USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky had the pleasure of announcing the Senate passage of USMCA to the crowd at the 2020 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Thursday in Altoona, Iowa. “Just about 20 minutes ago, I’m proud to say that the Senate finally passed the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement on a vote of 89 to 10,” said Censky as the crowd …
USDA Seeks Input on New Biofuels Infrastructure Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking input on the creation of a new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to expand the availability of domestic ethanol and biodiesel by incentivizing the expansion of sales of renewable fuels. This Request for Information (RFI) solicits information on options for fuel ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure, innovation, products, technology, and data derived …
National Biodiesel Conference to Unveil “Vision 2020”
The National Biodiesel Board will unveil its “Vision 2020” for the industry during the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Tampa, Florida on January 20-23. The largest gathering of North American biodiesel enthusiasts arrive in Florida on a roll with recent policy victories in Washington, DC, and California, as well as a heating oil industry that is partnering with producers …
New Report Outlines Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest
A new report details how a good clean fuels policy for the Midwest should be designed, recommending a “technology-neutral, portfolio approach that encourages a fair and competitive marketplace and benefits producers, consumers, agriculture, utilities, jobs, and public health.” The Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest white paper is the result of nearly two years of analysis and stakeholder discussion by …
Cooper to Keynote Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper will present the keynote address at the 2020 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 16th of the new year in Altoona, Iowa. “America’s ethanol producers have a powerful story to tell,” Cooper said. “Whether you’re concerned about jobs and market opportunities in rural communities, clean and sustainable fuel choices in urban cities, …
Ethanol Industry Disappointed with EPA Final Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a final rule today that establishes required renewable volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2020 that is basically the same as the proposed rule that industry stakeholders say still falls short. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the rule fails to deliver on President Trump’s commitment to restore …
Tax Extenders Also Help Ethanol and Advanced Biofuels
The deal reached by congressional leaders Tuesday for renewing and extending important renewable fuel tax provisions helps the ethanol industry as well as biodiesel producers. Specifically, the amendment would retroactively reinstate the second-generation biofuel producer credit, the special allowance for second-generation biofuel plant property and the alternative fuel refueling property credit for 2018 and 2019 and extend them through 2020. …
NBB Encouraged by Biodiesel Tax Incentive Action
Members of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) are encouraged by the introduction in Congress of a multiyear extension of the biodiesel tax incentive. If passed, the credit would be available to biodiesel blenders through 2022 to help to expand markets and support expansion of biodiesel and renewable diesel production. NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik says the announced …
Trade Groups Push Congress on Biodiesel Tax Extension
Executives from nearly a dozen national trade associations sent a letter to Congressional leaders last week highlighting the urgent need for Congress to extend the expired biodiesel tax incentive before the end of the year. The groups included the National Biodiesel Board, American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, Advanced Biofuels Association, among others. The association executives …
Iowa Governor Moves State Vehicles to B20
During an appearance at the Iowa Farm Bureau annual meeting in Des Moines Tuesday, Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order requiring that all new state vehicles with diesel engines must be approved to run on B20 biodiesel (a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum-based diesel) or more “Biodiesel is a growing and vital industry in Iowa, and I …