Ypsilanti, Michigan will be the place Friday morning for advocates and opponents of EPA’s proposed regulatory changes related to retail sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) and the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The Environmental Protection Agency is holding a hearing on the proposal released just 16 days ago that would allow E15 …
Job Growth in Biofuels Continues
Job growth in the biofuels sector continued last year, according to the 2019 Clean Jobs America analysis of energy jobs data by the national nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs). The report found that nearly every U.S. state saw an increase in clean energy jobs in 2018, combining to add about 110,000 net new jobs for a growth rate of …
Flooding Impacts Rail Service in the Midwest
Extensive flooding in the Midwest has caused damage to railroad infrastructure and additional flooding is expected now along the Mississippi River, resulting in widespread service disruptions in the Iowa-Kansas-Missouri-Nebraska area. The Federal Railroad Administration has declared an “emergency event” related to railroad operations as the National Weather Service has documented historic flooding throughout the region with rivers rising to recored …
Study Shows Biofuels are 3 Percent of Iowa GDP
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has released a new study that shows biofuels are responsible for over $5 billion of Iowa’s GDP, or roughly three percent. The study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by IRFA, also found that biofuels account for over 48,000 Iowa jobs and more than $2.5 billion in Iowa household income. “The …
Advanced Biofuels USA’s Ivancic Appointed to MD Clean Energy Group
The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) appointed Advanced Biofuels USA executive director Joanne Ivancic to serve on its 2019 Advisory Council. The council consists of 50 energy industry representatives and exists to develop a work plan for the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) and set the framework for activity of the organization, “I look forward to doing just that here …
EIA Report Makes Case for Higher Ethanol Blends
Forecasts calling for higher fuel prices in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) newly released Annual Energy Outlook 2019 (AEO2019) makes the case for higher ethanol blends and lower cost options like E15 at the pump, according to Chris Bliley, vice president of regulatory affairs at Growth Energy. “Consumers deserve cleaner, more affordable options, and that’s exactly what higher ethanol …
Kaffka Honored with Biodiesel Inspiration Award
Dr. Stephen Kaffka, Extension Agronomist with the Department of Plant Science at the University of California-Davis, is the recipient of this year’s Eye on Biodiesel Inspiration Award. Presenting the award to Dr. Kaffka were National Biodiesel Board Sustainability Director Don Scott and CEO Donnell Rehagen. Dr. Kaffka has served as an instrumental leader for many years in advocating for environmental …
2019 Biodiesel Conference Wrap Up
Hundreds of biodiesel leaders from across the country gathered for the 2019 National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego to ENGAGE in thought provoking discussions to help advance America’s advanced biofuel. Keeping with the theme of ENGAGE, here are some key takeaways from the conference: E – Educate: One of the main goals of the conference was to educate attendees on …
2019 Biodiesel Conference & Expo Lifts Off in San Diego
The 2019 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo lifted off Tuesday in San Diego with hundreds of enthusiastic industry attendees ready to engage, innovate, and grow. Acknowledging 2019 as the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s moon landing, National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen drew comparisons between the tenacity of the space program and U.S. biodiesel producers’ own efforts to get the …
Iowa Budget Includes $3M for Biofuels Infrastructure
Governor Kim Reynolds released her 2019 Iowa budget proposal this week, including $3 million for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP), which provides cost-share grants to help Iowa retailers incorporate blender pumps, storage tanks, and other necessary equipment to offer higher blends of biofuels. “IRFA members want to thank Gov. Reynolds for prioritizing funding for blender pumps through Iowa’s …