A group of six former U.S. EPA administrators are calling for a “reset� of the agency as it approaches its 50th anniversary. The RFS and a potential federal LCFS among the issues discussed in a report released on the effort.
A group of four Iowa biofuel and ag groups sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence on Aug. 13 welcoming him to Iowa and urging him to address several unresolved issues related to the Renewable Fuel Standard.
The push to alter biogenic emissions regulations could boost corn farming and ethanol production while cementing the role of biobased solutions in the fight against climate change. Political inertia, however, remains the primary barrier to change.
2020 High-Octane Award winner Doug Durante has spent much of his 40-year career advocating and advancing policy for ethanol. Few active industry lobbyists have contributed to so many stages of biofuels policy development, from the 1970s to today.
When given a choice, consumers choose higher ethanol blends. It's important that we continue to push for more access to blender pumps across the U.S., especially in urban areas that can truly benefit from aromatics reductions and cleaner air.
U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Aug. 11 said work is ongoing to review gap year SRE waivers and issue a proposed rule to set 2021 RVOs under the RFS. He was unable, however, to specify when those tasks will be complete.
President Trump on Aug. 10 said his administration is considering reciprocal tariffs on Brazilian ethanol. The RFA expressed support for Trump's statement, but said it would prefer the return to a free and fair ethanol trade relationship with Brazil.
Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber indicated on Aug. 10 that duress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may offer an opportunity for the company to acquire additional ethanol plant sites needed to meet expected demand for its renewable hydrocarbon products.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration slightly increased its forecasts for 2020 and 2021 ethanol production in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, which was released Aug. 11. Forecasts for ethanol blending were also revised up.
The U.S. EPA has approved an efficient producer pathway for Flint Hills Resources LLC's 125 MMgy ethanol plant located in Shell Rock, Iowa. The approval allows the facility to generate RINs for non-grandfathered volumes of ethanol.
Growth Energy has submitted comments to the California Air Resources Board following a July 15th workshop on Fuels and Infrastructure for a Carbon Neutral Economy. The comments encourage the expanded use of higher biofuel blends.
Aug. 8 marks the 15-year anniversary of Congress enacting the Renewable Fuel Standard program authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007.
A group of 32 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to House and Senate leadership on Aug. 7 urging them to include much-needed assistance for biofuels in the phase four COVID-19 relief bill, which is currently being negotiated.
On Aug. 8, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, creating the Renewable Fuel Standard. This important bipartisan policy (expanded in 2007) has led to more energy security, a stronger rural economy and cleaner air.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has introduced the Adopt GREET Act, which would require U.S. EPA to update its decade-old greenhouse gas lifecycle modeling for ethanol and biodiesel. ACE is speaking out in support of the bill.
The RFA on Aug. 6 celebrated the 15th anniversary of the RFS by releasing a report detailing the success of the program and hosting a media call to discuss the program's achievements and current challenges faced by the ethanol industry.
The U.S. Senate voted 79 to 16 on Aug. 4 to confirm Mark Menezes as deputy secretary of energy. Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, voted against his confirmation, citing concerns related to small refinery exemptions (SREs).
Sen. Grassley, R-Iowa, provided an update on the potential for COVID-19 relief for ethanol producers and the status of gap year small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions during a press call held on Aug. 4.
Growth Energy has submitted comments on a proposed rule from the U.S. EPA that would change how the agency conducts the benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of new rules under the Clean Air Act, including the Renewable Fuel Standard.
The U.S. Department of Energy on July 31 announced more than $97 million in funding for 33 projects that will support high-impact technology research and development to accelerate the bioeconomy, including biofuels, biopower and bioproducts.
The Renewable Fuels Association this week responded to the USDA's request for comment on its Agriculture Innovation Agenda. The RFA's comments identify five opportunities for the ethanol industry to meet the AIA's goals.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor has submitted written comments on the IRS's proposed regulations under section 45Q, a tax credit for carbon capture projects. She called on the agency to offer credit for CO2 captured for food and beverage purposes.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said on July 28 that he would like to see $3 billion for ethanol included in a phase four COVID-19 relief package. Legislation released by the U.S. Senate in late July, however, provides no dedicated relief for ethanol.
The DOE on July 28 announced $68 million in funding over five years for basic research aimed at making bioenergy feedstock crops more productive and resilient. Feedstocks addressed by the research include sorghum, poplar and pennycress.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on July 28 urging him to initiate a rulemaking to certify biofuel infrastructure for E15 and remove unnecessary labeling requirements for the fuel blend.
The Biogenic CO2 Coalition has released new video and digital ad campaign asking why the U.S. EPA is the only environmental agency in the world to treat carbon emissions from common agricultural crops the exact same as those from fossil fuels.
The National Corn Growers Association remains hard at work to help improve the economic situation for corn growers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization hosted a virtual fly-in to Capitol Hill July 22-23.
On July 24, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor submitted comments to the USDA in response to a request for input on the agency's Agriculture Innovation Agenda, a new initiative to promote conservation and boost productivity in American agriculture.
Biofuels Vision 2020 is launching a new ad campaign raising the alarm over a major regulatory threat to the economic recovery in Iowa. The group is calling on Iowa voters to share their concerns about the the Trump administration's record on biofuel.
The Senate released a COVID-19 relief package on July 27 that could provide relief to biofuel producers. It would also reduce and extend supplemental UI payments, provide a second stimulus payment and allow some companies to access a second PPP loan.
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