Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) Tuesday introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit the EPA from reducing the minimum applicable volume of biofuels into transportation fuel after blending levels are finalized for any given year. The Defend the Blend Act is co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of …
B100 Runs Over 600K Miles in Pilot Program
B100 is one step closer to being a reality for commercial fleet operations thanks to the results of a pilot program this past year that tested the fuel in five class-8 over-the-road trucks. The pilot was a collaboration between ADM, Optimus Technologies, Illinois Soybean Association, American Lung Association and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, and used the Optimus Vector System …
“All In” for the 2022 Biodiesel Conference
The National Biodiesel Board is “All In!” for the 2022 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo coming up January 17-20 in Las Vegas. It’s the 30th year for the NBB, the 19th year for the conference, and the second year it has been held in Vegas, appropriately as the industry is coming up aces in the age of decarbonization with not …
New Administrator Picked for Nebraska Ethanol Board
A new administrator has been chosen for the Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) to replace Roger Berry, who is leaving the agency December 10. Reid Wagner will join NEB on Jan. 3, 2022. Wagner graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he earned his degree in chemical engineering. His professional experience thus far has led to positions at Evonik as a …
Groups Urge EPA to Resolve Summertime E15 Barrier
Six national farm and biofuel organizations are asking Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to enact regulations requiring lower-volatility conventional gasoline blendstock in the summertime in order to facilitate year-round sales of E15 nationwide. The Renewable Fuels Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and National Sorghum Producers sent the joint letter saying …
EPA Biofuels Proposals Reaction
Biofuel supporters are having mixed reactions to the two proposals released this week by the Environmental Protection Agency related to the Renewable Fuel Standard. On the good side, EPA proposed to deny 65 pending small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions based on the Tenth Circuit court decision in Renewable Fuels Association et al. v. EPA. However, the proposed package setting Renewable …
Ethanol Report Reviews EPA Announcements
The ethanol industry got some long-awaited announcements from the Biden Administration this week on COVID aid from USDA and biofuel blending obligations from the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s a mixed bag of good news and bad news for ethanol producers and in this edition of The Ethanol Report we get the details from Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff …
Project Carbonview Launched for Ethanol Producers
Bayer, Bushel and Amazon Web Services (AWS) today unveiled Project Carbonview – a first-of-its-kind technology solution to help farmers drive more sustainable supply chains by aggregating the carbon footprint of end products, starting with ethanol. Beginning as a pilot program, Project Carbonview is focused on creating awareness and acceptance for low-carbon fuel markets. Eligible farmers who enroll in the pilot …
Iowa VERBIO BioRefinery Starts RNG Production
The first U.S. industrial scale renewable natural gas facility using agricultural residues as its feedstock began production Tuesday in Nevada, Iowa. VERBIO AG, the German parent company, purchased the former DuPont Cellulosic ethanol plant in late 2018. With the commissioning of the Nevada plant, VERBIO will produce seven million ethanol gallons equivalent (EGE) of RNG with the completion of Phase …
EPA Proposes Volume Standards and Waiver Rejections
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed a package of actions setting biofuels volumes for years 2022, 2021, and 2020, and introducing regulatory changes intended to enhance the program’s objectives. In addition, EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed decision to deny petitions to exempt small refineries from their obligations under the RFS on the grounds that petitioners failed …