The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed a package of actions setting biofuels volumes for years 2022, 2021, and 2020, and introducing regulatory changes intended to enhance the program’s objectives. In addition, EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed decision to deny petitions to exempt small refineries from their obligations under the RFS on the grounds that petitioners failed …
Renewable Fuels in the Economic Outlook at #ASTACSS
AgResource Company president Dan Basse was back in person with his annual update on the global agricultural market at the 2021 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo on Tuesday. This is the ninth year Basse has presented at the event and, as always, he packed a lot of information into an hour. Among the trends he noted for the coming year …
Vilsack Expects RVOs and COVID Payments Soon
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Pennsylvania Friday to announce $633 million in investments to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities. Vilsack highlighted 791 investments that USDA is making in five programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas, including the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. Vilsack also answered questions from reporters, several focused …
Sen. Grassley Sounds Off on RFS Deadline
Yesterday, November 30th, was the deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency to release blending obligations for the coming year under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says missing it is bad news for the biofuels industry. “The fact that this deadline is being missed is very unfortunate for farmers and biofuel producers because they’re facing uncertainty …
Thanksgiving Harvest Powers Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel
As many of us are finishing up the turkey leftovers this week, some biodiesel producers are reaping a harvest of used cooking oil from the holiday. National Biodiesel Board (NBB) members — such as Newport Biodiesel in Rhode Island, New Leaf Biofuel in San Diego and American GreenFuels in Connecticut — harvest and recycle used cooking oil into biodiesel and …
Groups Pleased with Biofuel Provisions in BBB Act
Farm and biofuel organizations are grateful this Thanksgiving Day week for key provisions in the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, which passed the House on Friday and was sent to the Senate. The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, the National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers Association, and National Farmers Union sent a joint letter to the chairs of the House …
Biofuels Groups Frustrated by EPA RFS Delays
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday additional extensions for oil refiners to comply with already delayed Renewable Fuel Standard obligations from 2019 and 2020, which were previously extended in April, further frustrating biofuels organizations still waiting for the agency to issue 2021 and 2022 RFS rules or the 2023 volumes or announced decisions on pending small refinery exemptions. Renewable Fuels …
National Biodiesel Board elects new Governing Board
The National Biodiesel Board returned to in-person meetings this week in Washington, D.C. and elected a new Governing Board. Following a vote by NBB members, the following individuals will serve two-year terms: • Chad Stone, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. • Chris Hill, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council • Dave Walton, Iowa Soybean Association • Harry Simpson, Crimson Renewable Energy …
NBB Testifies to Value of Biodiesel in Rural Economies
The National Biodiesel Board this week submitted written testimony to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit for the hearing, “A Look at the Renewable Economy in Rural America.” The testimony outlines the contribution of the clean fuels industry in terms of jobs and value-added markets for agricultural as well as improved environmental health and reduced associated …
Hearing Looks at Rural Renewable Economy
A House Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on the “Renewable Economy in Rural America” provided a forum for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to urge the Biden administration to keep its promises to the biofuels industry, particularly when it comes to issuing Renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The administration should immediately issue robust RVO numbers for …