The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will halt new petitions for renewable fuel pathways for six months or so. In response, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) urged the agency to speed up rather than slow down the Petition Process for New Renewable Fuel Pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The petition process was established in March of 2010 …
DF Cast: Lawmakers Listening to Ethanol Advocates
Ethanol backers got their voices heard during the recent American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Biofuels Beltway March in Washington, D.C. And at least some lawmakers were listening. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we talk to Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), and Sen. John Thune (R-SD), who met with ACE and its supporters and all …
Biofuel Organizations Call for Tax Credits Extensions
Leaders from several biofuel trade organizations are calling for the extension of some federal advanced biofuel tax credits. The Advanced Ethanol Council, Advanced Biofuels Association, Algae Biomass Organization, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Growth Energy, National Biodiesel Board, and Renewable Fuels Association have sent a letter to the Senate calling for the restoration of the Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit, the …
Stop Protecting Big Oil’s Bottom Line
A new TV advertising campaign is being launched in Washington, D.C. this Sunday by Americans United for Change calling for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop supporting Big Oil’s bottom line. The EPA is currently reviewing comments of their 2014 proposed rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The goal of the TV ad is to underscore the consequences …
EPA “Add-Up” for RFS & Biodiesel Tax Credit
The government’s proposed change in how to figure biodiesel and ethanol use for purposes of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could end up being a boost for the green fuels. This analysis from the University of Illinois looks at how the EPA’s method of “adding-up” the market potential for E10 and E85 ethanol, biodiesel and other non-ethanol fuels changes how …
Iowa AG: EPA Proposal on Ethanol Violates Law
The proposed lowering of the amount of ethanol to be blended into the country’s fuel supply raises the possibility the U.S. government could face a lawsuit for breaking the law. In this article from Ethanol Producer Magazine, comments from Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller indicates the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) to lower the Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for ethanol violate …
EPA Biodiesel Proposal, Tax Credit Priorities for ASA
Soybean growers attending the recent Commodity Classic see the government’s proposal to cut biodiesel and the expiration of the federal biodiesel tax credit as their top priorities to take on this year. At a news conference at the annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers in San Antonio, American Soybean Association (ASA) Chairman Danny Murphy, a grower from …
EPA Releases Tier 3 Emission Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its Tier 3 Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standard Program rules. The purpose of the program is to reduce impacts of motor vehicles on air quality and public health. In addition to lower the gasoline sulfur standard, the program is supposed to reduce both tailpipe and evaporative emissions from passenger cars, light-duty truck, medium-duty …
Biodiesel Finds Allies at Commodity Classic
Commodity Classic is the annual meeting that attracts more than 7,000 corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum farmers, but it’s also a great place to find biodiesel and ethanol producers. Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) says they make sure to connect with their allies from the commodity groups, especially those soybean growers. “Biodiesel is made from a …
Analysis: RINs Price Drop Indicate EPA Reversal
A drop in prices for biodiesel and ethanol Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) could indicate that the government’s proposal to cut the amount of the green fuels to be blended into America’s fuel supply will be reversed. In an analysis by University of Illinois agricultural marketing expert Scott Irwin, lower RINs suggest the market believes odds are the Environmental Protection Agency …