(U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) The Securities and Exchange Commission today adopted rules to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures by public companies and in public offerings. The final rules reflect the Commission’s efforts to respond to investors’ demand for more consistent,
Litigation-Federal
Back TO HOMEFinal Rule in Response to Request from States for Removal of Gasoline Volatility Waiver (E15)
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency is responding to requests from state governors to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for gasoline-ethanol blends containing 10 percent ethanol in their states. The governors made their request pursuant to CAA section 211(h)(5),
February 22, 2024 Read Full Article
These Ethanol Plants Want to Bury CO2 in Kansas to Cut Their Carbon Footprints
by Calen Moore and Celia Llopis-Jepsen (KMUW/NPR) Kansas has three carbon dioxide pipelines. Next, it could get two carbon sequestration wells, linked to ethanol plants. Here’s what we know. Two companies seek to build the first sites in Kansas where carbon dioxide emissions
February 20, 2024 Read Full Article
Senate Panel Backs Bill to Aid GEVO Biofuels Project
by Bob Mercer (KELOLand) Legislation to help clear the way for a renewable-fuels company to build a plant at Lake Preston is moving ahead at the South Dakota Capitol. The Senate Commerce and Energy Committee on Thursday voted 7-2 in favor of
February 17, 2024 Read Full Article
Love Them or Loathe Them, Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands Are a Growing Biofuel Battleground
by Louis Sahagun (Los Angeles Times) ... “They’re just a wildfire waiting to happen,” the Lincoln County commissioner says of the low, bushy trees. ... In parts of California and much of the Great Basin, land owners have declared war on pinyon pines
February 12, 2024 Read Full Article
North Dakota Commissioners Say Counties Won't Be Able to Restrict Summit Carbon Pipeline
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) The Ames-based company that wants to build a $5.5 billion carbon capture pipeline across Iowa and neighboring states got a boost as North Dakota regulators signaled cities and counties there will be unable to impose
January 29, 2024 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Statement on 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Dismissal of SRE Challenge
(Growth Energy) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit dismissed Hunt Refining Company v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today, ruling that the small refinery exemption (SRE) challenge brought by Hunt under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could not be heard by the
January 17, 2024 Read Full Article
‘Maximum Urgency and De Facto Risk’ — EPA Braces for 2024
by Kevin Bogardus (E&E News Greenwire) EPA needs to soon cement protections on air, climate and water to avoid those rules being buried by a Republican-led Congress and White House in 2025 if the coming elections turn against Democrats. In addition,
January 15, 2024 Read Full Article
RFA Petitions Court on RFS Exemptions
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) RFA Petitions Appeals Court for Rehearing on RFS Exemptions Decision -- The Renewable Fuels Association on Monday asked for a rehearing on a previous court decision to overturn EPA's rejection of 100 small-refinery waiver requests to
January 09, 2024 Read Full Article
Viewpoint: SAF, E15 May Lift US Ethanol Demand in 2024
by Matthew Cope and Payne Williams (Argus Media) Ethanol demand may get a boost next year as the US paves a path for ethanol-derived sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the potential for permanent year-round sales of 15pc ethanol gasoline (E15) in
December 29, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA Delivers Final Midwest E15 Rule to White House OMB
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Dec. 18 delivered its final rule to allow year-round E15 sales in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin to the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB reviews marks
December 20, 2023 Read Full Article
States Oppose EPA's E15 March Proposal: Iowa, Nebraska Ask Court to Require EPA to Finalize E15 Rule Before March
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The states of Iowa and Nebraska asked a federal court on Wednesday to require EPA to "promptly" finalize a rule to allow permanent, year-round E15 sales in eight states, rejecting the agency's proposed plan to
December 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Pipeline Company Prevails over Two County Ordinances
by Jared Strong (Iowa Capital Dispatch) A federal judge on Monday permanently barred two Iowa counties from enforcing their ordinances that restrict the placement of carbon dioxide pipelines. Shelby and Story counties adopted restrictions after two companies proposed to build pipeline systems
December 06, 2023 Read Full Article
Congress Watches from Sidelines as Courts Set Ethanol Policy
by Marc Heller (Politico Pro E&E Daily) In the wake of another court ruling on the renewable fuel standard, there's scant sign lawmakers can pass meaningful changes. -- After a federal court ruled last week that small petroleum refiners should be given
November 30, 2023 Read Full Article
A Passenger Is Suing United Airlines for Its Environmental Claims
by Joe Kunzler (Simple Flying) Alexander Zajac has filed litigation against United Airlines feeling misled. But is this a matter of reading the fine print? Simple Flying reveals. United Airlines claims to be committed to sustainability with a goal to be 100%
November 29, 2023 Read Full Article
Action Allowing Year-Round Sales of E15 in the US Could Be Near: Trade Group
by Kate Winston (S&P Global) December deadline looming in lawsuit; Spending bill could be vehicle in 2024 -- In the next few months, legislative or legal proceedings could set the stage to allow year-round sales of a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol
November 27, 2023 Read Full Article
US Court Rejects EPA's Decision to Withhold Small Refinery Biofuel Waivers
by Heather Timmons (Reuters) A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday said it struck down the Biden administration's decision to deny small refiners "hardship waivers" that exempt them from nation's biofuel mandates, in a win for the refining industry. In July, the Environmental
November 24, 2023 Read Full Article
US Supreme Court Won't Hear Minnesota 'Clean Car' Challenge
by Scott McClallen (The Center Square/Crow River Media) The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an auto group's challenge of Minnesota adopting "clean car rules" that will require automakers to introduce more low-emission vehicles. Minnesota will be the first Midwest state to
October 18, 2023 Read Full Article
Major Navigator CO2 Pipeline Project Is on Hold while the Company Reevaluates the Route in 5 States
by Josh Funk (Associated Press) Navigator CO2 Ventures announced Tuesday that it is putting on hold one of the two biggest proposed carbon dioxide pipeline projects in the Midwest so it can reassess the project. The company withdrew its application for a
October 11, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA Adviser Expects E15 Rule This Year
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) EPA Official Discusses E15, ESA Pesticide Challenges and PFAS Contamination -- Rod Snyder, senior adviser for agriculture at EPA, said Monday that the agency is on course to finalize a rule allowing permanent sales of E15
September 27, 2023 Read Full Article
Lawsuits Initiated Against EPA on the Renewable Fuels Standard, Despite Rising Energy Prices
by Michelle Rook (AgWeb) Environmental and fossil fuel organizations have launched a series of lawsuits against the RFS which establish annual volume targets for various renewable fuels for 2023 through 2025. Nine cases have been consolidated in the D.C. Circuit
September 19, 2023 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit Raises Tough Questions for Critics of EPA’s Auto GHG Rule
(Inside EPA) Liquid fuels groups and Republican state officials appeared to face tough questioning from appellate judges during Sept. 14 oral arguments in their case challenging EPA’s latest round of vehicle greenhouse gas standards, including whether the rule illegally “mandates” greater
September 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Auto Week at D.C. Circuit Raises ‘Major Questions’ for EPA
by Lesley Clark (E&E News Climatewire) A powerful federal appeals court will hear arguments this week in three challenges to the Biden administration’s efforts to curb the largest source of planet-warming pollution in the United States — and the battles have
September 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Minnesota EV Mandate Lawsuit on Hold
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Federal Judge Stays Minnesota Lawsuit Challenging State's EV Mandate -- A federal judge in Minnesota has stayed an ongoing lawsuit to prevent the state from adopting California's electric-vehicle mandate as a similar case continues in a
September 06, 2023 Read Full Article
Auto Dealers Urge SCOTUS to Stop Minnesota’s EV Push
by Lesley Clark (Politico Pro Climatewire) "Minnesota is not California," car dealers said of efforts to adopt the Golden State's auto emissions standards. -- Minnesota auto dealers are asking the nation's highest bench to stop their state from modeling California's strict vehicle
September 05, 2023 Read Full Article
Refiners Drop Suit over RFS Compliance Schedule
(Inside EPA) Small refiners have abandoned their lawsuit against EPA’s revised timeline for compliance with renewable fuel standard (RFS) biofuel blending volumes, following their loss in a closely related case that addressed many of the same arguments over the allegedly compressed
August 25, 2023 Read Full Article
Biofuels Groups, Refiners Spar Over Legality Of 2020-2022 RFS Volumes
(Inside EPA) Biofuels groups and refiners are sparring over the legality of EPA’s biofuel blending volumes for 2020 through 2022 under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), after criticizing other aspects of EPA’s volumes rule, as biofuels groups seek to maximize volumes
August 21, 2023 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Files Intervenor Brief in Support of EPA against Latest RFS Challenge
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, filed a motion to intervene today in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) v. EPA et al. (Case No. 23-1277). CBD is
August 18, 2023 Read Full Article
Oil Majors Target Judges as Climate Suits Multiply
by Arianna Skibell (Politico's Power Switch) Oil companies and their allies are trying out a new legal defense tactic: Blame the judge. The claims — which include accusations that judges are biased — come as a flood of lawsuits against the fossil
August 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Ethanol Report on Current Issues
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Renewable Fuels Association has been working on a couple of issues this summer that are important to the future of the ethanol industry. In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper provides an
August 10, 2023 Read Full Article
Iowa AG Brenna Bird Sues EPA over Ethanol Rules, Saying It 'Dragged Its Feet' on E-15 Sales
by Galen Bacharier (Des Moines Register) Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is suing the Environmental Protection Agency, as Iowa and Nebraska try to force the agency to issue final rules allowing the year-round sale of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. The Republican
August 08, 2023 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Sides with EPA, Calls Out Oil Industry in RFS Case Brief
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, filed an amicus brief this week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in The San Antonio Refinery, LLC, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case pertains
July 26, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA Denies Small Refinery Petitions
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) On Friday, EPA announced its decision denying 26 petitions seeking small refinery exemptions (SREs) from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for one or more of the compliance years between 2016 and 2023. Consistent with the April and July 2022
July 17, 2023 Read Full Article
Green Group Files Lawsuit Challenging EPA Biofuels Rule
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico Pro) The Center for Biological Diversity is again challenging EPA's rule setting biofuel blending requirements in a federal appeals court, arguing the agency failed to comply with the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit filed Thursday in the the D.C.
July 14, 2023 Read Full Article
Central Valley Man Sentenced to over 6 Years in Prison for $9 Million Cow Manure Ponzi Scheme
(U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of California) Ray Brewer, 66, of Porterville, and Sheridan, Montana, was sentenced today to six years and nine months in prison for running a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme where he purported to turn cow manure into green
June 29, 2023 Read Full Article
Railroad Industry Sues Calif. over Zero-Emission Train Mandate
by Anne C. Mulkern (Politico Pro Climatewire) The lawsuit — filed in federal court — argues that state regulators lack the authority to phase out diesel-powered trains. -- The railroad industry hopes to stop a California mandate to phase out diesel-powered
June 20, 2023 Read Full Article
19 States Target EPA Waiver for California’s Advanced Clean Trucks Rule
by John Kingston (Freight Waves) Overwhelmingly red states challenge waiver on rule governing what OEMs must sell into the state by 2042 -- Nineteen states have sought appellate court review in a challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency waiver granted to
June 08, 2023 Read Full Article
The EPA Faces Questions About Its Approval of a Plastic-Based Fuel With an Astronomical Cancer Risk
by Sharon Lerner (ProPublica) The Environmental Protection Agency is facing a lawsuit filed by a community group and questions from a U.S. senator over the agency’s approval of fuels made from discarded plastic under a program it touted as “climate-friendly.” The new
June 02, 2023 Read Full Article
California Man Admits to Fraud Scheme Involving Renewable Fuel Credits
(U.S. Department of Justice) Ijomah Oputa, 54, of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden to 40 months’ imprisonment for wire fraud in connection with the generation and sale of fraudulent renewable
May 23, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA Delivers Final RFS ‘Set’ Rule to White House OMB
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has delivered its final rule to set 2023, 2024 and 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard blending obligations to the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB review marks a final stage
May 18, 2023 Read Full Article
Tesoro to Pay $27.5 Million for Violating Previous Court Order Requiring It to Reduce Air Pollution at Its Martinez, Calif. Refinery
(U.S. Department of Justice) Settlement Will Result in Cleaner Air Due to Tesoro’s Forfeiture of Air Emission Credits -- The Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company will pay a $27.5
April 27, 2023 Read Full Article
Refiners Urge Court to Scrap EPA’s Compressed RFS Compliance Schedule
(Inside EPA) Refiners say that EPA’s compressed schedule for compliance with the renewable fuel standard (RFS) violated their constitutional rights and must be overturned, in the latest challenge to deadline changes ostensibly designed to soften impacts from the agency’s delay
April 24, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA, CBD Reach Proposed Settlement over RFS ESA Review Public Comment DEADLINE May 17, 2023
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on April 17 announced plans to comply with the consultation requirements of the Endangered Species Act as part of its upcoming Renewable Fuel Standard “set” rule under a proposed settlement agreement related
April 18, 2023 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Aims to Ensure RFS Compliance in Latest Case against EPA
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, filed its opening brief today in its challenge to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to enforce compliance under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In Growth Energy v. U.S. Environmental Protection
April 12, 2023 Read Full Article
L.A. Gas Tycoon, Mormon Polygamists Face Sentencing for $1 Billion Biofuel Scam
by Michele McPhee (Los Angeles Times) The main bad actors in a sprawling scam who formed a very unlikely alliance to defraud the government face a judge, five years after their dramatic arrests -- ... This week, the reckonings in
April 07, 2023 Read Full Article
Biden-Backed California Rule Pushes Clean Trucks
by Camille Von Kenel and Alex Guillen (Politico) Truck manufacturers will have to sell an increasing share of zero emissions vehicles now that the EPA has approved California’s regulations. California will require more zero emission trucks on the roads after a
March 31, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA Fights Push to Revive RFS Waivers, Raising Chance of Circuit Split
(Inside EPA) EPA is fighting a legal push by Wyoming oil refiners for a stay of the agency’s denial of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance waivers, a move the refiners say would require issuance of the waivers but which EPA
March 28, 2023 Read Full Article
Biofuel-Focused Ryze Renewables Files for Chapter 11
by Amelia Pollard (Bloomberg Law) Ryze Renewables, a company focused on converting agricultural oils and animal fats into low-carbon fuel, filed for bankruptcy on Thursday. The firm listed as much as $500 million in both assets and liabilities in its Chapter 11
March 20, 2023 Read Full Article
Bernstein Liebhard LLP Announces that a Securities Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed against Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTNR)
(Bernstein Liebhard/PR Newswire) Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Vertex Energy, Inc. ("Vertex" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: VTNR) between April 1, 2022 and August 8, 2022, inclusive
March 20, 2023 Read Full Article
'JV Congress': States Say EPA Waiver Gives Calif. too Much Power
by Lesley Clark (Politico Pro Climatewire) The 17 Republican-led states challenging California's ability to set strict tailpipe emissions rules teed up their claims ahead of D.C. Circuit oral arguments in May. Republican states challenging California’s decades-old right to set its own
March 17, 2023 Read Full Article
Farmers Sue Minnesota on Zero Emissions
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Minnesota Ag Interests Sue State on Adoption of California Zero-Emission Mandate -- Agriculture, biofuels and convenience store groups allege the state of Minnesota violated the Constitution and federal law in adopting California's zero-emissions vehicles mandate,
March 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog -- Iowa, Nebraska Attorneys General to Sue EPA on Delay on E15 Rule Unless Effective Date Moved Up
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The attorneys general of Nebraska and Iowa announced their intent to sue the EPA on its proposed E15 rule for eight states, in a certified letter delivered to EPA Administrator Michael Regan on Monday. The states
March 07, 2023 Read Full Article
RFA: Minnesota E15 Volume Hits Record
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sales of E15, a gasoline blend containing 15 percent ethanol, hit a record 171 million gallons in Minnesota in 2022, according to a new Renewable Fuels Association analysis of data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. This
February 22, 2023 Read Full Article
Appeals Court Signals EPA Likely Violated Law in Biofuels Compliance Program
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico Pro) A spokesperson for EPA said it will review the decision. -- A federal appeals court Friday granted a request by two small refiners to halt their compliance obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard — signaling EPA's decision
January 30, 2023 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit Slated to Hear Case over Extended RFS Compliance Deadlines
(Inside EPA) A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is poised to hear oral argument in refiners’ lawsuit targeting EPA’s extended timetable for complying with renewable fuel standard (RFS) mandates, a measure ostensibly
January 18, 2023 Read Full Article
Federal Court Gives Win to Major Hydrogen, CCS Project
by David Iaconangelo (Politico Pro) If fully built, the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex would become one of the country's first large facilities to capture and store carbon emissions from hydrogen production. -- A federal court has slapped down a Louisiana ordinance
January 05, 2023 Read Full Article
Growth Energy to Fuel Beyond in 2023
by Emily Skor (Growth Energy) ... By any measure, 2022 was a banner year for biofuel advocates in Washington, D.C. We secured new funding for blending infrastructure, critical tax incentives for clean energy, a summer waiver for E15 sales, and
January 03, 2023 Read Full Article
South Dakota Suggests Delaying Summit Carbon Pipeline Hearings to September or Later
by Jeff Beach (AgWeek) Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions wants to start construction in 2023 to benefit the ethanol industry, but some farmers have concerns about damage to farmland and property values. -- South Dakota regulators say they may need to push
December 30, 2022 Read Full Article
Acton Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Scheme to Defraud the Treasury Department of Over $50 Million in Tax-Free Energy Grants
(United States Attorney's Office District of Massachusetts) Defendant obtained more than $8.7 million in undue federal grant funding -- An Acton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with his role in a scheme to defraud the
December 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Refiners Criticize ‘Dystopian’ EPA Plan For Extended RFS Compliance
(Inside EPA) EPA’s revised timeline for complying with renewable fuel standard (RFS) biofuel blending mandates is “dystopian,” according to refiners who are suing to scrap a compliance extension that they say led to an unmanageable pile-up of multiple deadlines as
November 29, 2022 Read Full Article
Refiners Detail Legal Arguments against EPA’s RFS Waiver Denial Policy
(Inside EPA) A coalition of small refiners is sketching out its legal arguments against EPA’s blanket policy of denying all petitions from smaller refineries for economic hardship waivers from the renewable fuel standard (RFS), as many refiners seek to overturn
November 22, 2022 Read Full Article
La. Legal Showdown May Preview National Battle over Hydrogen
by David Iaconangelo (E&E News) The developer of a $4.5 billion hydrogen project in Louisiana is in a legal battle with local lawmakers in a case that analysts say could preview conflicts around the country. Air Products and Chemicals Inc., the developer,
November 18, 2022 Read Full Article
More Stringent Rules for Carbon Capture Pipelines Draw Lawsuit from Ames Company
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) An Ames company that wants to build a $4.5 billion carbon capture pipeline across Iowa has filed lawsuits against Story and Shelby counties over new ordinances that would require increased distances between the project and homes, churches
November 18, 2022 Read Full Article
ADM, Plaintiffs Agree on Expert Analyst
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) ADM, Plaintiffs Want Economist Appointed to Judge Accuracy of Ethanol Markets Model -- Both sides in an ethanol markets lawsuit have agreed to hire an expert to judge the credibility of an expert witness who
November 15, 2022 Read Full Article
Deadline For EPA Biofuel Proposed Rule Extended by Two Weeks
(GrainNet) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Growth Energy agreed under their consent decree to delay by two weeks the issuance of the proposed 2023 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EPA is now required
November 04, 2022 Read Full Article
GAO Hammers EPA on RFS Waiver Methods
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) GAO Report: EPA Unable to Prove Small Refiners Pass RFS Costs to Consumers -- Not all small refineries are able to pass costs to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard on to consumers at the
November 04, 2022 Read Full Article
Ethanol, Ag Intervene in RFS Lawsuit Ethanol, Ag Groups Rally behind EPA on Rejection of 69 Small-Refinery Exemptions
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The major biofuels interest groups and National Farmers Union are trying to intervene in a lawsuit challenging EPA's recent decision to reject 69 pending applications for small-refinery exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard, according to
November 03, 2022 Read Full Article
Refiners Challenge RFS Small Refinery Alternative-Compliance Schedule
(Inside EPA) Refiners are filing suit against EPA’s “alternative” schedule for small refineries to turn in credits for renewable fuel standard (RFS) compliance, in litigation that will likely allege the extended schedule merely further complicates an already delayed and complex
November 02, 2022 Read Full Article
Ag, States Challenge EPA Action on EVs: Ag Groups, States Say EPA, California Used Back Door to Spread Electric Vehicle Use
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Agriculture, fuel interests and several states see EPA's March 2022 decision to reinstate California's legal authority to implement a zero-emissions vehicle sales mandate and greenhouse gas emissions standards as a back-door way to move the
October 28, 2022 Read Full Article
Fuels Groups Flag ‘Major Questions’ In Suit on California Auto GHG Rules
(Inside EPA) Liquid fuels interests challenging EPA’s reinstated approval of California’s vehicle greenhouse gas rules are focusing their legal attacks on claims that the move improperly addresses issues of “vast significance” without clear Clean Air Act (CAA) authority, teeing up
October 26, 2022 Read Full Article
Missouri Loses Appeal Challenging Biden’s Social Cost of Carbon
by Alex Guillén (Politico Pro) The ruling marks the second red state lawsuit against the regulatory metric to fall short. -- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Friday rejected a lawsuit brought by Missouri and a dozen other Republican-controlled
October 21, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Abused Discretion by Denying Suncor Colorado Refineries Exemption from Clean Air Law, Court Says
by Michael Karlik (The Gazette) The federal appeals court based in Denver has overturned a 2019 decision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that refused to grant Suncor Energy's Commerce City Refinery an exemption to a key environmental law. Although the U.S.
October 18, 2022 Read Full Article
E15 Extended Gasoline Supplies at a Critical Time This Summer and Saved Americans Millions at the Pump
by Scott Richman (Renewable Fuels Association) Following an April 12 announcement by President Biden, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a series of emergency waivers allowing E15 (gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol) to be sold during the 2022 summer driving season. Without
October 18, 2022 Read Full Article
‘It Makes Climate Change Real’: How Carbon Emissions Got Rebranded as ‘Pollution’
by Kate Yoder (Grist) California activists paved the way for defining climate change as an air pollution problem. Now it's federal law. ... Connecting climate change with something visceral and dangerous brings more immediacy to a problem that’s often seen as
October 03, 2022 Read Full Article
Environmental Group Asks Court to Vacate EPA Biofuels Rule
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico Pro) The Center for Biological Diversity called on a federal appeals court Tuesday to vacate EPA's final rule setting renewable fuel volumes for 2020, 2021 and 2022, arguing the agency failed to comply with the Endangered Species
September 28, 2022 Read Full Article
US Biofuel Industry Hopes Their Voices Are Heard as EPA Eyes Final Rules on E15, RFS
by Jasmin Melvin (S&P Global) E15 solution for Midwest states coming: Regan; Biofuel group pushes for nationwide action; Lays out industry priorities for next RFS rulemaking -- A promise by US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to lift a summertime ban on
September 14, 2022 Read Full Article
Clean Fuels, EPA Agree to Pause Litigation on Separated Food Waste Recordkeeping
(Clean Fuels Alliance America) Following discussions with Clean Fuels members, EPA hopes to resolve dispute without litigation -- Today (September 8, 2022), Clean Fuels Alliance America and the U.S. Department of Justice filed a joint motion with the U.S. Court of
September 14, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA’s Fine PM Rule: A Pitch Ethanol Should Hit Out of the Park
by Doug Durante (Biofuels Digest/Clean Fuels Development Coalition) ... EPA was finalizing their proposed rule to reduce fine particulates. To their credit, they had announced early on that they intended to complete their NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) by August and
September 05, 2022 Read Full Article
Court Approves Decree on Treated Seed Court Requires EPA to Act on Pesticide-Treated Seed Petition Filed by Environmental Groups
by Todd Neeley (DTN ProgressiveFarmer) EPA has 29 days to decide whether to grant or deny a petition calling for the regulation of pesticide-treated seeds, after a federal court on Wednesday approved a consent decree between the agency and the Center
September 02, 2022 Read Full Article
"Democrats Designed the Climate Law to Be a Game Changer. Here’s How."
(Society of Environmental Journalists) "In a first, the measure legally defines greenhouse gases as pollution. That’ll make new regulations much tougher to challenge in court." "When the Supreme Court restricted the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to fight climate change this
August 24, 2022 Read Full Article
Small Refiners Seek to Scrap EPA’s ‘Compressed’ RFS Compliance Rule
(Inside EPA) Small refiners suing EPA over its modified compliance regime for the renewable fuel standard (RFS) say the agency has unlawfully and “extremely” compressed the timetable for them to supply EPA with compliance credits under the guise of a
August 24, 2022 Read Full Article
20 Refiners Appeal RFS Waiver Denials
by Todd Neeley (DNT Progressive Farmer) Refining Companies Line Up to Challenge Biden Administration on Denial of RFS Exemptions -- Though the ethanol industry has celebrated the Biden administration's rejection of all pending small-refinery exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard, legal
August 17, 2022 Read Full Article
Refiners File Wave of Fresh Suits over RFS Waiver Denials
(Inside EPA) Refiners have filed a fresh wave of lawsuits against EPA over its denial en masse of their requests for economic hardship waivers from compliance with renewable fuel standard (RFS) biofuel blending mandates, following an earlier series of suits filed by
August 12, 2022 Read Full Article
Bonta Announces Federal Halt to Oil and Gas Drilling in Central California
by Madison Hirneisen (The Center Square) New oil and gas leasing in central California will be prohibited until the U.S. Bureau of Land Management conducts a more thorough review of the impact of drilling in the region under a settlement agreement
August 02, 2022 Read Full Article
7th Circuit Transfers RFS Waiver Case to D.C.
(Inside EPA) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit has granted EPA’s request to transfer a refiner’s lawsuit challenging the agency’s denial of a renewable fuel standard (RFS) compliance waiver to the D.C. Circuit, in what may be
July 27, 2022 Read Full Article
Growth Energy and EPA Reach Agreement on Delayed 2023 Biofuel Requirements
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted a consent decree agreement to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that requires EPA to propose the 2023 renewable fuel volume requirements no later than November
July 26, 2022 Read Full Article
Lawsuit Challenges EPA’s Damaging Renewable Fuels Standard
(Center for Biological Diversity) The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals today challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s fuel volume requirements for corn ethanol and other biofuels for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Earlier this
July 21, 2022 Read Full Article
OMB’s Spring Regulatory Agenda Includes Timelines for RFS Rules
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has indicated it will release proposed rules related to the 2023 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligation (RVO) and state requests to allow summer E15 sales within the next several months. The
July 15, 2022 Read Full Article
Climate Lawsuits Proliferate, Confronting Corporate Polluters
by Sara Schonhardt (Politico Pro Climatewire) Experts predict climate litigation will continue to rise over the next year, with a focus on "filling the gaps" of corporate and government policies. -- Lawsuits are increasingly targeting governments and companies for climate
July 15, 2022 Read Full Article
ADM Ethanol Markets Lawsuit Dismissed
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Federal Judge Dismisses Ethanol Lawsuit Against Archer Daniels Midland -- A federal court in Illinois dismissed one of three ethanol market lawsuits against Archer Daniels Midland this week, outlining in an order that six ethanol
July 15, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Fights Push to Sever Biodiesel Case from Stayed 2020 RFS Litigation
(Inside EPA) EPA is fighting a push from biodiesel makers to split their case challenging EPA’s recordkeeping rules for biofuel made from food waste from wider litigation over the 2020 renewable fuel standard (RFS), as the biodiesel sector seeks to
July 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling Could Put Other Regs in Danger
by Rachel Frazen (The Hill) The Supreme Court’s Thursday decision curtailing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority could hamper regulations far beyond climate. The conservative majority in the 6-3 ruling found that an Obama-era power plant rule was not permissible since it didn’t have “clear
July 01, 2022 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Challenges EPA’s Decision to Excuse Refineries from Biofuel Obligations
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy filed petitions for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to excuse certain refineries from their obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In a
June 29, 2022 Read Full Article
U.S. Regulators to Propose New Tougher Vehicle Emissions Rules by March
by David Shepardson (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to propose new, more stringent vehicle emissions rules through at least the 2030 model year by March, according to a regulatory update released on Tuesday. In December, the EPA finalized new light-duty tailpipe emissions
June 22, 2022 Read Full Article
OMB’s Spring Regulatory Agenda Includes Timelines for RFS Rules
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has indicated it will release proposed rules related to the 2023 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligation (RVO) and state requests to allow summer E15 sales within the next several months. The
June 22, 2022 Read Full Article
EMA Lawsuit: CARB Emissions Rule Violates Clean Air Act
(TruckingInfo.com) The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association has sued the California Air Resources Board, saying the agency has not provided enough lead time for truck and engine makers to meet its latest emission standards due to go into effect in 2024. On
June 09, 2022 Read Full Article
Big Oil Built the Blend Wall
by Robert White (Renewable Fuels Association) ... In case you’ve forgotten, refiners use the term “blend wall” to refer to what they view as the upper limit of feasible ethanol use in the United States, which they peg at 10 percent
June 09, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Opens Comment Period on Proposed Consent Decree for 2023 RVOs DEADLINE: June 22, 2022
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA on May 23 opened a 30-day public comment period on a proposed consent decree related to a legal challenge filed against the agency by Growth Energy that would require the EPA to issue
June 07, 2022 Read Full Article
Supreme Court Rejects Red States' Plea to Block Biden Climate Metric
by Alex Guillen (Politico) -The decision means the White House can move forward with its plans to overhaul and likely significantly increase the number known as the social cost of carbon. -The Supreme Court’s refusal to get involved in the
May 27, 2022 Read Full Article
Growth Energy, EPA Reach Settlement on Deadline for Issuing 2023 RVO
(Growth Energy) Following settlement discussions with Growth Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to file a notice in the Federal Register on Monday seeking comment on a proposed judicial consent decree that would require EPA to propose the 2023 Renewable
May 23, 2022 Read Full Article
NACS Seeks to Block California Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate
(NACS) Regulators “should encourage innovation to meet environmental performance goals,” NACS says. -- NACS on May 13 filed a petition in federal court in Washington, D.C., to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s grant of a waiver that would allow California to
May 17, 2022 Read Full Article
Seventeen States Sue EPA for Letting California Set Vehicle Standards
by Zack Budryk (The Hill) Seventeen Republican state attorneys general on Friday announced a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for allowing California to set its own vehicle emissions standards. The lawsuit alleges EPA Administrator Michael Regan violated the Constitution’s doctrine of equal
May 16, 2022 Read Full Article
Refiners Sue EPA over Retroactive RFS Waiver Denials, Sparking Venue Fight
(Inside EPA) Refiners are suing EPA in different federal appellate courts over the agency’s novel retroactive denial of 36 waivers from renewable fuel standard (RFS) biofuel blending obligations for 2018, signaling a venue fight with EPA that may set a
May 10, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Denies Sinclair’s Exemption For Ethanol Content
by Leo Wolfson (Cowboy State Daily) One of Wyoming’s three oil refineries is among 36 nationally to have its request to be exempted from biofuel blending rules refused. Documents filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals showed the Sinclair Refinery near Rawlins
May 02, 2022 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Holds EPA to RVO Deadline of June 3rd
(Growth Energy) The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today (April 25, 2022) approved a consent decree agreement between Growth Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that requires EPA to finalize its 2020-2022 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs)
April 27, 2022 Read Full Article
Court Combines Seed Company Lawsuits Against AltEn
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Bayer: Nebraska Ethanol Plant Mishandled Treated Seed, Violated Agreement -- A federal judge in Nebraska on Monday consolidated all lawsuits filed by seven seed companies against Mead, Nebraska, closed ethanol plant owner AltEn LLC. The lawsuits
April 20, 2022 Read Full Article
Biofuels Leader Calls EPA Blending Decision a "Hollow Victory"
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) The legal action by the biofuels industry against the EPA over Small Refinery Waivers and biofuel blending obligations continue. Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association tells Brownfield that additional court briefs were filed Thursday. He
April 11, 2022 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Denies 36 Refinery Biofuel Waivers; Gives Most of Them Some Relief
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has denied 36 petitions from oil refiners seeking exemptions to the nation's biofuel blending laws for the 2018 compliance year, but will provide 31 of those refineries with another avenue to seek
April 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Calls for E15 Action Face Unwritten Deadlines
by Spencer Chase (Agri-Pulse) The Biden administration is fielding a steady stream of requests for emergency action to allow for summertime sales of E15, but those calls are coming up against the realities of the fuel supply chain as demonstrated
March 30, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA's Snyder: E15 Work Underway EPA Ag Adviser Tells Ethanol Producers Agency Working with States to Restore E15
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) With the start of the summer driving season fast approaching and year-round E15 sales no longer an option, EPA's Rod Snyder said on Thursday the agency continues to work to restore those sales. Snyder, who is
March 25, 2022 Read Full Article
Ohio Soybean Association Joins Federal Petition in Support of Domestic Biofuels
(Ohio Soybean Association/Highland County Press) At a time of growing consensus on the need for greater reliance on domestic fuel sources, the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) joined other state soybean associations in support of a petition to include biofuels in
March 21, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA Restores California’s Right to Set Stricter Car Regs
by Anne C. Mulkern (E&E News) EPA today officially restored California’s ability to set its own rules for vehicle tailpipe emissions and to require automakers to sell an increasing number of clean cars. The Biden administration granted the nation’s most populous state
March 10, 2022 Read Full Article
Ag Groups Challenge EPA’s Vehicle Emissions Rule
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Representatives of the biofuels industry on Feb. 28 filed two separate petitions in with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit challenging a final rule issued by the U.S. EPA in December setting greenhouse gas (GHG)
March 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Seed Corn Companies Sue Troubled AltEn Ethanol Plant
by Paul Hammel (Nebraska Examiner/Omaha Daily Record) ... Last week, six seed corn companies that have been cleaning up the AtlEn ethanol plant site near Mead, Nebraska, filed two separate federal lawsuits seeking repayment for their work. One lawsuit alleges that AltEn,
March 02, 2022 Read Full Article
States, Green Groups Challenge EPA's Aviation GHG Standard
by Juan Carlos Rodriguez (Law360) States and green groups are urging the D.C. Circuit to order the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen Trump-era aviation greenhouse gas emissions standards that have been maintained by the Biden administration. California and 11 other states,
March 02, 2022 Read Full Article
Rival Fuel-Makers Unite In Opposing Biden’s Electric-Car Push
by Joel Rosenblatt (Bloomberg) Renewable fuel producers join Valero unit in court challenge; EPA rule governs release of carbon dioxide from car tailpipes -- The gasoline industry and alternative fuel makers, frequent foes, put aside their differences for court challenges to
March 01, 2022 Read Full Article
Texas Leads 14-State Fight On Biden Vehicle Emissions Regs
by Clark Mindock (Law360) A Texas-led group of states is slamming the Biden administration's push to strengthen greenhouse gas standards for auto emissions, telling the D.C. Circuit on Monday it must intervene and stop a purported federal war on fossil fuels. The
March 01, 2022 Read Full Article
The End Of SREs?
by Michael H. Levin (BioCycle Magazine) EPA’s "proposed adjudication" of 65 pending small-refiner exemption requests could deny virtually all such requests — now and in the future. -- ... In June 2021, the Supreme Court (reviewing a Tenth Circuit decision) ruled
February 23, 2022 Read Full Article
Growth Energy, EPA Reach Settlement on Deadline for Issuing 2021, 2022 RVO
(Growth Energy) Following settlement discussions with Growth Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will file a notice in the Federal Register tomorrow seeking comment on a proposed judicial consent decree that would require EPA to finalize the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume
February 23, 2022 Read Full Article
Seeds of New Biofuel Plan?
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Geoff Cooper, head of the Renewable Fuels Association, said Tuesday that the trade group heard from EPA that it’s aiming to propose a rule for the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard by late
February 23, 2022 Read Full Article
Court Ruling on Social Cost of Carbon Upends Biden’s Climate Plans
by Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) A recent court ruling that bars the Biden administration from accounting for the real-world costs of climate change has created temporary chaos at federal agencies, upending everything from planned oil and gas lease sales to infrastructure
February 22, 2022 Read Full Article
Auto Rule Targeted after Climate Injunction
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The fallout has started arriving following last week's court order blocking the Biden administration from using its social cost of carbon metric in rulemakings. The conservative Competitive Enterprise Institute on Tuesday sent a letter asking EPA
February 16, 2022 Read Full Article
Joe Biden Faces Fight to Block Oil and Gas Drilling in Gulf of Mexico
by Brendan Cole (Newsweek) The administration of President Joe Biden faces an escalating battle over fossil fuel production in the U.S. after the American Petroleum Institute (API) said it would challenge a January court decision to annul a massive sale of oil
February 11, 2022 Read Full Article
RFA Supports EPA Proposal to Deny Small Refinery Exemption Petitions
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today expressed strong support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to deny 65 pending small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions, noting that such an action would “restore confidence” in the Renewable Fuel Standard program. EPA’s proposal also would
February 08, 2022 Read Full Article
RFA Supports EPA’s Proposed 2022 RFS Volumes, Urges Agency to Abandon Retroactive Cut to 2020 Volume
(Renewable Fuels Association) In comments submitted today (February 4, 2022) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Renewable Fuels Association expressed strong support for the agency’s proposed 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVO) while opposing the proposed retroactive reduction of the previously finalized
February 07, 2022 Read Full Article
Comment Periods on RFS RVO, SRE Rules to Close Feb. 4, Feb. 7
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Members of the biofuel industry who wish to comment on the U.S. EPA’s proposed rule to set 2020, 2021 and 2022 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) have less than a week to do
February 02, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA: 2 Additional SRE Petitions Filed, 69 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 Jan. 20, reporting that two additional SRE petitions have been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2020. A total of 69
January 21, 2022 Read Full Article
E15 Battle Isn't Over Yet
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) called on Congress to pass the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 2339 (117)) to allow year-round sales of fuel with higher blends of ethanol after the Supreme Court declined
January 12, 2022 Read Full Article
U.S. Supreme Court Leaves in Place Limits on Higher-Ethanol Fuel Blend
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away an industry group's bid to revive a decision made by the Environmental Protection Agency under former President Donald Trump to allow expanded sales of gasoline that has a higher
January 10, 2022 Read Full Article
Supreme Court Consider E15 Case during Jan. 7 Conference
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Produce Magazine) The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to consider whether it will review a July 2, 2021, decision handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that vacated a U.S. EPA rule
December 30, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA: 2 Additional SRE Petitions Filed, 67 Now Pending Public Comment DEADLINE: February 7, 2022
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Dec. 16, reporting that two additional SRE petitions have been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2021. A total of 67
December 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Proposal to Deny Petitions for Small Refinery Exemptions Public Comment DEADLINE: February 7, 2022
(Environmental Protection Agency) On December 7, 2021, EPA proposed to deny more than 60 pending small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions from small refineries seeking exemption from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for one or more compliance years between 2016 and
December 10, 2021 Read Full Article
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
D.C. Circuit Remands Trump RFS Waivers, Allowing EPA to Scrap Them
(Inside EPA) A federal appeals court has granted EPA’s request for remand without vacatur of dozens of Trump-era approvals of renewable fuel standard (RFS) compliance waivers for small refiners, opening a path for EPA to scrap them, only a day
December 09, 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
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
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
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
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
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
Archer Daniels Midland Sued over Ethanol Derivative Contracts Market
(Law Street) On Tuesday, Green Plains Inc. and its subsidiaries filed a complaint in the District of Nebraska against Archer Daniels Midland Company alleging it had manipulated the derivative contracts market and violated the Commodities Exchange Act. ... The complaint states Archer Daniels
October 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Plug-in Cars Are the Future. The Grid Isn’t Ready.
by Will Englund (Washington Post) ... Seventy-four times last year, the wind across Upstate New York dropped so low that for stretches of eight hours or more barely any electricity was produced. Nearly half the year, the main transmission line
October 13, 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
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
NBB Welcomes Court Decision to Maintain Duties on Argentine Biodiesel
(National Biodiesel Board) U.S. Court of International Trade upholds Commerce final determination in changed circumstances review -- The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today welcomed the U.S. Court of International Trade's decision to uphold the U.S. Department of Commerce's final determination in its changed
September 23, 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
E15 Ruling Rehearing Denied
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday denied a petition for rehearing regarding the recent American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA decision, in which the court vacated a 2019 regulation allowing year-round sales of a fifteen percent
September 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel and Ag Leaders Oppose EPA Motion to Remand 2018 SREs without Vacatur
(Renewable Fuels Association) Last night, the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union opposed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) motion to remand but not vacate the 31 small refinery
September 08, 2021 Read Full Article
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