Less than two weeks ago biofuels organizations and stakeholders were praising the Trump Administration agreement to promote biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Now that the details have been made public, not so much. The notice released by EPA on Tuesday “does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead, it proposes and seeks comment on adjustments …
Trump Remarks Seem to Contradict EPA Plan
Since the October 4 announcement, President Donald Trump mentioned the plan negotiated by the administration to address small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard at least twice while addressing farmers and ranchers. Those comments appear to contradict the EPA proposal released Tuesday which industry representatives say will likely not even result in maintaining the 15 billion gallons required under …
Ethanol Report on RFS Moving Forward
It was a year ago this week that President Trump announced he was instructing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate a rulemaking process that would allow E15 to be sold year round. This year, it was proposed relief from small refinery exemptions announced last week to restore integrity to the RFS that is giving the ethanol industry renewed energy …
Poll Shows Strong Support for RFS and Biodiesel
An annual national poll of registered voters released by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) indicates that a candidate’s support for policies to promote clean energy, including biodiesel and renewable diesel use, can influence voters. The annual poll, which is designed to measure awareness of and attitudes toward biodiesel and federal policies that support the industry, found a strong majority of …
Biofuels Industry Reacts to Administration Plan
Under the biofuels plan announced Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020 and will seek comment on actions to ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply beginning in 2020, and that the volume obligation for biomass-based diesel is met. …
Corn and Ethanol Producers Waiting for Relief
Ethanol producers and corn farmers held a telephone press conference Wednesday to spotlight recent research on the impacts of ethanol plant closings, a new survey on voter attitudes about ethanol, and a potential White House agreement to promote further renewable fuels use. The main message from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, new National Corn Growers Association President …
Ethanol Report on Crappie Masters Championship
2019 has been another winning year for the partnership between ethanol and crappie fishing. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is wrapping up a third year as co-title sponsor of the Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail with the national championship in Grenada, MS, concluding September 28. In this Ethanol Report, RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White talks about …
Farmer Leaders Call Out EPA for Biofuels Demand Destruction
In the wake of new plant closures, corn and soybean farmer organization leaders held a press conference Thursday to discuss the current situation in the biofuels industry created by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overuse of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Participants in the call were: Kelly Nieuwenhuis, farmer from Primghar, Iowa and president of …
Japan Deal is Good for Grains and Ethanol
The U.S.-Japan trade agreement signed by President Donald Trump this week “will solidify our longstanding partnership for the future and create a platform for growth into new sales and new sectors, including the potential for sales of U.S. ethanol,” according to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Japan is one of the largest and most loyal U.S. corn customers, having bought …