Biofuel producer POET this week released its inaugural sustainability report and pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 70 percent compared to gasoline by 2030. POET established several environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, including investing in the latest biotechnology, advancing operational efficiencies and promoting a sustainable society through both POET’s business ventures and its philanthropic …
RFA Analysis: RINS Have No Impact on Gas Prices
A new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association finds the Renewable Fuel Standard’s compliance credit market mechanism, known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), has no impact on retail gasoline prices. The analysis finds that while RINs are a factor in wholesale gasoline prices, there is no evidence that RIN costs have any measurable effect on the retail prices paid by …
Biofuels Offer Benefits for California’s Carbon-Neutral Future
In comments submitted last week to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), a group of ag and biofuel organizations and companies highlighted how renewable fuels like ethanol can help the state achieve its goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2045 or sooner. CARB is seeking input as part of updating its Scoping Plan which lays out the path toward achieving …
Sustainable Aviation Fuels Plan Flaw Could Hurt Farmers
In the rush to get as much spending in the massive Build Back Better bill as possible, Congressional Democrats created a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) starting at $1.25 a gallon and increasing based on the carbon content of the biofuel, but the plan could favor foreign imports over American farmers and biofuel producers in its current …
Biofuel Infrastructure in Build Back Better Bill
Biodiesel and ethanol producer organizations are pleased that both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees have included infrastructure funding for higher ethanol blends into their drafts for the Build Back Better Act budget reconciliation package. Specifically, the new bill language provides for $960 million to install, retrofit, or otherwise upgrade fuel dispensers or pumps and related equipment, storage tank system …
USDA Projects Higher Corn and Soybean Production
Corn and soybean production are both forecast to be higher this year compared to 2020, according to the latest Crop Production report issued Friday by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). According to the report, corn production is up 6% from last year, forecast at 15.0 billion bushels while soybean growers are expected to increase their production 6% from 2020. …
White House Holds Roundtable on Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Biofuel industry leaders and officials from the Biden Administration met virtually for a White House roundtable discussion on the future of sustainable aviation fuels Thursday. In conjunction with the event, the White House announced a goal to achieve 3 billion gallons of SAF production and reduce aviation-related emissions by 20 percent by 2030. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff …
E15 Ruling Rehearing Denied
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday denied a petition for rehearing regarding the recent American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA decision, in which the court vacated a 2019 regulation allowing year-round sales of a fifteen percent ethanol fuel blend (E15). Petitioners the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association released the following …
Vilsack Announces Renewable Energy Investments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday that USDA is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. USDA is financing $129 million of these investments through the Rural Energy for America Program and $335 million through the Electric Loan Program. …
Billion for Biofuels in Build Back Better Bill
The initial draft of the U.S. House Build Back Better Act includes a billion dollars for biofuels infrastructure to support expanded availability and use of renewable fuels, according to Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) who worked to secure the funding. “This is a great day for our rural communities, our agricultural economy, our planet, and for hundreds of thousands of Americans …