Two major ethanol advocacy organizations are demanding transparency from the Environmental Protection Agency on the granting of small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy filed a joint lawsuit in federal district court, alleging that EPA and Department of Energy have “improperly denied agency records requested …. under the Freedom of …
RFA Past President Preaches for Ethanol
The preacher in Randy Doyal came out at a rally for E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) this week at the Farm Progress Show. Doyal, who is past president of the Renewable Fuels Association and CEO of Al-Corn Clean Energy in Minnesota, proclaimed to the crowd gathered at the rally that corn ethanol is actually created by solar power. …
Secretary Sonny Shows Ethanol Support
A rally organized by corn and ethanol producers at the Farm Progress Show got the attention of USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey who stopped by to show their support. It was a last minute decision by the secretary, who brought greetings and another promise from President Trump, who called Perdue as …
NBB Seeks Higher Biodiesel Volumes
Comments filed by the National Biodiesel Board on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2019 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2020 urge EPA to increase the volumes in both categories and to fully account for small refinery exemptions. In a letter accompanying the comments, Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for NBB, writes, “The biomass-based diesel industry has proven …
Ethanol Stakeholders Submit RFS Comments
Friday was the final day to submit comments to the EPA on proposed 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) and ethanol stakeholders made sure they had their say. Despite the EPA specifically noting that comments on small refinery exemptions would be “deemed beyond the scope of this rulemaking,” every group commenting had something to say about the …
EPA’s Wheeler Talks RFS with Farmers in Iowa
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 …