Wear that St. Patrick’s Day green another day today and celebrate the green fuel that is biodiesel. National Biodiesel Day is celebrated on March 18 because it is the birthday of Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the Diesel engine, which he originally ran using peanut oil. Biodiesel today is made from a diverse mix of feedstocks including recycled cooking oil, soybean …
Ethanol – A Conversation That Matters
Marc Rauch of The Auto Channel recently had the opportunity to have a conversation that matters about ethanol in Vancouver, British Columbia on a television talk show called “Conversations That Matter.” Each episode of “Conversations That Matter” explores one significant subject, and features notable professors, corporate executives, scientists, and philosophers in one-on-one conversations. “I believe that the show presents a …
Biofuels Groups Rip EPA for More Small Refinery Waivers
Much to the dismay of biofuels organizations, yesterday the Environmental Protection Agency approved five more 2017 Small Refinery Exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and noted that two more petitions have been received for 2018 exemptions, bringing the total to 39. “It’s extremely disappointing and outrageous to see EPA once again allow oil refiners to undermine the RFS and …
RFA Addresses Current Ethanol Issues
There’s been a lot going on in the world of ethanol recently – EPA just released its E15 RVP/RIN reform proposal, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is expected to announce pending petitions for more small refiner exemptions, and EIA just released final 2018 data confirming ethanol demand destruction – just to mention a few. The Renewable Fuels Association held a media …
Washington State Clean Fuels Standard Moves Forward
The Washington State House has passed a Clean Fuels Standard (H.B. 1110) that would institute a low carbon fuel program by 2020, similar to those already successfully underway in British Columbia, California, and Oregon. The program is designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation fuels 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2028 and 20 percent below those same …
NBB Urges Lawmakers to Extend Biodiesel Tax Credit
“Temporary Policy in the Internal Revenue Code” was the title of a House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee hearing this week where the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) submitted written testimony urging lawmakers to immediately extend the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive to end uncertainty. Kurt Kovarik, NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs for the National Biodiesel Board …
Ethanol Groups Pleased with EPA Rule Release
Ethanol groups are pleased EPA has finally released a proposed rule that would allow sales of 15% ethanol fuel year round, but with just 80 days to go until the start of the summer driving season, getting it done in time would be a record-breaking feat, especially since it is tied to controversial reforms for the Renewable Identification Number (RIN) …
EPA Proposes E15 Waiver and RIN Market Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released proposed regulatory changes Tuesday that would allow gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) to receive a Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver for the summer months, the same as E10. At the same time, EPA is also proposing regulatory changes to “modify elements of the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system under …
Farmer and Ethanol Advocate Provides Perspective
Farmer and Nebraska Ethanol Board member Scott McPheeters joined a diverse panel of agricultural producers at the recent Bayer AgVocacy Forum in Orlando, prior to Commodity Classic. McPheeters shared the stage with California specialty crop producer Don Cameron, Terranova Ranch; South Carolina cotton and diversified crop farmer Jeff Wilson, Cotton Hills Farm; and Michelle Erickson-Jones, aka BigSkyFarmHer on Twitter, a …
Senator Angry Over Reported EPA Rule Breaking
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is upset about news reports last week that former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt broke the rules to expand the number small refinery exemptions (SREs) granted to oil refiners. “I am angry by reports that show what we long suspected: former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt ignored the law to …