The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched an online portal to accept applications for Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grants. USDA has up to $100 million in competitive grants available to help expand the sale and availability of ethanol and biodiesel fuels with approximately $86 million allocated for higher blends of fuel ethanol, and approximately $14 million for implementation …
Ag and Biofuel Groups Ask Congress for COVID-19 Relief
America’s top biofuel and farm advocates are calling on Congress to ensure the next round of COVID-19 relief includes U.S. ethanol and biodiesel production. A joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was signed by the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, the National Biodiesel Board, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers …
Commerce Maintains Duties on Argentine Biodiesel
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today a final determination in its “changed circumstances review” of antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on imports of Argentine biodiesel. As a result, the rates on biodiesel imports from Argentina will remain at their current levels. National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is pleased with the decision. Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s VP of Federal …
Biofuels Industry Welcomes USDA Infrastructure Funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making up to $100 million in competitive grants available to help expand the availability and sale of renewable fuels. The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) consist of up to $100 million in funding for competitive grants or sales incentives to eligible entities for activities designed to expand the sales and use of ethanol …
Bipartisan Bill to Expand Biofuels Infrastructure Introduced
Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) on Tuesday introduced bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), that would provide funding for installing and converting fuel pump infrastructure to deliver higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. The Clean Fuels Deployment Act of 2020 “authorizes $600 million over six years to help retailers offer higher ethanol …
ASA Hires Biofuels & Infrastructure Policy Lead
The American Soybean Association (ASA) has hired Alexa Combelic to lead biofuels and infrastructure policy on its government affairs team starting May 4. Combelic joins ASA as a Director of Government Affairs. Her portfolio will include biofuels and infrastructure, both of which are current priority issues for ASA. In her previous roles, Combelic has worked on a vast array of …
REG in Newton Seeds Monarch Fueling Station
The Renewable Energy Group (REG) biodiesel plant near Newton, Iowa is growing a monarch fueling station. Local Pheasants Forever representatives recently conducted a seeding of native grasses, milkweed, and other plants that attract pollinators. The mixture has a special emphasis on milkweed plants, the only plant monarchs can lay their eggs on. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Habitat Establishment Coordinator …
National Biodiesel Foundation Offers Student Scientist Grants
Student scientists can qualify for an award of up to $2000 through the Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant, established by the National Biodiesel Foundation in 2018 to help deserving full-time students interested in science, research, and biodiesel sustainability. “Beth Calabotta had a passion for student education and advanced biofuels,” NBF President Jeff Lynn shared. “The Foundation is honored to provide …
Administration Will Not Appeal Tenth Circuit SRE Ruling
Biofuels stakeholders are celebrating some good news today with word that the Trump administration had made the decision not to request a rehearing of the recent unanimous ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit that the EPA had “vastly exceeded its authority in granting exemptions from 2016 and 2017 RFS requirements to three refineries.” The challenge …
Iowa Biofuel Plants Donate Raw Products for Hand Sanitizer
On Monday, two Iowa biofuel plants sent the first donated shipments of ethanol and glycerin to be used by Iowa Prison Industries for the production of hand sanitizer during the national shortage. The donation was made by ethanol producer Absolute Energy and biodiesel producer Western Iowa Energy. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) worked with Iowa Prison Industries to secure …