by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) At ABFA, we’ve been keeping our eyes on the U.S. EPA during the first quarter of 2018. The EPA’s actions over the next several months will have ripple effects through the industry, in the
waiver
Back TO HOMEUPDATE 1-U.S. Refiners Reap Big Rewards from EPA Biofuel Waivers
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s expanded use of waivers to free small refineries from the nation’s biofuels law has saved the industry as a whole hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a Reuters review of public
May 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Parties to White House Biofuel Deal Disagree What's Agreed
by Jennifer A Dlouhy and Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Tentative agreement struck during a White House negotiation; Refiners could benefit with biofuel exports allowed for quotas -- A tentative deal on U.S. biofuel policy struck at the White House would allow year-round sales of higher-ethanol gasoline in
May 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Pruitt’s Renewable Fuel Attacks Cost Him GOP Support in Congress
by Mike Carr (The Hill/New Energy America) As the drip, drip of Pruitt scandals becomes a deluge, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s supporters continue to claim that he should be protected because he’s “advancing the president’s agenda.” But because he’s breaking a key Trump
May 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Carl Icahn's Refinery Investment Has Rebounded by $1.4 Billion, Boosted by Trump Energy Policy
by Tom DiChristopher (CNBC) -Shares of CVR Energy have more than doubled since August, resulting in a $1.4 billion paper gain for Carl Icahn, who holds an 82-percent stake in the company. -CVR Energy's stock price slumped through much of last
May 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Debate over the RFS Is Playing out on the Political Stage: The Public Discussion Rarely Considers American Consumers.
by Donnell Rehagen (National Biodiesel Board/Biofuels Digest) The biofuels industry found itself in an unusual position for much of the past 12 months. Typically confined to debates in the trade press, biofuels-related headlines are now splashed across the mainstream media. It’s new
May 07, 2018 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
In their letter to the EPA, a group of midwestern biofuels groups noted, "Both the volume and expeditious manner in which your EPA has granted demand-destroying RFS exemptions is unparalleled in the history of the EPA and the RFS program. If
May 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Ad Campaign Rallies Midwest Behind E15 Fix
(Growth Energy) A new radio ad launched today by Growth Energy reminds listeners across the heartland that it’s “make or break time” for the rural economy. Slated to air alongside a digital ad campaign in Midwestern states, the radio spot encourages listeners to join Growth
May 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Is Budget Report Language Cause of RFS Waivers?
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, mentioned on Tuesday he wants to change language in recent appropriations bills approved by Congress in the past three years. Grassley told agricultural journalists the language may be one of the
May 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Update 2-White House Sets Meeting with Senators on Biofuels Next Week -Sources
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters/Successful Farming) The Trump administration has invited a group of U.S. senators to the White House early next week to discuss biofuels policy, the latest in a series of such meetings aimed at helping refiners cope with the Renewable Fuel Standard, according
May 03, 2018 Read Full Article
UPDATE 1-Biofuel Group Asks U.S. Court to Review EPA's Refinery Waivers
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) A biofuels trade group asked a federal court on Tuesday to rule whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency violated the law in granting a growing number of small refineries exemptions from renewable fuel laws, according to a
May 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Rounds, Thune Join Bipartisan Group of Senators in Pushing EPA Administrator Pruitt for Year-Round E15 Waiver
(Office of Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)) U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined 16 of their Senate colleagues in writing to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt highlighting the benefits of year-round E15 sales. The letter comes
May 02, 2018 Read Full Article
California And 16 Other States Are Suing Trump To Stop Him Destroying Emissions Standards
by Raphael Orlove (Jalopnik) Our emissions standards are probably the biggest booster to automotive performance in the past half century, making our cars not only more eco-friendly but more powerful, too. Trump has been trying to cut it all down, but now California
May 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Exclusive: U.S. EPA Grants Biofuels Waiver to Billionaire Icahn's Oil Refinery - Sources
by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted a financial hardship waiver to an oil refinery owned by billionaire Carl Icahn, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, exempting the Oklahoma facility from requirements under
April 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Washington Insider: Biofuels Mandates Under Pressure
(DTN The Progressive Farmer) Oil state partisans, including certain refiners, have raged about a credit-trading market within the program that they say causes undue economic pain. The biofuels industry counters that those compliance credits, known as renewable identification numbers, are essential
April 26, 2018 Read Full Article
As Petroleum Prices, Demand Soars, US, EU Dither on Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... US gasoline prices are at a three-year high, says CNBC. This time, the response has been to dither on biofuels and to point to reasonably dismal sales of EVs as evidence that an electrics solution is on
April 26, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Data Shows Small Refiner Waivers Have Lowered 2016, 2017 RFS Blending Obligations by 1.6 Billion Gallons
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) EPA’s recent actions in exempting small refineries from their Renewable Fuel Standard blending obligations for 2016 and 2017 have effectively lowered the volumetric obligations by at least 1.6 billion gallons, according to an analysis of
April 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Refinery Workers Return to Capitol Hill to Rally for Renewable Fuel Standard Reform
(United Steelworkers/PR Newswire) The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that on Thursday, April 26, about 100 workers from independent merchant oil refineries owned by Monroe Energy, Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) and PBF Energy will rally for their jobs in Washington, D.C., bringing
April 25, 2018 Read Full Article
The New War Over Ethanol, And How It Might Affect You
by F. Todd Davidson (Forbes) A seemingly small action from the Environmental Protection Agency could spark a new war between Big Oil and Big Ag that could have far-reaching effects on the U.S. agricultural, energy, and transportation industries. Last month the EPA granted an
April 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Delays, Ethanol Waivers Worry SD Sen. Rounds
by Barry Amundson (Grand Forks Herald) U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D, is concerned about two major issues that can affect farmers and ranchers this year. One is the farm bill that faces an uncertain future as it's set to expire in September. The
April 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Where Do Biofuels Stand? You Can't Always Get What You Want
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Despite efforts by President Donald Trump to settle a long-running dispute between ethanol backers and the refining industry, progress on a biofuels deal has stalled. Instead, the administration has taken a piecemeal approach to the
April 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Big Bailout Number Two
by John Siciliano and Josh Siegel (Washington Examiner Daily on Energy) ...The other big bailout concern is the Environmental Protection Agency’s waivers to big refining companies to let them off the hook from meeting the national ethanol mandate, which is outraging
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Trump's EPA Argues More People Will Die in Car Accidents unless California Fuel Rules Are Weakened
by Evan Halper (Los Angeles Times) The Trump administration is embracing a curious — and some would say dated — argument as it builds its case to weaken federal rules championed by California that require cars and SUVs to average
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Farm State Senators Tell EPA to Stop Giving Big Oil Refiners a Pass on Biofuels Rules
by Tom DiChristopher (CNBC) Bipartisan senators on Tuesday asked the EPA to stop issuing waivers that allow oil refiners to avoid obligations to blend biofuels into gasoline. --EPA has reportedly issued 25 of the "hardship" waivers, usually reserved for small,
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Exclusive Report: The Federal Biofuel Mandate ‘Has Failed To Achieve Its Policy Goals’
by Michael Bastasch (The Daily Caller) The federal biofuel mandate “has failed to achieve its policy goals while imposing significant other costs on consumers,” according to a new report. Americans paid out nearly $77 billion in additional fuel costs over the last 10
April 19, 2018 Read Full Article
King Tells Iowa RFA: “I Want Ethanol sold TO, THROUGH, and BEYOND the E15 Blend.”
(4-Traders) Congressman King Pledges Continued Biofuel Support to Iowa Renewable Fuels Association -- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after meeting today with members of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. During their meeting, Congressman
April 18, 2018 Read Full Article
REX American: A Good To Great Ethanol Company
(Viking Analytics/Seeking Alpha) REX consistently outperforms its peers in making ethanol profitably. REX has zero debt, a large cash position, and has announced plans to buy back more shares. Stuart Rose, the Chairman of REX, displays the characteristics of a Level 5 Leader.
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Exclusive: Chevron, Exxon Seek 'Small Refinery' Waivers from U.S. Biofuels Law
by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice (Reuters) Global energy giants Chevron Corp and Exxon Mobil have asked U.S. regulators for exemptions to the nation’s biofuels policy that have historically been reserved for small companies in financial distress, according to sources familiar
April 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Industry Calls on EPA to Eliminate Secrecy
(National Biodiesel Board) NBB Submits FOIA Request to Ensure RFS Transparency -- The National Biodiesel Board submitted a Freedom of Information Act Request aimed at shedding light on small refiner exemptions requested and issued under the Renewable Fuel Standard. “The EPA’s decision to
April 13, 2018 Read Full Article
In Boost for Farmers, Trump Says He May Allow E15 Gasoline Sales All Year
by Jeff Mason (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday his administration may allow the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol year-round, which could help farmers by firing up corn demand but faces opposition from Big Oil. ... “We’re going to
April 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Trump to Put Biofuel Reform Push on Ice, for Now: Sources
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The Trump administration will delay any moves to reform the nation’s biofuel policy for about three months, according to three sources briefed on the matter - a decision one of the sources said was meant to shield
April 11, 2018 Read Full Article
RFS Wrangling Continues: GOP Senators Ask for Small-Refiner Waiver Suspension
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Details have yet to emerge from a planned meeting at the White House on Monday between President Donald Trump and members of his cabinet regarding possible changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The meeting reportedly
April 10, 2018 Read Full Article
White House Plans to Hold RFS Meeting Monday
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The White House plans to hold a Monday meeting to discuss possible changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Minnesota Corn Growers president Kirby Hettver says it appears EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt will present President Trump with
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Exclusive: Biofuels Battle - Senator Moves to Expand Small Refiner Exemption
by Jarrett Renshaw, Chris Prentice (Reuters) Lawmakers spearheading efforts to reform U.S. biofuels regulations are considering a blanket waiver for all small refineries, according to four sources familiar with their draft legislation. The move would save some refiners a fortune but would
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
The Houston Chronicle's James Osborne reported an unnamed executive for one refining company describing the feeding frenzy for exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard biofuels obligations, "Anyone with a brain submitted an application," the executive said. "The EPA was handing out
April 05, 2018 Read Full Article
U.S. Ethanol Groups Bristle as EPA Frees Refiners from Biofuels Law
by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the request of 25 small refineries to be exempted from the nation’s biofuels laws, an agency source said on Wednesday, marking a big increase from previous years
April 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Bankruptcy Judge Lets Refiner off the RFS Hook
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) A Delaware Bankruptcy judge approved a consent decree between EPA and bankrupt refiner Philadelphia Energy Solutions, allowing PES to get out of much of its obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2016, 2017 and
April 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Grassley Slams EPA RFS Waivers
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Sen. Chuck Grassley joined corn growers and ethanol producers in slamming a report Tuesday that refining giant Andeavor got a hardship waiver from the Renewable Fuel Standard for its three smallest refineries. Grassley said
April 04, 2018 Read Full Article
RFA Leader: EPA Eroding RFS -- Assistant to President Says Search Continues for a Win-Win Proposal
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) A special assistant to President Donald Trump on agriculture said Wednesday, "the search for a win-win continues" in the debate over how to relieve oil refiners of their obligations under the Renewable Fuels Standard. Ray
March 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Bill Aims to Dismantle RFS, Limit Biofuel Blending
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On March 8, Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., introduced companion bills that aim to dismantle the Renewable Fuel Standard and sunset blending obligations for conventional, advanced, cellulosic, and biomass-based diesel fuels. The
March 09, 2018 Read Full Article
New Study: Nearly 50,000 Iowa Jobs Tied to Biofuels
by Rod Swoboda (Wallaces Farmer) With a White House meeting being held last week to discuss the fate of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a new study finds nearly 50,000 Iowa jobs are tied to biofuels production. Efforts by Sen. Ted Cruz of
March 06, 2018 Read Full Article
API Urges EPA Not to Exempt Small Refiners from US Biofuel Mandate
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) The American Petroleum Institute has come out against a campaign by small refineries to avoid their obligations under the US biofuel mandate, according to a letter released Tuesday. More than two dozen refineries with throughput of less than
February 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog Harvard Professor: Year-Round E15 Sales Would Reduce Biofuel Credits Costs
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) As debate rages on about whether the price of biofuels credits in the Renewable Fuel Standard are putting small refiners out of business, a little-known analysis by a Harvard University economics professor last summer
February 06, 2018 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
The biofuels-related portion of the 2018 election campaign season is off to a quick start with Jeff Broin, founder and CEO of POET, making a case for including the expansion of ethanol markets via year-round consumer choice of E15 across the
February 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Broin Brings E15 Message to Pence Summit at Trump Hotel
(The Fence Post/Hagstrom Report) Jeff Broin, founder and CEO of POET, the South Dakota company that builds and manages ethanol plants, brought his view that the government needs to authorize the sale of E15 blend year-round to a State of the
February 02, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Pushes Unified National Fuel Emissions Standard
by Miranda Green (The Hill) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing for a unified national fuel emissions standard for automobiles, a move that could significantly impact California's stringent car emissions standards. EPA air and radiation head Bill Wehrum, speaking at the Washington Auto
January 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Group Urges US EPA to Limit RFS Waivers to Small Refineries
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) A major US ethanol trade group is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to be more transparent in weighing requests from small refineries to get out of their obligations under the US biofuel mandate. EPA has reportedly received more than
January 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Attacks on RFS Intensify
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) Oil interests are intensifying efforts to force changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). ... “Texas is already blending more than 9.7 percent! Nationally, we’re blending more than 10 percent. There’s no reason to go backwards
December 12, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Slams Texas Governor for Requesting RFS Waiver
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, in a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) asked the agency to waive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for his state to no more
December 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Take a Pass?
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Ahead of a Thursday meeting between Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz and other senior officials about biofuels policy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott formally asked for a Renewable Fuel Standard waiver from Pruitt. "The time is ripe
December 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Is E25 Legal in the Mini Cooper?
by Dave VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM/Urban Air Initiative) ... In an over-simplified explanation, the EPA has claimed the legal authority to regulate ethanol blends under section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act, known as the “sub-sim” law. Under EPA’s current interpretation
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels Score Victory: EPA Rejects Petitions to Change Point of Obligation in RFS
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rejected several petitions to change the point of obligation in the Renewable Fuel Standard in a notice released on Wednesday ahead of a posting in the Federal Register. In the
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Focuses on RVP Waiver for E15
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) Giving consumers year-round access to E15 fuel is a major focus of the ethanol industry. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, says getting the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver extended to E15 is the key. “You give
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Statement on Pennsylvania Governor RFS Waiver Request
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Thursday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) asked the agency to waive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the Northeast region to no more
November 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Letter from Washington: The Grand Alliance Flashes V for Victory in Renewable Fuels Fight
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s been a very busy week in Washington DC, the high point being a letter to seven senators sent late Thursday by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who took significant (and as of a few days ago,
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
NBB Holds Firm In Its Request for 2.5 Billion Gallons of Biomass-Based Diesel, 4.75 Billion Gallons of Advanced Biofuels
(National Biodiesel Board) EPA Letter Does Not Include a Commitment to Raise Biomass-Based Diesel Volumes -- Yesterday the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) responded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Notice of Data Availability (NODA), focusing on the advanced biofuel standard for
October 20, 2017 Read Full Article
The Other General Waiver: RFS and Severe Economic Harm
by Jonathan Coppess and Scott Irwin (Farms.com/University of Illinois/farmdocdaily) As discussed last week, the Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting data and feedback on the biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels components of the Renewable Fuels Standard, including the general waiver authority (see, farmdoc
October 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2018 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2019; Availability of Supplemental Information and Request for Further Comment (Deadline October 19, 2017)
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) This document provides additional data and an opportunity to comment on that data and potential options for reductions in the 2018 biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel volumes, and/or the 2019 biomass-based diesel volume
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Refiners Make America-First Pitch to Cut Biofuels
(Argus Media) US independent refiners seized on protectionist themes and two key biofuel industry victories this year to argue regulators must reduce federally mandated blending of renewable fuels. Refiners framed a US-first pitch to slash more than 1bn USG — almost 7pc
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
A Blustery Day in the Bioeconomy’s Billion Acre Wood: The Latest from EPA, POET, Fuels America, Calyxt, Eligo Bioscience, Queensland, Gevo, Virgin, and Unilever
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Headwinds -- US road transport biofuels producers are up in arms this week. There are reports of oil industry led-efforts within the EPA to create an export-subsidy RIN, cut biofuel targets with new “data,” and bypass EPA staff recommendations for higher cellulosic targets. ... Now,
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
‘No Rationale for Further Reducing’ 2018 RFS RVO, RFA Says in Response to EPA Notice
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a Notice of Data Availability (NODA), seeking comment on potential options for reductions in the biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel volumes beyond those already proposed in EPA’s recent
September 26, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Says Ethanol Can Fill Fuel Need With Refining Capacity Down
(WNAX Radio) Hurricane Harvey’s devastation in Texas has negatively impacted the nation’s oil refining capacity. Renewable Fuel Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen says the ethanol industry has the fuel to fill that supply need if the EPA would expand
September 01, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Extends a Waiver on Motor Fuel Contents to Apply Nationwide, Not Just to Texas
by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt on Wednesday expanded the scope of an emergency waiver of Clean Air Act restrictions on motor fuel requirements, saying the waiver would apply not only to Texas but
August 31, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Can Improve Its Implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard in 6 Ways: BIO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization called on the US EPA to “improve its implementation of RFS,” and noted six key improvements. issue its annual Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) under the RFS on time; interpret
May 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Judges Give EPA the Side Eye on Waiver Authority
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA got caught in a cross-fire of skepticism at the D.C. Circuit Monday over its use of general waiver authority to lower RFS volumes for 2016, Pro's Eric Wolff reports . The RFS typically defies
April 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels Supporters, Opponents Spar During EPA Teleconference
by Michael Schneider (Oil Price Information Service) Supporters and opponents of biofuels expressed predictably contrasting viewpoints during a teleconference held today by EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). The call was held to solicit input on regulations OAR oversees that could
April 25, 2017 Read Full Article
NBB Argues for Higher Advanced-Biofuel Volumes Before the D.C. Court of Appeals
(National Biodiesel Board) Americans for Clean Energy, et al., v. Environmental Protection Agency -- Today the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for
April 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Smith and Loebsack Introduce Bill to Broaden Fuel Choices for Retailers and Consumers
(Office of Congressman Adrian Smith) Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) reintroduced legislation today to broaden fuel choices for retailers and consumers by expanding the existing waiver of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations related to the Reid
March 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Governors Press Trump: Coalition Asks for Ethanol Policy Changes
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) The Governors' Biofuels Coalition on Monday asked President Donald Trump to support a number of changes to federal law to support biofuels production. In a letter signed by Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, chairman of
March 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol a Hot Topic at ’17 Classic
by Andy Eubank (Hoosier Ag Today) Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly (D) joined Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to introduce the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act last week, a bill that would effectively allow the sale of
March 06, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Statement on Senators’ Letter to EPA on E15 Volatility Regulation
by Rachel Gantz (Renwable Fuels Association) Today (February 17, 2017), five Senators, led by Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, asking him to address EPA’s volatility regulation that makes it more difficult to sell ethanol blends
February 22, 2017 Read Full Article
No Waiver? No Sense.
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The ethanol industry sees one-pound waiver for E15 as a no-brainer. -- Perplexed about why E15 does not get a one-pound waiver? That’s a sign you clearly understand the issue, says Monte Shaw, Iowa
February 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Why The Ethanol Industry Should Fear President Trump
by Robert Rapier (Forbes) ... Trump’s pick to head the EPA -- Scott Pruitt -- has repeatedly fought against the RFS. As EPA Administrator, Pruitt would have the authority to invoke a waiver to lower the volume of ethanol that
January 23, 2017 Read Full Article
More Pruitt Highlights
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) During the second half of more than six hours of questioning for Scott Pruitt, the EPA pick said he saw no reason to review the agency’s 2009 endangerment finding, the scientific conclusion that climate
January 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Senate Committee Hearing Focuses on GAO’s RFS Reports
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Dec. 1, the Senate Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing to discuss the U.S. EPA’s management of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) and two Government Accountability Office reports released on
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Sets Cellulosic Waiver Credit Price for 2017 at $2.00
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA recently published a notice to its website setting the cellulosic waiver credit (CWC) price for 2017 at $2.00. The CWC price for 2016 was set in at $1.33 in November 2015. Within
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Summer Is Over: Bring on the Pumpkin Spice and the E15
by Rebecca Chillrud (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) September 22 marks the autumnal equinox and the official end of summer. But for approximately 330 gas retailers, the season ended last week, on September 16—a day celebrated as “E15 Day” in
September 23, 2016 Read Full Article
BIO Submits Comments on Proposed 2017 Renewable Fuel Standards
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), on behalf of its member companies, ... submitted comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2017, and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2018. The comments demonstrate that EPA’s
July 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Nearly 42,500 Comments Filed on 2017 RFS Proposal
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The comment period on the U.S. EPA’s proposed rule to set 2017 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), along with 2018 RVOs for biomass-based diesel, has officially closed. According to information
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA to EPA: Raise the Conventional Renewable Fuel 2017 RFS RVO to Statutory Requirement
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments today to EPA on its proposed 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVO), urging the agency to raise the requirement for conventional renewable fuel volumes to the statutory level
July 15, 2016 Read Full Article
ACE Submits Comments to EPA on 2017 RFS
(Fuel Marketer News) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the proposed blending volumes for 2017 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). ACE’s full comments can be read on the ACE website.
July 15, 2016 Read Full Article
House Hearing Focuses on RFS Implementation
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On June 22, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy and Power Subcommittee held a hearing on the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The event featured testimony from government officials, biofuel supporters and other stakeholders. During
June 27, 2016 Read Full Article
RFS Policy Instability Continues to Chill Investment in Advanced Biofuels, BIO Says
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) EPA’s new methodology for setting annual Renewable Fuel Standards continues to chill investment in advanced biofuels, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) finds in a new analysis released today. Investment patterns clearly demonstrate that EPA is sending a
June 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Inaction in Congress Helping Ethanol Right Now
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) ... Ethanol also remains stuck in a battle with EPA over vapor pressure with 15% ethanol over the summer months. 10% ethanol, E10, has such a waiver so it can be sold during the
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Following-up on RFS Questions
by Jonathan Coppess (Farm Doc Daily) The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been a hot topic of late given the release of the final rule and its rather prominent feature leading up to the recent Iowa caucuses. The RFS discussions have
February 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol: Does EPA’s RFS Ruling Meet Congress’s Intent?
by Jonathan Coppess (University of Illinois/AgFax) Today’s article completes the discussion of EPA’s final rule for the RFS. The previous articles in this series provided background on the RFS, a general review of the final rule and questioned EPA’s definition of the
January 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Questioning The Final RFS Rule, Part 2: The Meaning Of The Word 'Supply'
by Jonathan Coppess (Farms.com/Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois) This article looks specifically at EPA's interpretation of the word 'supply' in the waiver provision 'inadequate domestic supply' and what Congress intended it to mean. ... The waiver authority includes when
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Industry’s Withering Critique of EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard Proposals for 2014, 2015, 2016: The Digested Version
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Heard dire comments like “POET expects to stop all future U.S. cellulosic investments if EPA’s proposed base renewable fuel requirements are not strengthened.” Want to understand the substantive concerns on the Renewable Fuel Standard, but
July 31, 2015 Read Full Article
Why Is EPA Proposing to Continue Delaying the Arrival of Advanced Biofuels?
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest/Biotechnology Industry Organization) ... Stakeholders are all well aware of the RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard) waiver provision that allows EPA to rewrite the statutory volumes after 2016, if it is required to waive volumes by more than
July 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Association Urges EPA to Get ”Back on Track” with Renewable Fuel Standard
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressing support for a proposed legal agreement that sets specific deadlines for establishing Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume
May 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Court Rejects Challenge to EPA E15 Regulation
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Oct. 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied a petition of review filed by the American Petroleum Institute and other groups challenging the E15 misfueling mitigation rule published
October 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard; Petitions for a Waiver Published in Federal Register
(Federal Register/Environmental Protection Agency) EPA has received a number of petitions for a waiver of the renewable fuel standards that would apply in 2014. The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) submitted a joint
December 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Refutes AAA Claims
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The American Automobile Association (AAA) is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to “lower the amount of ethanol required to be blended into gasoline for 2014″ in order to “protect drivers by preventing a possible surge in gas
October 29, 2013 Read Full Article
Businesses Flock to White House ahead of Biofuel Rule
by Julian Hattem (The Hill Reg Watch) Officials at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have been busy meeting with chemical and energy companies in recent days, ahead of the expected release of new biofuel standards. This week, the
October 28, 2013 Read Full Article
US EPA's 2014 RFS Volume Draft Proposal Misses the Boat
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The U.S. EPA’s 2014 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volume obligation proposal is under review by the Office of Management and Budget, according to David Korotney with U.S. EPA. While EPA has not released a draft of
October 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Analysis: Brewing U.S. Ethanol Legal Battle Hinges on Meaning of 'Supply'
by Cezary Podkul (Reuters) The fate of a landmark U.S. requirement to blend increasing amounts of biofuels into the nation's gasoline pool rests on the meaning of three words tucked into a mammoth law: unless there is "inadequate domestic supply." But
October 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Analyzing the Impacts of Big Oil’s RFS “Dream Scenario”
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) ...Slashing the “renewable fuel” portion of the RFS from 14.4 BG to 13.0 BG could have the following impacts: 1. Corn Prices Sink and Farm Income Falls Cutting the requirement by 1.4 BG would reduce demand for
October 18, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes Slashed Market for America’s Cleanest Fuel as Observers Ask “Why?”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For industry observers, there is much that is mystifying in the EPA’s draft 2014 production targets for the US 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard. But nothing more mystifying than the biomass-based diesel numbers. ... If there’s any
October 16, 2013 Read Full Article
Corn Prices Pressured by Both Supply and Demand Factors
by Darrel Good and Scott Irwin (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) Corn prices continue the long retreat from the peak of September 2012, declining to the lowest level since late August 2010. The most recent price weakness reflects both supply and demand
October 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Brazil Ethanol Exports to U.S. at Risk if EPA Eases Blend Rule
by Cezary Podkul and Fabiola Gomes (Reuters) U.S. imports of Brazilian sugar cane ethanol could be cut by more than half if a draft proposal to reduce next year's U.S. biofuel blending mandate is enacted. While the U.S. corn-based ethanol industry
October 14, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Considers U.S. Ethanol Mandate Cut Amid Complaints
by Mark Drajem & Lucia Kassai (Bloomberg) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering scaling back legal requirements on the use of ethanol next year amid complaints from refiners that statutory mandates would exceed their ability to blend it into fuels without putting
October 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Burning Down the Rumor Mill on 2014 RFS Requirements: RVOs Must Reflect Statutory Authority
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) EPA’s proposed rule establishing 2014 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is expected to be published soon. Many believe the 2014 RVO will, for the first time ever, require obligated
October 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Valero Implores Obama Administration to Waive Ethanol Mandate
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg/Fuel Fix) Valero Energy Corp., the world’s largest independent refining company, called on the Obama administration to waive the country’s biofuel target immediately, saying the cost to reach it has skyrocketed. “We need the waiver now,” Valero Chief
September 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Run, Rufus, Run: Congress, 2013 and the Renewable Fuel Standard
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Today, we look at 2013-14, should Congress elect not to act — but leave the EPA and the markets to govern implementation of the existing law. 2014 Mandate The EPA will ultimately determine the annual mandate, but
September 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Seeks Toned-Down Renewable Fuel Goals
by Ben Goad (The Hill E2Wire) A key industry group is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ratchet back this year’s volume requirements for biofuel production, arguing the proposed standards are unrealistic. In formal comments submitted Monday, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)
April 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol--Does the RFS Matter?
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) ...The suggestion to waive the mandate assumes that ethanol production and blending is motivated only by the RFS and that a lower mandate would result in less ethanol production and blending and
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Zeros Out 2012 Cellulosic RVO - Recognizes Phantom Fuels
(PR NewsWire/American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers) American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President Charles T. Drevna issued the following statement following the withdrawal of its Petition for Waiver of the 2012 Cellulosic Biofuel Volumetric Requirements: "We appreciate the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) prompt
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Petitions EPA to Waive 2012 Cellulosic Biofuel Mandate
(American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers/PR NewsWire) The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today to waive the 2012 cellulosic biofuel mandate, citing a lack of domestic supply available for commercial use. Today's action
January 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard Benefits Consumers, Economy
by Tadd Nicholson (Chillicothe Gazette) ...Blending corn ethanol into gasoline reduces our reliance on foreign oil, helping to meet our nation’s goal of energy independence. In 2011, thanks in part to corn ethanol, the U.S. imported 485 million fewer
December 20, 2012 Read Full Article
Ethanol Still Faces Choppy Seas
by Jeff Caldwell (Agriculture.com) ...Though Friday's ruling, on paper, should keep ethanol production chugging along, that doesn't mean the sector -- which has itself been under pressure from drought-fueled higher corn prices -- will see choppy seas smooth out much too
December 19, 2012 Read Full Article
Brighter Horizon for Biofuels
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization/Biofuels Digest) The biofuel industry breathed a big sigh of relief last month when the EPA declined several governors’ petitions to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard. Then, after a herculean group effort, the industry and
December 11, 2012 Read Full Article
Texas Farm Bureau Conference Exposes Rift on Ethanol
by J.B. Smith (WacoTrib.com) ...“It’s farmers vs. ranchers,” said McLennan County Farm Bureau president and delegate Kevin Huffman in an interview. Huffman, who raises cattle, corn, wheat and cotton near McGregor, opposed both amendments but said he understood the sentiment behind
December 06, 2012 Read Full Article
Ethanol Use in Gasoline Production Would Be the Same with or without RFS Waiver
by Daryll Ray and Harwood D. Schaffer (Southwest Farm Press/University of Tennessee) ...On November 16, 2012, the EPA denied the request of Governor Perdue and others. The short story is that while the EPA recognizes the impact of the drought
December 06, 2012 Read Full Article
25x'25 Commends EPA Decision to Uphold RFS
(25 x '25) In response to the EPA decision today upholding volume requirements of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, 25x'25 Co-chairmen Read Smith and Bart Ruth issued the following joint statement: "EPA's decision today finding no evidence that the federal Renewable Fuel Standard
November 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels: Notices--Denial of Requests for a Waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) In August 2012, Governors from several States requested a waiver of the national volume requirements for the renewable fuel standard program (RFS) pursuant to Section 211(o)(7) of the Clean Air Act. EPA's extensive analysis makes clear
November 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World – Who Is Moving the Targets?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... United States Concerns over the price impacts of a devastating US drought have led to call for a waiver in the US Renewable Fuel Standard volumetric targets. Proposed waivers have ranged from small, symbolic down-shifting
October 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Rain Dancing on Wall Street, Main Street and Elm Street
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As drought, recession, and capital starvation form a perfect storm, will advanced biofuels be thrown under the bus? Industry leaders say that dropping biofuels production targets will not reverse impacts of the 2012 drought. Instead,
October 23, 2012 Read Full Article
RFS Waiver Would Have Minor Effect on Corn Price in Short Term
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) An October report from the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute concludes that a reduction in the renewable fuel standard wouldn’t greatly reduce corn prices in the 2012/’13 crop year. However, the effects of
October 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Study: Waiving RFS Could Increase Feed Costs for Livestock, Poultry Producers
(Renewable Fuels Association) Waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2013 could actually result in higher net feeding costs for livestock and poultry producers, according to a new analysis conducted by Cardno-ENTRIX and commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The study found that if a
October 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy: Not Just a Nice Idea
by Bruce Dale (Star Tribune) Commentaries: Considered in context, it's clear that ethanol has an important role to play. A commentary about corn ethanol published in the Star Tribune this summer was disappointing ("Too much corn is being wasted as fuel," Aug.
October 14, 2012 Read Full Article
The RFS: It’s Not Broke, Don’t Fix It
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) This summer’s drought in the farm belt raised real fears about food supplies and prices. But some in the livestock, poultry and meat processing industries are using this summer’s problems to further
October 08, 2012 Read Full Article
Corn Price Decline Less Than 1% With Full RFS Waiver
(Corn and Soybean Digest) A full waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) conventional biofuel requirement might reduce corn prices by just 0.5% (4¢/bu.) in 2012-2013, according to a new analysis conducted by the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute. The study
October 08, 2012 Read Full Article
Are High Grain Prices Good for Anyone?
by Roy Roberson (Southeast Farm Press) • Sounds like a good deal for grain growers and a bad one for livestock producers and consumers, but are such high prices really good for any of us? • Allan Baucom says the last
October 02, 2012 Read Full Article
Requests to Waive the Renewable Fuel Standard in the Aftermath of the 2012 Heat Wave and Drought
by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) In the wake of the devastating heat wave and drought which covered much of the United States this year, it has become clear that there will be less corn available on the market
September 21, 2012 Read Full Article
Response To EPRINC Study: “Ethanol’s Lost Promise”
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) About EPRINC: EPRINC is a non-profit group funded by Big Oil, staffed by former oil company employees, and directed by a board of trustees that is a veritable who’s-who of Big Oil executives—including AFPM’s
September 19, 2012 Read Full Article
RFS Waiver Comment Period Extended
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a 15 day extension of the comment period on the requests for a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), who filed for an extension on August 30,
September 13, 2012 Read Full Article
Ethanol Mandate Waiver: Decks Stacked Against Petitioners
by Marlo Lewis (GlobalWarming.org) The Governors of Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, and North Carolina have petitioned EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to waive the mandatory ethanol blending requirements established by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The petitioners hope thereby to lower and stabilize corn prices, which recently hit record highs as the worst drought in
September 11, 2012 Read Full Article
Analysis: U.S. Bankers Say, Love or Hate It, Ethanol Here to Stay
by Christine Stebbins (Reuters) ..."Ethanol demand is the linchpin of the current pricing model that we have," said Michael Swanson, agricultural economist at Wells Fargo, the largest commercial bank lender to U.S. farmers. "It's a completely different question whether it's
September 06, 2012 Read Full Article
Ethanol Stays in Gasoline Even If Mandate Ends
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Ethanol, the best-performing energy commodity this year, is cheaper than gasoline, encouraging refiners to use the biofuel even if President Barack Obama’s administration ends a requirement to do so. A 49 cent-per-gallon discount to gasoline provides
August 28, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Lobby Asks Obama to Keep US Ethanol Mandate Amid Drought
(Platts) Eight groups representing a cross section of the US biofuels industry asked the White House on Monday to keep the ethanol mandate in place, despite governors' calls to shrink it in response to a drought. The trade groups argued that
August 28, 2012 Read Full Article
A Waiver that Wouldn’t Be Wise
by Adam Monroe (News Observer) Last week Gov. Beverly Perdue filed a waiver request for the Renewable Fuel Standard, one of the nation’s most successful energy policies and of critical importance to North Carolina’s economy, jobs and agriculture. Her rationale
August 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Group: Big Oil Also behind Ethanol Waiver Requests
by Zack Coleman (The Hill/E2Wire) ...Monte Shaw, executive director with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, credits the uptick in gubernatorial and congressional interest to oil groups viewing 2013 as the last chance to nix the RFS before it forces them
August 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Ethanol Waiver May Lower Corn But Raise Gas Prices
by Bertha Coombs (CNBC) Calls are growing to suspend the federal ethanol production mandate next year, as the worst drought in more than half a century has devastated the corn crop in the U.S. The question is whether a waiver
August 23, 2012 Read Full Article
Request for Comment on Letters Seeking a Waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard
(Environmental Protection Agency) On August 20, 2012, EPA issued a request for comment on letters seeking a waiver of the volume requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Governors of Arkansas and North Carolina requested that EPA waive a
August 22, 2012 Read Full Article
Ethanol RINs Slide on Waiver Fears
by Janet McGurty (Reuters) Renewable fuel credit prices fell across the board on Tuesday as fears of an ethanol waiver roiled the Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) market. Benchmark E12 RINS, referring to RINs created in 2012, traded at 3.60 cents a
August 22, 2012 Read Full Article
US EPA Seeks Input on Ethanol Mandate Waiver Requests
(Reuters) * EPA to gather public comment for 30 days * EPA must make decision on ethanol waivers by November * Petitioners must show mandate causing severe economic harm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday said it has begun weighing requests to
August 22, 2012 Read Full Article
Drought Sparks Intense Fight over RFS Waiver
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Talk of a possible renewable fuel standard (RFS) waiver request became a reality in mid-August, when the U.S. EPA was officially petitioned. The clock starts on a 90-day deadline and a public comment period
August 20, 2012 Read Full Article
Who’s on the List? The U.S. EPA Pegs a Handful of Cellulosic Producers to Contribute to Next Year’s RFS Goal
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In June, the U.S EPA issued its proposal to reduce the coming year’s cellulosic biofuels volume target for the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The RFS goals set by Congress in 2007 call for increasing