The national average for diesel fuel hit another record $5.54 a gallon Monday but a new study released by Clean Fuels Alliance America shows prices would be four percent higher without current U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production. The study, “The Offsetting Impact of Expanded Biomass Based Diesel Production on Diesel Prices,” was prepared by World Agricultural Economic and Environmental …
Rail Disruptions Impacting Ag and Biofuels
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) heard about how agricultural and biofuels producers are being impacted by rail service challenges during a two-day hearing this week. USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh told the board how rail disruptions are impacting farmers, ranchers and consumers. “Elevators are full and therefore cannot purchase more grain from farmers, and livestock operations are unable to …
Iowa Biofuels Access Bill Heads to Governor
The Iowa legislature yesterday passed the Iowa Biofuels Access Bill, sending it to Governor Kim Reynolds for signing. Gov. Reynolds originally proposed the bill this year to increase consumer access to higher biofuel blends like E15 and B20. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw called it a victory for consumers in the state. “Every person in Iowa deserves …
Illinois Governor Signs Biodiesel Use Bill Into Law
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker this week signed into law a bill that incentivizes increasing blends of biodiesel by extending the current B10 sales tax exemption until 2023 and then increasing the biodiesel blend level subject to the tax exemption to B13 in 2024, B15 in 2025 and B19 in 2026. The legislation was spearheaded and guided through the legislative process …
Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Features E15
The latest episode of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers features last week’s big announcement on summer sales of E15. Host Spencer Chase interviews Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) on the announcement, followed by a panel discussion on the future of ethanol policy and agriculture’s current relationship with the EPA featuring Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, Courtney Briggs with the American Farm …
Canola Oil Proposed as Advanced Biofuel Feedstock
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) pathways for biofuels produced from canola/rapeseed oil. The agency issued a proposed notice of rulemaking this week and is providing an opportunity for comment on the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis of these pathways. EPA’s assessment considers diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, naphtha, and liquefied petroleum gas …
Ethanol Supporters Thank Biden for E15 Waiver
The ethanol industry breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when President Joe Biden announced an emergency waiver to allow 15% ethanol blended gasoline (E15) to be sold this summer. “We applaud President Biden and his administration for recognizing that low-cost, low-carbon ethanol should be given a fair opportunity to strengthen our energy security and reduce record-high pump prices,” …
President Biden Announces Emergency Waiver for E15
President Joe Biden visited the POET Bioprocessing facility in Menlo, Iowa Tuesday to formally announce an emergency waiver to allow 15% ethanol blended gasoline (E15) to be sold this summer. President Biden said adding ethanol to our gasoline reduces our reliance on foreign oil and gives consumers a choice at the pump. “When you have a choice, you have competition, …
EPA Denies Waivers But Still Gives Refiners a Break
The Environmental Protection Agency Thursday announced the denial of 36 small refinery exemptions (SRE) for the 2018 compliance year. The petitions were remanded to EPA by the U.S. Court of Appeals. At the same time, EPA announced an “alternate compliance approach” that allows 31 of those small refineries to meet their new 2018 compliance obligations “without purchasing or redeeming additional …
White House Fuel Price Plan Overlooks Biofuels
Biofuel organizations are baffled by the White House “Plan to Respond to Putin’s Price Hike at the Pump” released Thursday that completely ignores increasing use of renewable fuels. The plan to address higher fuel prices resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine calls on petroleum companies to ramp up oil production and includes an unprecedented release of up to 180 million …