The ethanol industry got something extra to be thankful for the day before Thanksgiving as the Environmental Protection Agency followed through on the promise made by Administrator Scott Pruitt to deny a petition to change the point of obligation for compliance under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Based on a wide range of stakeholder input and information provided as a …
Representatives Support Advanced Biofuels
Representatives Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), and Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), along with 16 other members of the House, last week wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt supporting increased blending targets for cellulosic biofuels and biodiesel in the final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs). The members represent largely urban and minority populated districts around the country. “Cellulosic ethanol is …
Biodiesel Board Weighs in on EPA Letter
In a letter to seven senators last week, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt committed to final 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations at levels “equal to or greater than the proposed amounts, including at least 2.1 billion gallons for biomass-based diesel in 2018 and 2019.” But just “equal to” what has been proposed is well below what the biodiesel industry …
Industry Just Says No to EPA NODA
Ethanol, biodiesel, and agricultural organizations were united in their message to the Environmental Protection Agency in comments to a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) that would further reduce overall biofuels volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) – just no. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), which was chosen to participate in EPA’s new Smart Sectors program, urged the agency …
Iowa Biofuels Interests Get White House Attention
President Donald Trump called Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Wednesday to assure her that he continues to support the renewable fuels industry. “He reached out to me,” said Gov. Reynolds during a press conference in Iowa. “He made it clear that he stood with the Renewable Fuel Standard.” Gov. Reynolds also got a call from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who met …
Senators and Governors Urge Support for RFS
On Monday, four governors wrote to President Trump, and 34 senators sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, both expressing concerns about proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Governors Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota, Eric Greitens of Missouri and Sam Brownback of Kansas urged the president to keep his promises to rural America …
Senator Grassley Rallies for Biodiesel
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) visited the Renewable Energy Group (REG) biodiesel plant in Newton, Iowa Tuesday to rally the industry in opposition to proposed EPA actions that would cut volumes of biodiesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “This proposal would drastically undermine biodiesel production,” said Grassley. “Most importantly, it’s contrary to statements made by candidate and President Trump. Whether …
Ethanol Industry Submits High-Octane Comments
Ethanol industry stakeholders submitted comments this week to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding the Midterm Reivew of 2022-2025 CAFE and GHG standards and how high octane ethanol blends can help clean the air. Comments from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) encouraged the agencies to consider the beneficial impacts of high-octane, low-carbon (HOLC) …
Senators Call on EPA to Keep RFS Strong
Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are leading a bipartisan group of 38 senators in calling for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as the Environmental Protection Agency works toward finalizing biofuels volume requirements for 2018. In a letter to EPA Scott Pruitt this week, the senators urged “the continued implementation of the RFS as intended by Congress …
Ethanol Industry Leader Calls on EPA to Maintain RFS
In an op-ed published this week in The Hill, the chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) urges EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to stick with President Trump’s vision for an America First energy policy and keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) strong. Pointing to EPA actions and rumors of actions in recent weeks to reduce volume obligations and lower demand …