by Lisa Whitley Coleman (EHS Daily Advisor) The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) ends its current phase in 2022. The EPA has asked the oil, corn, and biofuels industries for input on the next phase of the biofuel policy, according to Reuters. ... “The
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS and RFS2)
Back TO HOMEFiber Frustration: The U.S. EPA Hasn’t Approved a Corn Fiber Pathway in More than Four Years
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The stalled U.S. EPA approval of corn kernel fiber-to-ethanol pathways could be having a $1 billion impact on a 15-billion-gallon-per-year ethanol industry, says Jim Ramm, director of engineering for EcoEngineers. That’s assuming 3% of
May 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Getting the Most from Sustainable Aviation Fuel
by Lloyd Ritter (Green Capitol LLC/Biofuels Digest) The aviation industry is currently responsible for less than 3% of total global carbon emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). But with air travel expected to increase by more than 60 percent
May 19, 2021 Read Full Article
The Refiners Who Cried Wolf
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The RFS creates competition that lowers fuel prices and reduces carbon emissions. Yet, refiners still complain. -- ... Indeed, at their request, the RFS includes provisions allowing refiners to comply without ever
May 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Exclusive: Tesla Seeks Entry into U.S. Renewable Fuel Credit Market - Sources
by Jarrett RenshawStephanie Kelly (Reuters) ... The electric car maker is one of at least eight companies with a pending application at the Environmental Protection Agency tied to power generation and renewable credits, the sources said. The EPA produces a list
May 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Savage Leads Buildout of Renewable Fuels Infrastructure and Supply Chain
(Savage/Globe Newswire) Savage, a global industry infrastructure and supply chain services company, in business for 75 years, announced today the formation of a team to lead the buildout of renewable energy assets and services. The Company is already engaged with partners on
May 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Skor Discusses Key Priorities to Drive Biofuel Demand
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor kicked off the event with a speech that framed the future of biofuels by addressing three key priorities to drive biofuel demand: building out access to higher blends nationwide, positioning biofuels
May 10, 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 that petitioned for exemptions to biofuel blending mandates, in an effort to help the government watchdog investigate the exemption program. The
May 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden’s EPA Administrator Says RFS Levels Coming ASAP
by O. Kay Henderson (KBOE) The administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spent much of Tuesday in Iowa. It’s the first solo trip Administrator Michael Regan has taken since he was sworn into office. Regan toured an ethanol plant in Nevada
May 05, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Files Motion to Vacate Three Biofuel Exemptions Given to Sinclair
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters/NASDAQ) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a motion on Friday to vacate three waivers given by the previous administration to Sinclair Oil Corporation refineries that exempt them from biofuel blending mandates. In the motion, the EPA said that
May 05, 2021 Read Full Article
American Coalition for Ethanol: USDA Must Reward Farmers, Biofuel Facilities For Carbon-Cutting Contributions
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Grainnet) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) encouraged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help establish a protocol for biofuel producers and farmers to easily document the carbon intensity benefits of changes in agricultural practices in comments submitted April 29 regarding USDA’s climate strategy for President
May 01, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA to USDA: Ethanol Fuels Climate-Smart Agriculture, Energizes Rural Communities
(Renewable Fuels Association) In separate comment letters submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Renewable Fuels Association explained how expanded ethanol production and use can support the administration’s “climate-smart” agriculture goals and encouraged USDA to use the Rural Energy Pilot
April 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Agri-Pulse Doing Deep Dive into Biofuels
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Agri-Pulse is investigating how the biofuels industry has changed and where it’s headed in season two of the farm policy news outlet’s Deep Dive podcast series. ... The first episode – “Running on E” – focuses on the history of
April 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Incentives Could Turn Costs of Biofuel Mandates into Environmental Benefits
(EurekAlert!/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment) CABBI studies on the Renewable Fuels Standard indicate a need for more targeted policies that value the environmental benefits of perennial bioenergy crops over cheaper options - and provide
April 28, 2021 Read Full Article
A Clash over Renewable Fuels Hinges on the Meaning of a Single Word
by Emily Hammond (SCOTUSBlog) On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC v. Renewable Fuels Association. The case presents an issue of statutory interpretation involving the Renewable Fuel Standard program — a part of the Clean
April 27, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA: Renewable Fuels Inclusion in U.S. Climate Plan is Good; Larger Role Warranted
(Renewable Fuels Association) President Biden’s plan for re-entering the Paris climate agreement includes low-carbon renewable fuels as a strategy for helping to achieve a 50-52% economy-wide reduction in net greenhouse gas pollution by 2030. The following is a statement from Renewable Fuels President
April 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Grassley Pleased Biden EPA Backs Ethanol in Waiver Case
(TOM/Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network/KIWA Radio) Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley recently said he’s encouraged the Environmental Protection Agency is siding with the ethanol industry in a case that goes before the Supreme Court later this month. The industry and the 10th Circuit Court
April 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Infrastructure Push: RFA Makes Case for Including Biofuels in Infrastructure Plans
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) After renewable biofuels appeared to be effectively shut out of President Joe Biden's plan for infrastructure, leaders in the ethanol industry and their advocates on Capitol Hill are trying to make the case that biofuels
April 20, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Counters Refiners’ RFS Claims -- Q&A: Geoff Cooper
by Tom Doran (AgriNews) ... The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers urged Regan, who was confirmed as EPA administrator on March 10, to “take swift action” on the Renewable Fuel Standard by extending compliance deadlines and “setting achievable targets” for
April 19, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Urges Adoption of Nationwide LCFS Policy That Would 'Build' on the RFS
by Jordan Godwin (OPIS Biofuels News) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) will ask Congress to adopt a national clean fuels policy or low carbon fuels standard (LCFS) that would build upon the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the ethanol industry group said
April 19, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Provides Ethanol Industry Update
(Ag Newswire) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) provided an ethanol industry update on Friday, presenting a history of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and its success, how small refinery waivers have undermined production, progress on recovery after COVID, a new consumer attitudes
April 19, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Seeks Oil, Corn Sectors' Input on Next Phase of U.S. Biofuel Policy -Sources
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has asked industry groups for their input on the future of the nation's biofuel policy after it ends its current phase in 2022, four sources familiar with the matter said. The consultations will
April 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Caucus Requests Meeting with EPA Administrator
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) Bipartisan members urge Administrator Regan to maximize benefits of RFS. The bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus extended an invitation to meet with EPA Administrator Michael Regan to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard and other biofuels priorities. In a letter
April 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Oil Industry Games in the Delaware Valley Are Played out | Opinion
by Jan Koninckx (USA TODAY Network/Delaware Online) Every few years, leaders like Sen. Tom Carper and Sen. Chris Coons are on the receiving end of lobbying blitz by area petroleum refiners seeking to roll back the Renewable Fuel Standard. The 2005
April 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel Growth Provides Signal Upstream to Expand Crush Capacity
by Ron Kotrba (Bio-Based Diesel Daily) Canada’s largest agribusiness, Richardson International Ltd., is doubling canola crush capacity at its processing facility in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. In addition to doubling capacity to 2.2 million metric tons, the company said it will optimize operational
April 08, 2021 Read Full Article
RFS Won't Expire Next Year, Volume Requirements in Limbo
by Kellan Heavican (Brownfield Ag News) The clock on the Renewable Fuel Standard won’t run out at the end of 2022 when it resets, but industry leaders wonder how the Environmental Protection Agency will set volume requirements for 2023. Renewable Fuels Association
April 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Earth Day 2021 Series Day 6: Taxing Carbon: RFS, RenovaBio and EU’s RED II
by Nathália Fernandes Pimentel* (Advanced Biofuels USA) First of all, carbon taxes are policy measures designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to meet further objectives in policy making. By definition, it is a tax that establishes a price on
April 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Coprocessing at Diesel Refinery: bp Products, North America — Cherry Point Refinery | Blaine, Washington
(EcoEngineers) bp’s Cherry Point Refinery is the first refinery in the Pacific Northwest capable of manufacturing diesel made from biomass-based feedstocks, which are processed alongside conventional feedstocks in an existing ultralow-sulfur diesel unit. Renewable diesel has the same properties as conventional ultralow-sulfur
April 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Nebraska Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum Features CEO Panel
(AgNewsWire) The 16th Annual Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum last week, hosted by the Nebraska Ethanol Board and Renewable Fuels Nebraska, featured an industry CEO panel that discussed some of the most pressing topics in the renewable fuels space. Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) interim director Pam Miller moderated
April 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Opinion: Scrap the Renewable Fuel Standard
by Andrew Quinlan (Center for Freedom and Prosperity/Washington Examiner) Plummeting demand due to reduced travel during the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the many flaws with the Renewable Fuel Standard and strained some in the petroleum industry to the breaking point. ... The RFS
April 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Exclusive: White House Asks EPA to Study How EVs Can Generate Renewable Fuel Credits
by Jarrett Renshaw, Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The White House has directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to study how using renewable fuels to power electric vehicle charging could generate tradeable credits under the nation’s biofuels program, two sources familiar with
April 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel Groups, States File Amicus Briefs in SCOTUS SRE Case
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Advanced Biofuels Association, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, the National Biodiesel Board and a group of eight states on March 31 filed amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court urging the court to
April 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Regan: EPA to Get RFS Back on Track What the Broader Economy Can Learn From Climate Work Done in Agriculture
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) One day after EPA granted deadline extensions to refiners to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the Biden administration will be working to get the RFS back on track this
March 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Time to Grow Biofuel Use
by Zippy Duvall (American Farm Bureau Federation) As homegrown fuels, ethanol and biodiesel have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower gas prices, increase demand for corn and soybeans and decrease our dependence on foreign energy sources. But the road to success
March 24, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Extends RFS Compliance Deadlines
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The first decision by the new administration that impacts biofuels is a disappointment to the industry. Late Tuesday afternoon, the Environmental Protection Agency extended compliance deadlines for the Renewable Fuel Standard, a move proposed under the Trump Administration that
March 24, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Urges EPA to Stay the Course on Renewable Fuel Standard
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association on Wednesday asked newly confirmed EPA Administrator Michael Regan to “stay the course” on the Renewable Fuel Standard, as the important policy faces renewed attacks from oil refiners. In a letter to Regan, RFA responds
March 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Fuel Industry Experts Share Expectations for 2021
by Steve Klein (C Store Decisions/Renewable Energy Group) ... The transportation industry will be a key factor in reaching those goals. There are also many new policies being debated. New York is considering a low-carbon fuel standard similar to California’s. Many
March 16, 2021 Read Full Article
RFS Reset Coming in 2022
by Julie Harker (Brownfield Ag News) A reset of the Renewable Fuels Standard will take place in 2022 as part of the original law. Gary Marshall, former CEO of the Missouri Corn Growers, tells Brownfield the EPA Administrator will have to
March 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Supreme Court Picks Date for Ethanol Case
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) An ethanol court case over Small Refinery Exemptions will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court April 27th. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says he is confident the Supreme Court will review the
March 16, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA: EPA Should Shelve Proposal to Extend RFS Compliance Deadlines
(Renewable Fuels Association) In comments submitted today (March 11, 2021) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Renewable Fuels Association opposed a proposal to extend the deadlines for demonstrating compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2019 and 2020. “This proposal is
March 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Three Days of SCOTUS ... Refiners' Appeal
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) ... On April 27 the court will hear refiners’ appeal of the 10th Circuit's ruling that severely limited EPA’s ability to exempt small refiners from biofuels blending requirements. (EPA recently shifted to support the
March 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuel Supported Bills Introduced on Capitol Hill
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) House climate proposal includes RFS integrity provisions and Adopt GREET Act recognizes ethanol’s improved environmental benefits. -- Legislators are looking to expand access and acceptance of biofuels with the introduction of several bills this week on
March 04, 2021 Read Full Article
SDFU Calls for Repeal & Replace of Fuel Economy Rule to Include Octane and Higher Ethanol Blends
by Rusty Halvorson (KFGO) Speaking at the National Farmers Union National Convention February 26, 2021, South Dakota Chapter President Doug Sombke said ethanol advocates need to prioritize support for a high octane standard in the new fuel economy rule that could triple
March 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Can Contribute Now to a Cleaner Energy Future
by Tom Daschle (Roll Call/The Daschle Group) Smart agriculture policy that has a role for ethanol can help advance Biden’s agenda on all fronts -- Growing up in South Dakota, agriculture has always been in my blood. For nearly three decades, I
February 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Leaders Say EPA Still Has to Account for Lost Gallons
(Brownfield Ag News) Ethanol industry leaders say the EPA’s recent change of policy on Small Refinery Exemptions is a start, but there is still a lot of work to do. Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association tells Brownfield the
February 25, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol and Biomass-Based Diesel RIN Prices Approaching All-Time Highs
by Sean Hill (U.S. Energy Information Administration) The prices of renewable identification number (RIN) credits—the compliance mechanisms used for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—have been steadily rising in recent months and
February 24, 2021 Read Full Article
LCFS and RFS – Conflict or Complement?
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Do Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) policies conflict or complement the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)? That was the question Dr. Jarrett Whistance with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri was called on to
February 24, 2021 Read Full Article
Logjam Kicks up Debate over Boosting Electric Vehicles
by Marc Heller (E&E News) A backlog of applications for advanced renewable fuels at EPA is spurring a new debate in the biofuel industry: Should the agency catch up on proposals related to electric vehicles first? That's a possibility, a biofuel industry
February 22, 2021 Read Full Article
Johnson, Craig Introduce RFS Integrity Act
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Reps. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., and Angie Craig, D-Minn., on Feb. 19 reintroduced the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act, which aims to ensure transparency and predictability in the U.S. EPA’s administration of the small refinery exemption (SRE)
February 22, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Supports 10th Circuit Court Ruling to Tighten Small Refinery Exemptions
by Tyne Morgan (Ag Web) Renewable Fuels groups are celebrating an EPA win. More than a year after the 10th Circuit Court issued its initial ruling on the small-refinery provisions within the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), EPA announced Monday it’s supporting
February 22, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA: RFS General Waiver Requests Are Unjustified and Illegal
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today filed comments with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to earlier requests from oil refiners and the governors of six oil-producing states seeking a general waiver from 2019 and 2020 renewable volume obligations under
February 19, 2021 Read Full Article
POET Urges Biden Climate Team to Grasp E15 Philosophy
(Biofuels International) POET has urged the new Biden administration to embrace E15. The world’s largest biofuels producer, based in Sioux Falls in South Dakota, has also welcomed the new President’s leadership in making climate a top priority. ... Rob Walther, vice president of
February 19, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA’s Cooper: Ethanol Provides Essential Energy for Meeting Global Challenges
(Renewable Fuels Association) Just as ethanol has played an essential role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the low-carbon fuel will also serve as essential energy for combatting climate change, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said today at the
February 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Sustainable Aviation Fuels and the Technologies, Constraints and Burgeoning Demand
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It's been a rough 2020 for aviation with COVID-19's impact on travel. Yet, climate goals remain in place, and the pivot from petroleum to renewable fuels continues, the sky is in focus. 2021 has started off with
February 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Building the Evidence on Corn Ethanol’s Greenhouse Gas Profile
by Jan Lewandrowski (US Department of Agriculture) Over the past two decades, the demand for renewable fuels — including corn-based ethanol — has helped drive a strong domestic market for corn, and supported rural America by generating jobs (PDF, 1.5 MB). New research
February 15, 2021 Read Full Article
PBF Energy Considering Renewable Diesel Project at Chalmette, Louisiana, Refinery
by Janet McGurty (S&P Global Platts) Technical feasibility study ongoing; Project would mitigate RFS costs -- PBF Energy is considering a renewable diesel project at its 190,000 b/d refinery in Chalmette, Louisiana, as it seeks to mitigate the high cost of meeting
February 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Study: RFS Has Slashed GHG Emissions by Nearly a Billion Metric Tons to Date
(Renewable Fuels Association) A new analysis from a renowned carbon accounting firm finds that the greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved under the Renewable Fuel Standard far exceed the reductions originally projected by EPA. Between 2008 and 2020, the use of
February 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Governor Walz Sends Biofuels Letter to President Biden
(Red River Farm Network) Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to President Biden on Wednesday asking him to support the biofuels industry and reverse the Trump administrations actions in supporting small refinery exemptions. Walz wants the Biden administration to
February 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden's EPA Pick to Review Options for Biofuel Blending Law beyond 2022
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency said he will confer with legal and policy teams to understand the options available for setting mandates to blend biofuels into the nation’s fuel mix beyond
February 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Groups Testify against EPA’s Proposed RFS Deadline Extensions PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE: March 11, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Representatives of the biofuels industry testified against the U.S. EPA’s proposed extension of the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard compliance deadlines during a Feb. 9 virtual hearing. Public comments on the proposal can be
February 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Life is a Highway
by John Eichberger (Fuels Institute) ... Fuels Institute recently published “The Impact of Transportation-related Environmental Initiatives” which provides an objective assessment of 37 global efforts and a deep dive into 14 of the most prominent initiatives affecting transportation. As we embark upon
February 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Ag Policy Blog Working on the Night Moves: Cruz RINs Cap Plan Struck Down in Wee Hours Friday
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The Senate rejected an attempt by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to cap the price of renewable identification numbers, or RINs, at 10 cents, as part of a proposed amendment to the COVID-19 stimulus bill, in
February 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Thune, Shaheen Reintroduce Bill to Advance Renewable Fuel Technologies
(Office of Senator John Thune (R-SD)) Bill would require EPA to approve proven technologies, expedite review of others -- U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to approve certain advanced biofuel registrations that have gone without approval by
February 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Marathon Petroleum Balancing Traditional Refinery Operations with New Renewable Ventures
by Janet McGurty (S&P Global Platts) Sees Q1 2021 gasoline demand 90% of Q1 2020; STAR project continues at Galveston Bay, TX, refinery; Dickinson, ND RD plant to reach full rates end-Q1 -- US refiner Marathon Petroleum is embracing the renewable energy space
February 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Klobuchar, Grassley Highlight Need to Restore Integrity to Renewable Fuel Standard in Letter to Environmental Protection Agency
(Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)) U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) led a letter to Acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Jane Nishida highlighting the need to restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)
February 04, 2021 Read Full Article
To Make the U.S. Auto Fleet Greener, Increasing Fuel Efficiency Matters More Than Selling Electric Vehicles
by John DeCicco (The Conversation) ... Motorcars stay on the road for a long time, so failing to adequately reduce gasoline vehicle emissions this year burdens the atmosphere with excess carbon dioxide (CO2) for many years ahead. ... The media spotlight on EVs
February 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Regan Faces Senate Committee Wednesday: EPA Nominee Regan Tells Grassley Biofuels Part of Biden Climate Plan
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley said he wants regulatory stability in agriculture when considering the Biden administration's nominee to head the EPA, Michael Regan. In a recent conversation with Regan ahead of his Wednesday hearing before
February 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Battles in Court to Reverse Demand Destruction
(Growth Energy) On Friday, January 29th, Growth Energy, along with others in the biofuels industry, filed an opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (Case No. 20-1046) challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to
February 03, 2021 Read Full Article
7 Things to Know about Renewable Natural Gas
by Tom Cyrs & John Feldmann (GreenBiz) ... A new research paper by WRI (World Research Institute) examines the potential of renewable natural gas as a climate strategy. The paper provides detailed guidance on assessing renewable natural gas potential and climate
January 29, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Directed to Report on 2017 Court Order
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is directing the Environmental Protection Agency to submit a status report every 60 days “on its progress in complying with the court’s remand” stemming from the July 2017
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden’s Climate Goals Will Boost Ethanol for Now: Oil Refiners and Ethanol Producers’ Collective Pain Hasn’t Done Much to Align Their Interests
by Jinjoo Lee (Wall Street Journal) In the tug of war for former President Donald Trump’s favors, oil refiners won some surprising victories over ethanol producers. Their fortunes are about to flip under President Joe Biden’s climate-driven administration. The fate of U.S.
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Gov. Reynolds Plans to Build ‘Relationships’ with President Biden to Protect Biofuels
by John Steppe (The Gazette/SoutherMinn.com) Gov. Kim Reynolds is looking forward to “building those same relationships” with President Joe Biden and his Environmental Protection Agency staff that she had with the Trump administration to protect biofuels, Reynolds said during Tuesday’s
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Biden’s ‘Buy American’ Executive Order Pushes for Electric Vehicles
by Tyne Morgan (AgWeb) Biofuels groups have high hopes a Biden Administration will get the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) back on track. But an announcement just days on the job seems to showcase a Biden Administration’s push for electric vehicles
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Developing Hype-Cycle Resilience to Accelerate Advanced Biofuel Technology
by Ross Mazur (Sustainable Fuels Consulting LLC/Biofuels Digest) Hype, the ephemeral group discourse surrounding topics and ideas, is becoming more pervasive in our increasingly digital world. Although hype cycles, the temporal trends in societal perception of a specific technology or
January 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Sinclair Confirms It Secured Trump EPA's Last Biofuel Waivers, Defends Them in Court
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) Sinclair Oil Corporation confirmed on Tuesday it secured biofuel blending waivers for its refineries from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shortly before the departure of the administration of President Donald Trump last week. The company made the statement
January 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Valero Sues Texas-Based Commodity Group for Failure to Deliver 106 Million RINs
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Valero has filed a lawsuit in Texas state court alleging a Cypress, Texas,-based commodity group failed to deliver renewable identification numbers, or RINs, as part of an agreement with Valero. In the lawsuit filed on Dec.
January 22, 2021 Read Full Article
D.C. Circuit Court Stays EPA Action Granting Refinery Waivers
(Renewable Fuels Association) In response to an emergency motion filed Tuesday evening by the Renewable Fuels Association, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today ordered that EPA’s action on Tuesday to grant three small refinery petitions must be “administratively stayed
January 21, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Files Petition and Emergency Motion to Halt EPA’s Dark-of-Night Refinery Waivers
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association filed a petition for review and an emergency motion to stay the effectiveness of three small refinery exemptions granted Tuesday evening by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with less than 24 hours remaining in the Trump administration. “EPA’s decision
January 21, 2021 Read Full Article
A Muted Year for Biofuels M&A Activity: 2020 Review and Outlook
by Bruce Comer and Frank Kim (Ocean Park Advisors/Biofuels Digest) COVID-19 further plagues the already challenged North American biofuels M&A market, while capital investments thrive. -- Biofuels merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in North America remained sluggish in 2020. For
January 21, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Will Fight EPA’s Illegal, Last-Minute Refinery Exemptions
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today harshly condemned the Environmental Protection Agency’s unconscionable and unlawful decision to grant three more small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard with just hours remaining before Donald Trump leaves the White House
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes to Extend 2019, 2020 RFS Deadlines DEADLINE Comments due March 11, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is scheduled to publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register on Jan. 15 extending certain Renewable Fuel Standard deadlines for compliance years 2019 and 2020. A public comment period is open
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Petitions for a Waiver of the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standards DEADLINE Comments due February 18, 2021
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) EPA seeks comment on several petitions for a waiver of the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) volume requirements from refineries and the governors of several states. The petitions and the associated Federal Register Notice are
January 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel's Rising Tide
by Tom Bryan (Biodiesel Magazine) An update on U.S. renewable diesel projects—operational, expanding, under construction and proposed—giving new purpose to aging oil refineries. The report represents a transformative volume of nearly 5.5 billion gallons of new or potential capacity. The appeal
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Holding Strong: U.S. Biodiesel Producers Surveyed
by Tom Bryan (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine’s late-2020 survey of producers tells the story of a resilient, changing industry that’s taken mostly indirect hits from the pandemic. Many producers lowered, but later ramped back up, production in 2020. This publication’s survey
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Renewed Focus on Climate Legislation Could Help Biofuels
by Sara Wyant (Ag Week) The biofuel industry argues that President-elect Joe Biden can also make progress on his climate goals by expanding biofuel usage mandates, embracing a low carbon fuel policy and increasing vehicle emissions standards. Now that Democrats have
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Washington Week in Review: Jan. 15, 2021: Rep. Rodney Davis on Impeachment, COVID Aid, and Biofuels
(Agri-Pulse) It's been an eventful two weeks on Capitol Hill, and the impacts could linger for an extended period of time. Illinois Republican Rodney Davis, a veteran of the House Agriculture Committee and the ranking member of the House Administration
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Outgoing Trump Admin Mulls Industry-Wide Biofuel Waiver for Oil Refiners and E15 Labeling Change
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The Trump administration is considering requests from the oil refining industry and its backers for a sweeping nationwide waiver to exempt them from their obligations to blend biofuels, a measure they argue would help them weather the
January 19, 2021 Read Full Article
House Biofuels Caucus Urges Trump to Reject SRE Petitions
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Members of the House Biofuels Caucus sent a letter to President Trump on Jan. 12 urging him to direct the U.S. EPA to immediately reject any pending small refinery exemption (SRE) requests that do not meet criteria established
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Thanks Senate Midwest Republicans for Backing Renewable Fuel Standard
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association expressed gratitude today to seven Republican members of the Senate who called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to back down from rumored small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard. “Lawmakers on both sides of the
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
AFPM Sees Alignment with Biden on Trade, Economy
by Elliott Blackburn (Argus Media) ... (President-elect Joe) Biden also campaigned on goals to increasingly electrify the US vehicle fleet and maintain support for renewable fuels, which would erode market share for the petroleum fuel that dominates AFPM membership's output. But
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Grassley Shudders at Hill Reopening Renewable Fuels Law
by Marc Heller (E&E News) To Sen. Chuck Grassley, only one prospect may be scarier than putting the politics of ethanol before the Supreme Court: letting his colleagues in Congress vote on it. READ MORE
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Final Anti-Backsliding Determination for Renewable Fuels and Air Quality
(Federal Register/Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that no additional measures are necessary pursuant to Clean Air Act (CAA) section 211(v) to mitigate the adverse air quality impacts of the renewable fuel volumes required under CAA
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
U.S. EPA Eyes Extending Refinery Biofuel Deadlines, No Action on Waivers
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it would propose to extend deadlines for refiners to prove compliance with biofuel laws, but signaled it would not decide on a slew of pending waiver requests submitted
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Dozens of Ethanol Plants Remain Idle in Early 2021
by Jerry Perkins (Successful Farming) Weaker demand is the main factor now, the $5 corn market could delay the industry's recovery. -- Higher corn prices are roiling the U.S. ethanol industry, but the full impact of the corn price spike might
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Senators Ask Biden to Restore the Integrity of the RFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of six democratic senators sent a letter President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 11 urging his administration to support U.S. farmers and the biofuels industry by restoring the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard. The
January 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Will EPA Torpedo RFS Again on Wheeler’s Way Out?
by Jennifer Shike (Farm Journal Ag Web) With just eight days left in EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s term, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Geoff Cooper told AgriTalk’s host Chip Flory on Tuesday that he’s not surprised
January 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Here’s How President-elect Biden Can Slash Carbon Emissions by 12 Million Metric Tons on Day One in Office
(Renewable Fuels Association) On “Day One” in office, President-elect Biden’s incoming administration can immediately secure 10.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions simply by rejecting the 66 pending waiver requests from oil refiners who are looking to dodge their
January 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Exclusive: Trump Administration Expected to Grant Biofuel Waivers for Some Oil Refiners - Sources
by Stephanie Kelly, Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Trump administration is expected to grant waivers to some oil refiners that would exempt them from requirements to blend biofuels into their fuel mix for the 2019 compliance year, according to two sources
January 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Supreme Court to Hear Small-Refinery Exemption Appeal
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The Supreme Court will review a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver that found EPA mishandled the small-refinery exemptions program in the Renewable Fuel Standard. The 10th Circuit ruling
January 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Coalition Rejects EPA’s Excuses for Failing to Comply with 2017 Court Order
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (January 7, 2021), a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed its reply in support of its motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. The motion, originally filed
January 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Coalition Rejects EPA’s Excuses for Failing to Comply with 2017 Court Order
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (January 7, 2021), a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed its reply in support of its motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. The motion, originally filed on
January 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Growth Energy, RFA Demand Transparency in Refinery Exemption Process
(Growth Energy) In a court filing today (January 5, 2021), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association continued to call on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to release the names and locations of refineries granted exemptions
January 06, 2021 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Advanced Bioeconomy Markets and Predictions for 2021
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2021? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2020
January 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Waste Gas from Landfill Will Offset up to 75% of VIA’s Bus Fuel Demand
by Brendan Gibbons (San Antonio Report) Enough methane from decaying waste in a private San Antonio landfill can be harvested to offset the need for fossil fuel use by most of VIA Metropolitan Transit’s bus fleet, officials say. CPS Energy, VIA, and
January 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Consent Decree Throws RFS Refinery Exemption Decisions into Biden's Lap
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) A consent decree published today in the Federal Register gives EPA until Feb. 19 to decide whether to exempt a refinery owned by United Refining Co. in Pennsylvania from the 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard requirements.
January 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Building Back Better with Biofuels
by Emily Skor (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Expecting heightened attention on renewable energy in the years ahead, Growth Energy will be working with America’s elected leaders to unleash ethanol as the engine of the rural economy and the foundation of
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Accelerating Demand: A Roadmap for Sparking New Demand for Ethanol
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Coalition for Ethanol is ready to execute on Accelerate, a roadmap for sparking new demand for ethanol. The plan is built around implementing new clean fuel policies, protecting what
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Petroleum Opposes Biofuels RFS Remand: Petroleum Group Opposes Ag, Biofuels Lawsuit on 500 Million-Gallon Remand
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) As biofuel producers attempt to force EPA to restore 500 million gallons that a court found were improperly waived from the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2016, a petroleum interest group is arguing those groups have
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Top 10 Slide Guides of 2020
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... In today’s Digest, we look at the HOTTEST Digest Slide Guides like Corbion’s biobased Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), Gevo’s low carbon drop-in transportation fuels, Neste, an exclusive Digest Q&A with Clariant, and even some
December 29, 2020 Read Full Article
15 Billion Biodiesel Gallons by 2050: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to National Biodiesel Board
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed Kurt Kovarik, National Biodiesel Board’s VP of Federal Affairs, at ABLC this summer, check out this slide guide where he outlines NBB’s vision, their new mission of 15 billion gallons of biodiesel
December 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Analysis: Biofuels Sector Hopeful Over Biden RFS Stance, Wary of GHG Policy
by Patrick Newkumet (Oil Price Information Service) Renewable fuel industry officials are mostly optimistic that the incoming Biden administration will be more supportive of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) than the Trump White House, though some worry that the president-elect's
December 24, 2020 Read Full Article
The Big, Big Package: What’s under the Christmas Tree for the Bioeconomy, in the $1.4T New Spending Bill?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The $1.4 trillion spending package includes appropriation for Fiscal Year 2021, the COVID stimulus package, extensions of popular tax credits that otherwise expired on December 31st, and the Energy Act of 2020, a $35B version
December 23, 2020 Read Full Article
The Fuel for Thought Podcast
(Haldoe Topsoe) The world’s first podcast about renewables for the refinery industry season two. This time, Sylvain Verdier and Mikala Grubb from Topsoe look into some of the most pressing topics in renewables and the refining industry, including trends in
December 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Biden EPA Designee Reaches Out to Corn Growers
![](https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/uploads/old/ASHES-webinar-cook-stoves.png)
by John Herath (Farm Journal AgWeb) President-Elect Joe Biden officially announced his climate cabinet on Saturday, including the nomination of Michael Regan of North Carolina to be EPA Administrator. On the eve of that announcement, Regan was on the phone with
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Measuring the Uncertainty of Renewable Diesel Projects
by Dave Collings (1898 & Co./Burns & McDonnell) Renewable diesel — also known as green diesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil, or hydrotreated esters and fatty acids — has now gained widespread attention throughout the world. This growing interest is turning into
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Carbon Intensity Is Important for Renewable Fuels Investments
by Dave Collings (1898 & Co./Burns & McDonnell) As developers, investors and plant operators explore options to increase production and market share of renewable fuels, the concept of carbon intensity (CI) must be well-understood. It might be the deciding factor that
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Is Your Renewable Diesel Project Sustainable?
by Dave Collings (1898 & Co./Burns & McDonnell) For organizations looking to develop, construct and commission a new renewable diesel plant, it’s important to understand the various market conditions at play to avoid poorly made investments and the pitfalls of lost
December 21, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA: 66 SRE Petitions Now Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Dec. 17, reporting that five additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency seeking exemptions of Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements. The status
December 18, 2020 Read Full Article
OMB Updates Timelines for 2021 RFS, E15 Label Rules
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Information released by the White House Office of Management and budget indicates the a proposed rule to set 2021 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard could be released soon. A rulemaking is
December 16, 2020 Read Full Article
DOJ Asks SCOTUS to Pass on Refinery Exemption Case
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politco's Morning Energy) The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court not to review the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision creating a strict new definition of who qualifies for small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
December 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels Coalition Files Brief Challenging 31 Small Refinery Exemptions in 2018
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union today filed a brief challenging EPA’s August 2019 decision to exempt 31 small refineries from their obligations to comply
December 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Ag Leaders Meet with Biden Team to Explain Priorities
by Ben Nuelle (AgriPulse) ... Carbon sequestration payments to farmers is something said to be on the table for the incoming Biden administration as a path to address emissions reduction. Duvall said any potential program should be a market-based system and
December 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Oil Refineries See Profit in Turning Kitchen Grease into Diesel
by Clifford Krauss (New York Times) Used cooking oil is one of the ingredients in renewable diesel, which generates far less emissions than conventional diesel and allows refineries to take advantage of federal and state incentives. -- ... Companies that
December 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Submits Notice of Intent to Sue EPA Over Failure to Issue 2021 Biofuel Blending Targets
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy submitted a notice of intent to sue letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its failure to fulfill its statutory obligation to issue the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) by November 30th, 2020, an annual deadline set by
December 03, 2020 Read Full Article
S&P Global Platts Launches Renewable Diesel Values in United States
(S&P Global Platts/Markets Insider) S&P Global Platts ("Platts"), the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, today announced the launch of renewable diesel values for the Americas. These daily assessments bring transparency to
December 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Incentives Spur Investors to Pick Up Pace on Low-Carbon Projects
by Dean Scott (Bloomberg Law) Growing interest in combining federal, state credits in low-carbon projects; Congress’ inaction on 45Q credit extension a worrying sign for new efforts -- A mix of federal and state environmental incentives are drawing investors towards low-carbon,
December 01, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Misses Statutory Deadline to Set 2021 RFS RVOs
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has missed its Nov. 30 statutory deadline to set the 2021 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard, as well as the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel. While the delay was
December 01, 2020 Read Full Article
An Open Letter to the Ethanol Community from Ethanol Producers
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... (T)he overriding objective should be to increase demand, which increases ethanol volume and corn grind. With that in mind, do we continue to fight for what is almost certain to be a reduced
November 30, 2020 Read Full Article
New Biofuel-Trading Venue Sees Untapped Demand in Green Revival
by Kim Chipman (Bloomberg/Yahoo! Finance) The U.S. market for biofuel credits has long drawn calls for reform over lack of transparency. Trading-technology expert Julian Anstes says he has the answer. Anstes and the firm he runs, London-based OTC Direct Markets Ltd., have
November 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Farm & Biofuel Leaders Urge Courts to Hold EPA Accountable on Improper 2016 Waiver
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today, a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia asking the court to enforce its 2017 decision requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address its improper waiver of 500
November 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Should Ethanol Go Back to Business as Usual after COVID-19?
by Christina Stella (WVIK/NPR) ... As Americans hunkered down for lockdowns, gasoline demand across the country plummeted. Ethanol industry leaders issued warnings that the financial repercussions of widespread lockdowns could be significant to plants across the country. They later reported half of
November 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels to Boost Clean Fuel Standard to Biden
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Some of the largest biofuels companies plan to ask Biden to impose a nationwide standard to reduce carbon emissions from transport fuels, Reuters reports, citing five sources familiar with the matter. The push reflects the
November 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Outlines 2021 Biofuel Policy Priorities
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor today outlined the biofuels industry’s top federal priorities for 2021, highlighting key measures that elected leaders must take to protect the climate, revitalize rural communities, and offer more consumers clean, affordable options
November 20, 2020 Read Full Article
How to Move Your Business Forward in a Time of Too Much Ethanol
by Jim Ramm (EcoEngineers) Many hardships facing ethanol producers, but there is a silver lining -- ... A silver lining in this near-perfect storm is the ability to lower the life cycle carbon emissions of ethanol and take advantage of
November 20, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA: 6 More SRE Petitions Filed, 58 Now Pending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Nov. 19, reporting that six additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency, including one for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year 2019 and
November 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Transition Book: Priorities for Administrative Action on Carbon Removal in 2021+
(Carbon 180) We partner with policymakers, scientists, and businesses around the globe to develop policy, promote research, and advance solutions that transform carbon from a pollutant to a resource and foster a prosperous, carbon-conscious economy that removes more from the
November 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Small Refinery Gets Second Win in Battle for Renewable-Fuel Hardship Exemption
by Sebastien Malo (Reuters/WestLaw) A federal appeals court vacated for the second time on Tuesday a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denial of small oil refinery Ergon West Virginia Inc's (EWVI) request for an exemption from the country's biofuel regulations after finding
November 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Ag Retailers: Zero-Emission Truck Plan Could ‘Devastate’ Agriculture
by John Gallagher (Freight Waves) Ag retailers: Zero-emission truck plan could ‘devastate’ agriculture -- An environmental policy promoted by Democratic lawmakers to effectively ban internal combustion engines (ICEs) for heavy-duty trucks by 2040 would be a major economic blow to agribusiness
November 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Senate Finance Chair Says EPA Leader Should Follow RFS or Resign
(WNAX) Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley told farm reporters Thursday that 2020 has been a tenuous year for renewable fuels. He says ethanol demand has been hurt by the pandemic and gap year waiver requests for refiners has created a lot of
November 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Post-Election Analysis from ABFA: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Advanced Biofuels Association’s Election View
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Did the bioeconomy win or lose? If you missed the conversation on Thursday at DigestConnect, check out this slide guide from Mike McAdams, President of Advanced Biofuels Association for his post-election analysis from the Presidential
November 10, 2020 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Geoff Cooper
RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper reminds us that President Elect Joe Biden committed on the campaign trail to put an end to the Trump Administration’s EPA small refinery waivers on day one according to Brownfield Ag News. READ MORE
November 10, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Renewable Fuels Legislation Could Garner Bipartisan Support under Biden
by Stephanie Kelly and Laura Sanicola (Reuters) Renewable fuels are a niche market for now, but with Democratic President-Elect Joe Biden set to enter office with a divided Congress, legislation supporting demand for products like renewable diesel could garner bipartisan
November 10, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Asks SCOTUS for Delay in RFS Case: Trump Administration Asks for Time to File Response in Small-Refinery Exemption Case
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The EPA has asked the Supreme Court for an extension to file a response to a refiner's petition for review of an appeals court's January 2020 ruling on small-refinery exemptions. HollyFrontier Corp. appealed to the high
November 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Evolve or Die: US Refiners Grasp Renewables Lifeline to Stay Viable
by Janet McGurty (S&P Global Platts) Government incentives drive renewable diesel projects growth; Demand up as regional low carbon regulations increase -- Once the scourge of the US refining industry, some refiners are now looking to renewable fuels to help their bottom
November 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Factbox: Unresolved Biofuel Policy Issues Facing the Next U.S. President
(Today/Reuters) Both U.S. President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden have tried to clinch rural votes ahead of the election by voicing support for corn-based ethanol. But big questions remain over how either would administer the nation's biofuel law,
November 04, 2020 Read Full Article
EPA Administrator: RFS Waiver Requests to Wait on Court Appeal
by John Herath (Farm Journal's Ag Pro) Wheeler (EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler) said on the AgriTalk Radio Show on Monday that he will not consider those waiver requests until after the courts have spoken on that appeal. “The refiners appealed that to
November 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Report Evaluates Emission-Reduction Efforts: The Fuels Institute Compares 14 Initiatives in Terms of Effectiveness, Impact and Overall Cost.
(NACS) As governments consider strategies to reduce emissions from transportation, a new Fuels Institute report provides valuable context to help guide their considerations, encouraging them to consider multiple perspectives before deciding how to proceed. “Impact of Transportation-Related Environmental Initiatives” takes an in-depth look at the
November 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Looks beyond Trump-Biden Bluster to Biofuel Reset
by Kim Chipman and Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg Green) Presidential, Iowa Senate races put biofuel in spotlight; Renewable Fuel Standard uncertainty clouds ethanol outlook -- ... The winner will oversee a “reset” of the congressional mandate to blend biofuels with gasoline. This
November 02, 2020 Read Full Article
LETTER: Biofuel Targets Should Be Set Now
by Marc Berger (Daily Citizen) ... The EPA announced that E15 -- a gasoline blend made with 15% ethanol -- can be pumped through existing E10 infrastructure, helping expand the market for ethanol at a critical time. Despite this, we’re
October 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Joint Statement from Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association on Motion for Partial Summary Judgment in FOIA Lawsuit Regarding Small Refinery Exemption Transparency
(Growth Energy/Renewable Fuels Association) Upon the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to adequately respond to several Freedom of Information Act requests filed by the biofuels industry regarding the small refinery exemption (SRE) program and EPA’s radical escalation in granting SREs in