The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Biofuels this week released its consensus report on the steps needed to grow Minnesota’s biofuels industry and get the state back on track to meet renewable energy goals, including a plan for the adoption of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). In the report to Gov. Tim Walz, the council recommends “a low-carbon fuel standard …
Study Finds Gas Car Ban Would Hurt Biofuels and Farmers
*Updated with audio interview* The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) has just released a study on the impacts of increased electric vehicle penetration on U.S. biofuels, agriculture and the economy. Proposals to ban internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 and 2050 served as the economic models for the study, along with a base case provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s …
National Biodiesel Foundation Receives Grants
The National Biodiesel Foundation has been awarded two Environmental Protection Agency grants through the 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. The first is in partnership with the District of Columbia (DC) Department of Public Works and DC Department of Water. The second is with the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Foundation is also partnering with Optimus Technologies and Renewable …
Iowa Groups Ask Candidates to Oppose EV Legislation
The Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) are asking all candidates in Iowa running for federal office to take a stand against the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2020 recently introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. IBB and IRFA says the legislation would restrict the sale of vehicles that can use biofuels as soon …
NBB Announces New State Governmental Affairs Director
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has announced a new state governmental affairs director with longtime director Shelby Neal departing the organization and Floyd Vergara assuming the leadership role in directing NBB’s nationwide program. “While we are sad to see Shelby go after 12 tremendous years leading NBB’s state policy team, we could not be more thrilled to have someone of …
2021 National Biodiesel Conference Goes Virtual
Virtual conferences are now starting to be announced for 2021. The 2021 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo will be virtual now January 18-21. The event will be accessible to everyone, sharing the industry’s message from coast to coast through a new format that will “RISE” to meet the needs of all attendees. “Our industry is proving its strength and commitment …
USDA Announces New Biofuels Infrastructure Grants
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue was in Albert Lea, Minnesota on Thursday to announce $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to recipients in 14 states. The initial $22 million in HBIIP investments are projected to increase ethanol demand by nearly …
Biodiesel Industry News
The National Biodiesel Board welcomes Matt Herman as the organization’s new Director of Environmental Science. Previously, Herman held positions with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and as Manager of Sustainability for Renewable Energy Group. As Director of Environmental Science, Matt will work closely with NBB’s advocacy team and the membership to ensure that laws and regulations properly reflect the sustainable …
Energy Bites 9/28
Chief Ethanol Now Producing USP Grade Ethanol – Chief Ethanol is now producing USP Grade Ethanol at its plant in Hastings, Nebraska. Chief Ethanol has modified its current process operations to produce higher grades of ethanol for use as the active ingredient in hand sanitizer and is able to provide long-term supply of higher grades of ethanol into industrial alcohol …
House Legislation Includes RFS Integrity ACT
The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act passed by the U.S. House includes provisions of the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act put forth by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN). The provisions set an annual deadline for refiners to request exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard and requires EPA to publicly release the name of refiners requesting a waiver, the number of …