By Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) The Government Accountability Office says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack had the legal authority to use the Commodity
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Back TO HOMEBiden-Harris Administration Proposes to Improve Air Pollution Emissions Data Public Comment DEADLINE October 18, 2023 Public Hearing August 30
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed updates to the Agency’s Air Emissions Reporting Requirements rule, including
August 04, 2023 Read Full Article
Science & Tech Spotlight: Synthetic Biology
(Government Accountability Office) ... This Science & Tech Spotlight describes some of the benefits of synthetic biology and the challenges
May 01, 2023 Read Full Article
Battle Brews over Climate Law Credits for Aviation Biofuels
by Brian Dabbs (E&E News Energywire) The Inflation Reduction Act is setting up a fight over the climate footprint of biofuels
April 05, 2023 Read Full Article
GAO: Federal Agencies Should Track Progress toward SAF Goals
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Government Accountability Office on March 27 issued a report that includes recommendations
March 29, 2023 Read Full Article
Legislative Package Includes Bills to Advance Biofuels Research
by Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton (B&C Biobased and Sustainable Chemicals Blog) On February 16, 2023, Representative Randy Feenstra
March 06, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA's Refinery Exemptions Denial Not Subject to Congressional Review Act, GAO Says
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico Pro) EPA's denial of exemptions for small refineries under the Renewable Fuel Standard last year does not
February 10, 2023 Read Full Article
RFA: EPA’s 2023-2025 RVO Proposal a ‘Firm Foundation’ for Future of RFS
(Renewable Fuels Association) Proposed volume obligations for 2023-2025 bolster the Renewable Fuel Standard and provide growth opportunities for the ethanol
January 10, 2023 Read Full Article
EPA Responds to GAO Report on RIN Prices, Small Refineries
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on Dec. 20 released a final analysis on the price of renewable
December 21, 2022 Read Full Article
RFA Provides Input on IRA’s Clean Fuel Production and CCUS Credits, Biofuels Infrastructure Grants
(Renewable Fuels Association) As federal agencies continue to work on implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Renewable Fuels Association on
December 06, 2022 Read Full Article
GAO Publishes Science & Tech Spotlight on Biorecycling of Plastics
by Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton (Bergeson & Campbell) On November 21, 2022, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
December 02, 2022 Read Full Article
GAO Hammers EPA on RFS Waiver Methods
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) GAO Report: EPA Unable to Prove Small Refiners Pass RFS Costs to Consumers -- Not
November 04, 2022 Read Full Article
Troubled Carbon Capture Projects Dog US DOE ahead of New Spending Spree
by Karin Rives (S&P Global) ... The San Juan plant is not the only carbon capture project receiving funds from the
October 03, 2022 Read Full Article
Senators Ask GAO if SRE Denials Require Congressional Review
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sens. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.; Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.V.; and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., are asking the
June 15, 2022 Read Full Article
EPA to Disclose CBI Related to SRE Petitions to GAO
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on March 10 issued a notice to all obligated parties under the
March 13, 2022 Read Full Article
Disclosure of Information Claimed as, or Determined by EPA To Be, Confidential Business Information (CBI) in Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Small Refinery Exemption Petitions and Certain RFS Compliance Reports
( Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice of disclosure to all obligated parties under
March 10, 2022 Read Full Article
DOE Risks Wasting ‘Significant Funds’ on CCS — Audit
by Carlos Anchondo and Jeremy Dillon (E&E News) The Department of Energy is at risk of wasting a significant amount of
December 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Can Chemical Recycling Reduce Plastic Pollution?
(Government Accountability Office) ... From 1970 to 2018 (the most recent data available), plastic waste in the U.S. grew tenfold. While
October 08, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA to Hand over Biofuel Exemption Documents to GAO Probe
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is handing over to the Government Accountability Office information on oil refiners
May 06, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. House Panel Discusses Low-Carbon Fuel with Airline, Biofuel Industries
by Stephanie Kelly and David Shepardson (Reuters) Members of a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee met on Tuesday with representatives from
May 06, 2021 Read Full Article
NBAA Welcomes Increased Capitol Hill Focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(National Business Aviation Association/Biobased Diesel Daily) On March 30, the National Business Aviation Association recognized a bipartisan congressional request to the
April 06, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Applauds Congressional Efforts to Enhance Transparency of Small Refinery Waiver Process
(Renewable Fuels Association) The House Committee on Energy and Commerce today unveiled the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which contains provisions requiring
September 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Letter Urges EPA to Comply with GOA Investigation of SRE Process
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Seven federal lawmakers sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Sept. 15
September 16, 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
July 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Congressional Watchdog to Review Trump Admin's Use of Biofuel Waivers
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters/Financial Post) The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) will review the Trump administration’s use of waivers exempting oil
January 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard: Information on Likely Program Effects on Gasoline Prices and Greenhouse Gas Emission
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) We reviewed the effects of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires biofuels to be blended into U.S.
June 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard: Program Unlikely to Meet Production or Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The Renewable Fuel Standard aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the nation’s renewable fuels sector
July 08, 2018 Read Full Article
GAO to Look into Trump's Reduction of Carbon Social Costs
by Miranda Green (The Hill) A government watchdog has agreed to review the Trump administration's method for calculating the social cost
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Schneiderman Backs Carbon Tax
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman became the first New York statewide elected official to back a carbon tax this
December 27, 2017 Read Full Article
GAO to Look at Social Cost of Carbon
by Arianna Skibell (E&E News) An independent government watchdog has agreed to examine how the Trump administration uses the social cost
December 22, 2017 Read Full Article
A Critical Look at Cellulosic Ethanol and Other Advanced Biofuels
by Alexander A. Koukoulas0 (ANL Consultants LLC/Biofuels Digest) ... The pursuit of 2nd Gen fuels has been motivated by several factors including:
December 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Senate Committee Hearing Focuses on GAO’s RFS Reports
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Dec. 1, the Senate Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Ernst Stresses Importance of Strong RFS for Rural Economies at Hearing
by Bob Quinn and Doug Cooper (600WMTRadio) At the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA Statement on Senate Hearing Focused on GAO RFS Reports
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management is holding
December 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Recent Renewables Required Reading: What Can You Skip, What d’ya Gotta Read?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, in Washington and Brussels, four news flashes on global renewable fuel volumes appeared on
December 02, 2016 Read Full Article
GAO RFS Reports Paint Incomplete Picture of Advanced Biofuels
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued two reports Nov. 28 suggesting that the renewable fuel standard (RFS)
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard: Low Expected Production Volumes Make It Unlikely That Advanced Biofuels Can Meet Increasing Targets
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The Renewable Fuel Standard program calls for greater use of advanced biofuels—fuel made from waste fats
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
GAO Report Addresses DOD Alternative Fuels Investments
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) In late July, the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report focused on U.S. Department
August 17, 2015 Read Full Article
GAO Faults Cost Analyses for EPA Regulations
by Benjamin Goad (The Hill) A government report made public Monday finds fault with the Environmental Protection Agency’s analyses of
August 12, 2014 Read Full Article
E-15 Gasoline Won't Be Sold for at Least a Year, Watchdog says
by Neil Roland (Automotive News) Gasoline with up to 15 percent ethanol probably won't be sold at the pump for