The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has commenced a three-week sponsorship of National Public Radio (NPR) as part of a comprehensive educational campaign aimed at decision-makers and the public. The 15-second radio spot will air on some of NPR’s most listened to programs including Morning Edition, All Things Considered and 1A. “We’re excited to share the biodiesel industry’s ‘Better. Cleaner. Now!’ …
Ethanol Blended Gas Lowers Carbon Even More
New research was released this week showing that gasoline blended with ethanol lowers carbon intensity (CI) even more than what is currently believed. The research, conducted by Transport Energy Strategies (TES) and THiggins Energy Consulting, found that blending ethanol into gasoline enables a reduction of aromatics in the fuel, and since aromatics have a high CI, their reduction further decreases …
Renewable Energy Group Closes Houston Biodiesel Plant
Renewable Energy Group (REG) has announced the closing of its 35 million gallon per year biodiesel production facility located near Houston, Texas. The company acquired and commissioned the plant in 2008 and has been operating it since. “We have made the decision not to renew the lease for our REG Houston biorefinery, which would have imposed an uncompetitive fixed cost …
RFA Celebrates 40 Years of Industry Leadership
The Renewable Fuels Association celebrated 40 years of industry leadership this week during its annual membership meeting in Des Moines. Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy Management, was re-elected as chairperson. She became the first female chairperson elected in the history of RFA last year, and first among any national ethanol trade association. “Without question, 2021 has been a year …
USDA Announces Climate Smart Efforts
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new initiative Wednesday to “finance the deployment of climate-smart farming and forestry practices to aid in the marketing of climate-smart agricultural commodities.” USDA will support a set of pilot projects that provide incentives to implement climate smart conservation practices on working lands and to quantify and monitor the carbon and greenhouse gas benefits associated …
Democrats Urge Administration to Support RFS
A bicameral group of Democrat Congressional members spanning seven states sent a letter yesterday urging the Administration to increase biofuels usage and reject any reduction in biofuel blending requirements. Congresswomen Cindy Axne (D-IA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spearheaded the letter to President Joe Biden and National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy after recent reports …
Groups Encourage Focus on Fuel in Emissions Standards
Biofuel stakeholder groups submitting comments on proposed rule for 2023-2026 light-duty GHG emissions standards are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to recognize the benefits of low-carbon fuels like ethanol as it seeks to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Renewable Fuels Association says EPA should lay out the roadmap for an orderly transition to high-octane, low-carbon liquid fuels. “Unfortunately, EPA’s proposal …
No RVO Proposal Yet
The biofuels industry was left hanging Friday when the rumored release of proposed blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) failed to happen. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said late Friday they remain hopeful the numbers that were reported would also prove incorrect. “We hope they’re wrong,” said Jennings. “If they are right, it just seems …
USDA Invests in Climate Smart Ag for Low Carbon Fuel
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest nearly $75 million for 15 partner-led projects to address natural resource concerns on private lands. The projects include a $7.5 million investment in the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)-led Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project to secure farmers premier access to low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) markets based on their adoption of …
Groups Sound Alarm Over Proposed RFS Cuts
Farm and biofuel groups are sounding the alarm over detailed reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to announce major cuts to biofuel blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “While a formal proposal has not been released, the expected standards would destroy a decade of progress on low-carbon biofuels and brazenly violate the promises that President …