A D.C. Circuit Court decision Friday upholds 2019 renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard, while at the same time rejecting arguments from oil refiners that the RFS causes them economic hardship. The National Biodiesel Board, one of the biofuels petitioners in the case challenging EPA’s failure to account for retroactive small refinery exemptions that undercut the annual volumes …
Prospects for the Renewable Fuels Sector
Representatives from the three U.S. ethanol organizations shared their thoughts on prospects for renewable fuels in the Biden era during the 37th Fuel Ethanol Workshop last week. BBI International Program Developer Tim Portz moderated the discussion with Renewable Fuels Association Senior VP Government & Public Affairs Troy Bredenkamp, American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings, and Chris Bliley, Senior Vice …
Ethanol Report from FEW
The 2021 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) was live and in-person this year and members of the ethanol industry were thrilled to be able to meet and talk with each other once again. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper was the keynote speaker this year and he had a lot to talk about, from the recent adverse court …
House and Senate Bills Would Provide E15 Fix
As the 2021 Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) was getting underway Wednesday, ethanol’s champions in Congress were introducing bills that would allow E15 to be sold year round despite the recent circuit court decision. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) led Co-Chairs of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus in introducing the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, bipartisan legislation that would ensure …
RFA CEO Keynotes 2021 FEW Live
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper told participants at the 2021 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo Wednesday that low-carbon ethanol’s “brightest and sunniest days remain ahead” despite recent judicial setbacks and a growing policy push on electric vehicles. Even after two recent disappointing court decisions, “The ethanol industry is still in a stronger position today than …
Groups Urge EPA to Propose Higher Octane Fuel Standard
A coalition of agriculture and biofuel groups is urging the administration to propose a higher octane fuel standard as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updates its greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger vehicles and light duty trucks, In a letter to President Joe Biden, the group also requested that EPA open a comment period on the role that high octane …
Ethanol Industry Excited for FEW 20021
Members of the ethanol industry are gearing up to be able to see each other again next week at the 2021 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo (FEW) July 13-15 in Des Moines. The general session kicks off Wednesday morning with the keynote address from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper who will have plenty to discuss regarding …
Research Suggests Use of Biofuels Reduces Cancer Risk
A newly published review of top scientific literature suggests that ethanol-blended fuels “result in less toxic emissions from vehicles and present a lower risk to human health than regular gasoline.” The study was a collaboration between The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota and the Energy Resources Center, University of Illinois Chicago, and was supported in part by the Renewable Fuels …
House Bill Would Clarify Refinery Waiver Language
Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Angie Craig (D-MN) last week introduced the Small Refinery Exemption Clarification Act of 2021 to clarify the definition of “extension” in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling that favored oil refineries over biofuel producers. “The biofuels industry is an important driver of economic growth in Iowa, supporting hundreds of jobs and expanding market options …
DC Court Decision Reverses Year-Round E15 Rule
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a decision Friday that impacts the year-round sale of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) to the great disappointment of the ethanol industry. The decision reverses a 2019 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency that lifted outdated restrictions on the sale of E15 in a case brought by the American Fuel & Petrochemical …