It took a Texas oil man to finally unleash the power of renewable fuels. In the aftermath of 9/11, energy independence became a driving force for President George W. Bush, and he saw the potential for our nation’s productive farmers to help attain that goal. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed on August 8 of that year at …
RFA Supports EPA’s Proposed RFS Volumes
The Renewable Fuels Association submitted detailed comments to the Environmental Protection Agency this week expressing strong support for the agency’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and 2027, while also recommending slight modifications to the agency’s plan for prioritizing American-made renewable fuels over import-based fuels. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper wrote that the proposed volumes “will provide the …
RFA CEO Responds to EPA Endangerment Finding Proposal
Last week, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin released a new proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which would effectively repeal all vehicle greenhouse gas standards. It would also mark one of the largest deregulatory actions in American history. According to EPA, the Endangerment Finding is the legal prerequisite used by previous administrations to regulate emissions from new motor …
Ethanol Report on the RFS at Twenty
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed by President George W. Bush on August 8 of that year at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico – symbolizing a new approach to energy economics and security, diversifying our transportation fuel supply by incentivizing ethanol and biodiesel by initiating the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This month marks the 20th anniversary …
Land Use Change Study Author Moves to MSU
The author of a 2022 land use change study out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison that caused negative headlines for the ethanol industry is moving to Michigan. Tyler Lark will join the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences in August as an assistant professor after spending the last six years as a scientist in the University …
Back to the Future with the RFS
For the first time in 20 years, the Senate has a strong ethanol champion as Majority Leader in Sen. John Thune (R-SD). The last time was another South Dakotan, Democrat Tom Daschle, who was instrumental in crafting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Jonathon Lehman, who has been the American Coalition for Ethanol lobbyist for many years, served as Counsel to …
Supreme Court Hears Arguments in SRE Venue Case
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case that will determine where challenges to small refinery exemptions (SREs) decisions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) should be brought. The renewable fuels industry argued in favor of the petitioner, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the case versus Calumet Shreveport Refining, and other refineries. The Renewable Fuels Association …
Groups Provide Climate Smart Ag Comments
Biofuels groups submitted comments this week to USDA on its interim rule for climate-smart agriculture guidance to support the new 45Z tax credit for clean fuel producers. The Renewable Fuels Association emphasized the importance of policies that empower farmers while ensuring a robust and efficient renewable fuels market. RFA highlighted the benefits of a book-and-claim supply chain management system, which …
Groups Want Final 2026 Biomass-Based Diesel Volumes
Organizations supporting biomass-based diesel are urging EPA to establish robust, timely Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and beyond. Members of Clean Fuels Alliance America, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Renderers Association, and U.S. Canola Association sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin this week asking that EPA propose and finalize …
EPA Extends Compliance Deadline for RFS
On Friday the Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule to extend the March 31 deadline for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance reporting for 2024. The rule also updates the definition of “biodiesel” in the program to reference the most recent ASTM quality specifications, and Clean Fuels Alliance America expressed disappointment in response. In December, EPA proposed a partial waiver of …