by Todd Woody (Bloomberg Green) To reignite the industry, biofuels need the type of government incentives that allowed solar and wind companies to flourish, analysts say. -- ... Technology from Honeywell’s subsidiary UOP had refined the camelina into renewable jet fuel,
Regulations-Federal
Back TO HOMERFA Supports EPA’s Proposed ‘Anti-Backsliding’ Determination, but Says Agency Used ‘Outdated and Unreliable’ Modeling
(Renewable Fuels Association) In comments submitted today to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Renewable Fuels Association expressed support for the Agency’s proposal to determine that no additional measures are necessary to mitigate “potential adverse air quality impacts” associated with the Renewable
July 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol’s Rough 2020 Ride: Trade Wars, COVID-19 and Waivers Alter Its Momentum
by Jennifer M. Latzke (High Plains Journal) ... And still, shortly after Trump’s visit, the EPA granted 31 small refinery waivers from the Renewable Fuels Standard in the fall that would have wiped out any traction that year-round E15 approval
July 06, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Puts 2021 Biofuel Blending Mandate Proposal on Hold Indefinitely, Sources Say
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has put on hold indefinitely a proposal for the amount of biofuels refiners must blend into their fuel next year, two sources familiar with the matter said. Many anticipated the proposal would come
July 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Ad Urges Visiting Trump to ‘Tear down That (Blend)’ Wall’
by Mikkel Pates (Ag Week) Ethanol proponents try to make some political hay with President Donald Trump when he visits Rapid City. They ask that he “tear down that wall” of 10% ethanol blends, and allow ethanol to climb to
July 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Potential Feedstocks, Biofuel Markets, Corn and Cellulosic Ethanol: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Increasing Feedstock Production for Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)The Biomass Research and Development Board published a report that looks at how to address the constraints surrounding availability of biomass feedstocks for biofuels. Four questions guide the analysis: What feedstocks and at what price? What
July 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Sen. Cruz to EPA: No Relief for Refinery Workers, No Consent for EPA Nominee
(Office of Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)) U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued the following statement on the nomination of Doug Benevento to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): "The price of RINs has more than quadrupled since
July 02, 2020 Read Full Article
John J. Mooney: An Appreciation of Performance Directed Engineering Greatness
by Robert Kozak* (Atlantic Biomass/Advanced Biofuels USA) I was sad to see an obituary today for the great engineer John J. Mooney. Who was John J. Mooney you ask? He was the co-inventor of both the 2-way and the 3-way motor
July 01, 2020 Read Full Article
More Evidence of Causal Link between Air Pollution and Early Death
(Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) Strengthening U.S. air quality standards for fine particulate pollution to be in compliance with current World Health Association (WHO) guidelines could save more than 140,000 lives over the course of a decade, according to a new
July 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter on Behalf of the Urban Air Initiative (UAI)
(Urban Air Initiative) On behalf of the Urban Air Initiative (UAI), we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the above Proposed Rulemaking (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0072). UAI is a not for profit technical organization with a particular focus on automotive emissions
July 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Covid-19 Fears Spur More Cars on Roads, Threatening Air Quality
by Amena H. Saiyid with assistance from Sylvia Carignan and Christina Brady (Bloomberg Law) Some who normally use mass transit seek safer commute option; State, local officials watch data for air quality impact -- ... More cars on the roads
July 01, 2020 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK --- Doug Sombke
South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke points out that Title II of the Clean Air Act requires EPA to reduce toxics in gasoline to the greatest extent possible as new technologies become available. “Higher ethanol blends are that technology, and
June 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Farming, Biofuels, Health Groups Challenge EPA on SAFE Rule
(Morning Ag Clips/South Dakota Farmers Union) Broad coalition challenges the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Rule; In response to EPA’s failure to credibly consider and advance mid-level ethanol fuel blends as an alternative to conventional fuels, the groups filed a
June 30, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA to Propose Splitting 500-Million-Gal RFS Remand in 2021, 2022: Sources
by Jordan Godwin (OPIS/Governors Biofuels Coalition)EPA is expected to propose as early as next month a 250-million-gal increase in the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) and another 250-million-gal boost in the 2022 RVO to comply with a remand order the
June 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Select Committee Democrats Releases 'Solving The Climate Crisis', A Congressional Roadmap For Ambitious Climate Action
(House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis) Plan Would Put Americans Back To Work, Save Lives, And Help the United States Reach Net Zero By 2050 -- On Tuesday, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chair Kathy Castor (D-FL), members of the House Select Committee
June 30, 2020 Read Full Article
CEO Reflects on Ethanol Industry Crises a Year after Trump Visit
by Glenn Minnis (The Center Square) ... The president was there to help industry executives celebrate his administration’s removal of a regulation that up until then prohibited companies from selling gasoline containing 15% ethanol year-round. “It was a terrific event for
June 25, 2020 Read Full Article
Greenfield: Wheeler Must Step Down Immediately
by Paul Deaton (Blog for Iowa) At a June 22 press conference U.S. Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield said since Joni Ernst hasn’t called for the resignation of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler over 52 new Renewable Fuel Standard
June 23, 2020 Read Full Article
52 Petitions Filed by Refineries Seeking RFS Exemptions
(Renewable Fuels Association/National Biodiesel Board/Farm Progress) Renewable Fuels Association, National Biodiesel Board critical of these petitions, say refiners are trying to circumvent court ruling. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today disclosed that 52 new petitions have been received from small
June 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Bill Would Push Biofuels Innovation
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has introduced legislation, together with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), to approve some advanced biofuel pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard, which have been delayed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the legislation, EPA would also be
June 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel and Oil Seek Federal Help to Deal with Sharp Decline In Production and Prices
(RFD TV) ... Both the oil and ethanol sectors are asking the federal government to step in as each one sees a sharp decline in prices and production. Oil groups say that the pandemic pushed the industry over the edge,
June 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Date Set for Oral Arguments in Small Refinery Exemption RFS Case
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on Sept. 25 in a case that could determine whether EPA must deeply curtail its program of exemptions from the RFS. The case mirrors
June 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Grassley Says RFS Debate Could Explode Come 2022
by Marc Heller (E&E News) If the politics around ethanol seem charged today, just wait two years — that's when Congress may really step into the fray. READ MORE Grassley discusses SRE gap filings, future of RFS program (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Excerpt
June 17, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA to Propose Splitting 500-Million-Gal RFS Remand in 2021, 2022: Sources
by Jordan Godwin (OPIS) EPA is expected to propose as early as next month a 250-million-gal increase in the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) and another 250-million-gal boost in the 2022 RVO to comply with a remand order the U.S.
June 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Validating the Need to Test Real-World Fuels
by Steve VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Urban Air Initiative) While much of the industry’s energy has been focused on issues like Reid vapor pressure relief, a new technical paper demonstrates the need to focus on aromatics, and the fact that ethanol
June 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol's Carbon Underground
by Luke Geiver (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Positioning into the low-carbon biofuels marketplace, ethanol producers are moving forward with sequestration strategies. A more lucrative federal tax credit, along with a reduced minimum production requirement, is making the economics attractive. After more than
June 16, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes Honest Accounting Standard to Improve Future Clean Air Act Rules PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE: July 27, 2020
(Environmental Protection Agency) Today (June 4, 2020), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposal to improve the rulemaking process under the Clean Air Act by establishing requirements to ensure consistent, high-quality analyses of benefits and costs are provided to
June 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel Expanding with Petroleum-to-Renewable Refinery Conversions
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) But there is a huge transformation happening with growth in the conversion of petroleum refineries to renewable diesel. Just look at how renewable diesel went from 78MMGY in 2010 to 397MMGY in 2018 and Fuels
June 15, 2020 Read Full Article
The Standoff for E30
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy may be just a block or two apart on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C., but they are miles apart on their long-term outlook for ethanol. Seemingly
June 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Thune Introduces Bill to Support Hand Sanitizer and Ethanol Production By Extending FDA Guidance
(Office of Senator John Thune (R-SD)) U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation that would extend for two years The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “Temporary Policy for Preparation of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency.” Extending
June 12, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Biofuel Group in Talks with Biden, Trump Campaigns to Boost Industry
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) A leading U.S. biofuel trade group said on Thursday it had started conversations with the campaigns of both Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and incumbent Donald Trump to discuss potential policy fixes for the ailing industry. The discussions
June 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel Drives Growth in Biomass-Based Diesel Imports
(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Biodiesel Magazine) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel, which include biodiesel and renewable diesel, grew 26 percent in 2019 to more than 27,000 barrels per day (more than 413.9 MMgy), ending two years in a row of decline.
June 10, 2020 Read Full Article
30-Day Comment Period Opens on RFS Anti-Backsliding Proposal DEADLINE July 8, 2020
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A 30-day public comment period is now open on the U.S. EPA’s proposal to determine that no additional fuel control measures are necessary to mitigate air quality impacts of required renewable fuel volumes under the
June 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Identifies Omissions in EPA Report
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy today said the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new “anti-backsliding” report on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) side-steps the wide body of evidence supporting a clear scientific consensus around the clean air benefits of homegrown ethanol. The study, required
June 09, 2020 Read Full Article
44 Members of Congress Urge Trump to Deny RFS Waiver Requests
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of 44 members of Congress sent a letter to President Trump on June 8 urging him to deny requests filed with the U.S. EPA by several governors seeking a waiver of 2020 Renewable
June 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Farm, Biofuel Groups Press EPA on Exemptions
(Agri-Pulse/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Biofuel advocates are asking EPA today to provide more information on requests for retroactive exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard. Citing an appeals court ruling, the Renewable Fuels Association and several other organizations argue in a letter that
June 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Publishes Updated "What's the Difference between Biodiesel and Renewable (Green) Diesel?" Adds "What Renewable Fuels Can Be Used in Compression Ignition Engines?"
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Since 2011, one of Advanced Biofuels USA's most popular publications has been "What's the Difference between Biodiesel and Renewable (Green) Diesel?" The update of this paper has been expanded to answer the question, "What Renewable Fuels Can
June 08, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Proposal Would Make Air Pollution Curbs Tougher to Justify
(BloombergLaw) The Trump administration is seeking to overhaul the way it calculates the costs and benefits of environmental regulation, with proposed restrictions that could make it harder to justify air pollution curbs. Under a proposal announced Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency would subject
June 05, 2020 Read Full Article
The Bankrupt Philly Refinery Is off the Hook for Millions Owed in Renewable Fuel Obligations
by Andrew Maykuth (Philadelphia Inquirer) The U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Wednesday approved a settlement allowing Philadelphia Energy Solutions to pay a small portion of the millions of dollars it owes in unpaid renewable energy obligations, clearing a major obstacle facing
June 04, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA to Float Cost-Benefit Reforms for Air Rules
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA as soon as today will release its proposed changes to how the agency calculates the costs and benefits of regulations under the Clean Air Act (Reg. 2060-AU51), sources told ME. Administrator Andrew Wheeler
June 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Senate Hearing Addresses Wood Stoves, RFS and Biomass Neutrality
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA’s proposed rule to extend the sales deadline for Step 1 wood heaters, rulemaking to classify biomass as carbon neutral and issues associated with the Renewable Fuel Standard and small refinery exemptions (SREs) were
June 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard Program Anti-Backsliding Determination and Study PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE: July 8, 2020
(Environmental Protection Agency) Clean Air Act Section 211(v) requires EPA to complete an “anti-backsliding study” to determine whether the renewable fuel volumes required in the Act adversely impact air quality as a result of changes in vehicle and engine emissions.
June 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Bioenergy: The Great Continuum
by Gerard J. Ostheimer and Douglas L. Faulkner (below50/“the Clean Tech Conservative”/Leatherstocking LLC/Biofuels Digest) ... (W)e would like to point out a number of anniversaries put biofuels and bio-based products into a deeper and provocative historical context: 85 years ago,
June 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Old U.S. Oil Refinery to Pursue New Green Life After Crude Crash
by Jennifer A Dlouhy and Jeffrey Bair (Bloomberg Green) HollyFrontier’s Cheyenne refinery will no longer use crude oil; Company expects to lose EPA exemption for small refiners -- In a sign of changing times, a U.S. oil refining company is converting
June 02, 2020 Read Full Article
National Wildlife Federation Joins GOP Governors Calling for RFS Waivers
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The National Wildlife Federation believes EPA's Andrew Wheeler should use the agency's waiver authority to reduce blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The green group, one of a handful of enviros to engage
June 02, 2020 Read Full Article
FEATURE: Surging RVO Cost Negligible for US Fuel Producers, Importers Amid Pandemic
by Joshua Brown, Margaret Rogers, Ellie Valencia, Maha Cristina Husseini (S&P Global/Platts) RVO cost highest since March 2018; USGC WTI MEH margin down $6.45/b on year; US fuel exports fall to two-year low -- Fallout from the coronavirus has so disrupted normal refined
June 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Ethanol Industry Groups Disappointed in EPA Emissions Study
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) EPA's release of a so-called "anti-backsliding" study on Friday that calls for no further action to mitigate potential adverse air quality effects from renewable fuels, was met with disappointment by two ethanol industry interest groups. The
June 01, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Approves RFS Fuel Pathway for Biomass Gasification Project
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA in May approved a fuel pathway under the Renewable Fuel Standard for a biomass gasification plant under development in McFarland, California, that will produce renewable natural gas (RNG) for sale into the transportation
May 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Godot Arrives: Carbon Capture Regs Released Public Comment DEADLINE: August 3, 2020
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The IRS on Thursday released proposed rules for an expanded carbon capture and utilization tax credit, ending a more than two-year wait for the regulations. Congress expanded the carbon capture credit in early 2018
May 29, 2020 Read Full Article
States, Greens Sue over Car Rule
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) California and 22 other states sued the Trump administration over its rollback of auto emissions standards and fuel economy rules, Pro's Alex Guillén reports. The Trump administration's final Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles rule requires
May 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Oral Comments for Fuels Regulatory Streamlining Rule Public Hearing
by Trevor Hinz (Urban Air Initiative) Good morning, my name is Trevor Hinz, and I am the Director of Urban Air Initiative, Inc., a non-profit focused on developing cleaner fuels to reduce harmful gasoline-related air pollution. I would like to start by
May 28, 2020 Read Full Article
One Year Later, E15 Adoption Grows Modestly at Retail Locations
(Agri-Pulse) E15, gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, saw modest growth over the last year as President Donald Trump's order to lift the ban on year-round sales approaches its one-year anniversary at the end of this week. READ MORE
May 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Agricultural & Energy DigestData Dashboard for May 2020: Resilience, Crops, Economy, Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the month of May comes to a close and many states are re-opening, The Digest published this "Agricultural & Energy Dashboard" visual guide showing what's going on with ethanol retail prices, liquid energy commodity prices,
May 27, 2020 Read Full Article
The Ethanol Sector Needs Major E15 Growth To Thrive
by Tristan R. Brown (Seeking Alpha) Summary: -The share prices of U.S. ethanol producers have mostly retraced the major declines that they experienced in March and April as the COVID-19 pandemic set in. -Ethanol production margins moved to their highest levels
May 26, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Calls on EPA to Deny Secretive “Gap Year” Refinery Waiver Requests
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association on Friday urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deny new petitions submitted by refiners for past-year waivers from their renewable volume obligations. In a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, RFA President and
May 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Auto Industry to Fight Lawsuit Saying Auto Standards Too Stringent
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which includes automakers and vehicle parts manufacturers, on Friday moved to defend EPA's auto emissions rollback — from a libertarian think tank that argues the weakened rule is still
May 26, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA: SRE Petitions Filed for Compliance Years 2019, 2020
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on May 21 released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data, reporting that two additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency; one for compliance year 2019 and one for compliance year
May 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Proposed Rulemaking: EPA Guidance; Administrative Procedures for Issuance and Public Petitions PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE: June 22, 2020
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) This action proposes the EPA’s procedures for developing and issuing guidance documents and to establish a petition process for public requests to modify or withdraw an active guidance document. The purpose is to ensure that the EPA's
May 21, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Chief Says No Decision Yet on Industry Requests to Reduce 2020 Biofuel Mandates
by Valerie Volcovici and Richard Valdmanis (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not yet decided whether to grant requests from the oil refining industry to reduce biofuel blending mandates this year, agency chief Andrew Wheeler told lawmakers in a hearing
May 21, 2020 Read Full Article
BD Zones and BDO Zones: Weaponizing Biomass to Support a Bio-Fueled Economic Recovery
by Jordan Solomon (Ecostrat Inc./Biofuels Digest) The US has over a billion tons of biomass which can be used as a key lever to drive economic recovery. USDA estimates that 3.4 million jobs and nearly $660 billion of economic benefits
May 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel Quotas to Get Small Lift Under Draft of EPA Plan
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Bloomberg/Yahoo! Finance) The Environmental Protection Agency has drafted a plan to slightly lift biofuel-blending targets next year, while so far skirting potentially controversial decisions about exempting refineries from U.S. mandates to use plant-based fuels, according to three
May 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Tom Carper (D-Del.), Laid out Concerns over EPA's Final Auto Emissions Rule
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) ... EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler will testify before a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee oversight hearing this morning, in his first appearance before the panel since the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. Ahead of the hearing,
May 20, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Biofuel Policy Fight Stalls Out At Supreme Court
(Law360) The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy that fuel blenders aren't responsible for mixing biofuels into gasoline, in a defeat for refiners who claim the EPA is unlawfully giving blenders a free
May 19, 2020 Read Full Article
The Door Is Open for Ethanol Producers and CCS
by Roxby Hartley (EcoEngineers/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is receiving a lot of traction thanks to two exciting developments in 2018 and 2019: 1) California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard recognized CCS as a viable pathway to reduce emissions from
May 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Report 5-15-20
(Ag NewsWire) The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the U.S. ethanol industry, slashing production by half and leading to the idling of scores of plants across rural America. But there are positive signs that demand is starting
May 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Merchant Refiners Face A Return Of 'RINsanity' In 2021
by Tristan R. Brown (Seeking Alpha) -Expectations of U.S. gasoline demand in 2021 are continuing to decline as the country has failed to suppress the spread of COVID-19. -Gasoline demand in 2021 is now expected to be as low as
May 18, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Delivers Proposed Rule to Set 2021 RFS RVOs to OMB
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has delivered its proposed rule to set 2021 renewable volume requirements (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard and the 2022 RVO for biomass-based diesel to the White House Office of Management and
May 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Fuels Regulatory Streamlining: A Proposed Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE June 29, 2020
(Environmental Protection Agency) This action proposes to update the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) existing gasoline, diesel, and other fuels programs to improve overall compliance assurance and maintain environmental performance, while reducing compliance costs for industry and EPA. EPA is proposing
May 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Brief Filed in Case Over EPA Limits on Higher Blends
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) An alliance of ethanol, agriculture and clean fuel organizations led by the Urban Air Initiative is challenging the EPA over regulatory barriers to higher blends of ethanol they say are illegal. An opening brief in the case was filed this week
May 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Joni of Ernst Leads the Defense of the RFS
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Leading the defenses is Joan of Ernst, er, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa along with Tina Smith of Minnesota, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan. Two Republicans, two Democrats, now urging
May 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Help for Coronavirus-Stricken Biofuel Industry and Others is Needed Now!
(Solutions from the Land) ... Compared to the relief that is being considered for the oil industry, it is still a meager response. Changes made late last month by the Federal Reserve to a $600 billion loan program created to help small- and
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
POET, EPA Tussle over Cellulosic Ethanol in Appeals Court
by Steve Davies (Agri-Pulse) Lawyers for EPA and POET Biorefining squared off in court Monday over whether the agency’s guidance for measuring production of cellulosic ethanol is tantamount to a rule containing requirements that are impossible to meet. One of the major issues is
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Ag Groups Ask Congress to Address GHG Emissions from Annual Crops
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Biogenic CO2 Coalition sent a letter to Capitol Hill on May 11 asking lawmakers to direct the U.S. EPA to promptly publish a rule that states neither agricultural biomass nor woody biomass contribute to
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Groups Ask Congress to Provide COVID-19 Relief for Biofuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of 11 ag and biofuel groups sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on May 11 asking congress to provide COVID-19 relief for ethanol and biodiesel
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Ernst, Grassley, Bipartisan Senators Reject Legality of Waiving the RFS, Call on Administration to Protect Biofuels
(Office of Senator Joni Ernst) Ernst and her colleagues write, “We urge you to direct the EPA to reject all calls to waive the RFS. The RFS is more important now than ever as farmers, the biofuel sector, and rural
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol and Biodiesel Industry Groups Commend 24 Senators’ RFS Letter to President
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, D.C., two biofuels groups, Iowa Biodiesel Board and Renewable Fuels Assocation, both released notes of thanks to 24 Senators that signed the bipartisan letter to President Trump urging him to uphold the
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Changing with the Times: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Neste’s Renewable Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic, Neste’s just released Q1 financials show a solid start to the year and good results despite margin pressure. But how? Adaptation. Flexibility. Innovation. Efficiency. Neste’s renewable products segment led the way with
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Offers Bankrupt Refiner $10 Million Cap on Biofuel Obligation: Filing
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The Trump administration has offered to place a $10 million cap on Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ biofuel blending obligations, effectively slashing the bankrupt refiner’s regulatory liability by more than 70%, according to a proposed settlement between the
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Electric Cooperatives Ask Congress to Provide Aid for Ethanol
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Three dozen Midwestern electric cooperatives and rural electric associations send a letter to 20 federal lawmakers on May 7 asking Congress to provide much-needed economic relief for rural America, which continues to suffer from
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
The EPA Introduced the First-Ever US Airplane Carbon Regulations
by Dharna Noor (Gizmodo) This week, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed carbon dioxide standards for the airline industry. Yes, the Trump EPA. The standards would be the first time the federal government has ever regulated the airplane emissions. But let’s be clear, this isn’t exactly cause for
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
CVR Energy to Explore Converting Refining Units for Renewable Diesel Production
by Laura Sanicola (Reuters) CVR Energy Inc is looking to convert certain units in its refineries to renewable diesel production to reduce its exposure to the cost of renewable fuel credits (RINs), the company said on Thursday. The project, which would involve using
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
How Much Clean Air Could $100 Million Buy?
by Todd Campbell (California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership/Advanced Clean Tech News) ... (L)et’s look at what a hypothetical $100 million government investment could achieve when using one of California’s most popular funding programs. Which option would you chose if both cost
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Big Oil Overreaches on COVID-19 Bailout
by Jim Talent (The Gazette) ... Oil companies have requested special access to a $600 billion lending facility at the Federal Reserve, and the administration seems keen to deliver. The president just announced that the Secretary of Energy and Secretary
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
US Green Plains Expects China to Stick to Trade Agreement, Make Ethanol Purchases
by Alex Snodgrass (Independent Commodity Intelligence Services) US ethanol producer Green Plains said it still expects China to stick to the first phase of the US-China trade agreement that requires ethanol purchases. Green Plains remains optimistic about China and their role
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Policy Action Needed to Advance SAF, Even During Covid-19: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy in U.S.
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Aviation’s current reliance on fossil fuels, its expected continued growth rate following the COVID-19 pandemic, the service lifespan of aircraft, and the lack of nonliquid fuel alternatives make it a challenging sector to decarbonize, especially
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
EIA Proposes to Collect Data on Biogas, RNG Production Public Comment DEADLINE: June 29, 2020
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration could soon begin publishing data related to the production of biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG). The agency has proposed to modify an existing information collection focused on natural gas to
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel Giant Sees More Driving Than Before in Post-Pandemic Era
by Isis Almeida (Bloomberg) Ethanol to benefit as people avoid mass transit: Green Plains; For now, biofuel plants have idled as drivers stay home -- There’s light at the end of the tunnel for the battered American ethanol market, according to
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Midwest Lawmakers: Biofuel Producers Need Relief Aid
(Nexstar Media Wire/Fox40) Midwest lawmakers say biofuel producers should be getting the same support and protection as oil companies. Coronavirus shutdowns have slashed the demand for gasoline, and while the White House is pledging to buy 75 million barrels of oil, ethanol
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
CRS Trips Over Itself in Assessing Whether COVID-19 Will Affect RFS Compliance
by Scott Richman(Renewable Fuels Association) The report “The 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): COVID-19 Impacts” released last week by the Congressional Research Service demonstrates a conflicted understanding of the mechanics of the RFS, leading to vague and erroneous conclusions about whether compliance will
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy in the United States: A Pragmatic Way forward
by Fred Ghatala (Atlantic Council) The aviation sector has been working to decarbonize, but it faces unique challenges since decarbonization options that may work for ground or maritime transport are generally not feasible for air travel. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) present an
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
USDA’s BioPreferred Program and Opportunities for a Green Recovery: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to the 2020 Green Recovery
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) During last week’s DigestConnect webinar, Kate Lewis from USDA’s BioPreferred Program shared this slide guide on how there is a refresh going on with biobased products driven largely by Millennials, the growth in intermediates even
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
OPINION: Ethanol Dominates in Clean Air Contest
by Chris Bliley (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... When it comes to transportation emissions, newsrooms around the world generally preserve their biggest headlines for the urgent, high-stakes battle against climate change. Biofuels are a major part of that conversation, and
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Global Emissions Standards All in One Place
(Delphi Technologies) Your guide to navigating the changing regulatory landscape. For nearly three decades, we have been tracking and compiling global emissions regulations and packaging them into easy-to-read reference guides. These publications are designed to be valuable tools for you
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Coalition Opposes API Petition on 2020 RFS Obligations
(Renewable Fuels Association) A coalition of ethanol and farm groups today sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the American Petroleum Institute’s recent petition requesting reconsideration of the 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) final rule. API claims reconsideration of the
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Poised to Offer Bridge Loans to Ailing Oil Companies
by Saleha Mohsin, Ari Natter and Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Bloomberg/RigZone) The Trump administration may announce as soon as Thursday a plan to offer loans to the ailing oil industry possibly in exchange for a financial stake, according to two people familiar
April 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Vilsack Warns Administration Continues to Ignore Biofuels
by Jacqui Fatka (Feedstuffs) ... (Former Agriculture Secretary Tom) Vilsack said the biofuel industry hasn’t been invited to the White House like the airline or oil industries have to discuss ways to help cover their losses. A number of conservative
April 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Precedent Exists for EPA to Reject RFS Waiver Requests by States
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The governors of Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Utah and Louisiana have sent letters to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler asking the agency to waive 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements due to market impacts caused by
April 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels and Chemicals: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Where are the Gallons?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Missed the recent DigestConnect discussion where The Digest shared the latest on the U.S. goal of 36 billion biofuels gallons by 2022 and where we are now? Check out this slide guide that takes a
April 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Tax Groups, Think Tanks Want RFS Waiver: Letter Cites Diversion of Hand Sanitizer Production as Reason for Request
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Pressure is mounting on President Donald Trump to change the Renewable Fuel Standard in light of the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19. A number of tax, environmental and political think tanks sent a letter
April 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Biodiesel vs. Diesel: Everything You Need to Know
(Car and Driver) Are you thinking about switching to a biodiesel-compatible vehicle or running your current diesel car or truck on biodiesel fuel? Continue reading to learn the pros and cons of biodiesel vs. diesel, what's driving the market, and
April 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blends Saving Lives Through Reduced Vehicle Emissions
(Urban Air Initiative) That is the conclusion of a new peer reviewed technical paper published in the Journal of Air & Waste Management, validating previous research efforts by the Urban Air Initiative that find when ethanol is added to gasoline, it significantly reduces
April 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Quantification of Gasoline-Ethanol Blend Emissions Effects
by Nigel N. Clark, David L. McKain Jr., Tammy Klein and Terence Higgins (Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association) Emissions levels from current gasoline spark-ignited engines are low, and emissions changes associated with blending of ethanol into gasoline are
April 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Supreme Court to Consider RFS Point of Obligation Case on May 15
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to consider whether it will review a challenge to the Renewable Fuel Standard point of obligation on May 15. Court documents related to the challenge were distributed to the
April 23, 2020 Read Full Article
A Story for Earth Day: How Mark Abramowitz used the Clean Air Act to Move the South Coast AQMD to Action
by Mark Abramowitz (Coalition for Clean Air) It was the summer of 1984, and I was a young air quality scientist for CBE, then called Citizens for a Better Environment (now Communities for a Better Environment). I had been an active
April 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Vehicle Test Procedure Adjustments for Tier 3 Certification Test Fuel DEADLINE: August 11, 2020
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to make adjustments to certain laboratory tailpipe emission testing procedures for automobiles, light trucks, and heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans as the result of a test fuel change that was finalized
April 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Economist Expects "Battle Royal" over RFS in Washington
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) An ag economist expects Washington lawmakers will be revisiting the Renewable Fuel Standard. Scott Irwin with the University of Illinois says, “I think we’re going to see the mother of all political battles over the RFS
April 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Interpreting Tradable Credit Prices in Overlapping Vehicle Regulations
by Benjamin Leard and Virginia McConnel (Resources for the Future (RFF)) The rapid transformation of the US transportation sector is partly due to three policies that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light duty vehicles: the federal corporate average fuel
April 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Harvard Study Bolsters Ethanol's Role In Protecting Public Health, Saving Lives
(Oklahoma Farm Bureau) ... The Harvard team's recent findings underscore the need to power more of our transportation system with non-petroleum-based fuels, like ethanol. The research team looked specifically at polluted areas beleaguered by fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). Motor vehicle emissions
April 21, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Weighs Lifting Ethanol Requirements for Oil Refiners
by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is weighing whether to let oil refineries skip on adding ethanol to their fuels, a move being requested by governors in oil-rich states who say the industry can’t afford the expense of
April 19, 2020 Read Full Article
USDA Prepares Aid Package: Perdue Says Aid Coming 'Very Soon' as Groups Highlight Struggles for Industries Such as Ethanol
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) ... Regarding ethanol, (Agriculture Secretary Sonny) Perdue talked about helping the export market, but he did not talk about providing direct aid to ethanol. On a webinar Wednesday with a Democratic-leaning group, "Focus on Rural,"
April 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Coronavirus Spurs New Clash between Big Oil and Big Corn over U.S. Biofuels
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) ... The oil refining industry and its backers have asked the Trump administration to help the industry weather the pandemic by reducing a regulatory requirement that they blend billions of gallons of corn-based ethanol into their gasoline
April 17, 2020 Read Full Article
FDA Reversal May Block Ethanol Plants from Hand Sanitizer Market
by Ben Nuelle (Agri-Pulse) Some ethanol plants who just spent thousands of dollars altering equipment to make hand sanitizer are fuming after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reversed its guidance that relaxed alcohol regulations for hand sanitizer production. FDA updated policy guidelines Wednesday that
April 17, 2020 Read Full Article
States Ask EPA for Nationwide Biofuel Waiver to Help Oil Refiners Weather Coronavirus
by Laura Sanicola (Reuters) The governors of five U.S. states have asked the Trump administration for a nationwide waiver exempting the oil-refining industry from the nation’s biofuel laws to help it survive a demand meltdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak, according
April 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Hero BX Eyes Expanding Biodiesel Footprint When Pandemic Subsides
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) ... “We are surviving day by day,” Peterson (Chris Peterson, president of Hero BX) said. “All our people are still employed.” According to Peterson, Hero BX owner Pat Black strives to provide stability for his staff
April 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Administration Declines to Stiffen US Clean Air Standards Comment DEADLINE June 29, 2020
by Emily Holden (The Guardian) EPA chief Wheeler says current soot regulations are adequate despite research that shows stricter rules could save thousands of lives -- Under the current standard, which was set in 2012, polluters can emit enough soot to
April 15, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Releases Proposal to Streamline Existing Fuels Regulations
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released a proposed rule on April 13 that aims to streamline and modernize the agency’s existing fuels regulations. In the rulemaking, the EPA said it is proposing “some slight modifications to the
April 14, 2020 Read Full Article
The Coronavirus Clean Energy Crisis
by Matt Carr (New Energy America/The Hill) The novel coronavirus pandemic could not have come at a worse time for America’s clean energy industry. After overcoming years of attacks by the Trump administration, the resultant loss of demand is threatening to decimate
April 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel Industries’ Vision Sees Hope Amongst COVID-19
by Donnell Rehagen (National Biodiesel Board/Biofuels Digest) ... Once our nation gets through the current uncertainty that is ahead of us in the near term, I believe the future of biodiesel and renewable diesel in America is extremely bright. ... Biodiesel, renewable diesel,
April 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Grassley Urging USDA to Aid Ethanol Industry through CCC
(The Hagstrom Report/The Fence Post) Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said today that he will send a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to use the Commodity Credit Corporation to help the ethanol industry. Grassley said he
April 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Court Rejects Appeal on RFS Exemptions
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request by refiners for an en banc hearing of the January case that voided three small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard, Pro's Eric Wolff reports. READ
April 08, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA, NHTSA Fail to Address High-Octane Fuel in SAFE Vehicles Rule
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the final Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles rule on March 31. The rule sets corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) and
April 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Transparency At EPA Still Missing
(Urban Air Initiative) The EPA is working on another emission testing program, one that will cost $25 million and last five years. This comes on the heels of a previous emissions study funded by the EPA. When the Urban Air Initiative
April 07, 2020 Read Full Article
EcoEngineers Profile: Regulatory Engagement Work with Dane County
(EcoEngineers) EcoEngineers’ Regulatory Engagement services and Dane County due diligence resulted in a large win for the renewable natural gas (RNG) industry. We are happy to announce USEPA’s green light to allow the Dane County offloading station to accept biogas from multiple
April 06, 2020 Read Full Article
How Badly Is COVID-19 Slamming Biofuels Industry? 30% Reduction of Ethanol Production Capacity, Nearly Half Offline in Coming Weeks?
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... RFA told The Digest that about 4.4 billion gallons of capacity has come offline since March 1, plus what was already idle, the total is about 5.2 billion gallons idle – that’s approximately
April 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry Seeks Bailout to Weather 'Collapsing Demand'
(Reuters/NewsMax Finance) The U.S. biofuel industry has asked the Trump administration for funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation to help it survive a demand slump triggered by the coronavirus outbreak, according to a letter seen by
April 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Ahead of Stimulus Talks, Voters Back Relief for Renewables More Than for Oil and Gas
by Lisa Martine Jenkins (Morning Consult) -- 38% of voters support a bailout for the oil and gas industry, compared to 54% backing for a renewables industry bailout. -- Republicans are nearly as supportive of a renewables bailout (49%) as
April 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Notice Provides Update of MSW Landfill Gas Emissions Guidelines
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA published a notice on March 12 announcing 42 states and territories failed to submit state plans under the 2016 emissions guidelines for existing municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The March 12 notice represents
April 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Ace Approved to Generate D3 RINs from Corn Kernel Fiber Ethanol
(BBI International/Ethanol Producer Magazine) In late March, U.S. EPA approved Ace Ethanol’s Part 80 registration for the new D3MAX facility at Ace Ethanol LLC, in Stanley, Wisconsin. To participate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and generate renewable identification numbers
April 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Report: Boost in Consumption of US Biomass-Based Diesel Expected
(The Fuels Institute/Biodiesel Magazine) U.S. biomass-based diesel, comprised of both biodiesel and renewable diesel, has increased rapidly in a relatively short time span to become a leading source of alternative transportation fuel. According a new report released March 26 by the Fuels
April 01, 2020 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Geoff Cooper and Renewable Fuels Association
"EPA’s rule assumes that electric vehicles have no “upstream” greenhouse gas emissions related to their use; in other words, the agency completely ignores emissions related to producing electricity from coal, natural gas, and other sources and distributing the electricity to
April 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Administration Cuts Fuel Economy, CO2 Standards with Final Regulations
by Sean Szymkowski (Road Show) The changes, wrapped into the SAFE Vehicles Rule, will result in less stringent CAFE improvements through 2026. -- The SAFE Vehicle Rule, announced by the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lowers
April 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Administration to Finalize Weaker Mileage Standards, Dealing a Blow to Obama-Era Climate Policy
by Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis (Washington Post) The new rule will improve the U.S. car and light truck fleet’s efficiency by 1.5 percent a year, versus nearly 5 percent under current law. The new rule will improve the U.S. car
March 31, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Waives Fuel Requirements, Extends Biofuels Deadline to Help Refineries
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday unveiled measures to help oil refineries cope with fallout from the coronavirus outbreak, including waiving anti-smog requirements for gasoline and extending the deadline for small facilities to show compliance
March 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry Tackling Challenges
by Susan Reidy (World-Grain.com) Despite a challenging environment, the global biofuels industry is holding steady and driving ahead with new policies, innovations and legislation to promote more robust growth in the future. In the EU, 2020 marks the deadline for certain greenhouse
March 30, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA: EPA Stall Tactic on Tenth Circuit Decision Just Delays the Inevitable
(Renewable Fuels Association) As part of a package intended to “protect the nation’s gasoline supply in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it intends to wait until “appeals have been resolved and the court’s mandate has been
March 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Focus Forward from Challenge to Opportunity: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to RFA’s 2020 Ethanol Industry Outlook
y Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Renewable Fuels Association released its 2020 Ethanol Industry Outlook, an annual publication that provides policymakers, regulators, consumers, the media, and renewable fuel advocates with key statistics, trends, insight, and analysis on the latest developments
March 30, 2020 Read Full Article
The Coronavirus and Ethanol Demand Destruction
by Scott Irwin and Todd Hubbs (FarmDocDaily) ... One implication of the virus-related restrictions is that people are driving much less than before, which means that gasoline and ethanol use are declining. The impact on the price of ethanol has
March 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Where’s Biodiesel At? Fuel Specs, Legislative Impacts, Fleet Support and more: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel Industry – Part 3
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Check out Part 3 of the National Biodiesel Board’s slide guide that delves into ASTM fuel specifications for biodiesel and fuel quality, biodiesel standards like BQ-9000, legislative updates impacting biodiesel demand and state policies, latest
March 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Top Democratic Law Firm Helps Oil Companies Dodge Climate Regulations
by Donald Shaw and David Moore (Sludge) Perkins Coie, a law firm with deep ties to the Democratic Party, is lobbying for fossil fuel clients to win exemptions from a federal program to limit greenhouse gas emissions. -- ... The
March 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Biodiesel’s Green Footprint for Fleets: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel Industry – Part 2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Check out Part 2 of the National Biodiesel Board’s slide guide that focuses on biodiesel’s on-road heavy-duty emission benefits, why they consider biodiesel as “liquid solar energy”, how 3 billion gallons of biodiesel used in
March 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Where’s Biodiesel At? The Diesel Market, Feedstock Options and more: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel Industry – Part 1
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) While things are topsy turvy around the world right now, Part 1 to this visual National Biodiesel Board slide guide takes us on an industry overview, the diesel vehicle market forecast, the U.S. biodiesel and
March 25, 2020 Read Full Article
The Hand Sanitizer Market: A Salvation for Beleaguered Ethanol Producers, or Not?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) created exemptions allowing certain alcohol fuel permit holders to sell ethanol (alcohol) for use in the
March 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Fewer Refineries Able to Get Biofuel Waivers Under Trump Plan
by Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) Administration will not appeal court ruling curbing exemptions; Officials directed to look for other ways to help oil refiners -- The Trump administration doesn’t plan to challenge a federal court ruling that dramatically curbs its ability
March 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Grassley Asks White House for Biofuel Support as SPR Fill Helps Oil Industry
by Meghan Gordon (S&P Global) US Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican-Iowa, urged the Trump administration Thursday to help the US biofuel industry weather plunging fuel prices and demand, just as the White House was seen as supporting domestic oil producers by
March 20, 2020 Read Full Article
ICCT: Potential Biomass-Based Diesel Production in the United States by 2032
by Tammy Klein (Future Fuel Strategies) One of the biggest issues I’ve been working on in my consulting practice over the last year is related to the scale up of renewable diesel (RD also known as hydrogenated vegetable oil or HVO).
March 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Coalition Launches Campaign Calling for EPA Not to Appeal 10th Circuit Decision
(Renewable Fuels Association) With the need for a decision only days away, the coalition that successfully won a unanimous court decision against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continued its call for the agency to not appeal the decision by launching a
March 19, 2020 Read Full Article
House Democrats Warn against Oil Industry Bailout
by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) A growing number of Democrats are voicing concern that the White House may pursue broad relief for the oil and gas industry amid sinking prices and the coronavirus pandemic. Twenty House Democrats sent a letter to President Trump on
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Prices Hit All-Time Low, Unconfirmed Reports of Plant Shutdowns
by Jerry Perkins (Successful Farming) ... The downturn in demand for ethanol, which is blended at a 10% rate in almost every gallon of gasoline consumed in the U.S., is coming at a time when ethanol plants were already economically
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Calls on Trump Administration to Help Struggling Biofuels Industry
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) ... With many ethanol plants on the verge of shutting down, we implore the Trump Administration to take action that equitably supports all liquid fuel industries—including ethanol producers—during this time of unprecedented market uncertainty and
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Reality EV: Let’s Not Overlook Biofuels
(Clean Fuels Development Coalition) The widespread introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) as a means of reducing carbon emissions presents a far greater challenge than the public is being led to believe, according to new research by the Clean Fuels Development Coalition
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Carper Asks EPA IG to Open Investigation into Process Irregularities and Potential Illegalities Associated with the SAFE Vehicles and Secret Science Rules
(Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)) U.S. Senator Tom Carper, top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inspector General (IG) to open an investigation into potentially unlawful efforts and
March 17, 2020 Read Full Article
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