EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently responded to recommendations from the agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) on how EPA can best support the agriculture sector’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals. FRRCC consists of representatives appointed by the agency that provide independent policy advice and information on a range of environmental issues that are of importance to …
Farm and Biofuel Groups Urge Adoption of GREET Model
It has now been almost three weeks since Biden administration officials failed to meet a March 1 deadline to adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s GREET model for the calculation of SAF tax credits (40B) under the Inflation Reduction Act, and groups representing farmers and ethanol producers who would benefit are getting impatient. A letter was sent this week to …
EPA Releases New Emissions Standards Favoring EVs
The Environmental Protection Agency released its final rule implementing new emissions standards for light and medium-duty vehicles that seeks to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by requiring approximately two-thirds of annual sales of new light-duty vehicles be EVs by the year 2032. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the new standards effectively disregard the carbon …
RFA Flex Fuel Hybrid EV Goes on Vacation
The Renewable Fuels Association’s flex fuel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (FFPHEV) worked hard in 2023, so just ahead of the 2024 National Ethanol Conference in California last month, RFA’s Robert White decided to take it along on a family vacation as he drove from Kansas City to San Diego. White, who serves as RFA Senior Vice President for Industry Relations …
Ag and Food Summit Features SAF Discussion
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was the topic of two panels at Monday’s “2024 Ag & Food Policy Summit: Revitalizing Rural Revenues” in Washington D.C. and there was a lot of discussion surrounding the GREET model, changes in the RFS, carbon sequestration, corn ethanol, and new feedstocks. Alder Renewables CEO Tim Obitts says agriculture holds the key to the future for …
Biodiesel Day Celebrates Innovation
The clean fuels industry is celebrating National Biodiesel Day today on March 18, the birthday of diesel engine inventor Rudolf Diesel. The engine was originally designed to operate on peanut oil, as Diesel was a visionary who recognized the potential of vegetable oils as a renewable fuel source. Clean Fuels Alliance America COO Doug Whitehead says Diesel’s pioneering spirit continues …
ACE Wraps Up 2024 DC Fly-in
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) wrapped up its annual DC Fly-in last week, with dozens of members bringing their message to Capitol Hill when it comes to important topics for the industry. CEO Brian Jennings was especially pleased members were able to hear from Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), sponsor of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of …
Volumes of E15 and E85 Set New Records in Minnesota
The latest data from the Minnesota Commerce Department shows sales of both E15 and E85 hit new records in 2023. The volume of E15 reported hit 127.6 million gallons, up 21 percent from 2022, while E85 sales were reported at 16.6 million gallons, up 8 percent from 2022 and the highest on record. When that news was released last week, …
Sen. Grassley Meets with Ethanol Stakeholders
One of the few members of Congress still left in town on Thursday afternoon last week was Iowa’s senior Senator Chuck Grassley, who was more than happy to meet with members of the American Coalition for Ethanol and talk about his favorite topic. “It’s good for agriculture, it’s good for the environment, it’s good for good paying jobs in rural …
New USDA Under Secretary Excited to Help Rural America
The recently confirmed USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development told ethanol supporters last week that he is excited about the programs they have to help the people in rural America. “One thing that I really want to make clear that I bring to this position as Under Secretary each day is my passion for rural America,” said Dr. Basil Gooden …