“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 …
ACE Participates in Nebraska Ethanol Forum Panels
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty participated in two panels last week at Nebraska Ethanol Board’s 2019 Emerging Issues Forum. Lamberty was joined by retailers Randy Gard of Bosselman Enterprises and Matt Spackman of Kum & Go to discuss opportunities and practical considerations to increase E15 and higher ethanol blends. “Many retailers are concerned their equipment …
New Data Confirms Ethanol Demand Destruction in 2018
New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) reveals ethanol demand in 2018 was negatively impacted by EPA granting dozens of small refinery exemptions (SREs). Former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt granted 48 refiners waivers from their legal blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), resulting in a flood of Renewable Identification …
Biodiesel Drives the Work Truck Industry
New research from NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry confirms that fleets across the country are increasingly relying on the power and performance of biodiesel in their existing and new diesel vehicles. For the third time in four years, surveyed fleets named biodiesel as their top alternative fuel choice both for current use and future interest. Each …
2018 Second Highest Year for Distillers Grains Exports
U.S. exports of the ethanol co-product distillers grains (DG) were the second-highest on record in 2018, totaling 11.88 million metric tons (MMT), according to a new report from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). An estimated 31 percent of U.S. DG production was exported in 2018, meaning nearly one out of every three tons produced was exported to 50 countries on …
New RFA Report Summarizes 2018 Ethanol Export Statistics
On the heels of new government data this week confirming record U.S. ethanol exports in 2018, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has released a 10-page report summarizing 2018 ethanol export and import data and highlighting key facts and trends related to global ethanol trade. RFA’s new report is the go-to source for all the key facts and figures regarding U.S. …