The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week to correct “several misstatements in testimony offered recently to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology” regarding the real impacts of small refinery exemptions (SREs). Specifically, RFA questioned the accuracy of Administrator Wheeler’s statements in answer to questioning from Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) that …
Biofuels Industry Still Awaits Waiver Package
It’s been almost a month since President Donald Trump tweeted that “Farmers are going to be so happy when they see what we are doing for Ethanol” and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue told crowds at Farm Progress Show about “small refinery waiver mitigation efforts” underway that President Trump “really wants to announce himself.” Secretary Perdue expressed the frustration that many …
Davis Introduces Small Refinery Exemption Fairness Act
As farmers and biofuel producers continue to wait for a promised “small refinery waiver mitigation efforts” from the administration, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) this week introduced the Small Refinery Exemption Fairness Act of 2019, which would require the EPA Administrator to use the average number of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) granted in the previous three calendar years when formulating …
Ethanol Report on Energy Security
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has released a new study that shows the Renewable Fuel Standard saves drivers money at the gas pump every day and also enhances energy security by greatly reducing or even eliminating the blow to our nation’s drivers when global oil production is disrupted. The analysis, by independent economist and energy expert Dr. Philip K. Verleger, …
Sen. Grassley Hopes Trump Biofuels Plan Coming Soon
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) believes President Trump is getting tired of dealing with the biofuels small refinery waiver issue and he expects a plan will be announced soon. During a call with reporters, Sen. Grassley said the biofuel industry demands are very simple. “We want 15 billion gallons to be 15 billion gallons…so that means basically you can waive all …
GROWMARK Urges Congress to Ratify USMCA
Because GROWMARK is a farmer-owned cooperative, its priorities reflect the interests of its farmer members, and right now that number one priority is trade in general and the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) in particular. “Having the assurance of the United States Mexico Canada trade agreement passed will be an ultimate priority, hopefully it won’t go much past October,” said …
Farmers for Free Trade Rally for USMCA
Farmers for Free Trade brought its #MotorcadeForTrade to Washington D.C. Thursday to highlight the importance of ag trade with Canada and Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that Congress will consider to upgrade NAFTA. Members of Congress and farm leaders discussed how USMCA provides farmers with new market access while maintaining a zero-tariff platform, and stressed the need for Congressional …
EPA Officially Ditches the #WOTUS Rule
Agricultural organizations are celebrating the official repeal of a rule that they have been fighting since 2015 – Waters of the United States, better known as WOTUS. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Department of the Army Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James announced that the agencies are repealing the rule and “recodifying the …
Biodiesel Helps Grow Clean Energy Economy
An Iowa biodiesel plant manager told a Congressional panel this week that small biodiesel producers are important components of the clean energy economy and deserve the support of stable policies. Western Dubuque Biodiesel General Manager Tom Brooks, a member of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), testified at a hearing on “Growing the Clean Energy Economy” before the House Small Business …
Steps to a Biorefinery
Diversifying ethanol plants into biorefineries was an important topic at the recent American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) annual meeting in Omaha, as a strategy moving forward. Steps to a Biorefinery was a panel at the conference with leading technology providers and producers discussing strategies for ethanol producers to diversify, become more efficient, and remain profitable well into the future. Among …