The biofuels industry was left hanging Friday when the rumored release of proposed blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) failed to happen. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said late Friday they remain hopeful the numbers that were reported would also prove incorrect. “We hope they’re wrong,” said Jennings. “If they are right, it just seems …
Groups Sound Alarm Over Proposed RFS Cuts
Farm and biofuel groups are sounding the alarm over detailed reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to announce major cuts to biofuel blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “While a formal proposal has not been released, the expected standards would destroy a decade of progress on low-carbon biofuels and brazenly violate the promises that President …
House Republicans Urge Biden to Uphold RFS
U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) and a group of House Republicans, including House Biofuels Caucus co-chairs Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), are urging President Biden to keep his promise on upholding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Recent reports indicate the Biden Administration is taking steps to weaken Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) which would reduce the demand for biofuels, …
Court Decision Maintains Duties on Argentine Biodiesel
The U.S. Court of International Trade made the decision this week to uphold the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final determination in its changed circumstances review (CCR) of duties on imports of Argentine biodiesel. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) welcomed the decision. “NBB’s Fair Trade Coalition and members are grateful that the Department of Commerce stood by U.S. biodiesel producers and …
NBB Renews Request to Meet with EPA Administrator
The National Biodiesel Board sent a second request to EPA Administrator Michael Regan last week asking for a meeting to discuss the findings of a new study on the potential health benefits of using biodiesel as a transportation fuel. NBB previously requested a meeting with Regan in May. The study from Trinity Consultants quantifies at a community level the public …
Sustainable Aviation Fuels Plan Flaw Could Hurt Farmers
In the rush to get as much spending in the massive Build Back Better bill as possible, Congressional Democrats created a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) starting at $1.25 a gallon and increasing based on the carbon content of the biofuel, but the plan could favor foreign imports over American farmers and biofuel producers in its current …
Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension in Build Back Better Bill
The National Biodiesel Board is pleased the House Ways & Means Committee include a proposed extension through 2031 of the biodiesel and renewable diesel blenders tax credit in the Build Back Better Act. “Biodiesel and renewable diesel are clean, low-carbon fuels that are widely available today to achieve the carbon reductions Congress is seeking. These fuels are 74% less carbon …
Biofuel Infrastructure in Build Back Better Bill
Biodiesel and ethanol producer organizations are pleased that both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees have included infrastructure funding for higher ethanol blends into their drafts for the Build Back Better Act budget reconciliation package. Specifically, the new bill language provides for $960 million to install, retrofit, or otherwise upgrade fuel dispensers or pumps and related equipment, storage tank system …
USDA Projects Higher Corn and Soybean Production
Corn and soybean production are both forecast to be higher this year compared to 2020, according to the latest Crop Production report issued Friday by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). According to the report, corn production is up 6% from last year, forecast at 15.0 billion bushels while soybean growers are expected to increase their production 6% from 2020. …
Vilsack Announces Renewable Energy Investments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday that USDA is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. USDA is financing $129 million of these investments through the Rural Energy for America Program and $335 million through the Electric Loan Program. …