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 …
Hearing Looks at Rural Renewable Economy
A House Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on the “Renewable Economy in Rural America” provided a forum for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to urge the Biden administration to keep its promises to the biofuels industry, particularly when it comes to issuing Renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The administration should immediately issue robust RVO numbers for …
Ethanol Report RFA 40th Anniversary – Kelly Davis
The Renewable Fuels Association was born in 1981 and RFA is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year by spotlighting some of the pioneers in the ethanol industry who were there at the beginning, like Kelly Davis. Three cities straddle the curve at the very south of Ohio: Huntington, W.Va.; South Point, Ohio; and Ashland, Ky. To Kelly Davis, this confluence …