The 16th Annual Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum last week, hosted by the Nebraska Ethanol Board and Renewable Fuels Nebraska, featured an industry CEO panel that discussed some of the most pressing topics in the renewable fuels space. Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) interim director Pam Miller moderated the panel with American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings, Growth Energy CEO Emily …
States File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case
The states of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Virginia have jointly filed an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court case supporting the position of the Biofuels Coalition made up of the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and American Coalition for Ethanol. The Coalition welcomed the support from the states, as …
Biofuels Coalition Files Brief in Supreme Court Case
The Biofuels Coalition, comprised of Renewable Fuels Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Farmers Union filed a response brief this week in the Supreme Court case HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al., v. Renewable Fuels Association, et al. In the brief, the coalition argues in support of the challenged Tenth Circuit decision, …
Biofuels Included in New USDA COVID Aid Program
USDA has unveiled a new initiative for farmers, ranchers and biofuels producers impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions – Pandemic Assistance for Producers (PAP). USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new programs. The Department will also develop rules for new programs that will put a greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and …
New EPA Chief Pledges to Get RFS Back on Track
The day after the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020 until 2022, Administrator Michael Regan told the Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit they are focused on getting the program back on track. “More transparency, more certainty in the decisions that we’ve made and looking at fuel …
Broad Coalition Supports MN Clean Fuels Standard
A broad coalition representing automakers, biofuel producers, farmers, electric vehicles, and conservation advocates is endorsing new legislation that would implement a clean fuels standard statewide in Minnesota, which would be the first for a Midwestern state. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) are both members of the coalition, which is facilitated by the Great …
Michael Regan Confirmed as EPA Administrator
Michael Regan has officially been confirmed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 66-34 vote Wednesday by the U.S. Senate. Regan comes to EPA after serving as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. During his confirmation hearing, Regan emphasized that the “RFS is definitely a priority for this administration.” U.S. biofuels organizations are thrilled …
Vilsack Sees Future for Renewable Fuels
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack sees a continued need for biofuels in the future. “Most of you will still be around 20 or 30 years from now and I think you’re still going to have a need for and a higher demand for renewable fuels,” said Vilsack in a virtual appearance concluding the 2021 Commodity Classic Special Edition last …
House Biofuels Caucus Announces Two New Bills
The co-chairs of the House Biofuels Caucus have introduced two new pieces of legislation to increase access to biofuels and to fully recognize the environmental benefits. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act, which would expand access to higher blends of biofuels. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) was the …
Vilsack Stresses Importance of Strong RFS
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack started his first full week of work Monday addressing the National Farmers Union’s virtual convention, the first of many appearances he will likely be making to agricultural organizations. As secretary under the Obama Administration for eight years, Vilsack made an effort to attend as many agriculture and biofuel related events as possible each year. Secretary …