The White House has reportedly backed away from a deal that would have made changes in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that concerned the biofuels industry. An announcement was expected this week, but late yesterday both of Iowa’s senators tweeted that the deal was off. “#Iowa is feeling that love today, as the President just assured me he “won’t sign …
Purdue Tackles Biorefinery Blockage Issues
A team led by Purdue University scientists is receiving a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office to solve the problem of biomass flow for biorefineries. Lignocellulosic biomass, often made up of materials such as corn stover and soybean hulls, often accumulates and compacts while moving through augers, forcing costly shutdowns for cleaning and repairs. …
Midwest Voters Want Trump to Protect RFS
A new poll, funded by the National Biodiesel Board, shows that voters across three Midwestern states overwhelmingly say they support federal policies to encourage growth in biodiesel and renewable fuels use. In a survey of voters in Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota, respondents’ support cut across party lines, with more than two-thirds of Republicans and nearly three-quarters of Independents saying they …
Ethanol Report on EPA Lawsuits
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has joined a coalition of biofuel and agriculture groups in a lawsuit against EPA over lost volumes of renewable fuel resulting from retroactive small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations. RFA is also a petitioner in a lawsuit filed last week over three specific small refinery exemptions granted by the agency. “EPA Administrator …
Farm and Biofuel Groups Sue EPA Over Lost Gallons
A coalition of biofuel and agriculture groups have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to change its regulations to “account for lost volumes of renewable fuel resulting from the unprecedented number of retroactive small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations recently granted by EPA.” The petitioners are the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Growth …
Pennsylvania Retailer to Sell E15
A Pennsylvania-based fuel retailer plans to start selling 15% ethanol fuel at seven locations in three states. Growth Energy has announced that Rutter’s convenience store chain will begin selling E15 in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. “The success of Prime the Pump in opening the marketplace for E15 has opened the doors for more and more innovative retailers to offer …
Poll: 80% Say E15 Should be Sold Year Round
As 15% ethanol fuel became unavailable June 1, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) released a new poll that shows American consumers are frustrated by the lack of choice that stems from the summertime prohibition on E15. In a recent poll of registered voters conducted by Morning Consult, almost 80 percent of respondents said they believe the federal government should allow …
Growth Energy Urges RVP Relief for Consumers
As the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) restriction on E15 sales goes into effect across most of the country today, Growth Energy notes the ban on the lower priced fuel comes at a time when gas prices are approaching a national average of $3 per gallon. “Every summer, earth-friendly E15 is held to tougher standards than other fuels sold year-round, cutting …
More Ethanol Demand Destruction from EPA
The biofuels industry was disturbed to hear news reports this week that the Environmental Protection Agency is continuing to destruct demand for ethanol and corn with more “small refinery” exemptions. Reuters reported that EPA created nearly $34 million worth of Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits and handed them over to HollyFrontier, along with an additional undisclosed amount of RINs to …
E15 Gone Today Despite Trump Promises
It’s June 1 and fuel retailers in the majority of the country who were selling 15% ethanol blends yesterday can’t today because of what President Trump calls “unnecessary and ridiculous” summertime E15 restrictions. With the deadline approaching yesterday, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig joined the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) in calling on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to use …