by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Trump administration is likely to wait until after Election Day to weigh in on tough ethanol decisions for fear of triggering backlash among farmers or the oil sector. -- ... WAKE ME UP WHEN
Regulations-Federal
Back TO HOMED.C. Circuit Tosses Biofuel Maker's Complaint that New Guidance Will Cost It Valuable Credits
by Sebastien Malo (Retuers) A federal appeals court on Friday denied a challenge by leading ethanol maker POET Biorefining, LLC who accused the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of making it impossible to certify its corn-fiber-derived ethanol under a renewable-fuel program. A split three-judge
August 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Corn Growers, Ethanol Supporters to EPA: Stop Penalizing Ethanol Blends
(Urban Air Initiative) The Urban Air Initiative (UAI), a coalition of state corn grower organizations, and the American Coalition for Ethanol, and the Clean Fuels Development Coalition filed comments today asking EPA not to penalize ethanol's ability to reduce carbon
August 14, 2020 Read Full Article
VP Pence Speech to Farmers Falls Flat
by Jacqui Fatka (Feedstuffs) Vice President Mike Pence visited Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday to re-launch the Trump campaign’s Farmers & Ranchers for Trump. However, to a room full of farmer supporters his message came off more as a campaign speech,
August 14, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA ‘Reset’ Recommendation Addresses RFS, LCFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of six former U.S. EPA administrators representing both republican and democratic administrations are calling for a “reset” of the agency as it approaches its 50th anniversary. The Renewable Fuel Standard and a potential federal
August 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Groups Fear 'No Consequences' for Delaying Biofuel Volumes
by Ben Nuelle (Agri-Pulse) Biofuel groups are frustrated election-year politics could be getting in the way of time-sensitive Environmental Protection Agency action on renewable fuel policy that needs to be finalized by the end of the year, and fear voter accountability in
August 12, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA’s Wheeler Says He Has Questions about SRE Gap Waiver Applications
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the gap SRE applications have been sent over from the Department of Energy. “They just started sending them to us the week before last, so our guys are just now
August 12, 2020 Read Full Article
ACE: Legislation Would Require EPA to Update GREET
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Today (August 6, 2020), Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., introduced the Adopt GREET Act, which would require U.S. EPA to update its decade-old greenhouse gas lifecycle modeling for ethanol and biodiesel. American Coalition for Ethanol
August 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Cash-Short U.S. Biofuel Industry Cuts Lobbying even as Iowa Looms Large in Election
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) A top U.S. biofuel industry trade group said it has cut lobbying spending as the coronavirus pandemic has slammed members eager to press demands with President Donald Trump, who hopes to win the corn-producing state Iowa
August 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Anniversary Report Details Success of the Renewable Fuel Standard
(Renewable Fuels Association) Commemorating the 15th anniversary of President George W. Bush’s signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which created the Renewable Fuel Standard, the Renewable Fuels Association today released a report detailing how the industry has benefited the nation over
August 06, 2020 Read Full Article
CVR Energy Evaluates Renewable Diesel Project at Wynnewood Refinery
by Janet McGurty (S&P Global Platts) Project costs to be recouped by blenders tax credit; Renewable diesel project approval expected in September -- CVR Energy is evaluating a renewable diesel project at its Wynnewood, Oklahoma, refinery -- the latest refiner seeking respite
August 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Leaders Urge Noem, Trump to Open Door to “E30 by 2030”
(South Dakota Farmers Union) Compliance with Existing Law Would Inject $8 Billion Per Year into South Dakota Economy -- In a Rapid City Journal ad, a Sioux Falls Argus Leader editorial, and a letter to Governor Kristi Noem, South Dakota ethanol leaders said that a
August 05, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Energy Department Recommends Granting Partial Retroactive Waivers to Refiners: Sources
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Department of Energy has recommended that some of the oil refiners that applied for retroactive exemptions from the nation’s biofuel blending law be granted partial relief, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The
August 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy to IRS: Ethanol Plants Ready to Capture More Carbon
(Growth Energy) Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor submitted written comments on the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) proposed regulations under section 45Q, a performance-based tax credit for carbon capture projects. In her letter, Skor called on the agency to offer credit for carbon dioxide captured for
August 04, 2020 Read Full Article
E.P.A. Inspector General to Investigate Trump’s Biggest Climate Rollback
by Coral Davenport and Lisa Friedman (New York Times) The Environmental Protection Agency’s internal watchdog said Monday it had opened an investigation into the agency’s weakening of Obama-era regulations that would have limited automobile emissions by significantly raising fuel economy standards. The inspector general
August 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Turbocharging South Dakota’s Economy while Making Americans Healthier
by Doug Sombke and Jim Seurer (South Dakota Farmers Union/Glacial Lakes Energy/Argus Leader) During President Trump’s Fourth of July visit to Mount Rushmore, our organizations sponsored an ad in the Rapid City Journal that urged the President to “tear down the wall”
August 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Nebraska Lawmakers to Explore Ethanol Policies Ahead of Next Legislative Session
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The state of Nebraska is set to conduct a study of the state's ethanol industry, after producers in the state and across the country have faced several challenging years. Sen. Joni Albrecht, Thurston, introduced a resolution
August 03, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Provides USDA a Roadmap to Renewable Fuel Growth
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association this week responded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s request for comment on its Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA). Regarding renewable fuels, the agenda calls for Increased biofuel feedstock production and biofuel production efficiency and competitiveness to
August 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Inside GranBio, NextChem’s New Partnership to “Blow Out” Cellulosic Ethanol Global Roll-Out
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) News arrives from Sao Paulo and Rome that GranBio and NextChem have inked a strategic alliance and will co-license GranBio’s patented technology for the production of second-generation ethanol. NextChem is a subsidiary of Italian engineering giant
August 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Will Trump's New Investment Proposal Help The Oil & Gas Industry?
by Tsvetana Paraskova (OilPrice.com)The U.S. Department of Labor – which has recently proposed a rule that would limit retirement funds’ investments based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria – is unlikely to incentivize more funds to invest in oil
July 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy: Algae
(U.S. Department of Energy) ... The Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy: Algae is a follow on report to the BR&D Board’s Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy that summarizes Bioeconomy Initiative activities for the algae stakeholder community. Download the
July 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Ernst to EPA: Make E15 Available at Every Pump
by Micheal Clements (NAFB News Service/NewsDakota) Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to make E15 available at every U.S. gas pump. Specifically, Ernst calls on EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to certify biofuel infrastructure for
July 31, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Renewable Energy Numbers Show Strong Progress Towards a Long-Time Goal
(Solutions from the Land) An analysis of data released by the DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) that measures the amount of power generated by various resources shows more than 25 percent of the nation's net electrical generation came from renewable sources during the month of
July 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Why Trump Is Quickly Losing Rural Support
by Patty Judge (The Gazette) Rural voters are growing tired of Donald Trump. Recently, the Iowa Poll put Vice President Biden one point ahead of President Trump and Iowa moved from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican” on the Cook Political Report.
July 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Webinar: 95 RON Octane Perspective -- Starting the Conversation about a 95 RON Octane Standard
(Urban Air Initiative) This is a conversation related to ethanol and octane. The Urban Air Initiative presents its perspective on a 95 RON Octane Standard and the value it can bring to the corn ethanol industry. Urban Air President Dave
July 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Ernst Urges Wheeler to Take Action on Barriers to E15 Growth
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on July 28 urging him to initiate a rulemaking to certify biofuel infrastructure for E15 and remove unnecessary labeling requirements for
July 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Farmers, Researchers Agree: COVID-19, Climate Change Revealed Holes in Agriculture System
by Sarah Spicer (Wichita Eagle) To preserve the environment, mitigate climate change and stabilize the U.S. food system, Midwest farmers should diversify their crops and move away from raising corn and soybeans, researchers say. The current crop system, which was founded after
July 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels Vision 2020 Announces Ad Blitz on EPA Threat to Biofuels
(Biofuels Vision 2020/Ethanol Producer Magazine) In the run up to the November election, Biofuels Vision 2020 is launching a new ad campaign raising the alarm over a major regulatory threat to the economic recovery in Iowa. The new sizable, five-figure digital ad
July 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Tailors Exaggerations and False Claims to Election Battlegrounds
by Linda Qiu (New York Times) ... Likewise, Mr. Trump has sought to curry favor with corn farmers in Iowa and the Midwest by claiming to have “kept our promise on ethanol” and falsely charging Democrats with wanting to “wipe out,
July 27, 2020 Read Full Article
United Refining Sues EPA for Renewable Fuel Exemption (1)
by Maya Earls (Bloomberg Law) The Environmental Protection Agency is failing to act exempting Pennsylvania-based United Refining Co. from the Clean Air Act’s renewable fuel standards, the company says in a D.C. federal court lawsuit. The act mandates that fuel sold in
July 23, 2020 Read Full Article
In Virtual Hill Visits, RFA Hears from Lawmakers, Administration Officials
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association’s summer Board of Directors meeting concluded Wednesday with more than a dozen virtual Capitol Hill visits. Board members had the chance to hear from senators, House members and administration officials. Discussions covered a broad
July 23, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes CO2 Standards for Aircraft PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE: October 19, 2020
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA proposed setting fuel efficiency standards for aircraft engines to bring the U.S. in line with rules set by the International Civil Aviation Organization to reduce carbon dioxide, although green groups have long decried the ICAO
July 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Political Football Season Returns with RFS
by Donnell Rehagen (National Biodiesel Board/Biofuels Digest) ... Once again, the Environmental Protection Agency has turned the RFS into a political football. In June, the agency disclosed it is considering 52 newly filed small refinery exemptions petitions, covering compliance years from
July 21, 2020 Read Full Article
DOE Still Reviewing Gap-Year Small Oil Refiner Petitions
(Fairfield Sun Times/NAFB) ... (U.S. Energy Secretary Dan) Brouillette argued there were differing legal opinions on the ruling’s impact on ‘gap-year’ waivers, but conceded DOE’s method for analyzing and recommending EPA reject the same waivers in earlier years hasn’t changed. Which
July 20, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Iowa Senators Hope to Include Biofuels Aid in Next Coronavirus Relief Package
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. lawmakers from Iowa are trying to add aid for the biofuels industry into a pending coronavirus relief package in the Senate, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley said on Friday. Grassley and his Iowa colleague, Senator Joni Ernst, hope
July 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Taking Corn Fiber to the Max -- Ethanol Producer Awards: Project of the Year to ACE Ethanol
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) When the U.S. EPA approved Ace Ethanol’s Part 80 registration for corn-fiber-to-ethanol production this spring—qualifying the facility to generate D3 RINs—it was not just another project milestone, but a critical validation and definitive green
July 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Senators Press USDA for Biofuel Infrastructure Grant Flexibility
(Kansas Ag Connection/US AgNet) U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are pressing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to allow businesses that have received grants under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to use
July 17, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Now Considering 58 Gap-Year SRE Requests
(DTN's Washington Insider) At least 58 retroactive small refinery exemption (SRE) requests have been received by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to the latest update from the agency. The push by refiners for the retroactive “gap-year” exemptions stems from a 10th
July 17, 2020 Read Full Article
COVID-19 Response and November Election: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to 2020 Biofuel Issues to Watch
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Michael McAdams from Advanced Biofuels Association shared this short but illuminating slide guide at ABLC Digital last week to look at the big 2020 issues to watch affecting the biofuels industry. From tax credits, regulatory
July 17, 2020 Read Full Article
USDA Issues Rule to Streamline 4 Loan Guarantee Programs Comments DEADLINE: September 14, 2020
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The USDA on July 13 issued a final rule that aims to increase private investment in rural communities by making it easier for lenders to access four guaranteed loan programs, including the Rural Energy for
July 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Testifies on Low-Carbon Ethanol, EPA Test Fuels
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Today (July 13, 2020), Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley offered testimony during a virtual public hearing on the U.S. EPA’s test protocols for U.S. fuels. The agency is currently updating Tier 3 Motor Vehicle
July 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Administration Has Been Underestimating Costs of Carbon Pollution, Government Watchdog Finds
by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) The Trump administration has been systematically underestimating the damage caused by carbon pollution, slashing figures used under the Obama administration to weigh the impacts of policy, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office
July 14, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: Proposed Regulations for Section 45Q, An Overview and Discussion with the IRS --- July 21, 2020
The IRS and Treasury issued the long-awaited Proposed Regulations for the Section 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration on June 2nd. The Proposed Regulations provide guidance on key issues such as the contractual requirements for capturing carbon and
July 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Prophet Tilts at Petroleum
by Mikkel Pates (AgWeek) South Dakota ethanol promoter Orrie D. Swayze likes to hear promotions for 30% ethanol blends in gasoline but thinks 50% would be better for the environment and human health. -- ... Swazey, 76, ... became worried
July 13, 2020 Read Full Article
DOJ Asks Court to Block Automakers from Suit
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Trump administration on Thursday asked a court to block Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and BMW from becoming directly involved with litigation over the SAFE Vehicles rule (Reg. 2060-AU09). The automakers, which struck a voluntary
July 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Wall Street Giants Plan More Active Role in Climate Fight
by Amy Harder (Axios) Four of America’s biggest banks are backing a new nonprofit initiative to leverage the financial sector toward achieving climate-change goals. Driving the news: The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is launching a center focused on climate that will be supported
July 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Policy and Investment Failures Doomed the Biofuel Revolution
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,
July 09, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA 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
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