Former National Biodiesel Board chair Gary Haer was honored Tuesday with the industry’s Eye on Biodiesel Inspiration Award during the 2021 virtual National Biodiesel Conference and Expo. Gary Haer is the Vice President, Special Projects for NBB member company, Renewable Energy Group (REG), one of the nation’s largest producers of both biodiesel and renewable diesel in the United States. As …
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Rise to Meet New Opportunities
The biodiesel and renewable diesel industry kicked off the 2021 Virtual National Biodiesel Conference and Expo Tuesday with an optimistic outlook for the future of America’s sustainable petroleum diesel replacement. The theme of this year’s conference is “Rise 2021” and in his annual state of the industry address, National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen pointed to several factors contributing to …
Focus on Biodiesel’s Environmental Benefits
The environmental benefits of both biodiesel and renewable diesel are in focus this week at the virtual National Biodiesel Conference and Expo. Matt Herman is the National Biodiesel Board‘s new Director of Environmental Science. Formally with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the Renewable Energy Group (REG), Herman has plenty of experience using life cycle assessment to measure the environmental …
Mixed Bag of Last Minute EPA Proposals for Biofuels
With just days before a new administration takes office, the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday issued a mixed bag of last minute proposals for biofuels producers. First, in Friday’s Federal Register, EPA proposed to extend compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020 renewable volume obligations, stating that the agency would “take no position on the availability of SREs for the 2019 …
Ethanol Report 1-15-21
2021 is getting off to a whirlwind start for the ethanol industry. The year is barely started and the industry has already seen an unexpected Supreme Court unexpectedly taking up the Tenth Circuit Court decision from last January, heard rumors of last minute granting of small refinery waivers, and then got hit with four proposals from the outgoing EPA related …
Biodiesel Conference to Spotlight Policy
National Biodiesel Board Director of Regulatory Affairs Kate Shenk will be moderating a panel at the 2021 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo called “What to Expect When You’re Expecting an RFS Rule” and with all of the turmoil going on right now regarding what the Trump EPA may do before leaving office, that landscape is changing daily. Shenk says a …
Virtual Biodiesel Conference Starts Next Week
The virtual 2021 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo officially launches next Tuesday, January 19th, with a full agenda on-line to allow participation from anywhere. The theme of this year’s conference is “Rise” and National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Chief Operating Officer Doug Whitehead says it reflects the resilience of the industry. “We’re rising up to meet the challenges of yesterday, today, …
EPA Chief Wheeler Will Not Resign
During an agricultural event in Mississippi on Monday, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler said he will not resign from the Trump Administration. “I was disgusted by the events of last Wednesday,” he said in answer to a reporter’s question. “I believe in the best interests of the agency, in order to ensure a smooth transition to my successors, …
Ethanol Report 12-28-20
Like everyone else, ethanol producers will be happy to see the end of 2020 with hopeful hearts that 2021 will be a better year. In this edition of the Ethanol Report, we take a ride back through the year starting with the high hopes for a great year in January and February, into the devastating impact of COVID-19 restrictions on …
COVID Relief Bill Passes with Aid for Biofuels Producers
Agricultural and biofuels groups as well as farm state lawmakers are pleased that the new COVID relief package passed by Congress last night includes help for producers excluded from previous aid legislation. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) says relief includes the Paycheck Protection Program for Producers Act. “The bill also includes funding to allow the Department of Agriculture to provide additional …