Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler got a taste of the famous Iowa State Fair Monday as the guest of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and while he had some fun, Wheeler was there to meet with farmers about critical issues. “I enjoyed the round table we just had with different ag groups in the state…hearing what their concerns and problems are,” …
Ads for E15 Greet EPA Boss in Iowa
Radio and print advertising urging EPA to “make good on the President’s promise and approve E15 fuel use year-round” are greeting Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week during his visit to Iowa. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is running an ad campaign this week on two top Des Moines radio stations, WHO-AM and KIOA-FM. One of the ads notes that …
Biodiesel at the Ag Media Summit
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was in Scottsdale, Arizona last week to help the Ag Media Summit celebrate 20 years. NBB is one of a number of companies and organizations that provide support for the Ag Media Summit making it more affordable for journalists to attend. They also participate in the Info Expo to meet with editors and share their …
Acting EPA Chief on RFS Concerns
During a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing Wednesday, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler was pressed for answers about the demand destruction created by small refinery exemptions, how EPA intends to reallocate the waived gallons, and when the agency will approve E15 use year-round. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) …
#SubEnvironment Holds Hearing on RINs
The House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment took a deep dive into the complex world of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) during a hearing on Wednesday. The committee, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), heard from a panel of independent witnesses to provide background on RINs and how the market for them works. The panel included: Brent Yacobucci – Energy …
ACE Hopeful EPA Will Return to RFS Law
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) senior vice president Ron Lamberty testified at the public hearing in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “With the departure of the previous EPA Administrator, I hope EPA will take this opportunity to return to implementing the RFS as intended by …
Growth Energy Urges EPA to Correct RFS Course
Growth Energy is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to chart a “major course correction on annual biofuel targets.” The proposed rule raises the total 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) by 3 percent over the 2018 requirement, and maintains a 15-billion-gallon requirement for conventional biofuels like corn ethanol, but does nothing to address the 2.25 billion gallons worth of …
RFA Asks EPA to Fix Pruitt Damage to RFS
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is imploring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use the 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) rulemaking process “to fix the extensive damage done to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by former Administrator Scott Pruitt.” “Administrative cuts to the RFS have resulted in significantly lower RIN prices, reduced corn and ethanol demand, avoided legal obligations for …
Biodiesel Producers Ask EPA to Raise RFS Volumes
Representatives of the biodiesel industry testified today at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Public Hearing for Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2019 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2020. Executives from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and its member companies are asking EPA to set the 2020 Biomass-based Diesel volume at 2.8 billion gallons, based on the agency’s own analysis …
EPA Waivers Make Deep Cuts in RFS
The latest data from the Environmental Protection Agency shows just how much the small refiner exemptions have resulted in demand destruction, even more than estimated just a few months ago. According to an analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) updated from April, the waivers have resulted in “effectively lowering the 2017 required volume of renewable fuels by 1.37 billion …