The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has released a series of infographics to promote the benefits of biofuels, an explainer on various sustainability benchmarks for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and an update on global ethanol blending policies. The Council seeks to show international policymakers and industry stakeholders that U.S. ethanol is an affordable, abundant, compatible and sustainable way for countries to …
USDA Celebrates $3 Billion for Climate-Smart Commodities
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack traveled to Pennsylvania last week to celebrate investing over $3 billion in 135 projects under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities since its creation in September 2022. Vilsack highlighted the initiative’s success to date, including: – Enrollment of over 3.2 million acres of working land into climate-smart practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon. …
Chevron REG Invests in Terviva to Scale New Biofuel Feedstock
Agricultural innovation company Terviva has announced an investment from Chevron Renewable Energy Group to help scale production of pongamia for low carbon renewable fuel. “Crude pongamia oil can be converted into biodiesel, renewable diesel, or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In working with Chevron Renewable Energy Group, we can increase the availability of feedstocks for production of these fuels while promoting …
Ethanol Groups Urge Book and Claim for CSA
USDA received testimony Tuesday at a public consultation on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and biofuel feedstocks urging federal agencies to embrace book-and-claim supply chain management approaches to decouple CSA carbon credits. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in his testimony that innovative supply chain management solutions are needed to fully realize the benefits of CSA practices in the …
Senators Launch Sustainable Aviation Caucus
U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Boozman (R-AR) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have launched the Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus to promote the longevity of the aviation industry and the renewable fuels industry. “As the aviation industry strives for lower emissions and cleaner energy sources, the development and utilization of sustainable aviation fuel will be a critical element,” …
Broad Coalition Urges President to Avert Port Strike
A broad coalition of organizations representing agriculture, biofuels, food and transportation is asking the White House to avoid a potential port operations disruption that could negatively impact the food supply chain. The labor agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance expires on September 30th and the groups say that if they are unable to come …
Congress Proposes Extension of Clean Fuels Tax Credit
Bipartisan and bicameral legislation has been introduced in Congress that would require the Treasury Department to restrict the eligibility of the 45Z Tax Credit to renewable fuels made only from domestically sourced feedstocks and extending the tax credit to make it a full ten-year credit. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)introduced the Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act in …
U.S. House Moves Against EV Mandate
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Friday under a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution EPA’s controversial tailpipe emissions standards focused on mandating electric vehicles by 215 to 191, with eight Democrats joining 207 Republicans in support. The resolution was brought by Representative John James (R-MI). “I’ve always said, if you want an EV, get an EV. But allowing the Biden-Harris …
RFA Seeks Update on EPA Feedstock Audits
The Renewable Fuels Association is asking the Environmental Protection Agency for an update on the investigation into certain biofuel feedstock imports and also urged the adoption of stricter feedstock verification requirements for imported used cooking oil (UCO) and tallow. In a letter this week to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper noted that monthly tallow and …
USDA Working on Tracking Carbon Intensity
USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie is confident that sustainable aviation fuels hold great promise for American agriculture if we can get the rules right. “This is a real opportunity for American agriculture to create a marketplace that will reward them from the for the stewardship they have been doing and the stewardship they are and …