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) ... This past year we engaged with organizations like National Renderers Association, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, American Soybean Association, Petroleum Marketers of America, and many more. The National Biodiesel Board has strengthened its
April 17, 2019 Read Full Article
NATA and Industry Aviation Coalition Support Extension of Biodiesel Tax Incentive
(National Air Transportation Association /Aviation Pros) The letters were jointly issued by the Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, the Cargo Airline Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the NATA, the NBAA, and the Regional Airline Association -- Today, the National
April 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Momentum Builds for Green New Deal Plans as Maine's Bill Gets a Powerful Endorsement
by Brian Kahn (Earther) Maine’s AFL-CIO, which represents more than 40,000 members, just threw its weight behind a version of the Green New Deal introduced to the state’s legislature last month. That makes Maine’s bill the first piece of Green New Deal legislation
April 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Carbon Capture Bill
by Miranda Green (The Hill) A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill Thursday to increase federal funding toward developing carbon capture technology while also committing to fossil fuel use. Introduced by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee ranking member Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the
April 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Sen. Whitehouse Targets Dark Money to Address Climate Change
by Jennifer McDermott (Associated Press) ... Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, is targeting so-called “dark money” because he thinks opposition to addressing climate change in Congress is propped up by the fossil fuel industry. “If you kicked out that support,
April 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Energy Policy - Beltway Buzz
(American Energy Society) Energy Policy - Beltway Buzz - The Senate voted on (and rejected) the Green New Deal; Majority Leader Mitch McConnell teased the vote for weeks, while Republicans railed against the proposal as socialism; however, liberal activists upended the
April 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Democrats to Move on from Green New Deal
by Miranda Green (The Hill) Democrats are putting the Green New Deal in the rearview mirror, but they’re not abandoning climate change legislation. Supporters of the progressive measure are shifting their sights away from passing a comprehensive plan to create green jobs
March 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Reports Analyze High-Octane Gasoline Market
(Convenience Store Decisions) A high-octane standard for the U.S. gasoline market could be the fastest and most cost-effective way to enhance fuel efficiency for vehicles produced in the next few years. New reports published by the Fuels Institute analyze the market’s ability to deliver higher
March 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Carbon Capture on the Mind
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) CARBON CAPTURE ON THE MIND: Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Don Beyer are set to talk carbon capture during a discussion today, where they will also reintroduce the "Healthy Climate and Family
March 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Gone but Not Forgotten: The Green New Deal Resolution Sunk in the Senate on Tuesday.
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) — The Green New Deal resolution sunk in the Senate on Tuesday. Now Senate Democrats will unveil their own Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, while House Republicans press ahead with their own push for
March 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Republicans Grasp for a Climate Change Message
by Zack Colman and Anthony Adragna (Politico) Tuesday’s expected Senate vote rejecting the Green New Deal masks a striking reality: In a matter of months, liberal activists have upended the conversation about climate change among both parties in Washington. Democratic presidential candidates are
March 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Gaetz Drafting ‘Green Real Deal’ Climate Resolution
by Zack Coleman (Politico) Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is circulating a “Green Real Deal” resolution to counter the “Green New Deal” floated by Democrats, according to a draft copy obtained by POLITICO. The resolution acknowledges climate change as a threat to national security and
March 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Attaching a Price to Greenhouse Gas Emissions with a Carbon Tax or Emissions Fee: Considerations and Potential Impacts
by Jonathan L. Ramseur and Jane A. Leggett (Congressional Research Service) ... Members of Congress and stakeholders articulate a wide range of perspectives over what to do, if anything, about GHG emissions, future climate change, and related impacts. If Congress were to consider establishing a
March 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Candidates Should Recognize Biofuel Benefits
by Mike Naig and Dave Loebsack (Quad City Times) We may come from different political parties, but we share at least one common vision. Both of us strongly support renewable fuel, like biodiesel, for the vital role it plays in Iowa’s
March 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Midwest Storms Wreak Havoc on Ethanol Trade and Potentially Production
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Nebraska, Platts reports that last week’s major storm that saw flooding and blizzards across the Midwest lead to major disruptions of ethanol supplies around the region as well as getting product to deficit markets on the coasts
March 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Trump's Top Economic Adviser Still Supports Carbon Tax
by Scott Waldman (E&E News) President Trump's top economic adviser is not backing away from his belief that a carbon tax would be an effective way to address greenhouse gas emissions. Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, has
March 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Gas-Tax Hike: A Rare Big Idea With Bipartisan Backing
by Gerald F. Seib (Wall Street Journal) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce isn’t exactly a hotbed of pro-tax sentiment. So when the chamber advocates for a tax increase, it’s worth sitting up to take notice. That’s what’s happening now. Chamber President Thomas
March 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Tonko's Climate Principles
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) (Paul D.) Tonko, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee, says he wants to introduce a bill that would put a price on carbon and bring net U.S. emissions
March 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Come Together: At NEC, a GM Executive Outlined Some Controversial Advice for the Ethanol Industry.
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Collaborate with the automotive industry, the petroleum industry, fuel retailers and other stakeholders in the liquid fuels market to push for a national high-octane standard. “We’re advocating for a reasonable and manageable proposal—a new,
March 20, 2019 Read Full Article
USE IT Act: Reducing Emissions Through Carbon Use Innovation, Not Regulation
by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) (Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works/OurEnergyPolicy) Read the entire piece and comment! Senator Barrasso's staff will be monitoring the discussion, and OurEnergyPolicy.org will prepare a discussion wrap-up for the Senator in two weeks. The Senator would
March 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Rural America Is Ready for Some Sort of a New Deal, Preferably Green
by Art Cullen (The Guardian) Here in farming country we have the opportunity to rethink our approach to renewable energy and food production -- ... Meanwhile, we’re losing our precious topsoil and polluting our rivers – killing the Gulf of Mexico in
March 15, 2019 Read Full Article
McConnell Tees up Vote on Green New Deal
by Jordain Carney (The Hill) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is setting up a fight over the Green New Deal later this month. McConnell, wrapping up the Senate's work for the week, scheduled a procedural vote on the progressive resolution for after the
March 15, 2019 Read Full Article
The Kids of March Are on Strike
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Youth activists concerned by the threat of climate change will skip class across more than 100 countries today to call for greater climate action. The U.S. effort is inspired by 16-year-old climate activist Greta
March 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Senate GOP Expected to Force Vote on Green New Deal in March
by Jordain Carney (The Hill) Senate Republicans will bring the Green New Deal resolution to the floor as they try to jam Democrats on the progressive proposal. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of Senate GOP leadership, said that he expected Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
March 14, 2019 Read Full Article
NBB Urges Lawmakers to Extend Biodiesel Tax Credit
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) “Temporary Policy in the Internal Revenue Code” was the title of a House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommitteehearing this week where the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) submitted written testimony urging lawmakers to immediately extend the biodiesel and renewable
March 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Vox Argues The Media’s Coverage of the GND Lacks Substance
by Yoel Fessahaye and Monica Medina (Our Daily Planet) The Green New Deal has been the subject of an avalanche of media coverage. But other than the bumper sticker labels that have been applied to it — Socialism, Communism, Unrealistic, Infeasible,
March 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Carbon Price Jailbreak?
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Republican-backed Climate Leadership Council says it will have GOP co-sponsors for its carbon price initiative in the third quarter. CLC Chief Executive Ted Halstead wouldn't name names but said CLC is aiming at getting
March 12, 2019 Read Full Article
UPDATE 2-U.S. Senate to Vote on Green New Deal -Republican Leader
by Susan Cornwell (Reuters) Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday the U.S. Senate would vote in coming weeks on the “Green New Deal,” an ambitious Democratic environmental proposal that has become a lightning rod for Republican criticism. ... Senator Joni Ernst of
March 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Green New Deal vs. Carbon Tax: A Clash of 2 Worldviews, Both Seeking Climate Action
by Marianne Lavelle (Inside Climate News) The contest is elevating climate policy conversations on the campaign trail and in Washington. It could inspire compromises that bring together pieces of each. ... On one side are the student activists of the Sunrise Movement and Congress's new
March 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Pressed by Climate Activists, Senate Democrats Plan to ‘Go on Offense’
by Coral Davenport and Sheryl Gay Stolberg (New York Times) Facing a showdown vote as early as this month over the embattled “Green New Deal,” Senate Democrats are preparing a counteroffensive to make combating climate change a central issue of their
March 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Grassley, Wyden Introduce Tax Extenders Bill
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Feb. 28, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced legislation to extend 29 tax credits, including those that benefit producers of renewable diesel, second generation biofuels and bioenergy. According
March 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Paul, Grassley Introduce Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2019
(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) Today (February 27, 2019), U.S. Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Chuck Grassley of Iowa introduced the Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2019(S.581), legislation that would remove burdensome regulations on domestic energy production. “The Fuel Choice
March 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Who Is Garret Graves? The Louisiana Lawmaker Newly Selected as the Top Republican on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
by Kelsey Taborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Louisiana lawmaker newly selected as the top Republican on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis has a lifetime score of 3 percent from the League of Conservation Voters but has also cited
March 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Finding Practical, Viable Solutions to a Changing Climate
(Solutions from the Land) ...Unfortunately, the (Green New Deal) resolution comes with a lack of recognition for the importance of all forms of renewable energy. In focusing on no-carbon renewables like wind and solar, the measure fails to reference other
February 28, 2019 Read Full Article
New Climate Resolution
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Senate Democrats remain divided on the Green New Deal as they face a vote on the nonbinding resolution before August recess. Their solution? Come up with something different. All 47 members of the Senate Democratic
February 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Want a Green New Deal? Here’s a Better One.
(Washington Post) We favor a Green New Deal to save the planet. We believe such a plan can be efficient, effective, focused and achievable. The Green New Deal proposed by congressional Democrats does not meet that test. Its proponents, led by
February 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Green for the Common Man
by Douglas L. Faulkner and Gerard J. Ostheimer (Biofuels Digest) Out of the climate change cacophony, two notes that ring true for us are: 1) No climate fixes can be made without improving the lives of those in distressed rural areas; and,
February 26, 2019 Read Full Article
SD Farmers Union Calls Out GM on Weak Octane Proposals
(South Dakota Farmers Union) In a letter to General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra today (February 21, 2019), South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke challenged the automaker on its claim that 98 RON (Research Octane Number) or higher gasoline
February 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Chairman DeFazio Announces Full Committee Hearing, “Examining How Federal Infrastructure Policy Could Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change”
(U.S. House Committee on Transportation) Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the Full Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Examining How Federal Infrastructure Policy Could Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change.” The
February 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Are Key to Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions
by Arlin E. Gyberg (StarTribune) The biofuels industry over the last 30 years has produced more product using less energy and water and contributes far less carbon-dioxide emissions than petroleum fuels. -- Across Minnesota, about 25 ethanol and biodiesel plants generate about
February 19, 2019 Read Full Article
The Green New Deal Is Generating Lots of Left-Wing Enthusiasm. But Not Every Democrat Is on Board.
by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) ... But fault lines within the Democratic caucus were already visible before the end of the day, with some members urging caution about setting vague and, at times, impossible-to-achieve goals to only fall short. And perhaps most
February 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Lisa Murkowski Sees 'Green New Deal' as Opportunity to Push Stalled Energy Bill
by Josh Siegel (Washington Examiner) Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Wednesday the push for a "Green New Deal" could provide an opportunity for her to revive a comprehensive energy bill she co-authored that would be the first update to the country’s
February 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Bustos Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Ethanol Production and Combat Climate Change
(Office of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos) Today (February 14, 2019), Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) helped introduce the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act. This bipartisan legislation would implement strategies that help ethanol producers develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
February 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Ethanol Industry Not Impressed with General Motors' Push on Octane Standard Legislation
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) While General Motors representative Dan Nicholson indicated this week it was important for the ethanol industry to get behind legislation to set a national octane standard -- starting with a 95 research octane number,
February 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Extending that Olive Branch
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Energy and Commerce ranking member Greg Walden and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee ranking member John Shimkus reached out last night (February 13, 2019) on climate change in a letter to Chairman Frank Pallone
February 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Wall Street Is More Than Willing to Fund the Green New Deal
by Katia Dmitrieva and Emily Chasan (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Investing in the environment is already a $12 trillion market. Now markets are just looking for guidance from Congress. -- ... But those worried about where the rest of the money will come
February 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuel Producers Ask Congress to Extend Tax Credits
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of advanced biofuel producers are urging leaders of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means to extend two tax credits that are critical to the development and deployment of advanced biofuels. On Feb.
February 14, 2019 Read Full Article
General Motors to Ethanol: Focus on 95 Octane Fuel Standard, or “Miss the Window altogether”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, General Motors VP Dan Nicholson told delegates at the National Ethanol Conference that “High octane is essential to realize better efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions,” but warned the US ethanol industry to get behind
February 13, 2019 Read Full Article
New Green Deal Calls for Ag to Be 'Greenhouse Gas Free'
by Don Jenkins (Capital Press) The New Green Deal introduced last week by Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate does not propose banning cow flatulence, but it does strike at something that powers farm production — diesel fuel. The 14-page
February 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Reps Dave Loebsack, Darin LaHood Lead Push for Multi-Year Biodiesel Tax Extension
by Joe Hand (River Cities Reader) Representatives Dave Loebsack and Darin LaHood today led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in calling for a multi-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit. In a letter to House Leadership, the lawmakers called for