Less than two weeks ago biofuels organizations and stakeholders were praising the Trump Administration agreement to promote biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Now that the details have been made public, not so much. The notice released by EPA on Tuesday “does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead, it proposes and seeks comment on adjustments …
Poll Shows Strong Support for RFS and Biodiesel
An annual national poll of registered voters released by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) indicates that a candidate’s support for policies to promote clean energy, including biodiesel and renewable diesel use, can influence voters. The annual poll, which is designed to measure awareness of and attitudes toward biodiesel and federal policies that support the industry, found a strong majority of …
Biofuels Industry Reacts to Administration Plan
Under the biofuels plan announced Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020 and will seek comment on actions to ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply beginning in 2020, and that the volume obligation for biomass-based diesel is met. …
EPA and USDA Announce Biofuels Agreement
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued joint statements on an agreement promoting biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard. “President Trump’s leadership has led to an agreement that continues to promote domestic ethanol and biodiesel production, supporting our Nation’s farmers and providing greater energy security,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Today’s agreement …
Biodiesel Industry Requests Meeting Before Commerce Decision
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and American Soybean Association (ASA) sent a letter this week to Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, requesting a meeting before his department finalizes its review of countervailing duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina. The letter notes that Ross met with the Government of Argentina after issuing a preliminary decision in the review but has not …
Farmer Leaders Call Out EPA for Biofuels Demand Destruction
In the wake of new plant closures, corn and soybean farmer organization leaders held a press conference Thursday to discuss the current situation in the biofuels industry created by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overuse of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Participants in the call were: Kelly Nieuwenhuis, farmer from Primghar, Iowa and president of …
Biofuels Industry Still Awaits Waiver Package
It’s been almost a month since President Donald Trump tweeted that “Farmers are going to be so happy when they see what we are doing for Ethanol” and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue told crowds at Farm Progress Show about “small refinery waiver mitigation efforts” underway that President Trump “really wants to announce himself.” Secretary Perdue expressed the frustration that many …
Davis Introduces Small Refinery Exemption Fairness Act
As farmers and biofuel producers continue to wait for a promised “small refinery waiver mitigation efforts” from the administration, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) this week introduced the Small Refinery Exemption Fairness Act of 2019, which would require the EPA Administrator to use the average number of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) granted in the previous three calendar years when formulating …
Sen. Grassley Hopes Trump Biofuels Plan Coming Soon
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) believes President Trump is getting tired of dealing with the biofuels small refinery waiver issue and he expects a plan will be announced soon. During a call with reporters, Sen. Grassley said the biofuel industry demands are very simple. “We want 15 billion gallons to be 15 billion gallons…so that means basically you can waive all …
Biodiesel Helps Grow Clean Energy Economy
An Iowa biodiesel plant manager told a Congressional panel this week that small biodiesel producers are important components of the clean energy economy and deserve the support of stable policies. Western Dubuque Biodiesel General Manager Tom Brooks, a member of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), testified at a hearing on “Growing the Clean Energy Economy” before the House Small Business …