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 …
Wind Tax Credit Set to Expire
The wind energy tax credit is set to expire tomorrow and unlike last year, there has been virtually no noise from the wind energy industry on the need to save the Production Tax Credit (PTC). In January 2013 Congress extended the tax credit for one year but structured the credit different in the past. Could this be the reason there …
Senator Max Baucus Unveils Tax Reform Proposal
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) have launched a process for the committee to begin developing a proposal to reform America’s tax code. Over the next several months, the committee will convene weekly to discuss a series of topics and collect feedback from members on a wide range of options for taking on …
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 …
IL Sen. Todd Sieben “Retired To” Working for Ethanol
A good friend once told Todd Sieben, Chairman Central Bank and retired state senator, that when you get ready to retire, don’t retire from something, but retire to something. After 21 years as a state legislator, Sieben did just that and he “retired to” working on projects in his local community including helping to bring the idea of Patriot Renewable …
REG Expands in NJ as Biodiesel Mandate Debated
The country’s leader in biodiesel production is expanding its presence in New Jersey, as lawmakers in that state look to enact a biodiesel heating oil mandate. This news release from Renewable Energy Group (REG) says it entered into an agreement with Dutch Hill Terminals, a leading heating oil terminal in New Jersey, to market biodiesel and biodiesel blended heating oil …
Biodiesel Backers Make Case on RFS to Congress
Biodiesel backers are not quite ready to throw in the towel when it comes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Backed by the National Biodiesel Board, they took to Washington, D.C. to voice their disappointment with the Obama Administration’s recent proposal for next year’s renewable fuels volumes. “If the EPA freezes the biomass-based diesel target, it would put our company …