Yesterday, November 30th, was the deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency to release blending obligations for the coming year under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says missing it is bad news for the biofuels industry. “The fact that this deadline is being missed is very unfortunate for farmers and biofuel producers because they’re facing uncertainty …
Green Plains to Establish Monarch Fueling Stations
Green Plains has announced monarch butterfly habitats will be established at its Shenandoah and Superior, Iowa biofuel facilities. The projects are part of the Monarch Fueling Station Project by Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium to create patches of native grasses and other pollinator-friendly plants for the monarchs as they migrate through the state. The initiative …
Bipartisan Defend the Blend Bill Introduced
Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA), together with Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Ron Kind (D-WI), introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House this week that would keep blend levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard from being reduced after they are finalized. The “Defend the Blend” bill would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from reducing the minimum applicable …
Groups Pleased with Biofuel Provisions in BBB Act
Farm and biofuel organizations are grateful this Thanksgiving Day week for key provisions in the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, which passed the House on Friday and was sent to the Senate. The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, the National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers Association, and National Farmers Union sent a joint letter to the chairs of the House …
Muckenhirn Excited About Expanded Role with ACE
The American Coalition for Ethanol‘s new Vice President of Public Affairs Katie Muckenhirn is excited about her expanded role with the organization to support the nation’s ethanol producers. Muckenhirn, whose maiden name is Fletcher, will continue to manage the organization’s media relations, while assuming a larger role in ACE’s public policy efforts and planning of ACE’s Washington, D.C. fly-in and …
Ag Secretary Expects “Certainty” From EPA for Biofuels
On the day last week that the Environmental Protection Agency proposed extending the deadlines for refiners to comply with Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told farm broadcasters that the biofuels industry can expect “certainty” from the Biden EPA. Answering a question about what role renewable fuels can play in climate change, considering EPA has yet …
Biofuels Groups Frustrated by EPA RFS Delays
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday additional extensions for oil refiners to comply with already delayed Renewable Fuel Standard obligations from 2019 and 2020, which were previously extended in April, further frustrating biofuels organizations still waiting for the agency to issue 2021 and 2022 RFS rules or the 2023 volumes or announced decisions on pending small refinery exemptions. Renewable Fuels …
National Ethanol Conference Scholarships Available
The Renewable Fuels Association and the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) are offering scholarships for young adults interested in attending the 27th annual National Ethanol Conference, scheduled for Feb. 21-23 in New Orleans. Members of RFA’s Young Professionals Network are also eligible for consideration for the first time, in addition to college students. Now in its 13th year, the program is …
RFS Revisit Rumors Resurface
Rumors that the Biden Administration is looking at lowering biofuel blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) resurfaced this week, prompting the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to send a letter to the White House explaining why that would be a bad idea. “To be clear, lowering biofuel blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) would not reduce the …
ACE Supports Policies to Help Ethanol Reach Net-Zero
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Board of Directors voted this month to support new policies that credit farmers and ethanol producers for activities helping ethanol reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The resolution supports the adoption of policies at both the state and federal level that “recognize ethanol is part of the climate and health solution while …