The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has a message for EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to answer the question of how to reduce RIN prices associated with the Renewable Fuel Standard – grant E15 the same RVP treatment as all other ethanol-blended fuels. On January 30th, while Administrator Pruitt was testifying before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Iowa …
Pruitt Open to Ethanol as Octane Enhancer
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week for an oversight hearing that touched on a variety of issues, including ethanol. Pruitt was questioned by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) about the advanced biofuel pathway for distillers sorghum oil and the comment period that just closed on that January 26, and …
Senator Wants Study of RFS Environmental Impact
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) is asking EPA to complete studies assessing the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on air, water, and land quality. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt last week to request that the agency fulfill its obligation under the Energy Independence and …
EPA Administrator Shows Support for RFS
The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency met with farmers and biofuels producers in Iowa on Friday to show his support for agriculture and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Administrator Scott Pruitt was a guest of livestock producers and ethanol supporters Bill and Nancy Couser on their farm in Nevada, Iowa. Since the visit came just one day after EPA …
Industry Thankful for EPA Obligation Point Decision
The ethanol industry got something extra to be thankful for the day before Thanksgiving as the Environmental Protection Agency followed through on the promise made by Administrator Scott Pruitt to deny a petition to change the point of obligation for compliance under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Based on a wide range of stakeholder input and information provided as a …
Representatives Support Advanced Biofuels
Representatives Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), and Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), along with 16 other members of the House, last week wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt supporting increased blending targets for cellulosic biofuels and biodiesel in the final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs). The members represent largely urban and minority populated districts around the country. “Cellulosic ethanol is …
Biodiesel Board Weighs in on EPA Letter
In a letter to seven senators last week, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt committed to final 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations at levels “equal to or greater than the proposed amounts, including at least 2.1 billion gallons for biomass-based diesel in 2018 and 2019.” But just “equal to” what has been proposed is well below what the biodiesel industry …
Industry Just Says No to EPA NODA
Ethanol, biodiesel, and agricultural organizations were united in their message to the Environmental Protection Agency in comments to a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) that would further reduce overall biofuels volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) – just no. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), which was chosen to participate in EPA’s new Smart Sectors program, urged the agency …
Iowa Biofuels Interests Get White House Attention
President Donald Trump called Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Wednesday to assure her that he continues to support the renewable fuels industry. “He reached out to me,” said Gov. Reynolds during a press conference in Iowa. “He made it clear that he stood with the Renewable Fuel Standard.” Gov. Reynolds also got a call from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who met …
Senators and Governors Urge Support for RFS
On Monday, four governors wrote to President Trump, and 34 senators sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, both expressing concerns about proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Governors Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota, Eric Greitens of Missouri and Sam Brownback of Kansas urged the president to keep his promises to rural America …