Do Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) policies conflict or complement the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)? That was the question Dr. Jarrett Whistance with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri was called on to answer at last week’s National Ethanol Conference. Whistance, who is Program Lead for Biofuel Market and Policy Analysis at FAPRI-MU, said …
EPA Supports 10th Circuit Decision
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced support for last year’s U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit decision and interpretation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) small-refinery exemption provisions. This conclusion, prompted by a detailed review following the Supreme Court’s grant of certiorari in the case, represents a change from EPA’s position before the Tenth Circuit. The change …
Ethanol Report 1-15-21
2021 is getting off to a whirlwind start for the ethanol industry. The year is barely started and the industry has already seen an unexpected Supreme Court unexpectedly taking up the Tenth Circuit Court decision from last January, heard rumors of last minute granting of small refinery waivers, and then got hit with four proposals from the outgoing EPA related …
Biodiesel Conference to Spotlight Policy
National Biodiesel Board Director of Regulatory Affairs Kate Shenk will be moderating a panel at the 2021 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo called “What to Expect When You’re Expecting an RFS Rule” and with all of the turmoil going on right now regarding what the Trump EPA may do before leaving office, that landscape is changing daily. Shenk says a …
EPA Proposal May Mean No Last Minute Waivers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a new rule Thursday that would extend 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year deadlines due to the “uncertainty” surrounding small refinery exemptions. EPA notes that the Tenth Circuit Court case, which is now pending on the Supreme Court’s docket, has the potential to impact the availability of SREs going forward. Because of …
RFA Congratulates President-Elect Biden
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is congratulating President-Elect Joe Biden on his victory, as projected by the Associated Press and others. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says they look forward to working with the Biden administration on issues important to the ethanol industry. “Mr. Biden made it clear as he was campaigning that he would put a stop to …
Oil State Senators Ask EPA to Drop 2021 RFS
A group of 15 U.S. Senators representing oil refining states sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week asking him to simply waive the Renewable Fuel Standard requirements for 2021 to “account for the unprecedented collapse in demand for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.” The Renewable Fuels Association blasted the senators’ request, first noting that jet fuel is …
Ethanol Report 9-30-20
The coalition of farm and ethanol groups behind the case against Small Refinery Exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that was decided in January is still waiting for EPA to implement the court decision after eight months. Meanwhile, ethanol producers and farmers are still waiting on the administration to make good on promises made a year ago. And at …
House Legislation Includes RFS Integrity ACT
The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act passed by the U.S. House includes provisions of the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act put forth by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN). The provisions set an annual deadline for refiners to request exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard and requires EPA to publicly release the name of refiners requesting a waiver, the number of …
Ethanol Supporters Hopeful Waivers Will Be Denied
Ethanol supporters are encouraged by news this morning that President Donald Trump has directed EPA to deny retroactive refinery exemptions, as he promised Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa that he would. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), National Farmers Union (NFU) and American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) released a statement welcoming the news that petitions intended …