The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) presented oral arguments to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Monday on the petition for review of the Renewable Volume Obligations for 2014-2016 filed by Americans for Clean Energy, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in January 2016. The NBB challenged EPA’s interpretation and use of its waiver authority …
RFA Tells EPA to Keep RFS on Track
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) sent a letter today to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt urging him to keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on track in 2018. “The ethanol industry was highly encouraged by your commitment to ‘administer the [RFS] program according to the intent of Congress’ and to keep the program’s rulemakings on schedule,” RFA President and CEO Bob …
Biodiesel to Present Arguments Against EPA
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) will present oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation and use of its waiver authority regarding the 2014-16 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). David Salmons of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP will present NBB’s case, arguing against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s …
Ethanol Industry Discounts API Poll
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling results of yet another American Petroleum Institute (API) push poll released today “skewed” and based on misleading questions. API claims its poll results show a majority of Americans are “concerned about the government requiring increased amounts of ethanol in gasoline” under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RFA notes that API historically frames its …
Coalition Formed to Protect Point of Obligation
A coalition made up largely of fuel retailers has been formed to oppose efforts to change the point of obligation requirement under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Main Street Energy Alliance (MSEA) includes the National Association of Convenience Stores, NATSO (representing truck stops and travel plazas), the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America, as well as Shell and …
Vets in #Ethanol Industry Send Letter to Trump
Over 100 military veterans who work in the ethanol industry sent a letter to President Donald Trump this week urging him to include a prominent role for ethanol and the RFS in his “America First Energy Plan.” East Kansas Agri-Energy CEO Jeff Oestmann, a Marine Corps vet, started the effort at the recent National Ethanol Conference. “After serving our country …
White House Denies RFS Change Plans
After a day of volatile grain trading based on news stories, the White House late Tuesday denied that there was an executive order in the works to change the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Wednesday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) made inquiries about the matter and issued a statement. “Based on conversations my staff and I had, there’s no reason to believe …
RFA Talking #Ethanol Regs with Trump Adviser
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen says he has been talking with a special regulatory adviser to President Trump about how they might work together on regulatory changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), but it involves compromising on the point of obligation issue. Dinneen issued a statement regarding a call he received from “an official with …
How #Ethanol and Oil Can Work Together
One of the highlights of last week’s National Ethanol Conference was the Future of Fuels Policy Panel. One of the panelists was Chet Thompson, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President and CEO. AFPM represents the refining and petrochemical sectors of the fuel industry, and Thompson spoke during the panel about ways that the ethanol and oil industries can work …
Point of Obligation Discussion at #RFANEC
The extended comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed denial to change the Point of Obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) ended this week as panelists at the National Ethanol Conference were discussing the issue. Pacific Ethanol CEO Neil Koehler refereed the cage fight discussion between Richard Walsh, SVP & Deputy General Counsel, Valero Renewable Fuels Company and …