Archive for the 'Policies & Policymakers' Category

McCain: “I will not permit eight long years to pass without serious action on serious challenges”

In Oregon, US Republican presidential nominee John McCain said: “The facts of global warming demand our urgent attention, especially in Washington. Good stewardship, prudence, and simple common sense demand that we act to meet the challenge, and act quickly,” he said. “I will not shirk the mantle of leadership that the United States bears. I […]

Brazil complaint to World Trade Organization over US ethanol tariff more likely

In Brazil, Cosan called on the Brazilian government to intervene with the US government more forcefully on ethanol tariff, and observers said that Brazil may take the US to the World Trade Organization over the tariff, if the US Farm Bill is signed in its existing form with a renewal of the tariff.
The WTO has […]

President Bush may veto Farm Bill; first veto since 1956; “excessive subsidies” in $300 billion package; leading subsidy recipients published

In Washington, fears are growing the US President George W. Bush will veto the Farm Bill over “excessive subsidies”. The $300 billion, five-year billion bill emerged from a House-Senate conference this week after months of wrangling over subsidies, incentives and tax credits.
The Farm Bill has not been vetoed since 1956, and originally observers did not […]

Minnesota Governor expected to sign B20 biodiesel mandate

In Minnesota, Governor Tim Pawlenty has received and is expected to sign legislation that will increase the biodiesel mandate in the state from B2 to B20 by 2015. The bill passed 64-0 in the State Senate and 123-2 in the state House.
Minnesota has an E-20 mandate that will take effect in 2013. Currently Minnesota has […]

Florida Governor set to sign energy bill; biofuels tax credits; cap and trade emissions system are among highlights

In Florida, the state energy bill will be signed this week by Governor Charlie Crist, and contains a statewide carbon cap-and-trade system, an E10 mandate by 2010, and a $6.5-million in annual investment tax breaks for biofuels. The biofuels tax incentives are being carried forward from legislation first passed in 2006.
The 10×10 legislation may be […]

South Dakota Senator John Thune gathering signatures in support of Renewable Fuel Standard

In Washington, Senator John Thune (R-SD) was circulating a letter amongst US Senators to gather signatures in support of the Renewable Fuel Standard. 24 Senators, led by presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, sent a letter to the EPA this week requesting a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard. Meanwhile, EPA deputy assistant administrator Robert Meyers […]

John McCain leads 24 Republican Senators in ethanol mandate revolt; call on EPA to waive or modify

In Washington, 24 Senate Republicans have asked the EPA to waive, or restructure, the Renewable Fuel Standard passed in December. In a statement, Sen. John McCain said that “This subsidized (ethanol) program — paid for by taxpayer dollars — has contributed to pain at the cash register, at the dining room table, and a devastating […]

Nationwide waiver of biofuels mandate would boost gas prices by $1.10, association says

Bob Dineen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, projected that a nationwide waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard would result in an immediate $1.10 hike in the price of gasoline to $4.71 per gallon. “It would kill consumers,” John Urbanchuk, the director of industry analysis group LECG, told Reuters. “It would add a bit over […]

Connecticut becomes second state to request Renewable Fuel Standard waiver over food prices

In Connecticut, Governor Jodi Rell will request a waiver from ethanol-blending requirements in the Renewable Fuel Standard, over food price concerns. Under the EISA Act of 2007, the EPA Administrator has the power to issue waivers.
Last week in Texas, Governor Rick Perry requested a 50 per cent waiver from the federal renewable fuel standard as […]

McCain calls for veto of Farm Bill over “excessive subsidies”

In Iowa, Senator John McCain said that, as drafted. he would veto the Farm Bill because of excessive subsidies, which he called unnecessary. McCain added, “I do not believe we should have tariffs against imported products, but I want to promise you as president of the United States of America I will recognize one fundamental […]