(U.S. Department of Justice) A Colorado resident was sentenced to 15 months in prison yesterday for his role in a biodiesel tax credit fraud scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. According to
taxes
Back TO HOMEPM Reviews Proposed Ethanol Policy to Ensure Timely Roll-out
by Timsy Jaipuria (CNBC) India is likely to roll out a comprehensive ethanol policy to ensure reduction in dependence on imported crude oil. Sources told CNBC-TV18, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior government officials on Tuesday reviewed the current status
October 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Indonesia Mulls Palm Oil Levies Increase to Support Biodiesel Plans
(Today/Reuters) Indonesia may further increase palm oil export levies in future to support its ambitious biodiesel programme as the price of crude oil is expected to remain weak next year, a senior Finance Ministry official said on Wednesday. Indonesia collects levies from
August 20, 2020 Read Full Article
USGC Engagement Helps US Ethanol Fill Australian Fuel Needs
(Aberdeen News/U.S. Grains Council) U.S. ethanol is helping meet fuel supply needs in Australia — the result of a domestic supply gap and engagement by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and its ethanol industry partners. “U.S. ethanol is not subject to tariffs
April 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Colorado Man Sentenced to 83 Months in Prison for Role in $7.2 Million Biodiesel Tax Credit Scheme
(U.S. Department of Justice) A Colorado resident was sentenced to 83 months in prison on Friday for his role in a biodiesel tax credit fraud scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. According
March 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Growing Support among EU Environment Ministers for Applying further Carbon Pricing on Aviation Emissions
(GreenAir Online) A recent proposal by the Netherlands finance ministry for an EU-wide aviation tax to deal with the sector’s growing emissions has received backing from a Belgian environment minister at a meeting of the Council of European Environment Ministers. The
March 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Bosnia's Fuel Distributors Agree to Cut Prices after Protests
by Daria Sito-Sucic (Reuters) Fuel distributors in Bosnia’s autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation agreed a deal with the regional government on Tuesday to cut fuel prices after drivers repeatedly blocked roads in protest against rising prices, a government minister said. ... Fuel prices were first
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-Argentina Raises Biodiesel Export Tax to 15 Percent
by Caroline Stauffer and Maximilian Heath (Reuters) Argentina’s government is raising an export tax on biodiesel to 15 percent from 8 percent, effective July 1, according to a decree published in the official Gazette on Monday. Argentina is one of the world’s
May 29, 2018 Read Full Article
UPDATE 2-Pennsylvania Says Bankrupt Refiner Owes $3.8 bln in Taxes - Filing
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The state of Pennsylvania wants a federal judge to halt the bankruptcy of Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES), arguing the refiner owes an estimated $3.8 billion in fuel taxes, according to a court filing on Friday. The state’s Department
March 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Congress Urged to Pass Biodiesel Tax Credit in Budget Negotiation
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) ... (B)iodiesel companies are pressing Congress to pass the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit, which expired more than a year ago for the fifth time in its existence. On Jan. 17, 75 companies and
January 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Tax Reform Losers from Biofuels to Coal to Get Second Chance
by Ari Natter (Bloomberg) Billions in breaks for energy sought in ‘tax extenders’ bill; Lobbyists are seeking new credits for coal, nuclear plants -- Energy lobbyists, who failed to get a range of expired breaks for biofuels to coal-fired power plants into the
December 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Congress and Tax Legislation: It Is Not Just about Biofuels.
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization) ... BIO has led the effort to prompt Congress to recognize the important and emerging biobased sector. Congress’ current effort to reform taxes can revitalize U.S. manufacturing and grow the economy by including legislation supporting
November 21, 2017 Read Full Article
Okla. Supreme Court Rules Electric Vehicle Fee Unconstitutional
by Joseph Bebon (NGT News) On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down H.B.1449, a bill that sought to implement an annual fee on electric vehicles (EVs), ruling the tax unconstitutional because the fee was untethered from a regulatory purpose. In August, the Sierra
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Make-Ready: Decision Time at the Bioeconomy’s Gettysburg
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts are the headliners in a battle in and about Washington DC this week. You can call it what you want: it’s Gettysburg. As Reynolds put it, “I
August 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Political Barriers Hampering Onsite Biodiesel Production
by Matt Mace (edie.net) EXCLUSIVE: Biomethane generated from food and drinks process residues is emerging as a viable low-carbon alternative to diesel used in commercial vehicles, but a lack of political clarity has left the food sector "scratching the surface" of
July 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump Could Make Everyone Happy by Raising this Tax
by Hugh Hewitt (The Washington Post) ... One obvious answer is to raise the existing federal levy that makes the most sense to the most voters: the federal gas tax. Currently less than 19 cents a gallon (higher on diesel) and stuck there
May 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Calls for Indian Government to Lower Taxes on Biodiesel and Hybrid Cars
(Biofuels International) Indian union minister Nitin Gadkari will urge the country’s finance minister to reduce the goods and services tax (GST) rates on cars that run on biodiesel, as well as hybrid vehicles, according to Times of India’s The Economic
May 25, 2017 Read Full Article
China Ethanol Exports Jump as Beijing Boosts Local Output
by Dominique Patton and Josephine Mason (Reuters) China's ethanol exports soared in April from the same month the year before and imports slowed to a trickle, the latest sign that Beijing's drive to ramp up local output is upending trade flows
May 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Brazil Acts to Protect Ethanol Producers as U.S. Imports Jump
by Luciano Costa (Reuters) Brazil is toughening requirements for ethanol importers to protect domestic producers from an incoming surge of U.S. corn ethanol, a minister said on Monday, adding that he opposed the idea of new tariffs that could trigger costly
May 17, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Keeps Growing Economic Impact
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) ... According to the latest study by ABF Economics, the U.S. ethanol industry added $42.1 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2016 and supported nearly 340,000 jobs. “The ethanol industry continues to make a significant
March 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Jobs and Money Take Top Billing with American Biodiesel
(National Biodiesel Board) Industry Leaders Showcase biodiesel benefits with key influencers -- When it comes to American biodiesel, jobs and economic opportunities are the hot tickets. In town from across the nation, biodiesel industry leaders are meeting with key influencers
March 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Brings $2 Billion Per Year to Minnesota's Economy
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The ethanol industry continued to boost Minnesota's economy in 2016, contributing $1.98 billion to the state's gross domestic product (GDP). A new study released by ABF Economics, which was commissioned by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, said
February 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Study: U.S. Ethanol Industry Makes “A Significant Contribution to the Economy”
(Renewable Fuels Association) The U.S. ethanol industry added $42.1 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product and supported nearly 340,000 jobs in 2016, according to a new study commissioned by ABF Economics. The study, released today by the Renewable Fuels
February 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Report: Six States Propose New Electric Vehicle Fees
by Robert Walton (Utility Dive) The Sierra Club says six states have proposed legislation this year that would add to the cost of owning an electric vehicle, worrying clean energy advocates who say owning emissions-free vehicles should be incentivized rather
February 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Quo Vadis, Mr. President-Elect?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... This Administration is a team, so long as you generally understand that there’s one guy with the ball, he’s calling all the plays, and members of the Cabinet can block and tackle and get to
January 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Officials: Solar Takes Farmland, Evades Fair Tax Share
by Jeremy Cox (DelmarvaNow.com) ... The measure would bar the energy projects from lands in agricultural zones. That would rob solar developers of their preferred land-use type for building. The recipe for catching rays, after all, is flat, cleared land. As board
October 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Developments in Australia
by Susan van Dyk and Stephen Schuck (IEA Bioenergy Task 39/Bioenergy Australia) Australia’s primary energy consumption is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with renewables contributing about 7% (including hydroelectricity, wind, solar and biomass) (Figure 1) (US EIA). While Australia has large energy resources, it is
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Europe’s Broken Biofuels Policy
by Dick Roche (EurActiv) Public policy should be built on firm foundations. Objective analysis, verifiable facts and solid science are good starting points, but that was absent in biofuels policy-making, writes Dick Roche. The foundations on which Europe’s biofuel policy has
August 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Association Seeks VAT Relaxation on Blending of Biodiesel
(Economic Times) Biodiesel Association of India (BDAI) has sought Value Added Tax (VAT) relaxation on blending of biodiesel from States for promoting green fuel Blending and energy security in the country. -- Currently VAT on biodiesel blending goes up to
August 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Taxing Virtue as Sin: US Tax Rate on E85 Renewable Fuel Soars Past 100%
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US passed a dubious and historic milestone this week. The tax rate on E85 renewable fuels now exceeds 100% in some formulations. By comparison, the tax rate on E10 renewable fuel is running at
July 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Pacific Biodiesel Rolls Back Maui #Biodiesel Prices
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Maui drivers using #biodiesel have a reason to celebrate today as city eliminated its 9 cents per gallon on-road biodiesel fuel tax effective July 1, 2016. In response, Maui’s own Pacific Biodiesel rolled back biodiesel prices
July 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Life As We Might Have Known It: What If Ethanol Was Our Primary Engine Fuel
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) ... Our exchange began with his comments that government should not decide which fuel is the winner; that fossil fuels dominance over alternative fuels was due to consumer choice; and that society owes a
March 16, 2016 Read Full Article
Obama to Seek New Tax on Oil in Budget Proposal
by Ayesha Rascoe and Valerie Volcovici (Reuters) U.S. President Barack Obama will launch a long-shot bid next week to impose a $10-a-barrel tax on crude oil that would fund the overhaul of the nation's aging transportation infrastructure, the White House
February 08, 2016 Read Full Article
The Crushing Burden of Hidden Taxes on E85 Renewable Fuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s historic news out now — that E85 fuel is available on a wholesale basis for less than 85 cents per gallon. The Anderson’s in Denison, Iowa are wholesaling E85 for $0.84, and Little Sioux
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Blends in Lithuania Will No Longer Enjoy Tax Exemptions
(Delfi by the Lithuania Tribune) The Lithuanian Seimas has voted to waive the duty exemptions for EU-approved biofuel mixtures sold in Lithuanian gas stations. The amendments are expected to help the state save around 66 million Euros. These EU-compliant biofuel and
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
No Rich White Guy Left Behind: The Selling of Electric Cars as Zero Emission Vehicles
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Electric cars and their $1600 cost per ton for CO2 reduction. And, yep, you’re paying for it. Electric cars have environmental benefits, no doubt about it, and anyone who drives one is making a contribution to
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Feedstock Tax Barrier Removed by India Government Allowing Rapid Expansion of Biodiesel
(Aemetis) Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), an advanced renewable fuels and biochemicals company, announced that the Government of India Revenue Department removed an important tax barrier to expanding biodiesel production in India, issuing an exemption on excise tax for feedstock. Biodiesel is
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Guest Post: The Petrobras Corruption Scandal and Brazil’s Ethanol Sector
by Luis Ferreira Alvarez (Council on Foreign Relations) As Brazil’s Petrobras corruption investigation continues to roil its economy and politics, the ethanol sector is emerging as a clear beneficiary. New government policies are boosting ethanol sales, chipping away at gasoline’s
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Support, Opposition Grow Over Proposed Changes to Biodiesel Tax Credit
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On October 21, the Advanced Biofuels Association, along with the Petroleum Marketers Association and other retail fuel groups, expressed opposition to changing the biodiesel and renewable diesel blenders' tax credit. In July, the Senate Finance
October 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Producers Oppose Grassley Tax Credit Change: Amendment Could Hurt Consumers
(Advanced Biofuels Association) During the Senate Finance Committee’s July markup, Senator Charles Grassley offered an amendment, co-sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell, which would extend the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax credit for two years. However, starting in 2016 it would
October 23, 2015 Read Full Article
The Rise of Biodiesel: New Alternative Fuel, New Taxation Challenges
(Avalara) The growth of the biodiesel market in recent years is largely due to the enactment of the Renewable Fuels Standard in 2005. Both federal and state governments have incentivized the production of biofuels in order to decrease the environmental
October 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Governor's Signature on Tax Bill to Boost California Biodiesel
(The California Biodiesel Alliance/Biodiesel Magazine) On Oct. 4 California Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 1032 into law, correcting a tax problem and clearing the way for a significant increase in the volumes of biodiesel blended in the state. The bill,
October 21, 2015 Read Full Article
What Is the Future of Ethanol in Brazil? Perspectives from Datagro Sugar and Ethanol Conference
by Laís F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The effect of increased consumption of ethanol due to the reduction of state tax called ICMS (Tax over Merchandise and Services Circulation) has been the reason for celebration by all the energy agro
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
White Paper: The Rise of Biodiesel: New Alternative Fuel, New Taxation Challenges
(Avalara) ... The fuel industry is subject to one of the most complex tax structures in the U.S. and there’s little chance of that changing in the foreseeable future. Federal excise taxes are relatively straightforward. But on top of federal taxes,
August 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Brazil Changes Tax Policy for Imported Ethanol
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane association, has announced the country has made changes to its tax policy on imported ethanol. According to a statement issued by Elizabeth Farina, president of UNICA, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff
July 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels Association of Australia Congratulates Bipartisan Approach as Momentum for Biofuels Increases
(Biofuels Association of Australia) The Biofuels Association of Australia (BAA) welcomes the bipartisan agreement on the taxation of biodiesel and ethanol produced in Australia. The agreement will see the excise rate payable on biodiesel phased in in equal increments over the
June 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Ending International Aviation’s $65 Billion Fuel Tax Exemption an Essential Step towards Decarbonisation
by Andrew Murphy (Transport & Environment (T&E)/GreenAirOnline) ... The airline industry predicts a massive increase in the use of alternative fuels, although most experts predict an uptake of only a few percentage points in the coming years. More optimistic projections remain purely
April 24, 2015 Read Full Article
The Production of Biofuel as a Single Possible Way to Rescue of SE Ukrspirt
(Ukrainian Biofuel Portal) According to official statistics, in 2014 the production volumes and alcohol sales exceedingly declined, which posed the menace for the domestic industry existence. Last year the export volume of alcohol reached only 200 thousands of dal, and 14,
April 21, 2015 Read Full Article
The Unrecognized Value of Bio-Energy
by Chad Smith (Midwest Producer) "We threw a whole bunch of stuff up on the wall to see if anything sticks." Dave VanderGriend quoted a Kansas state legislator describing House Bill (HB) 2401, a proposal to add a 4.5-cent per gallon
April 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Taxing Natural Gas as a Motor Fuel
(Avalara) Natural gas is becoming increasingly popular as a transportation fuel due to its lower costs and less environmental impact. As a result, it’s gaining the attention of state regulators, many of whom are looking to add natural gas to
March 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Wyoming Imposes 24-cent-per-gallon Tax on Alternative Fuels
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Wyoming Gov. Matthew H. Mead recently signed a bill (HB0009) into law imposing a fuel tax on previously exempt alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. The new rate of taxation on alternative fuels beginning
March 05, 2015 Read Full Article
U.S. Trade Rep Tours Biodiesel Leader’s Family Farm, Discusses RFS Threats
(Iowa Biodiesel Board) Argentine biodiesel imports could reverse domestic energy progress Hosting a U.S. Trade Representative on his family farm outside Des Moines, Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, took the opportunity to discuss trade issues relevant to
August 13, 2014 Read Full Article
Highlights from 2013 ABLC-Next; Hot Slides, Hot Perspectives, Parts I, II, III, IV and V
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As ABLC-Next concludes, here is the first installment in a review of the hottest slides, stories, intrigue and perspective from the Big Conversation amongst the bioeconomy’s elite. ... (see these slides and others here, here, here, here and here.) Kef Kasdin, CEO, Proterro Kasdin
October 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Fuel Tax Credit Extensions Frequently Asked Questions
(Internal Revenue Service) The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-240) retroactively extends certain fuel tax credits that expired on Dec. 31, 2011. The retroactively extended fuel tax credits are the biodiesel mixture credit, biodiesel credit, alternative fuel
February 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Despite Major Challenges, Ethanol Industry Created More than 380,000 Jobs and $43 Billion in GDP
(Renewable Fuels Association) In a challenging year for America’s farm economy, domestic ethanol production reached an estimated 13.3 billion gallons — the second highest annual production level in history amidst the nation’s worst drought in 50 years. According to analysis conducted
February 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Level the Playing Field for All Energy Sources
(25 x '25) Amid the political clamor surrounding congressional efforts to cut federal spending over the next decade and reduce the nation’s deficit, the ethanol industry has conceded that a seven-year subsidy benefiting the sector will end Dec. 31. ...Elsewhere, Congress
December 09, 2011 Read Full Article
Airlines Flying on Clean Fuel Should Pay Less Tax, Branson Says
by Louise Downing (Bloomberg) Governments need to make it “very clear” that jet fuel made from sources such as inedible plants and organic waste aren’t taxed like regular fuel, said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. A push by governments
December 07, 2011 Read Full Article
British Columbia Should Remove Roadblocks to Renewable-Fuels Sector
by Brian Robers, Adam Kreek and Chris McDowel (Vancouver Sun) Environmentally friendly proucts taxed as if they were derived from the fossil fuels they aim to replace ...The growing sector includes a number of green co-operatives and startups dedicated to
October 03, 2011 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Industry Producing Record Volumes, Fueling Job Creation
by National Biodiesel Board (Biodiesel Magazine) ...The new numbers, coming after Congress reinstated the biodiesel tax incentive this year, demonstrate the power that strong domestic energy policy can have in helping create jobs and economic activity. Despite the weak economy, the
August 17, 2011 Read Full Article
Energy Programs Prepare for Debt Deal Pain
by Darren Goode & Darren Samuelsohn (Politico) Popular energy and environmental programs should prepare for a decade of spending cuts under the debt deal reached late Sunday between the White House and congressional leaders. Less clear, however, is the effect that
August 01, 2011 Read Full Article
Still Time to Get Biofuels Support Right
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest) Reports of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit’s (VEETC) early demise have been a bit overblown. Though several groups and reporters believed the die was cast and the potential revenue savings would be redirected to
August 01, 2011 Read Full Article
Legislation Friendly to Biodiesel
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) ...On the biodiesel front, there are three basic components, says Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board: =Extension and change of the retailer tax credit. The current credit is for 3 cents per
June 27, 2011 Read Full Article
Ukraine: Regulation On The Tax-Exempt Import Of Biofuel Equipment Adopted
by Olexander Martinenko, Vitaliy Radchenko, Volodymyr Kolvakh and Tetyana Rabczak (Mondaq) The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has recently adopted Resolution No. 581, establishing a procedure for tax exempt import of machinery, vehicles and other equipment that falls under the
June 27, 2011 Read Full Article
Next Decade of Oil Companies' Tax Breaks Worth $44 Billion
(Associated Press) Oil companies' tax breaks, if left in place, would cost the U.S. Treasury $44 billion over the next decade. President Obama wants to eliminate the cost, and a Senate proposal would eliminate them only for the five biggest
June 17, 2011 Read Full Article
Obama Administration Signals Higher Gas Royalties on Public Lands — and Anticipated Industry Resistance
by Evan Bush (iwatchnews) In election year, Interior Department may take on a popular target: Big Oil The Obama administration may be readying for a fight with the energy industry as it prepares to raise royalty charges for oil and gas
June 17, 2011 Read Full Article
The Politics of Tax-and-Blend
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Instead of simply not collecting a portion of the fuel tax, the consumer is charged the whole amount, which is collected by the gas station and paid to the government. The government analyzes all this.
June 02, 2011 Read Full Article
Taking It to the Hill: Making the Case for Advanced Biofuels to Congress
by Mike McAdams (Biorefining Magazine/Advanced Biofuels Association) I recently had the privilege of testifying before the Energy and Power Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and share with its members the incredible progress the advanced biofuels
May 26, 2011 Read Full Article
Vote to Hike Taxes on Oil Fails in Senate, 52-48; Dems Vow to Revive It
by Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire) The Senate on Tuesday rejected a bill that would have ended $21 billion worth of tax breaks for large oil companies, but Democrats vowed to revive the measure as part of high-stakes negotiations on the
May 18, 2011 Read Full Article
Senate Dems Say Ending Big Oil Tax Breaks Will Not Affect Fuel Prices
by Alexander Bolton (The Hill/E2Wire) Senate Democrats stepped up their push to repeal tax breaks for major oil companies Friday by unveiling a report showing that it would not affect gas prices. The report by Congress’s Joint Economic Committee found
May 16, 2011 Read Full Article
Tim Johnson Calls for End to Oil Subsidies; Thune Disagrees
by Denise Ross (The Daily Republic) Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., called for an end to taxpayer subsidies for oil and natural gas companies Wednesday, saying instead the United States should invest in further ethanol production and improving the infrastructure
May 12, 2011 Read Full Article
Ethanol Groups Welcome Bill Transforming Current Ethanol Tax Policy
(Renewable Fuel Association) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Growth Energy, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today praised the legislation offered by a bipartisan group of senators, led by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley,
May 05, 2011 Read Full Article
Grassley-Conrad Bill Boosts Domestic Energy Production
(Senator Chuck Grassley) Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Kent Conrad of North Dakota today introduced bipartisan legislation to update ethanol tax policies in an effort to boost domestic energy production and increase America’s energy independence and security. The bill also has
May 04, 2011 Read Full Article
Next-Generation Biofuels Panel Discussion
(Milken Institute Global Conference) With oil prices spiking and concern over climate change growing, biofuels hold tremendous appeal. But they must overcome considerable hurdles. Further process and technology refinements are needed to ensure that biofuels make a significant dent in
May 04, 2011 Read Full Article
Paper Industry Pushed Further into the Black by ‘Black Liquor’ Tax Credits
by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) ...The paper industry — which in 2009 raked in billions of dollars in federal subsidiesoriginally intended to promote alternative highway fuels — is now using a different biofuel tax credit to cut its tax bills
April 27, 2011 Read Full Article
China to Exempt Consumption Tax on Biodiesel
(Reuters) China's Finance Ministry has retroactively exempted consumption tax on pure biodiesel made from waste animal fats or vegetable oils, and will refund taxes already paid over the last two years. The policy is backdated to January 1, 2009... It will make
December 30, 2010 Read Full Article
Excise Cut May Leave Ethanol in a Pickle
by Mathew Murphy (The Sidney Morning Herald) ...NSW and Queensland's attempts to increase the local ethanol industry are being stymied by the federal government's planned reduction in excise for foreign ethanol from 38¢ to 25¢ in July next year, she
December 28, 2010 Read Full Article
Energy Bills May Wait as US Congress Focuses on Taxes for Rest of 2010
by Brian Hansen (Platts) Republican leaders in the US Congress said Tuesday after a private meeting with President Barack Obama that they plan to focus on tax issues before legislators adjourn for the year, but did not mention plans for
December 01, 2010 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania Bill Would Establish New Biodiesel Fee
by Erin Voegele (BioDiesel Magazine) Legislation currently pending in Pennsylvania could negatively impact the state’s biodiesel industry. On Oct. 6, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted an amendment, SB 901, which seeks to impose a new fuel tax on businesses
October 18, 2010 Read Full Article
Variable Subsidy for Ethanol Better for Producers and Government
by Gary Truitt (Hoosier Ag Today) A variable subsidy for ethanol producers could cost the government less and provide more security for producers than current fixed rates, according to a Purdue University study. A variable subsidy rate would insulate producers
August 25, 2010 Read Full Article
Level the Playing Field and Ethanol Will Compete On Its Own
by Stephanie Dreyer (Growth Energy/RenewableEnergyWorld.com) Ethanol has been the Oil Industry’s favorite target for years. Big Oil has argued that the ethanol industry can't compete with gasoline without taxpayer support. Ironically, a recent study by the American Petroleum Institute concluded
August 25, 2010 Read Full Article
Update Ethanol Subsidies to Pressure OPEC
by John D. Graham (Lexington Herald-Leader/McClatchy-Tribune) Editorial ...Due to large swings in oil prices, which are partly manipulated by OPEC, a domestic ethanol industry wouldn't survive without government support. Countries with strong ethanol industries such as Brazil have pro-ethanol policies. ...Now is
August 12, 2010 Read Full Article
The Benefits of Ethanol
byGen. Wesley K. Clark (Ret.) (New York Times) Letter to Editor: ...The consequences include not only huge environmental risks, but a $300 billion-a-year drain from our economy to pay for imported petroleum. Growth Energy’s Fueling Freedom plan would redirect the ethanol
August 12, 2010 Read Full Article
Tax Credits for Biofuels
by Brent Erickson (BIO/New York Times) Letter to Editor: The refundable investment tax credit for wind, solar and geothermal energy proved the right policy at the right time to mobilize investment. ...Parity in tax policies would send a signal to
August 10, 2010 Read Full Article
Trade Associations Support Legislation for Advanced Biofuels Tax Policy
(Algae Industry Magazine) As Congress takes action on critical tax incentive packages, leading advanced biofuel trade associations reemphasized the importance of advanced biofuels as promising opportunities for the United States to reduce its reliance on oil and create green jobs. The
August 09, 2010 Read Full Article
Fossil Fuel Subsidies Are 12 Times Support for Renewables, Study Shows
by Alex Morales (Bloomberg) Global subsidies for fossil fuels dwarf support given to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power and biofuels, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said. Governments last year gave $43 billion to $46 billion of support to renewable
July 30, 2010 Read Full Article
EU Debt Crisis Boosts Chance of Energy Tax Overhaul
(Reuters) The greenest fuels would become the cheapest under plans for a pan-European energy tax which would also help governments tackle huge debts without raising taxes on workers, draft documents show. ...If approved by EU leaders, the new rules would be
June 03, 2010 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Association Launches New Online Series Spotlighting Top Industry News in Washington
(Advanced Biofuels Association) The Advanced Biofuels Association launched a new online video series today. The Clean Fuels Forecast spotlights the top public policy issues and maneuvering in Washington affecting the advanced biofuels industry. In its first episode, now posted on the ABFA
June 01, 2010 Read Full Article
Push Is on for Higher Ethanol Blends
by Chris Lusvardi (Herald-Review.com) ...(T)he Illinois Senate has approved a measure that will eventually allow higher blends of ethanol to receive the state sales tax exemption. Marketers can sell ethanol blended fuel with a sales tax reduction of 20 percent
May 11, 2010 Read Full Article
Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Advance American Biofuels
U.S. Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), Mark Schauer (D-MI) and Brian Bilbray (R-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation yesterday that will encourage the next generation of biofuels or fuels made from living things such as plants and algae. The GREEN JOB (Grow Renewable Energy
May 03, 2010 Read Full Article
US Farm State Senators Offer Bill to Extend Ethanol Tax Credit
Nick Snow (Oil and Gas Journal) US senators from agricultural states introduced legislation on Apr. 20 that would extend the federal ethanol tax credit through 2015. Failure to do so would cost 112,000 jobs nationwide and reduce domestic fuel ethanol
April 22, 2010 Read Full Article
Implications Of The U.S. Ethanol Tariff
by Robert Rapier (Forbes) ...In order to better understand the intricacies of the issues involved, I have been engaged in dialogue with a number of industry groups and economists. Here I will try to shed some light on the tariff
April 19, 2010 Read Full Article
Circling the Wagons, the Firing Squads and the Arguments: Ethanol Wars Explode in Print, TV
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The ethanol cold war developed into a hot one this week when television and print advertising campaigns debuted both from Brazil’s UNICA and the US-based Growth Energy. ...The Growth Energy campaign is featuring six television spots
April 14, 2010 Read Full Article
Ethanol Fumes
by Patrick Westhoff (Washington Times letter to editor) The editorial "Stop 'Big Corn' " (Opinion, Monday) did not accurately describe the analysis of ethanol policy conducted by our institute. The editorial says we at the University of Missouri's Food and Agricultural
April 09, 2010 Read Full Article
Farm Economy Follows Lead of U.S. Recovery, Says Annual FAPRI Baseline Report to Congress
The livestock sector can lead the agricultural economy to higher net farm income, assuming the farm economy benefits from a recovering general U.S. economy. That analysis tops a 2010 baseline report prepared by the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy