The Biobased Economy after Trump: The States May Lead the Way

by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) ... Trump and Congressional Republicans are expected to focus on comprehensive tax reform, infrastructure development, and repealing Obamacare. Some of those initiatives may touch the biobased economy but only at the margins. Renewable chemical and biofuel producer CEOs, who make business decisions with a longer time horizon, can gain more certainty by looking at state policies. In the absence of federal activity early in 2017, state initiatives will continue to provide some stable policy and to lead in creating the right business climate to support emerging technologies and businesses that create jobs.

The clues from the Trump administration on the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are generally positive; the recent rule on the 2017 RVOs are also a positive sign.

The incoming Trump administration is expected to at least partially unravel the presidential directives and regulatory rules of the past eight years that aimed at reducing carbon emissions throughout our economy. But many businesses have already made large investments to adopt low carbon technologies, energy efficiency, and cleaner production processes. Sustainability is now a standard part of U.S. manufacturers’ business models and an integral feature of the biobased economy. Many states have adopted market-based policy portfolios that encourage carbon reduction in transportation fuels and energy. California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, established a decade ago, served as a model for Oregon’s. Eleven states in the Northeast are discussing similar region wide legislation. States can continue to lead in creating policies to support businesses that use renewable energy and renewable resources in manufacturing.