Bayer, Bushel and Amazon Web Services (AWS) today unveiled Project Carbonview – a first-of-its-kind technology solution to help farmers drive more sustainable supply chains by aggregating the carbon footprint of end products, starting with ethanol. Beginning as a pilot program, Project Carbonview is focused on creating awareness and acceptance for low-carbon fuel markets. Eligible farmers who enroll in the pilot …
Iowa VERBIO BioRefinery Starts RNG Production
The first U.S. industrial scale renewable natural gas facility using agricultural residues as its feedstock began production Tuesday in Nevada, Iowa. VERBIO AG, the German parent company, purchased the former DuPont Cellulosic ethanol plant in late 2018. With the commissioning of the Nevada plant, VERBIO will produce seven million ethanol gallons equivalent (EGE) of RNG with the completion of Phase …
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 …
USDA Releases COVID Aid for Biofuels Producers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made good on the promise he made Friday and announced today that USDA will make up to $800 million available to support biofuel producers and infrastructure. Today’s announcement includes $700 million to provide economic relief to biofuel producers and restore renewable fuel markets affected by the pandemic. The Department will make the funds available through the …
Renewable Fuels in the Economic Outlook at #ASTACSS
AgResource Company president Dan Basse was back in person with his annual update on the global agricultural market at the 2021 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo on Tuesday. This is the ninth year Basse has presented at the event and, as always, he packed a lot of information into an hour. Among the trends he noted for the coming year …
RFA Mourns Sen. Dole as Ethanol Champion
The Renewable Fuels Association paid tribute to former Sen. Robert Dole (R-KS), who passed away Sunday at the age of 98, as a great patriot, war hero, national statesman, friend of farmers, and a champion of America’s renewable fuels industry. “Throughout his distinguished career in public service, Senator Dole always put his country first and worked tirelessly to improve the …
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 …
Vilsack Expects RVOs and COVID Payments Soon
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Pennsylvania Friday to announce $633 million in investments to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities. Vilsack highlighted 791 investments that USDA is making in five programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas, including the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. Vilsack also answered questions from reporters, several focused …
ACE Participates in OPIS LCFS and Carbon Markets Workshop
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) consultant Jonathon Lehman was on a panel entitled “Reducing Carbon Intensity in Renewable Fuels with Climate Smart Farming Practices” with representatives from Gevo and the American Society of Agronomy at the OPIS LCFS and Carbon Markets Workshop this week in California. “USDA estimates U.S. farmers currently store 20 million metric tons of carbon per year …
Membership News from RFA
The Renewable Fuels Association has announced the selection of Mark Gouthro to lead the association’s Technical Committee. Gouthro has worked as lab manager at E Energy Adams in Nebraska since 2016. The Technical Committee is one of RFA’s four member committees on important ethanol industry topics, and focuses heavily on fuel specifications and standards such as ASTM International, National Conference …