Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) this week reintroduced bipartisan legislation to create a renewable fuel infrastructure grant program and streamline regulatory requirements to help fuel retailers sell higher blends of ethanol. The Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act would authorize $500 million over 5 years for infrastructure grants for fuel retailers and direct the Administrator …
Biofuels Impact on Iowa Economy Still Strong
A new study finds last year’s many challenges reduced the positive impact of biofuels on the Iowa economy, but the production of ethanol and biodiesel still accounts for nearly $4 billion in state GDP. The study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), found the state biofuels industry also supports 37,000 …
Senators Ask EPA to Take Action on RFS Issues
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), along with more than a dozen others, sent a letter this week asking the Environmental Protection Agency to take immediate action on Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) related issues. Those issues include reviewing small refinery waivers, issuing a proposed rule for the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation, and advancing the proposed E15 streamlining …
EPA Administrator Nominee Says RFS is Priority
The nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency says the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will be a priority for the new administration. “You have my commitment that we will look at the RFS program and we will introduce some transparency into that program,” nominee Michael Regan said Wednesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works …
SIRE Board Elects New Director Kevin Ross
Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) has elected Kevin Ross as a member of the plant’s board of directors, effective last Friday. Following the resignation of The Honorable Hubert M. Houser from the Board in December 2020, the Board’s Nominating Committee invited SIRE unit holders to suggest persons to fill Mr. Houser’s Board vacancy for the remainder of his term, through …
Vilsack Addresses Plans for Biofuels
As Secretary of Agriculture during the entire Obama Administration, Tom Vilsack from Iowa was known to be a champion of biofuels. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday, the former secretary pledged to continue his support of the industry – and make small refinery exemptions rare again. “The waiver system was designed for small refineries that were …
Iowa Governor Supports Higher Biofuels Blends
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds once again addressed the annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit this week, something she has done every year as governor, as well as multiple years prior as lieutenant governor, but the first time in a virtual format. Gov. Reynolds said she was looking forward to working with the new Biden Administration to grow demand for biofuels around …
Future is Bright for Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Feedstocks
Soybean oil has a long history as a vital feedstock for biodiesel, and more recently for renewable diesel, and it will likely continue to be. At the same time, newer sources of fats and oil are needed to feed the increasing demand for renewable energy plants coming on line. Alan Weber has been in the biodiesel business from the beginning …
NBB to Celebrate 30th Year in 2022 with Commemorative Book
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) will be 30 years old in 2022. To commemorate the anniversary, the organization plans to document stories of individuals and associations instrumental in its development and growth with a coffee table style book which will unfold the story behind the industry’s greatest successes and share narratives of the industry influencers. “We wouldn’t be on the …
2021 National Biodiesel Conference is a Wrap
The first ever (and hopefully last) virtual National Biodiesel Conference and Expo is a wrap now and it showed that the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry is indeed on the “RISE”. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) hosted more than 550 biodiesel and renewable diesel producers, distributors, retailers, and other industry advocates virtually to share the direction of the industry now …