EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said Wednesday that the agency will not be making an announcement on proposed 2021 Renewable Volume Obligations this week. “There’s nothing coming out tomorrow on that,” Wheeler said during a press call to talk about environmental provisions under the USMCA. Since Friday is a federal holiday, that would mean it would be at least next week …
House Committee Climate Crisis Plan Includes LCFS
The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis today released a comprehensive plan titled “Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America.” The Climate Crisis Action Plan, released as a majority staff report, has received the early support of agricultural organizations and biofuels groups pleased to see the …
Governors Ask EPA to Reject Retroactive Refinery Exemptions
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week asking that he reject 52 applications for retroactive small refinery exemptions (SREs) from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for past compliance years. Governor Noem and Governor Walz are the chair and vice chair of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition. Iowa Governor …
Bill Would Push Biofuels Innovation
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has introduced legislation, together with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), to approve some advanced biofuel pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard, which have been delayed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the legislation, EPA would also be required to render a decision within 90 days on any registration application that has been pending for at least …
Biofuels Caucus to Hold Town Hall on Ethanol
Members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus will hold a virtual town hall “An Open Discussion with Congressional and Industry Leaders on the Challenges, Opportunities and Next Steps for the Ethanol Industry” today at 5 PM Eastern time. Participating in the meeting will be Biofuels Caucus members Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), and Rodney Davis (R-IL). …
Iowa Biofuel Plants Seed to Fuel Monarchs
Absolute Energy ethanol plant and Western Dubuque Biodiesel both recently completed a seeding of Monarch Fueling Stations on their property to provide crucial habitat for monarch butterflies. The seed mixture included native grasses and other plants that attract pollinators but had a special emphasis on milkweed plants. Milkweed is the only plant monarchs can lay their eggs on. Both Absolute …
Farm & Biofuel Groups Challenge Retroactive RFS Waivers
Nine leading biofuel and farm organizations sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler Tuesday asking him for answers on what is seen as a new effort to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). During a Senate hearing last month, administration officials confirmed their consideration of retroactive small refinery exemptions (SREs) covering previous years. The “gap-filings” are …
Members of Congress Defend RFS
A bipartisan list of Congressional representatives sent a letter to President Trump today in support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “We urge you to stand with our farmers and rural economies during this challenging time and deny any request for blanket statewide or nationwide waivers from the 2020 RFS blending requirements under the Clean Air Act,” the letter from …
Governors Ask Congress to Support Ethanol Relief Bills
Members of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition are urging Congressional leaders to provide relief for the biofuels industry in the latest COVID-19 emergency relief package being considered. Coalition chair and vice chair South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to Senate and House leadership this week urging them to support the Senate’s Renewable Fuel Feedstock …
Higher Blends Infrastructure Program Grant Applications Open
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 …