During her 2022 Condition of the State speech this week, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds highlighted biofuels and her commitment to expand consumer access to E15 and B20 as one of her top priorities for this legislative session. “I am introducing new legislation that will improve access to E15 and B20 and upgrade Iowa’s fuel infrastructure to offer higher blends,” said …
CARB Urged to Recognize Climate-Smart Farming in LCFS
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), along with the Great Plains Institute, Low Carbon Fuels Coalition, the National Biodiesel Board, and Canadian Oilseed Processors Association, this week sent a letter to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) urging them to recognize the climate benefits of farming practices in California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). . The letter cites principles for …
Hearing Explores Impact of EV Adoption on Agriculture
As President Biden has pledged that half of all new cars will be electric by 2030, some are raising concerns about the impact such a rapid change would have on agriculture and rural America. The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to examine that issue Wednesday and heard from several stakeholders who stand to be impacted, one being convenience store …
Iowa VERBIO BioRefinery Starts RNG Production
The first U.S. industrial scale renewable natural gas facility using agricultural residues as its feedstock began production Tuesday in Nevada, Iowa. VERBIO AG, the German parent company, purchased the former DuPont Cellulosic ethanol plant in late 2018. With the commissioning of the Nevada plant, VERBIO will produce seven million ethanol gallons equivalent (EGE) of RNG with the completion of Phase …
EPA Proposes Volume Standards and Waiver Rejections
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed a package of actions setting biofuels volumes for years 2022, 2021, and 2020, and introducing regulatory changes intended to enhance the program’s objectives. In addition, EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed decision to deny petitions to exempt small refineries from their obligations under the RFS on the grounds that petitioners failed …
Vilsack Expects RVOs and COVID Payments Soon
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Pennsylvania Friday to announce $633 million in investments to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities. Vilsack highlighted 791 investments that USDA is making in five programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas, including the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. Vilsack also answered questions from reporters, several focused …
Sen. Grassley Sounds Off on RFS Deadline
Yesterday, November 30th, was the deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency to release blending obligations for the coming year under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says missing it is bad news for the biofuels industry. “The fact that this deadline is being missed is very unfortunate for farmers and biofuel producers because they’re facing uncertainty …
SCS Global Services Approved as Verifier for Oregon
SCS Global Services has been approved as an independent verifier for the Oregon Clean Fuels Program (CFP). The CFP’s main objective is to encourage cleaner fuel usage using electricity, ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel and renewable natural gas based on incentives and requirements that create demand for such fuels in the marketplace. SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party certification …
REG and Booster Partner for Sustainable Fuels Delivery
Renewable Energy Group (REG) has announced a partnership with Booster, a tech-enabled energy delivery service, to provide mobile delivery of renewable diesel, biodiesel and blended fuels to fleets. The service started in California in August and has the potential to grow nationally. The Booster / REG collaboration makes low-carbon fuels more accessible to clients, with convenient mobile fueling services provided …
USDA Secretary Vilsack from COP26
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack had a busy week at COP26 last week, participating in numerous events to underscore the administration’s commitment to climate action. Vilsack held a media call Friday afternoon from COP26 in Glasgow, UK. He discussed COP26 events, the recently-announced partnership with the EU and the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate. Taking questions from reporters, Vilsack also …