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
Litigation-Federal
Back TO HOMEEPA 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
August 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry Hopes Its Efforts to Cut GHG Emissions Will Keep It Relevant as White House Pushes EVs
by Jeff Barber (OPIS) After four years of the Trump administration’s often-chaotic approach to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), many in the biofuels industry were hoping President Joe Biden would bring a level of stability and support to the program. While the
August 26, 2021 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit Stays RFS Suit as EPA Mulls Reconsideration of 2020 Rule
(Inside EPA) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has accepted EPA’s request to further delay litigation against the agency’s renewable fuel standard (RFS) for 2020 while the agency decides whether to reconsider the rule in
August 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Court Dismisses Ethanol Market Lawsuits Green Plains, Midwest Renewable Energy Antitrust Claims Dismissed
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Two of four antitrust lawsuits filed against Archer Daniels Midland, alleging ethanol market manipulation, were dismissed by a federal court in Illinois. The remaining two cases are on track for trial in 2024. The U.S. District
August 25, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA: 59 SRE Petitions Now Pending, Down from 64 in July
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Aug. 19, reporting that there are currently 59 SRE petitions pending under the Renewable Fuel Standard, down from 64 that were pending as of
August 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel and Farm Group Intervenors File Petition for Rehearing of D.C Circuit RVP Decision
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association filed a petition for rehearing with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the recent American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA decision, in which the court vacated
August 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Seeks to Electrify Auto Industry: White House Driving Electric Vehicles, Raising Questions on Direction of Biofuel Policies
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) The president will sign an executive order to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 "zero-emission" vehicles, including battery, fuel-cell and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The executive order also will set new long-term
August 05, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Report: Farmers, Ethanol Producers Would Lose Billions if Summertime E15 Ban Returns
(Renewable Fuels Association) The recent D.C. Circuit Court decision overturning EPA’s approval of year-round E15 sales could have a strongly negative impact on the rural economy and environment in the coming years unless action is taken to allow unimpeded sales of E15 all
August 05, 2021 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit 2019 RVO Decision Is a Mixed Bag for Biofuels
by Sarah Main and Shailesh Sahay (Foley Hoag) ... On July 16, 2021, the D.C. Circuit issued a decision that resolved several challenges to its 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) rulemaking. ... Renewable fuel producers challenged the volume requirements set in the
August 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Four Years Later, EPA Has Failed to Restore 500 Million Lost RIN Gallons
(Growth Energy) Today marks the four-year anniversary of the July 2017 ruling in Americans for Clean Energy v. EPA. The 2017 ruling required EPA to address its improper waiver of 500 million gallons for 2016 renewable fuel blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel
July 30, 2021 Read Full Article
BPA Dismayed at DC Circuit Ruling against Clean Electricity Fuel
(Biomass Power Association/Biomass Magazine) The Biomass Power Association on July 17 expressed concern over a D.C. Circuit decision allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to delay crediting cellulosic fuel in a challenge to the agency’s 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation rule. The case
July 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog RFA's Cooper: Group Intends to Ask DC Circuit Court for Rehearing on E15 Ruling
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The Renewable Fuels Association is planning to petition the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for a rehearing of an E15 case that could jeopardize the year-round sale of the 15% ethanol
July 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Fischer: More Choices and Cleaner Fuel at the Gas Pump
(Office of Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE)) ... The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which I reintroduced with Sen. Amy Klobuchar in response to the ruling, offers a common-sense solution to this problem. Our bill would reinstate the waiver that
July 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: D.C. Circuit Court Sends 2019 RFS Back to EPA, Rejects Biofuels Argument on Gallons Lost to Exemptions
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday denied a biofuels group's challenge to EPA's inaction on restoring 4.3 billion gallons to the Renewable Fuel Standard lost to small-refinery exemptions
July 19, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA: D.C. Circuit Court Blasts Refiner Arguments on RFS
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed the D.C. Circuit Court’s outright rejection of arguments from oil refiners that the Renewable Fuel Standard causes them economic hardship and therefore the Environmental Protection Agency should have waived their 2019 RFS
July 19, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA: 6 SRE Petitions Withdrawn, 64 Currently Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on July 15, reporting that six SRE petitions have been withdrawn in the past month. There are now 64 SRE petitions pending, down from 70 in
July 16, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA CEO: Multiple Reasons for Ethanol Optimism
(Renewable Fuels Association) Low-carbon ethanol’s “brightest and sunniest days remain ahead” despite recent judicial setbacks and a growing policy push on electric vehicles, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in keynote remarks today at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and
July 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Representataives Angie Craig, Adrian Smith Lead Bipartisan Effort from Congressional Biofuels Caucus in Introducing Legislation to Allow Year-Round E15 Sales
(Office of U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN 2nd) Craig and Smith’s Legislation has been endorsed by Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the National Corn Growers Association -- Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) led Co-Chairs
July 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Market Focuses on Weather, but Also Watches Biofuel News
by D'Arce McMillan (Western Producer) ... Aside from weather and crop conditions, grain market traders are also keeping an eye on the debate playing out in the U.S. capitol over renewable biofuel blending regulations. The oil industry, refinery workers and some state
July 12, 2021 Read Full Article
AgweekTV Full Show: Ethanol Industry, Award-Winning Operation, Agvise, Female Ag Teachers, Grain Bin Technology
(AgWeek) Coming up on AgweekTV, we will discuss the ethanol industry hitting another devastating court decision. We will tour an award winning regenerative farming operation in east central South Dakota. We will visit two ag businesses that are dedicated to
July 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: American Petroleum Institute Pushes EPA to Cut Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) As the ethanol industry waits for volume proposals for 2021 and 2022 in the Renewable Fuel Standard expected in the coming weeks, petroleum interests have been pressing EPA to reduce volumes from their 2020 levels. A
July 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Five Ways to Save Year-Round E15 Sales E15's Path Forward May Include Courts, Congress, Regulation
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The nixing of EPA's E15 rule that allowed year-round sales has in many respects taken the ethanol industry back to square one. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit last week tossed
July 09, 2021 Read Full Article
E15 Summertime Use Rule in Force until August 16, Despite Court Action
(National Association of Farm Bureaus/NewsDakota.com) Last week’s D.C. federal court ruling does not mean retailers must stop selling 15-percent ethanol-blended gas immediately. The court ruling was another setback for the ethanol industry, discouraging future blending pump investments if it sticks, and coming
July 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Bill Aims to Clarify Congressional Intent on ‘Extension’ of SREs
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Reps. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, and Angie Craig, D-Minn., on July 2 introduced the Small Refinery Exemption Clarification Act of 2021, a bill that aims to clarify the definition of “extension” in response to the U.S. Supreme
July 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Court Losses Are Only Temporary Setbacks, Says Ethanol Industry
by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) Despite losing two high-profile cases in seven days, the ethanol industry says the future is bright for the corn-based biofuel that it promotes as a low-carbon alternative to gasoline and a tool to slow global warming.
July 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Top 10 Top Stories of 2021 so Far
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) 2021 so far is better than 2020 in many aspects – like a summer sunflower, things are looking up and opening up again in some parts of the world as vaccines are rolled out, especially
July 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Congressional Climate Camp #1: Budget, Appropriations, and Stimulus Briefing Series: Congressional Climate Camps
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is holding a Climate Camp online briefing series. We are going over the basics of the legislative process, highlighting key areas and opportunities for achieving near-term and long-term carbon reductions through
July 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy, RFA, NCGA Disagree with Court’s Decision to Reverse E15 Year-round
(Growth Energy) The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a 2019 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency that lifted outdated restrictions on the sale of a fifteen percent ethanol fuel blend (E15). The case, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs.
July 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Drilling for the Truth: A Draft Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Is Pinning Disinformation and Lobbying Campaigns
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) A draft report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is pinning disinformation and lobbying campaigns — including by Exxon Mobil — as major culprits in slowing governments from adopting climate measures to mitigate global
July 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Groups Urge EPA to Spell out RFS Waiver Rules
by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) ... Farm and ethanol groups said they were confident the EPA will approve few exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard, but they urged the agency on Monday to state how it will run the program in
June 30, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. Supreme Court Backs Refineries in Biofuel Waiver Dispute
by Andrew Chung and Stephanie Kelly (Reuters/Yahoo!) The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday bolstered a bid by small oil refineries to win exemptions from a federal law requiring increasing levels of ethanol and other renewable fuels to be blended into
June 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Hits Roadblocks on Path to Low-Carbon Economy
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) ... The decision by a Louisiana federal judge Wednesday requiring the Department of Interior to end its pause on oil and gas leasing came as the administration’s plan to spend hundreds of billions of dollars
June 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Wells Fargo Crashes and Burns with New RINs Analysis
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) Earlier this week, equity analysts at Wells Fargo released a note to investors on the subject of the Renewable Fuel Standard and its compliance credit (RIN) market mechanism. We wouldn’t typically respond to an investment bank
June 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Waiting for the Signal to Change
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) While welcoming federal support for domestic SAF on par with support for biodiesel and renewable diesel, the NBB wants Congress and the Biden Administration to understand how all three fuels support the nation's climate and clean
June 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Weighs Small Cut to Biofuel Targets in Nod to Refiners
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Kim Chipman (Bloomberg/Yahoo!) The Biden administration is developing targets for biofuel that are likely to be relatively flat or even lower as it seeks to balance the interests of blue-collar refining workers and advance a clean-energy
June 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Administration Supports Oil, Mining Projects Backed by Trump
by Timothy Puko (Wall Street Journal) Defense of ventures has helped Biden’s relationships with some Western lawmakers -- Biden administration lawyers are defending oil and mining projects approved under the Trump administration, benefiting ConocoPhillips , Rio Tinto PLC, BHP Group Ltd.
June 02, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Asks Courts to Dismiss Its Challenges in SRE Cases
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Following last week’s decision by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to vacate and remand three small refinery exemptions granted by EPA to Sinclair Oil Corp. on the eve of President Biden’s inauguration, the Renewable Fuels
May 26, 2021 Read Full Article
ADM Trial Set for 2024: Plaintiffs File Motion With Federal Court to Compel ADM to Release Information
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) With a trial possibly years away in an ongoing ethanol market manipulation case, plaintiffs are waging a fight for the disclosure of information from Archer Daniels Midland, according to court documents. Four cases have been combined
May 25, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA: 2 Additional SRE Petitions Filed, 70 Now Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on May 20 published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data, reporting that two additional SRE petitions have been filed for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year 2020. The agency also changed the status
May 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Court Vacates Prior Administration’s Midnight Refinery Exemptions
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today hailed an order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit vacating three small refinery exemptions granted by EPA to Sinclair the day before President Joe Biden was inaugurated. The court’s decision came
May 20, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Files Motion to Vacate Three Biofuel Exemptions Given to Sinclair
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters/NASDAQ) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a motion on Friday to vacate three waivers given by the previous administration to Sinclair Oil Corporation refineries that exempt them from biofuel blending mandates. In the motion, the EPA said that
May 05, 2021 Read Full Article
A Clash over Renewable Fuels Hinges on the Meaning of a Single Word
by Emily Hammond (SCOTUSBlog) On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC v. Renewable Fuels Association. The case presents an issue of statutory interpretation involving the Renewable Fuel Standard program — a part of the Clean
April 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Grassley Pleased Biden EPA Backs Ethanol in Waiver Case
(TOM/Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network/KIWA Radio) Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley recently said he’s encouraged the Environmental Protection Agency is siding with the ethanol industry in a case that goes before the Supreme Court later this month. The industry and the 10th Circuit Court
April 20, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Provides Some Clarity on Mid-Level Blends in Court
(Urban Air Institute) A three-judge-panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments Tuesday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not go far enough when it extended the 1 pound RVP waiver to allow year-round
April 14, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA, Growth Energy and NCGA Defend Year-Round E15 in Court
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today, the D.C. Circuit Court will hear oral arguments in American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA, a case in which oil refiners challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2019 rulemaking that paved the way for the year-round
April 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden Wins CAFE Penalty Court Dispute
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York has sided with the Biden administration in a lovers’ quarrel with green groups, blue states and Tesla over the Trump administration’s delay
April 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Tailpipe Litigation Put in Park
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Despite procedural objections from states and environmentalists, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday granted the Biden administration's request to pause litigation over federal auto emissions and fuel economy standards. That will give
April 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel Groups, States File Amicus Briefs in SCOTUS SRE Case
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Advanced Biofuels Association, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, the National Biodiesel Board and a group of eight states on March 31 filed amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court urging the court to
April 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Supreme Court Picks Date for Ethanol Case
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) An ethanol court case over Small Refinery Exemptions will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court April 27th. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says he is confident the Supreme Court will review the
March 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Three Days of SCOTUS ... Refiners' Appeal
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) ... On April 27 the court will hear refiners’ appeal of the 10th Circuit's ruling that severely limited EPA’s ability to exempt small refiners from biofuels blending requirements. (EPA recently shifted to support the
March 15, 2021 Read Full Article
CFDC Calls On EPA to Prioritize Octane in New Fuel Economy Rule
(Clean Fuels Development Coalition) The Clean Fuels Development Coalition called the pending revision of the nation’s fuel economy rules one of the most immediate and tangible actions the Biden Administration can take to address a range of issues impacting climate, health,
March 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Big Tobacco Had to Pay $206B. Is Big Oil Next?
by Maxine Joselow (E&E News) In 2006, a federal judge issued a scathing ruling that would reverberate across the country. "Over the course of more than 50 years, Defendants lied, misrepresented and deceived the American public," Judge Gladys Kessler of the U.S.
March 10, 2021 Read Full Article
REGI INVESTOR ALERT: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Announces that a Securities Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
(Bernstein Liebhard/Globe Newswire) Bernstein Liebhard, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (“Renewable Energy ”
March 04, 2021 Read Full Article
More States Follow California's Lead on Vehicle Emissions Standards
by Rachel Frazin (The Hill) An increasing number of states are looking to follow the precedent set by California and adopt stricter vehicle emissions standards as the Biden administration appears poised to green light those efforts. The Virginia legislature this past week
March 01, 2021 Read Full Article
US Aerospace Industry Calls on New Administration to Provide Immediate Support to Reach Climate Goals
(GreenAir Online) US aircraft and engine manufacturers have called on the new Biden administration to provide sustained government support to help achieve its climate goals. In an open letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, Climate Envoy John
February 26, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Supports 10th Circuit Court Ruling to Tighten Small Refinery Exemptions
by Tyne Morgan (Ag Web) Renewable Fuels groups are celebrating an EPA win. More than a year after the 10th Circuit Court issued its initial ruling on the small-refinery provisions within the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), EPA announced Monday it’s supporting
February 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Carper Dishes on Climate, Environment Landscape
by Zach Coleman (Politico's Morning Energy) Even if Biden's regulations fall short of environmentalists' wishes, the U.S. is poised for success reducing greenhouse gas emissions given the trajectory of "market forces" in the power and utility sectors, Senate Environment and
February 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Groups Fight Wisconsin Transmission Line
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy)Conservation groups on Wednesday sued over the federal government’s approval of the 102-mile, $500 million Cardinal-Hickory Creek high-voltage transmission line that would carry electricity from renewables from Iowa to Wisconsin. The suit argues that the
February 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Klobuchar, Grassley Highlight Need to Restore Integrity to Renewable Fuel Standard in Letter to Environmental Protection Agency
(Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)) U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) led a letter to Acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Jane Nishida highlighting the need to restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)
February 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Toyota, Fiat Chrysler Drop Support for Trump Effort to Bar California Emissions Rules
by David Shepardson (Reuters/Yahoo!Finance) Toyota Motor Corp, Fiat Chrysler and other major automakers said on Tuesday they were joining General Motors in abandoning support for former President Donald Trump's effort to bar California from setting its own zero emission vehicle rules. The
February 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Battles in Court to Reverse Demand Destruction
(Growth Energy) On Friday, January 29th, Growth Energy, along with others in the biofuels industry, filed an opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (Case No. 20-1046) challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to
February 03, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Directed to Report on 2017 Court Order
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is directing the Environmental Protection Agency to submit a status report every 60 days “on its progress in complying with the court’s remand” stemming from the July 2017
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden’s Climate Goals Will Boost Ethanol for Now: Oil Refiners and Ethanol Producers’ Collective Pain Hasn’t Done Much to Align Their Interests
by Jinjoo Lee (Wall Street Journal) In the tug of war for former President Donald Trump’s favors, oil refiners won some surprising victories over ethanol producers. Their fortunes are about to flip under President Joe Biden’s climate-driven administration. The fate of U.S.
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Sinclair Confirms It Secured Trump EPA's Last Biofuel Waivers, Defends Them in Court
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) Sinclair Oil Corporation confirmed on Tuesday it secured biofuel blending waivers for its refineries from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shortly before the departure of the administration of President Donald Trump last week. The company made the statement
January 26, 2021 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit Court Stays EPA Action Granting Refinery Waivers
(Renewable Fuels Association) In response to an emergency motion filed Tuesday evening by the Renewable Fuels Association, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today ordered that EPA’s action on Tuesday to grant three small refinery petitions must be “administratively stayed
January 21, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Files Petition and Emergency Motion to Halt EPA’s Dark-of-Night Refinery Waivers
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association filed a petition for review and an emergency motion to stay the effectiveness of three small refinery exemptions granted Tuesday evening by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with less than 24 hours remaining in the Trump administration. “EPA’s decision
January 21, 2021 Read Full Article
A Muted Year for Biofuels M&A Activity: 2020 Review and Outlook
by Bruce Comer and Frank Kim (Ocean Park Advisors/Biofuels Digest) COVID-19 further plagues the already challenged North American biofuels M&A market, while capital investments thrive. -- Biofuels merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in North America remained sluggish in 2020. For
January 21, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Will Fight EPA’s Illegal, Last-Minute Refinery Exemptions
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today harshly condemned the Environmental Protection Agency’s unconscionable and unlawful decision to grant three more small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard with just hours remaining before Donald Trump leaves the White House
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes to Extend 2019, 2020 RFS Deadlines DEADLINE Comments due March 11, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is scheduled to publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register on Jan. 15 extending certain Renewable Fuel Standard deadlines for compliance years 2019 and 2020. A public comment period is open
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Washington Week in Review: Jan. 15, 2021: Rep. Rodney Davis on Impeachment, COVID Aid, and Biofuels
(Agri-Pulse) It's been an eventful two weeks on Capitol Hill, and the impacts could linger for an extended period of time. Illinois Republican Rodney Davis, a veteran of the House Agriculture Committee and the ranking member of the House Administration
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
House Biofuels Caucus Urges Trump to Reject SRE Petitions
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Members of the House Biofuels Caucus sent a letter to President Trump on Jan. 12 urging him to direct the U.S. EPA to immediately reject any pending small refinery exemption (SRE) requests that do not meet criteria established
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Grassley Shudders at Hill Reopening Renewable Fuels Law
by Marc Heller (E&E News) To Sen. Chuck Grassley, only one prospect may be scarier than putting the politics of ethanol before the Supreme Court: letting his colleagues in Congress vote on it. READ MORE
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Senators Ask Biden to Restore the Integrity of the RFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of six democratic senators sent a letter President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 11 urging his administration to support U.S. farmers and the biofuels industry by restoring the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard. The
January 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Will EPA Torpedo RFS Again on Wheeler’s Way Out?
by Jennifer Shike (Farm Journal Ag Web) With just eight days left in EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s term, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Geoff Cooper told AgriTalk’s host Chip Flory on Tuesday that he’s not surprised
January 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Here’s How President-elect Biden Can Slash Carbon Emissions by 12 Million Metric Tons on Day One in Office
(Renewable Fuels Association) On “Day One” in office, President-elect Biden’s incoming administration can immediately secure 10.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions simply by rejecting the 66 pending waiver requests from oil refiners who are looking to dodge their
January 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Exclusive: Trump Administration Expected to Grant Biofuel Waivers for Some Oil Refiners - Sources
by Stephanie Kelly, Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Trump administration is expected to grant waivers to some oil refiners that would exempt them from requirements to blend biofuels into their fuel mix for the 2019 compliance year, according to two sources
January 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Supreme Court to Hear Small-Refinery Exemption Appeal
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The Supreme Court will review a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver that found EPA mishandled the small-refinery exemptions program in the Renewable Fuel Standard. The 10th Circuit ruling
January 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Coalition Rejects EPA’s Excuses for Failing to Comply with 2017 Court Order
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (January 7, 2021), a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed its reply in support of its motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. The motion, originally filed
January 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Coalition Rejects EPA’s Excuses for Failing to Comply with 2017 Court Order
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (January 7, 2021), a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed its reply in support of its motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. The motion, originally filed on
January 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association Files Lawsuit over Emission Standards
(KROXAM) On Wednesday, January 6, the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court alleging Minnesota lacks the authority under the Federal Clean Air Act to regulate motor vehicle emissions and is preempted under federal law from
January 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy, RFA Demand Transparency in Refinery Exemption Process
(Growth Energy) In a court filing today (January 5, 2021), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association continued to call on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to release the names and locations of refineries granted exemptions
January 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Consent Decree Throws RFS Refinery Exemption Decisions into Biden's Lap
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) A consent decree published today in the Federal Register gives EPA until Feb. 19 to decide whether to exempt a refinery owned by United Refining Co. in Pennsylvania from the 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard requirements.
January 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Accelerating Demand: A Roadmap for Sparking New Demand for Ethanol
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Coalition for Ethanol is ready to execute on Accelerate, a roadmap for sparking new demand for ethanol. The plan is built around implementing new clean fuel policies, protecting what
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Petroleum Opposes Biofuels RFS Remand: Petroleum Group Opposes Ag, Biofuels Lawsuit on 500 Million-Gallon Remand
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) As biofuel producers attempt to force EPA to restore 500 million gallons that a court found were improperly waived from the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2016, a petroleum interest group is arguing those groups have
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Finalizing First-Ever Airplane Emissions Rules
by David Shepardson (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday said it was finalizing the first-ever proposed standards regulating greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes. The EPA said its new requirements for airplanes used in commercial aviation and for large
December 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Top 10 Ag Stories of 2020 - 9 Ethanol's 2020 Full of Bumps, Bruises in Fight to Maintain Business
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Each year, DTN publishes our choices for the top 10 ag news stories of the year, as selected by DTN analysts, editors and reporters. Today, we continue the countdown with No. 9 looking at
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
California’s Climate Policy Goes National: Trump Fought Californian Environmental Officials. The Biden Team Wants to Learn from tThem.
by Miranda Green (The New Republic) ... California’s pathbreaking climate measures range from a ban on future car combustion engine sales to setting a historic 100 percent clean energy goal by 2045. And in order to implement Joe Biden’s still more ambitious campaign promise
December 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Newsom Taps New Head of Powerful California Air Board
by Kathleen Ronayne (Associated Press) California Gov. Gavin Newsom tapped a veteran regulator Wednesday as the next chair of the powerful Air Resources Board, which implements the state’s ambitious climate change goals. Liane Randolph, 55, will begin the job in January. She
December 11, 2020 Read Full Article
DOJ Asks SCOTUS to Pass on Refinery Exemption Case
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politco's Morning Energy) The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court not to review the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision creating a strict new definition of who qualifies for small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
December 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels Coalition Files Brief Challenging 31 Small Refinery Exemptions in 2018
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union today filed a brief challenging EPA’s August 2019 decision to exempt 31 small refineries from their obligations to comply
December 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Owner of Allentown Biofuel Company Sentenced to Prison in Green Energy Scheme
by Peter Hall (Morning Call) The owner of an Allentown biofuel company who pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to fraudulently claim green energy subsidies was sentenced to prison and ordered to repay the government more than $10 million. Ralph Tommaso,
December 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Submits Notice of Intent to Sue EPA Over Failure to Issue 2021 Biofuel Blending Targets
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy submitted a notice of intent to sue letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its failure to fulfill its statutory obligation to issue the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) by November 30th, 2020, an annual deadline set by
December 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Ford Says Automakers Should Consider Backing California Emissions Deal
by David Shepardson (Reuters) Ford Motor Co is urging major automakers to consider backing a framework deal with California on vehicle emissions in a bid to reach industry consensus before President-elect Joe Biden takes office, according to a letter seen
December 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Leaders Urge Courts to Hold EPA Accountable on Improper 2016 Waiver
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today, a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia asking the court to enforce its 2017 decision requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address its improper waiver of 500
November 24, 2020 Read Full Article
GM Reverses on Trump, Exits Suit Challenging California's Tougher Emissions Standards
by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) ... General Motors will no longer be siding with the Trump administration in a legal battle to hinder California’s ability to set tougher vehicle emissions standards. In a letter to environmental groups involved in the same suit,
November 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Should Ethanol Go Back to Business as Usual after COVID-19?
by Christina Stella (WVIK/NPR) ... As Americans hunkered down for lockdowns, gasoline demand across the country plummeted. Ethanol industry leaders issued warnings that the financial repercussions of widespread lockdowns could be significant to plants across the country. They later reported half of
November 23, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA: 6 More SRE Petitions Filed, 58 Now Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Nov. 19, reporting that six additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency, including one for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year 2019 and