Policy

February 04, 2020

OPINION: A new focus on infrastructure

BY Cassie Mullen, director of market development at the Renewable Fuels Association Found In:Business, Policy, RetailerThe USDA has announced the creation of a new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, or HBIIP. With rising demand for E15 , the announcement of this new program is perfectly timed, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. READ MORE

February 03, 2020

USDA recruits participants for trade mission to the Philippines

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Coproducts, Business, PolicyThe USDA is recruiting U.S. exporters to participate in an agribusiness trade mission to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, on April 20-23. Individuals interested in participating must apply to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service by Feb. 6. READ MORE

January 31, 2020

Groups comment on USDA’s new biofuel infrastructure program

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, Policy, RetailerThe Renewable Fuels Association, American Coalition for Ethanol and Growth Energy are among the groups that submitted comments to the USDA regarding the development of its new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. READ MORE

January 29, 2020

Trump signs USMCA

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Coproducts, Business, PolicyPresident Trump on Jan. 29 signed legislation implementing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The trade pact replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement and is expected to benefit U.S. ethanol producers. READ MORE

January 29, 2020

ACE announces dates, priorities for 2020 DC Fly-in

BY American Coalition for Ethanol Found In:Business, PolicyThe American Coalition for Ethanol has announced the 12th annual Washington, D.C. Fly-in and Government Affairs Summit will take place April 2-3. Priorities of the event include defending the RFS from SREs and encouraging policies to support E15. READ MORE

January 28, 2020

EPA delivers proposed rule to streamline fuel regulations to OMB

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicyThe U.S. EPA on Jan. 27 submitted a proposed rule to streamline fuels regulations to the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB review marks a final step before a proposed rule is released for public comment. READ MORE

January 28, 2020

Manitoba to implement cleanest fuel standards in Canada

BY Government of Manitoba Found In:Markets, Business, PolicyManitoba will have the cleanest fuel standards in Canada by increasing the ethanol and biodiesel content of its transportation fuels as it implements its Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, Premier Brian Pallister announced on Jan. 21. READ MORE

January 27, 2020

Court strikes down 3 SREs approved by EPA

BY Renewable Fuels Association, American Coalition for Ethanol, National Farmers Union, National Corn Growers Association Found In:Business, PolicyIn a decision that is expected to broadly impact the U.S. EPA's approach to granting SREs under the RFS, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on Jan. 24 struck down three exemptions that were improperly issued by EPA. READ MORE

January 22, 2020

Peru’s ethanol consumption, production expected to increase

BY Matt ThompsonFound In:Operations, Markets, Business, PolicyA report recently filed with the USDA FAS's Global Agricultural Information Network shows Peru was expected to produce and consume more ethanol in 2019 than it did in 2018. The country currently has a 7.8 percent ethanol mandate in place. READ MORE

January 22, 2020

Opinion: At the Table, or On the Menu?

BY Geoff Cooper Found In:Markets, Policy, RetailerFROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: As discussions about climate change ramp up, ethanol and its impact on emissions and the environment should be top of mind. READ MORE

January 22, 2020

In Depth: Roadblock to Higher Blends

BY Matt ThompsonFound In:Operations, Business, Policy, RetailerFROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: The U.S. EPA’s rule allowing year-round sale of E15 is a monumental achievement for the ethanol industry, but might also stymie growth for higher blends. Challenges to the rule could take the issues to court. READ MORE

January 21, 2020

USGC: Phase one trade deal with China promises ag sales

BY U.S. Grains Council Found In:Markets, Coproducts, Business, PolicyThe phase one trade deal signed with China on Jan. 15 includes confidential sales targets for a full range of U.S. agricultural products, including grains, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol, according to the USGC. READ MORE

January 21, 2020

Opinion: Ethanol Advocacy and Global Emissions Reduction

BY Brian Healy Found In:Markets, PolicyFROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: Ethanol's importance for climate goals highlighted following the 25th United Nations Climate Change conference. READ MORE

January 21, 2020

In Depth: Blended Curriculum

BY Lisa GibsonFound In:Markets, Business, Policy, RetailerFROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: The Nebraska Ethanol Board offers workshops to help retailers learn more about E15 and higher blends. Other states offer help with grant application processes, or are pushing for for mid-level blends. READ MORE

January 20, 2020

EPA: 19.75 billion RINs generated in 2019

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Cellulosic, Business, PolicyThe U.S. EPA has released updated renewable identification number (RIN) generation data showing more than 1.74 billion RINs were generated under the Renewable Fuel Standard in December, bringing total RIN generation for 2019 to 19.75 billion. READ MORE

January 20, 2020

Opinion: All the Wrong MOVES

BY Dave VanderGriend Found In:Business, PolicyFROM THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: EPA's MOVES model contains serious flaws and could heavily impact the industry as EPA conducts anti-backsliding study. READ MORE

January 17, 2020

Mexico court rules against E10 implementation, not E10 product

BY American Coalition for Ethanol Found In:Markets, Business, PolicyThe Mexico Supreme Court has ruled against a regulation allowing for higher ethanol content in gasoline, based on the way in which the Energy Regulatory Commission implemented the change in 2017. The ruleing was not against E10 itself. READ MORE

January 16, 2020

USDA seeks input on new biofuel infrastructure incentive program

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, Policy, RetailerThe USDA on Jan. 16 launched a request for information (RFI) seeking public input to aid in the creation of its new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, which aims to expand the availability of ethanol and biodiesel. READ MORE

January 16, 2020

Senate passes USMCA

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Business, PolicyThe U.S. Senate passed legislation implementing the revised U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement on Jan. 16 by a vote of 89 to 10. The legislation will now be sent to President Trump for his signature. READ MORE

January 16, 2020

EPA: 21 SRE petitions now pending for compliance year 2019

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicyThe U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Jan. 16, reporting that five new SRE petitions have been filed under the Renewable Fuel Standard for compliance year 2019, up from 16 petitions that had been filed as of Dec. 19. READ MORE

January 16, 2020

Gov. Reynolds highlights recent wins in IRFA address

BY Matt ThompsonFound In:Business, Policy, RetailerIowa Gov. Kim Reynolds highlighted recent positive developments for the biofuels industry during the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s 2020 summit. She also spoke about her plan to increase funding for the state's biofuel infrastrcuture program. READ MORE

January 16, 2020

Mexico’s Supreme Court rules against E10 regulation

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Business, PolicyMexico’s Supreme Court announced on Jan. 15 that it has determined the Energy Regulatory Commission’s unilateral move to modify the country’s fuel standard to allow 10 percent ethanol blends is unconstitutional. READ MORE

January 16, 2020

Censky discusses infrastructure grant program at IRFA Summit

BY Matt ThompsonFound In:Business, Policy, RetailerDeputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky told attendees of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit that “there are some really positive things that are happening that are going to be great for the biofuels sector.” READ MORE

January 16, 2020

Shaw opens 2020 IRFA Summit with optimism

BY Matt ThompsonFound In:Business, Policy, RetailerMonte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, kicked off the 2020 IRFA Summit in Altoona, Iowa, by acknowledging the difficulties 2019 brought to the biofuels industry, but also expressing optimism for recent policy changes. READ MORE

January 15, 2020

Trump signs phase one trade agreement with China

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Coproducts, Business, PolicyPresident Trump signed a phase one trade agreement with China on Jan. 15. The agreement will take effect within 30 days and includes a commitment by China to purchase agricultural products over the next two years, including ethanol and DDGS. READ MORE

January 15, 2020

ePURE to EU: Don’t abandon existing biofuels

BY ePURE Found In:Markets, Business, PolicyAs the EU reframes important environment and energy legislation under the European Green Deal, it should not abandon clean, proven and cost-effective solutions such as sustainable renewable fuels and LPG. READ MORE

January 14, 2020

RenovaBio takes off

BY Gabriel Miranda, EcoEngineers Found In:Markets, Business, PolicyRenovaBio, Brazil’s new national biofuels policy, became official on Dec. 24. The program details a model for carbon emission reduction that improves the role of biofuels in Brazil’s energy matrix, according to EcoEngineers. READ MORE

January 13, 2020

GAO to investigate EPA’s small refinery exemption program

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicyThe Government Accountability Office issued a letter to a dozen members of Congress on Jan. 10 announcing it will review matters relating to the approval of small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard. READ MORE

January 13, 2020

Inslee urges Washington legislature to adopt Clean Fuel Standard

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Markets, Cellulosic, Business, PolicyWashington Gov. Jay Inslee visited the Port of Seattle on Jan. 10 to call on the state legislature to adopt a Clean Fuel Standard during its 2020 legislative session. He was joined by Alaska Airlines, which has announced its support for the program. READ MORE

January 08, 2020

EPA sets 2020 cellulosic waiver credit price at $1.80

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Business, PolicyThe U.S. EPA posted a notice to its website Jan. 8 announcing the Renewable Fuel Standard cellulosic waiver credit (CWC) price for 2020 is $1.80. The price is slightly higher than the 2019 CWC price, which was set at $1.77 in December 2018. READ MORE