The ethanol industry got some long-awaited announcements from the Biden Administration this week on COVID aid from USDA and biofuel blending obligations from the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s a mixed bag of good news and bad news for ethanol producers and in this edition of The Ethanol Report we get the details from Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff …
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 …
EPA Holds Hearing on Proposed RFS Compliance Deadlines
Biofuels groups had the opportunity to sound off to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its proposed extension of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance deadlines during a virtual hearing Friday. The Renewable Fuels Association voiced strong opposition to again delay annual RFS compliance deadlines. “EPA has had ample time to decide pending 2019 and 2020 SRE petitions following the Supreme …
Ethanol Industry Applauds EPA SRE Denial
One down, 65 to go. Ethanol supporters were pleased Friday to see the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deny one small refinery exemption (SRE) petition that had been filed for the 2019 compliance year. “We are greatly encouraged by EPA’s decision to deny this bailout request from an oil refinery that has continually attempted to dodge its legal obligations to blend …
Midwest Governors Call for E-15 solution
Seven Midwestern state Governors have sent a joint letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan requesting immediate guidance on how they can continue to sell 15 percent ethanol-blended fuel (E15) year-round without restriction. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds spearheaded the letter which was also signed by the governors of Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The governors’ letter follows …
Growth Energy Intends to Sue EPA Over Biofuel Delays
Growth Energy this week notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of intent to sue for failure to issue the 2022 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) and in turn, the potentially multi-year “set” rulemaking process for renewable fuel volumes for 2023 and beyond. The RVOs for 2022 are due by November 30th, 2021, an annual deadline set by Congress in the RFS. …
Democrats Urge Administration to Support RFS
A bicameral group of Democrat Congressional members spanning seven states sent a letter yesterday urging the Administration to increase biofuels usage and reject any reduction in biofuel blending requirements. Congresswomen Cindy Axne (D-IA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spearheaded the letter to President Joe Biden and National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy after recent reports …
Groups Encourage Focus on Fuel in Emissions Standards
Biofuel stakeholder groups submitting comments on proposed rule for 2023-2026 light-duty GHG emissions standards are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to recognize the benefits of low-carbon fuels like ethanol as it seeks to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Renewable Fuels Association says EPA should lay out the roadmap for an orderly transition to high-octane, low-carbon liquid fuels. “Unfortunately, EPA’s proposal …
No RVO Proposal Yet
The biofuels industry was left hanging Friday when the rumored release of proposed blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) failed to happen. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said late Friday they remain hopeful the numbers that were reported would also prove incorrect. “We hope they’re wrong,” said Jennings. “If they are right, it just seems …
NBB Renews Request to Meet with EPA Administrator
The National Biodiesel Board sent a second request to EPA Administrator Michael Regan last week asking for a meeting to discuss the findings of a new study on the potential health benefits of using biodiesel as a transportation fuel. NBB previously requested a meeting with Regan in May. The study from Trinity Consultants quantifies at a community level the public …