The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) was one of the first in line to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on regulatory reform. Last month, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt established a Regulatory Reform Task Force to evaluate how existing regulations might be repealed or modified and the agency formerly began a 30 day public comment period April 11. ACE …
Groups Oppose RFS Point of Obligation Change
U.S. biofuel and agricultural organizations wrote to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt last week opposing any change to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) point of obligation. “The point of obligation is one of the most important remaining tools to help drive higher blends remaining in the RFS. It creates economic incentives for gasoline retailers to offer higher blends such as E15 …
Industry Comments on Pruitt Confirmation
The biofuels industry welcomed Senate approval last week of Scott Pruitt to be the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. “As Mr. Pruitt said during his confirmation hearing last month, ‘To honor the intent and the expression of the Renewable Fuel Standard statute is very, very important.’ We could not agree more,” said Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen. …
RFA Suggests Retool for REGS
In comments submitted this week on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) rule, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) said the proposal fails to address key regulatory barriers that are constraining growth in ethanol production and use. “In fact, we are concerned some elements of the REGS proposal may actually serve to add complexity and create …
No Impact on RFS Expected from Regulation Freeze
As soon as he took office, President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on regulations that were promulgated by the federal government before he took office, including the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) requirements for this year under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which were announced in late November. In a statement, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen said the …
EPA Extends Comment Periods
In response to requests by the industry, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed to extend the comment periods for the proposed Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Rule and proposed denial to change the Point of Obligation. The REGS comment period was schedule to end on January 17, but EPA received a joint request for an extension of the …
Flint Hills Resources Awarded EPA Pathway Approval
Flint Hills Resources ethanol facility located in Shell Rock, Iowa has been given U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for its cellulosic production using Edeniq’s Pathway Technology. The 120 million gallon per year biorefinery is the second in the U.S. to receive EPA approval for cellulosic production using Edeniq technology. “We are greatly encouraged by the EPA’s rapid approval of …
ACE Urges #Ethanol Advocates to Call for Support
Over the past few weeks President-Elect Donald Trump has been announcing his nominations for Cabinet positions including Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While Trump was supportive of biofuels during his campaign, notes Brian Jennings, executive vice president for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Pruitt has been vocal in his opposition to clean …
EPA Holds RFS Rule Hearing in Chicago
The Environmental Protection Agency held a public hearing in Chicago yesterday to hear testimony the agency’s proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) rule. The rule includes several actions that would help allow the market to introduce greater volumes of renewable fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Among those who testified was Renewable Fuels Association senior vice president Geoff …
#Ethanol Industry to EPA: Deny Point of Obligation Change
A letter was sent to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator McCarthy yesterday from the ethanol industry, along with some unlikely allies, calling on the EPA to deny the request for a change to the point of obligation for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance. The letter was signed by Growth Energy, API, RFA, PMAA, Advanced Biofuels Association, NACS, NATSO and …