Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) visited the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant in Benson, Minnesota last week to reiterate his support for the state’s ethanol industry. During his visit, which coincided with Ridgewater College’s tour of the plant on March 28, Peterson briefed CVEC on the latest attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “I recently met with Secretary Perdue …
How EPA is Destroying Demand for Ethanol and Corn
Recent actions by EPA have effectively reduced the Renewable Fuel Standard conventional renewable volume obligation (RVO) for 2016 by more than 1 billion gallons, and the agency appears poised to take similar actions to effectively reduce the 2017 and 2018 conventional RVOs by comparable amounts, according to Renewable Fuels Association Executive Vice President Geoff Cooper. In a blog post last …
Ethanol and Biodiesel Groups Oppose PES Settlement
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) both submitted comments to the Department of Justice yesterday opposing the proposed bankruptcy settlement agreement with Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES). RFA commented that the proposed settlement agreement, which covers the refiner’s Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for January 2016-April 2018, should be rejected “because the terms are patently unfair, unreasonable, …
Growth Energy Formally Protests PES Settlement
Growth Energy has filed comments with the Department of Justice formally objecting to a proposed bankruptcy settlement between the Carlyle Group’s Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would absolve the refinery of key obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The proposed settlement sends the wrong message to industry stakeholders, implying that there are …
Sec. Perdue Comments on RFS and RINS
Not much was said publicly during National Ag Day on Tuesday about the continuing RFS/RIN price dispute which is still being discussed at the very highest levels of government. But Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue did give an update during his remarks at the National Press Club Ag Day event. “We’ve been in fairly intense discussions about the solution,” said Perdue. …
Ethanol Helps Celebrate National Ag Day
The CEOs of Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) were among the distinguished industry guests who attended the USDA National Agriculture Day Proclamation ceremony Tuesday with remarks from Vice President Mike Pence. “The United States produces an abundance of food, feed and fuel, benefiting not only our nation, but the entire world,” said Pence in his remarks. “Growth …
Stand Off Over RFS and RIN Prices Continues
The stalemate continues in Washington D.C. over what, if anything, should be done to lower Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices designed to help oil refiners comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Late last week, Midwest Republican senators requested a meeting with President Trump as rumors continued to circulate that the administration might take action to cap RIN prices. And …
Ethanol Report for St. Patrick’s Day
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen really got his Irish up this week over EPA administrator Scott Pruitt allowing bankrupt Philadelphia Energy Solutions to get out of half its obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), so he is really ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend. He updates us on the latest episode in the …
Governors Urge President to Reject RFS Changes
Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa and five of her Midwestern counterparts sent a letter to President Donald Trump this week thanking him for his continued support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and urging him to reject proposals designed to weaken or waive “this key pillar of the farm economy.” Governors Eric Holcomb of Indiana, Jeff Colyer of Kansas, Eric …
Cornyn Says He’s Trying to Find “Consensus” on RINs Issue
Texas’ other senator claims he is “working hard to try and find some consensus” on the issue of Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices, but Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has pretty much the same attitude that Sen. Ted Cruz has when it comes to ethanol. “I’ve been working on a bi-partisan basis with allies in the Senate to see if we …