Biofuels stakeholder organizations have sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to “act quickly to prevent actions” at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that threaten to undermine future growth of the biofuels industry under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “If the proposed changes are finalized, EPA’s actions would cause severe harm to our industry, undermining your efforts to …
EPA Proposes Further Cuts in Biofuels Under RFS
The Environmental Protection Agency surprised the biofuels industry Tuesday by issuing a notice asking for comment on further reducing volume obligations for some fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The EPA Notice of Data Availability (NODA) suggests a reduction of the 2018 advanced biofuel volume requirement from the proposed level of 4.24 billion gallons to 3.77 billion gallons, …
Most Iowans Support Biodiesel and the RFS
New research released by the Iowa Biodiesel Board finds a strong majority of Iowans support biodiesel and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). About 72 percent of Iowa voters have a positive opinion on biodiesel, according to the research, while 71 percent support the RFS. IBB executive director Grant Kimberly said only three percent had a negative opinion. “That means the …
Bioheat Approved for Downstate New York
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation this week that requires downstate New York counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester to follow New York City’s lead by blending at least five percent biodiesel (B5) Bioheat® fuel into all home heating oil sold by July 1, 2018. Assemblyman Steve Englebright and Senator Phil Boyle sponsored the legislation, which is supported by …
Biodiesel Helps Clear the Air in Great Smokies
The Great Smoky Mountains are so named because of the blue mist that hovers around the peaks and valleys of the range along the Tennessee–North Carolina border. To keep that blue mist from being obscured by smog, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park strives to maintain its natural beauty through practices that reduce the park’s environmental footprint – such as …
Biodiesel Benefits Better than Before
A new academic paper published in Biotechnology for Biofuels shows biodiesel’s benefits are even better than previous models suggest. “The power in these new findings is that science is improving,” said Don Scott, National Biodiesel Board Director of Sustainability. “This is great news, because agriculture is our most powerful tool to turn solar energy and carbon dioxide into things like …
Biofuels Voices Comment on RFS Rule
The comment period for the EPA’s proposed volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has officially ended and stakeholders in both the biodiesel and ethanol industries made their voices heard. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments “urging the agency to finalize the RVOs that were included in EPA’s first draft of the proposal that was submitted …
Iowa RFA Urging Industry Comment on RFS
The comment period for the EPA’s proposed volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) ends tomorrow, August 31. For those ethanol and biodiesel industry stakeholders who have not yet submitted comments, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has an easy way to do so by signing petitions to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. It’s time to make your …
Commerce Dept Finds Unfairly Subsidized Biodiesel Exports
The preliminary determination of the U.S. Department of Commerce is that exporters of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia did receive “countervailable subsidies” and may allow for collection of retroactive duties. “The U.S. values its relationships with Argentina and Indonesia, but even friendly nations must play by the rules,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. The department determined that both countries subsidized …
Biodiesel Import Decision Delay Called Routine
The U.S. Department of Commerce posted an announcement in the Federal Register this week announcing the postponement of issuing preliminary determinations on alleged dumping of Argentine and Indonesian biodiesel on the U.S. market. National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Chief Operating Officer Doug Whitehead says the postponement is routine and was expected. “In nearly all unfair trade cases investigated by the Department …