(Hoosier Ag Today/WKKG) On Monday, nine U.S. House members sent a letter to U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman, urging him to examine opportunities to reduce any tariffs on U.S. produced energy, including ethanol, during the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-Tip)
Trade Policy
Back TO HOMEDATA CHECK: For Innovation, No Magic in 3% Rule
by Jeffrey Mervis (Science Magazine) Science policy wonks use the ratio of research spending to overall economic activity to judge whether a country is investing enough in innovation. For decades 3% has been the magic number, and Israel and South Korea
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Platts, Department of Commerce’s ITA Form Strategic Agreement
(Platts/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets and a division of McGraw Hill Financial, has entered into a strategic agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade
February 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Analysis: 'TTIP Would Benefit US Biofuels'
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) If the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP, currently being negotiated by the United States and the European Union becomes reality, a recent analysis by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development said ethanol
February 23, 2016 Read Full Article
National Biodiesel Board Challenge to Rules on Argentinian Biodiesel Imports Continues
(American Soybean Association) The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) this week filed a legal brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit regarding their petition for review of EPA rules on Argentinian biodiesel imports under the Renewable Fuel
January 19, 2016 Read Full Article
The Biggest Trade Agreement You’ve Never Heard of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The biggest expansion of free trade in a generation, the Trans-Pacific Partnership could reshape world trade in food and agriculture. Here’s the need to know: What it is: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a new trade
October 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Biotechnology: OSTP Seeks Comment on Clarifying Current Roles and Responsibilities Described in the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology
(Bergeson & Campbell, PC) On October 6, 2015, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit relevant data and information, including case studies that may assist in the development of
October 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Grassley on the Oil Export Ban, Attempt to Diminish Ethanol
(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley) Note: This week, the Senate Banking Committee voted to lift the ban on U.S. oil exports. The committee defeated an amendment that would have eliminated the corn ethanol blending requirements under the federal Renewable Fuel
October 04, 2015 Read Full Article
National Biodiesel Board Responds to Protectionist EU Trade Policy
(National Biodiesel Board) The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) released the following statement from Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs, regarding the European Commission’s decision announced Tuesday to extend protectionist trade duties that have blocked U.S. biodiesel from the European
September 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Use in International Markets: The Importance of Trade
by Jayson Beckman (US Department of Agriculture) Global biofuel production rose tremendously over 2001-13, led largely by rapid growth in the United States and the European Union (EU). Brazil, the second largest biofuel producer, doubled its production in that span. A
September 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Do Liberals Hate Biofuels?
by Douglas L. Faulkner (Biofuels Digest) Most liberals don’t hate biofuels. But most don’t love them either, mainly because of their underlying environmental concerns about first-generation biofuels, corn starch ethanol and soy biodiesel. The left’s deep ambivalence toward biofuels is thus
August 28, 2015 Read Full Article
US Biofuels Part of Food, Feed Global Solution
by Tom Buis (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Cleaner burning, higher performing fuels and their nutritious coproducts are valuable at home and abroad, and have the potential to resolve many issues around the globe, writes Tom Buis. -- ... Growth Energy has
August 25, 2015 Read Full Article
Import Tariffs to Keep EU Biofuel Industry 'Stagnant'
(Agrimoney.com) The European biofuels industry is to stagnate next year, according to a report from the US Department of Agriculture's bureau in The Hague, unless import tariffs are relaxed. The bureau noted that the EU has "effectively separated itself from the
July 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Study: Lifting US Crude Export Ban Could Lead to Layoffs
(Downstream Today/The CRUDE Coalition) Exporting U.S. crude oil would raise gasoline, diesel and home heating prices, cutting into the vast benefits Americans are enjoying from lower crude oil prices, according to a new report by Alan Stevens of Stancil &
July 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Carmakers Worry Higher Biofuel Mix Could Damage Engines
by Raras Cahyafitri and Linda Yulismann (The Jakarta Post) ... “The usage of biodiesel is good. However, we are still worried about the impacts. There are engines that can accept 15 percent or even 20 percent [biofuel] content, however, some other
April 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Brazilian Study Explores Multiple Causes of 2007 Mexico Tortilla Crisis
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) In light of signs of a moderation in the long upward trend in commodity prices, and recurrent assignment of blame for food insecurity and high food prices to the emergence of biofuels markets, particularly
March 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Vilsack Calls for Ethanol Industry Support of Trade Negotiations
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asked for the ethanol industry's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership in his keynote address at the 2015 Growth Energy Executive Leadership Conference held in Phoenix Feb. 26-27. The opponents
March 02, 2015 Read Full Article
U.S. Industry Blasts EPA Decision on Biodiesel Imports
(National Biodiesel Board) EPA to Fast-Track Argentinian Biodiesel by Easing Sustainability Requirements The National Biodiesel Board on Tuesday sharply criticized a decision by the EPA to allow streamlined Argentinian biodiesel imports to the U.S. under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “This decision
January 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Beyond Boats To China
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) After halting distillers grains imports late last year, the world's top DDGS buyer is poised to resume business, but on what terms? The prospect of China reissuing distillers grains import permits bodes well for the
January 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Opening Channels For Export
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council is teaming up with Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service on a new four-way partnership in ethanol export market development. There’s a big difference
January 19, 2015 Read Full Article
As US Cleans up, It's Exporting More Pollution
by Dina Cappiello (Associated Press) Heat-trapping pollution released into the atmosphere from rising exports of U.S. gasoline and diesel dwarfs the cuts made from fuel efficiency standards and other efforts to reduce global warming in the United States, according
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
CPO Biodiesel to Help Lower State Expenditure by US$2.43 bln
by Kamis (AntaraNews.com) The use of crude palm oil (CPO) as biodiesel fuel can reduce the state expenditure by US$2.43 billion, according to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin). "The state expenditure could be economized by using CPO as
October 17, 2014 Read Full Article
U.S. Biodiesel Industry Challenges EU Trade Barriers
(National Biodiesel Board) The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) on Tuesday filed comments with the European Commission challenging unfair trade duties that have blocked U.S. biodiesel from being exported to Europe since 2009. NBB urged the commission to allow duties on U.S.
October 02, 2014 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
Southern African, EU Negotiators Sign New Trade Pact
(Reuters) Negotiators for Southern African states have agreed a new trade pact with the European Union which will give the countries a bigger market for food exports, South Africa's trade and industry department said. ... If ratified by the governments involved, the
July 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Platts Webinar – European Road Fuels
by Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuel USA) Tim Worledge, the Associate Editorial Director of Platts Agriculture relayed some of the history and the status quo of the biofuel industry in Europe during a webinar hosted by Platts and Aspect Enterprise Solutions
July 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Trade Mission to Peru to Address Biomass, Biofuel Opportunities
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration is organizing a renewable energy and energy efficiency trade mission to Peru. Scheduled for November, the policy mission will promote the export competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
USDA Trade Mission to China Will Include Focus on Ethanol
by Janet Adkison (RFD TV) China is a growing market for U.S. agricultural products. Recognizing the country’s potential, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will host an agriculture trade mission set to begin next week. The travel roster includes officials from
May 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Vilsack Renews Endorsement of Ethanol in Phoenix
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack left no one in doubt regarding his commitment to the ethanol industry in Phoenix on Thursday, Feb. 27. The ethanol producers, farmers and industry representatives at Growth Energy's annual
February 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Tariff Induces Debate at NEC
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) It is rare that a conference panel needs to be truly moderated, but the rabble-rousing conversation that ensued between international ethanol industry representatives at the National Ethanol Conference kept Bliss Baker busy Tuesday morning.
February 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Aemetis Announces Commissioning of Biodiesel Distillation Unit at India Plant
(Aemetis) Aemetis, Inc. (OTCQB: AMTX), an advanced fuels and renewable chemicals company, announced today that its 50 million gallon per year capacity biodiesel and refined glycerin production facility in Kakinada, India has been upgraded to produce high-quality distilled biodiesel. The
February 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels and the Straw Man
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...ActionAid UK released a report this week focusing on the story of Addax Biofuels in Sierra Leone. As Addax points out, it was not given the opportunity by Action Aid to review the serious allegations in
September 04, 2013 Read Full Article
Republic of Indonesia to Cut Oil Import, Promote Use of Biofuels
(Antara News) "Right now, we need an immediate solution to the current account deficit. The government will overcome the deficit by reducing imports, particularly fuel oils," Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said. Indonesia is taking steps to reduce its fuels imports
August 29, 2013 Read Full Article
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Invited to Identify Trade-Related Barriers Affecting Exports to the EU
by Elizabeth Nesbitt (U.S. International Trade Commission) The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) is preparing a fact-finding study entitled Trade Barriers that U.S. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Perceive as Affecting Exports to the European Union (Inv. No. 332-541). The study, requested by
August 07, 2013 Read Full Article
The European Parliament Is Making a Bad Biofuels Proposal Worse
(EurActiv) ...This conflict is not one between green ambitions and trade rules – it is a conflict between trade rules and a biofuels policy aiming to favour domestically produced biofuels at the expense of foreign competitors. The current proposal to reform
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
End All Trade Barriers
by Bob Dinneen (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Renewable Fuels Association) ...While the U.S. ethanol industry historically only exported a small amount of its product every year, that all changed in 2009 when improving industry economics led to the U.S. ethanol industry becoming
January 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Brazil-US Ethanol Tariff Discussions Pick Up as Expiration Nears
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) As the U.S ethanol industry confronts the reality that the 45-cent-per-gallon Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit and 54-cent ethanol import tariff will end on Dec. 31, some industry representatives are ramping up efforts to
September 28, 2011 Read Full Article
Ending US Ethanol Subsidies Could Be Bullish for European Prices
(Platts) A plan by US senators to end ethanol subsidies on July 31 could prove bullish for the European market, trading sources said Wednesday. "It should be pretty supportive, the EU needs the [US ethanol] supply," one source said. ...Europe's ethanol market
July 14, 2011 Read Full Article
Mina-Made Ethanol Heading to Brazil
by Jeff Natalie-Lees (Aberdeen News) Export options help facility weather weaker domestic demand Ethanol produced in Mina is helping Brazil avoid a fuel crisis after a weak sugar cane crop cut that country's ethanol production. When the sugar cane crop — the
May 31, 2011 Read Full Article
EU Rules on Biofuel Concern Soybean Growers
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) The European Union has set new environmental and labor standards for the crops used to make biofuels there, angering U.S. farmers who worry that such restrictions could spread to other products and countries. The standards
May 31, 2011 Read Full Article
Colombia Pursues Sweet Dream of Becoming a Sugar-Cane Ethanol Powerhouse
by Nathanial Gronewold (Greenwire/New York Times) ...Though 85 percent of Colombia's cane crop is harvested this old-fashioned way, industry leaders say they have no intention of mechanizing the harvest, for fear of mass unemployment in a rural area where people
May 10, 2011 Read Full Article
Obama's Visit to Brazil Yields 'Encouraging' Renewable Fuels Cooperation, According to Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association
(PR Newswire/EIN News/UNICA) Two important announcements involving renewable energy made on the opening day of U.S. President Barack Obama's official visit to Brazil, both directly relevant to Brazil's successful sugarcane ethanol industry, are encouraging signs that Brazil and the U.S. are on a
March 21, 2011 Read Full Article
American Soybean Association Expresses Concerns about EU Renewable Energy Directive to USDA and USTR
(American Soybean Association) The American Soybean Association (ASA), joined by other U.S. oilseed producer and industry organizations, has expressed serious concerns to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk about the requirements