As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers its proposal that would, in effect, slash the amount of ethanol and biodiesel to be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is telling the government to leave the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) alone. During their policy session at the recent AFBF annual meeting in San Antonio, …
New Illinois Farm Bureau Prez: RFS Top Priority
Members of the American Farm Bureau Federation have met in San Antonio, Texas, where they have been talking AFBF policy. And the new Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert says ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) remains the top priority for farmers in his state and the region. “Midwest farmers have worked so hard and so long to get …
Group: Budget Creates Uncertainty for Biofuels
The $1.1 trillion U.S. budget deal passed by the House and awaiting action from the Senate has removed discretionary funding for Farm Bill energy programs, according to a group that considers ag-based energy issues. And this story from BioFuels Journal says the Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) feels the 2014 Consolidated Appropriations agreement underscores the need for Congress to get busy …
Congress in No Hurry to Renew Biodiesel Tax Credit
Congress seems to be in no hurry to renew the $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax credit. And this analysis from Bloomberg BNA indicates that the biodiesel credit, as well as some other renewable energy credits, won’t come until later this year but at least will be applied retroactively. “I think Congress has gotten over the idea that the world will stop …
Ethanol’s Story
The Missouri Corn Growers Association has produced a video that tells “the greatest story never told” – Quiet Revolution: The Ethanol Story. Like the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and all state corn grower groups, the Missouri Corn Growers are urging their members and others to submit comments on the Environmental Protection Agency proposal made November 15 to cap corn-based …
Biodiesel Production, Imports Records for October
The U.S. produced a record amount of biodiesel in October, and it imported a record amount during the same time as well. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports biodiesel production hit 132 million gallons during the month, up from around 127 million gallons in September. And this article from Biodiesel Magazine says the U.S. imported more than 46 million gallons …
Congress Warned About Biodiesel Incentive Lapse
Failure once again to renew the $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax incentive is putting jobs and the industry’s growth at risk. The incentive lapses on Dec. 31st of this year, and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has sent out a warning letter to Congress as that date grows near. “This marks the third time in five years that this incentive will have …
EPA Invalidates 33.5 Million RINs from Indiana Co.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invalidated 33.5 million Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) worth about $13.4 million sold by Indiana-based E-Biofuels LLC. This story from the Indiana Business Journal says while Big Oil has jumped on the announcement as an indictment of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), biodiesel advocates are quick to point out this is just an isolated incident …
54 Reps Call for Reversal on Biodiesel RFS Proposal
Fifty-four members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle are calling on the Obama Administration to reverse course on its proposal to cut the amount of biodiesel to be required to be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply. This news release from the National Biodiesel Board says the call comes as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed …
Senate Energy Tax Reform Proposal
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) today unveiled a proposal to streamline energy tax incentives. “It is time to bring our energy tax policy into the 21st century,” Senator Baucus said. “Our current set of energy tax incentives is overly complex and picks winners and losers with no clear policy rationale. We need a system of energy incentives that …