Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) had a chance to sit down with EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler while he was in Iowa this week. “There seems to be a real message from the White House to Wheeler to do something for E15 twelve months a year,” said Grassley. “But there has to be something also done for refineries so I think …
EPA’s Wheeler Talks RFS with Farmers in Iowa
Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler got a taste of the famous Iowa State Fair Monday as the guest of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and while he had some fun, Wheeler was there to meet with farmers about critical issues. “I enjoyed the round table we just had with different ag groups in the state…hearing what their concerns and problems are,” …
Ads for E15 Greet EPA Boss in Iowa
Radio and print advertising urging EPA to “make good on the President’s promise and approve E15 fuel use year-round” are greeting Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week during his visit to Iowa. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is running an ad campaign this week on two top Des Moines radio stations, WHO-AM and KIOA-FM. One of the ads notes that …
Biodiesel at the Ag Media Summit
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was in Scottsdale, Arizona last week to help the Ag Media Summit celebrate 20 years. NBB is one of a number of companies and organizations that provide support for the Ag Media Summit making it more affordable for journalists to attend. They also participate in the Info Expo to meet with editors and share their …
Legends Ride Press Conference During #SturgisRally
Participating in a pre-Legends Ride press conference in Deadwood, SD were (l-r) Tom Berenger, Sarah Palin and Rusty Wallace. I got to ask them to make a comment about a ten percent blend (E10) of ethanol into gasoline and what it means for our country. Rusty is very familiar with the renewable fuel from his NASCAR experiences which include designing …
31st ACE Ethanol Conference Preview
“Grit Wins” is the theme for the 31st annual American Coalition for Ethanol conference August 15-17 at the Renaissance Depot Hotel in Minneapolis. “We think Grit Wins really encompasses the courage and resolve that ACE members have exhibited in the face of a lot of challenges in the last 12 months,” says ACE Senior Director of Operations and Programming Shannon …
Acting EPA Chief on RFS Concerns
During a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing Wednesday, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler was pressed for answers about the demand destruction created by small refinery exemptions, how EPA intends to reallocate the waived gallons, and when the agency will approve E15 use year-round. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) …
Trump in Iowa Reaffirms Support for Ethanol
As President Trump was starting a roundtable on workforce development in Iowa Thursday, his very first words were about ethanol. “I’m very close, I have to tell you, to pulling off something that you’ve been looking forward to for many years and that’s the 12 month E15 waiver,”said Trump. “It’s a very complex process.” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said …
#SubEnvironment Holds Hearing on RINs
The House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment took a deep dive into the complex world of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) during a hearing on Wednesday. The committee, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), heard from a panel of independent witnesses to provide background on RINs and how the market for them works. The panel included: Brent Yacobucci – Energy …
EPA Approves Sorghum Oil as Biofuels Pathway
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler yesterday announced the approval of sorghum oil as an eligible feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard during a signing event at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., with sorghum farmers and other stakeholders. In December 2017, the EPA released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) concerning renewable fuels produced from sorghum oil under the RFS …