There may be some issues with the Renewable Fuel Standard that need to be addressed, but they could be done at the administrative level, rather than repealing the entire law or having Congress make changes. That according to a Senior Scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists Clean Vehicles Program. Dr. Jeremy Martin testified at a House Energy subcommittee hearing …
Biodiesel Board CEO Tells Congress RFS is Working
As lawmakers debated the value of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), the CEO of the National Biodiesel Board made the case on CSPAN that his group’s green fuel is delivering on those RFS promises. “First, under the RFS, the advanced biofuel and biomass-based diesel categories programs are working. And second, with the help of the RFS, biodiesel is reducing consumer …
Lawmakers Seek Compromise on RFS
Some lawmakers during a House Energy subcommittee hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) attempted to work toward getting some compromise between the two sides of the debate. One side, represented by the oil industry, wants to see the RFS completely repealed. The other side, represented by the biofuels industry, would prefer no change to the law. Congressman John Shimkus …
RFS Subject of House Subcommittee Hearing
Two days of hearings featuring 16 witnesses representing a wide variety of stakeholders impacted by the Renewable Fuel Standard are being held this week by the Energy and Power subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Testimony will be presented by representatives of oil, automotive, ethanol, biodiesel, advanced biofuels, corn farmers, poultry, environmental and restaurant organizations, among others. “I …
Corn Growers Talking RFS in DC
Members of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) from across the country are in Washington this week to discuss policy issues and visit with lawmakers about a number of topics, including the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The question our members are asking the legislators is ‘Do you support the RFS in its form, yes or no?’ and we want an …
Oil Industry Blames RFS for Gas Prices
With gas prices on the rise again, the Senate Energy Committee held a timely hearing today on domestic oil production and fuel prices, and representatives of the oil industry used it as an opportunity to blame the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for volatile prices. Valero Energy CEO Bill Klesse noted in his testimony that his company supports ethanol production and …
New Mexico Debates Biodiesel Mandate
New Mexico officials are debating the fate of that state’s biodiesel mandate … a mandate that has never actually been enforced. Albuquerque Business First reports the state agriculture department is calling together to taskforce to consider the issue. Joe Gomez, a division director at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, said the taskforce will meet on Aug. 8 to discuss …
Hartzler Cites “Priority and Balance” in Energy Bill
The U.S. House has passed a $30 billion energy and water bill that has some significant cuts to renewable energy programs. Led by Republicans, the measure passed mostly along party lines. Missouri GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler, who sits on two key committees tied to the bill, Agriculture and Budget, acknowledged in an interview with Cindy that many of her rural …
House Passes Cuts to Renewable Energy Measures
A marathon session in the U.S. House concluded after Congress wrangled over several renewable energy measures and passed a $30 billion energy and water programs bill. Environment & Energy News reports that House Republicans, already making substantial cuts to some clean energy programs in the bill, have blocked Democrats’ attempts to restore those cuts. Despite those efforts, the overall bill …
RFA Comments on Proposed Tier 3 Rule
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week regarding the proposed rule on Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards. Kelly Davis, RFA Director of Regulatory Affairs, says they support the timely implementation of the Tier 3 standards especially the proposal to establish E15 as the certification test fuel beginning in 2017. …