A recent ruling from a court in California is not expected to have much of an impact on biodiesel. California’s Fifth District Court of Appeal ruled provisionally that Poet LLC’s lawsuit against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) about the state’s low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) program can continue to operate. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the set aside …
Biodiesel Advocates Descend on DC
Backers of one of our favorite green fuels, biodiesel, have headed to Capitol Hill. This news release from the National Biodiesel Board says the group of biodiesel producers, distributors and feedstock suppliers representing more than two dozen states, including the delegation from Iowa we previously told you about, are making their case for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): “The …
Biodiesel Tour de Force
This week, six Iowa biodiesel producers, a soybean farmer and several Iowa Biodiesel Board staff will be visiting Capitol Hill to urge Iowa’s Congressional delegation to continue fighting for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The group joins more than 100 other biodiesel advocates from two dozen states in lobbying for Congressional support. “Oil interests have this policy in their …
Biomass Diesel Imports: Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Recently, we told you about how the amount of biomass-based diesel imports had jumped dramatically. Part of the reason for the jump in imports was seen as Argentina and Indonesia being shut out of selling their biodiesel to the European Union, due to a trade dispute. While some people might be concerned that importing biodiesel would hurt the domestic market …
NBB Unveils New TV Ad Campaign
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has unveiled a new television advertising campaign to make the point that consumers and taxpayers are better protected by a diverse supply of transportation fuels. The 30-second commercial is airing on national TV networks and on Washington, D.C. broadcast and cable news outlets. “Biofuels are helping to diversify America’s transportation fuels, which protects consumers by …
Pacific Ethanol Providing Corn Oil for Biodiesel
An Idaho ethanol plant is producing distillers corn oil that could go in to biodiesel production. Pacific Ethanol Inc. announced that it is using ICM Inc.’s Advanced Oil Separation System™ to get the corn oil at its 60 million gallon a year Magic Valley, ID plant. Neil Koehler, the company’s president and CEO, stated: “Corn oil is a high value …
Study: EPA Lacks Transparency in Feedstock Approvals
A study from a pair of University of Illinois researchers says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lacks “transparency and clarity” when it comes to approving new feedstocks for biofuels as new pathway determinations. In farmdocdaily.com, James McCubbins and Bryan Endres say that if it’s not biodiesel or corn ethanol, it seems to take a lot longer to get the agency’s …
Biomass-based Diesel Imports Jump in March
We’re seeing a big spike in the amount of biomass-based diesel imported into the U.S. Biodiesel Magazine reports the latest numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show gross imports at 17.3 million gallons in March… a more than eight-fold increase above February’s 2.2 million gallons, and it marks the first biomass-based diesel from Argentina in about four years and …
Australian Co. Inks Deal, Will Re-Open Biodiesel Plant
Australia-based Lignol Energy Corporation announced it will re-open an approximately 35 million gallon a year biodiesel plant. The announcement comes as part of a deal that sees LEC agree to acquire an additional 2.67 million shares of Territory Biofuels Limited (“TBF”) for nearly $1 million (US) that makes LEC a majority shareholder in TBF: “We are excited to be working …
EPA’s 411 on RINs & RVOs
A recent “Today in Energy” brief published by the U.S. Energy and Information Administration takes a look at how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) and Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RVOs are the targets for each refiner or importer of petroleum-based gasoline or diesel fuel, while RINS allow …