Legislation to reauthorize the Farm Bill energy title was introduced in the Senate Monday. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Al Franken (D-MN) introduced the Rural Energy Investment Act to “help farmers, ranchers, and rural communities by encouraging the growth of agricultural energy technologies, including advanced biofuels, biogas, biomass, and renewable energies.” “These energy programs are essential for expanding clean energy …
Reform Bill: Transparent Attempt to Protect Big Oil
Yesterday Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner introduced legislation that would stall the roll-out of E15. Many in the renewable fuels industry responded to the proposed legislation including Fuels America who noted that the legislation ignores the long track record of successful, rigorous testing that E15 has undergone. “What the bill is clearly geared toward, however, is promoting the interest of oil compaines …
Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner: Stop E15
Following the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s mark up and ultimate approval of H. 875, legislation designed to untimely repeal approval of E15 that was introduced by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner. “The House Science Committee is ignoring hard data and facts that show E15 is reliable and the most tested fuel to date,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth …
Rural GA Economic Recovery & Solar Act Introduced
Georgia State Rep. Rusty Kidd (Independent – Milledgeville) has introduced the Rural Georgia Economic Recovery and Solar Resource Act of 2014, that if passed, would create greater access to solar and an economic opportunity for rural Georgia. According to Georgia Solar Utilities, the bill would bust the current monopoly on solar in Georgia and allow competitive bidding for construction of …
Sensenbrenner Introduces Bill to Cap Cellulosic Fuels
As last week came to a close, U.S. Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced a bill to place what the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) calls artificial caps on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual cellulosic biofuel projected production numbers. The proposed limits for any given year would be no more than five percent or one million gallons, whichever is greater, of …
Renewable Fuels Legislation Crib Sheet
Although the Taxpayer Relief Act is an all but done deal, stakeholders across numerous industries continue to pick at the legislation. This is particularly true for the renewable energy industry. Legislation can be hard to digest and so the law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy created a “crib” sheet, or alert, giving a brief overview of how the Act …
News of Senate Allowing Military Biofuel Use Welcomed
The U.S. Senate repeal of a second provision in the military’s budget that would have blocked the developing the use biofuel alternatives is being welcomed by biofuel makers. Yesterday, The Senate voted 62-37 to pass an amendment by Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) repealing section 313 of the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which prohibited DOD from procuring alternative fuels …
Grassley: Wind Tax Credit Could Be Part of Deal
The extension of the wind energy tax credit could come this year, but it might be part of a bigger deal of tax reform. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who holds positions on the Senate’s Budget, Finance and Ag Committees, says it will be a fight. “I think now the argument ought to be, ‘Why would you sort wind out of …
Report: Loss of Military Biofuels Hurts Civilian Economy
A report from an environmental group warns that the loss of the U.S. military’s biofuels program means a loss of potential jobs and economic activity in the civilian sector. Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) says the Department of Defense’s plans to expand its use of biofuel in planes, ships and other vehicles would generate at least about $10 billion in economic activity …
Group: Mil Development of Biofuels Helps Economy
A group of business leaders who purport to “promote sound environmental policy that builds economic prosperity” have a report making the case that biofuels used and developed by the military could help the economy. Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) will release the report during a news conference tomorrow, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. EST that says the Department of Defense’s Advanced Biofuels …