Several biofuel producers and trade groups are among the nearly 200 organizations that sent a letter to President Trump on June 16 calling on him to ensure the continued implementation of the U.S.-China Phase One Trade Agreement.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has introduced a bill that aims to approve certain advanced biofuel registrations under the RFS that the EPA has failed to take action on and set a deadline for the agency to act on future pathway and registration petitions.
Top scientists, engineers, and analysts with the Department of Energy's Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines initiative are examining how simultaneous improvements to fuels and engines can improve efficiency and reduce emissions and costs.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing Jun 16 focused on ways to revive the energy industry, which has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Biofuels were briefly discussed during the event.
On June 14, the Iowa legislature authorized another year of funding for Iowa's cost-share biofuel infrastructure program, a move that ensures access to biofuels will continue to grow throughout Iowa.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the U.S. Grains Council is working diligently to engage international stakeholders to convey the continued availability of U.S. ethanol. As travel restrictions ease, strategic in-country engagement will resume.
A roundup of the articles in the June issue of Ethanol Producer Magazine, including stories on hand sanitizer; the future of E30; carbon capture and storage; the CO2 market, ethanol's digital transformation and an alternative to CIP caustics.
on June 12, at an afternoon press briefing, Gov. Pete Ricketts officially designated June 2020 as Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska. The governor also highlighted three great reasons to use ethanol fuels when filling up a car or truck.
Five railcars of U.S. gasoline pre-blended at an E10 rate arrived in Guadalajara in May 2020, a direct success of the USGC's collaboration with the Mexican Association of Service Station Providers to demonstrate the benefits of increased ethanol use.
A 5-percent point reduction on import tariffs for ethanol is expected to create opportunities for increased ethanol trade with Vietnam. According to the U.S. Grain Council, the Vietnam government aims to achieve a 10 percent ethanol blend mandate.
The Biogenic CO2 Coalition sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on June 9 urging the agency to seek public comments on the regulatory treatment of biogenic CO2 from annual agriculture crops.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., on June 11 introduced legislation that aims to extend the Food and Drug Administration's temporary guidance on hand sanitizer production during the COVID-19 pandemic for at least two years.
The Renewable Fuels Association on June 11 marked the one-year anniversary of President Trump's visit to Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy by calling on him to reject requests from oil state governors to waive 2020 RFS blending requirements.
The U.S. ethanol industry saw a shift during the pandemic, as many plants sold or donated ethanol to be used in hand sanitizer production. While the temporary market provided cash flow for some, helping the nation in a time of need motivated all.
This spring, as the U.S. ethanol industry ratcheted back production by more than 45 percent, taking 8 billion gallons of capacity off line, it did anything but retreat from the COVID-19 crisis. It rose to the challenge, and stepped up to help.
The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) on June 4 announced the launch of a credit program designed to help support the country's ethanol industry, which is being negatively impacted by falling fuel demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A group of nine biofuel and ag groups sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on June 9 requesting more information about small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions the agency has reportedly received for past RFS compliance years.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration slightly reduced its forecasts for 2020 and 2021 ethanol production in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, which was released on June 9. Forecasts for ethanol consumption were also revised down.
On June 4, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority announced the creation of the Biofuel Infrastructure Program to increase the availability of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel in the Show-Me State.
A 30-day public comment period is now open on the U.S. EPA's proposal to determine that no additional fuel control measures are necessary to mitigate air quality impacts of required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
A group of 44 members of Congress sent a letter to President Trump on June 8 urging him to deny requests filed with the U.S. EPA by several governors seeking a waiver of 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements.
The Iowa legislature has reauthorized the Iowa biofuel tax differentials, helping boost biofuel demand and lower prices. the bill extends and modernizes fuel tax differentials for E15 and higher ethanol blends and B11 and higher biodiesel blends.
Ron Lamberty, senior vice president of ACE, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on fuel markets and consumer behavior and encourages fuel retailers to take advantage of the USDA's HBIIP program to offer higher blends of ethanol.
The Growing Climate Solutions Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate on June 4. The bill aims to break down barriers for farmers and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices.
Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued statements on June 3 announcing they will continue to push the FDA to provide needed flexibility for ethanol producers working to help the U.S. overcome shortages of hand sanitizer.
The U.S. EPA on June 4 released a proposed rule that will require all future significant regulations promulgated under the Clean Air Act to be accompanied by a benefit-cost analysis (BCA). The RFS is among the CAA programs likely to be affected.
Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on May 29 urging the agency to approve requests to waive RFS blending requirements submitted by six governors.
A recent NPRM issued by EPA proposes to penalize low carbon ethanol using a convoluted approach that would add CO2 emissions to an automobile manufacturer's mileage and carbon emissions calculations.
A public comment period is now open on a proposed rule issued by the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service on May 28 that aims to help businesses understand how legislation passed in 2018 may benefit those claiming carbon capture credits.
The U.S. EPA has released updated renewable identification number (RIN) generation data, reporting that 1.05 billion RINs were generated under the Renewable Fuel Standard in April, down from 2.74 billion generated during the same period of last year.
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