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. …
Billion for Biofuels in Build Back Better Bill
The initial draft of the U.S. House Build Back Better Act includes a billion dollars for biofuels infrastructure to support expanded availability and use of renewable fuels, according to Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) who worked to secure the funding. “This is a great day for our rural communities, our agricultural economy, our planet, and for hundreds of thousands of Americans …
Groups Oppose Motion to Remand SREs without Vacatur
Six biofuel-supporting organizations filed a motion this week opposing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) motion to “remand but not vacate the 31 small refinery exemptions (SREs) the Trump Administration granted in August 2019.” The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union as a coalition are currently challenging …
#FPS21 Features Congressional Biofuels Summit
Six Republican members of Congress from Illinois, Iowa and Indiana held a Biofuels Summit at the Farm Progress Show on Wednesday to discuss the importance of ethanol and biodiesel to the region and the challenges being faced by the biofuels industry. House Biofuels Caucus Co-chair Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL) was joined by Mike Bost (R-IL), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Randy Feenstra …
B100 Pilot Truck to be Showcased at Farm Progress Show
One of five trucks used in last year’s cooperative B100 pilot program will be on display at the 2021 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois this week, according to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). The pilot, conducted by ADM, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), Optimus Technologies, American Lung Association (ALA), National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council was …
USDA Invests $26 Million in Biofuel Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $26 million to build infrastructure to expand the availability of higher-blend renewable biofuels by 822 million gallons annually in 23 states. The announcement includes investments in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas …
Groups Urge Fair Analysis for Aviation Fuel Tax Credit
A group of agricultural and biofuels organizations is urging Congress to make sure an accountable life cycle analysis is used in developing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit. The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers Association, and National Farmers Union sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance …
NBB Launches Ad Campaign on Renewable Fuel Standard
The National Biodiesel Board has launched a new radio advertising campaign calling on President Biden to maintain his commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The ads will air on more than 200 radio stations in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin on the Brownfield Ag News Network. “As a candidate last August, Joe Biden called the Renewable Fuel Standard ‘our …