The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) pathways for biofuels produced from canola/rapeseed oil. The agency issued a proposed notice of rulemaking this week and is providing an opportunity for comment on the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis of these pathways. EPA’s assessment considers diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, naphtha, and liquefied petroleum gas …
Ethanol Supporters Thank Biden for E15 Waiver
The ethanol industry breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when President Joe Biden announced an emergency waiver to allow 15% ethanol blended gasoline (E15) to be sold this summer. “We applaud President Biden and his administration for recognizing that low-cost, low-carbon ethanol should be given a fair opportunity to strengthen our energy security and reduce record-high pump prices,” …
EPA Denies Waivers But Still Gives Refiners a Break
The Environmental Protection Agency Thursday announced the denial of 36 small refinery exemptions (SRE) for the 2018 compliance year. The petitions were remanded to EPA by the U.S. Court of Appeals. At the same time, EPA announced an “alternate compliance approach” that allows 31 of those small refineries to meet their new 2018 compliance obligations “without purchasing or redeeming additional …
Clean Fuels Participates in Ag Day on the Mall
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and over three dozen partner organizations, including Clean Fuels Alliance America, hosted the inaugural Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall outside the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters this week, highlighting America’s agriculture innovators. More than 16,000 visitors attended the two-day festival and engaged with hands-on educational displays about modern agriculture. …
Senators Introduce Energy Independence Act
Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced a new bill that puts into law a ban on Russian oil and opens up the use and production of American biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel. The Home Front Energy Independence Act combines parts of several of the senators’ past bills that would make E15 available year round, establish an …
Senate Committee Hearing Looks at RFS
The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing Wednesday to examine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) said the committee has not held an oversight hearing on the RFS since 2016. “Since the implementation of the program, we’ve come a long way toward achieving our goals. Economic growth in agricultural communities has expanded …
Clean Fuels Comments on EPA RFS Proposals
Clean Fuels Alliance America submitted comments supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to deny pending small refinery exemptions while asking for certainty regarding proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Volume Standards for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Clean Fuels expressed particular concern with EPA’s triggering “reset” authority and proposals for regulating biointermediates. Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels’ Vice President of Federal Affairs, writes …
Clean Fuels in the Age of Decarbonization
Biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel can work together to provide solutions for decarbonization. A panel at the 2022 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo discussed ways the industry can begin to meet the needs of growing and expanding markets when it comes to reducing carbon. One key message was shared by Gary Louis of Seaboard Energy. “We realize, as …
#NBB22 Ponders Future of RFS
Moderated by National Biodiesel Board’s Kurt Kovarik, a group of panelists discussed the history and potential future of the Renewable Fuels Standard at the 2022 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo. Former Senator Byron Dorgan outlined the steps taken over the past nearly 30 years to bring alternative and renewable fuels including biodiesel to where they are today. He said the …
Last Ever National Biodiesel Conference Wrap
The 2022 National Biodiesel Conference was the last one that will be held going forward with the official name change for the biodiesel board now being Clean Fuels Alliance America, or just Clean Fuels for short. “Next year for our 20th conference it will be rebranded in keeping with the organization’s new name,” said Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen at …