Category: Policy

RFA calls on President Trump to level playing field for ethanol exports to Brazil

RFA calls on President Trump to level playing field for ethanol exports to Brazil

October 25, 2020 |

In Washington, D.C., the Renewable Fuels Association called on President Trump to move forward in seeking reciprocity and fairness in ethanol trade policy with Brazil. In a letter to the president, the association highlighted his August pledge to consider reciprocity with respect to Brazilian ethanol imports and reminded him of a commitment from the U.S. […]

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Republican senators tell EPA to reduce 2021 RVO to compensate for pandemic

Republican senators tell EPA to reduce 2021 RVO to compensate for pandemic

October 22, 2020 |

In Washington, U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and a group of senators sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler concerning the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Specifically, the senators asked Administrator Wheeler to use his statutory waiver authorities under […]

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Two biofuel company owners sentenced to prison for IRS and EPA fraud

Two biofuel company owners sentenced to prison for IRS and EPA fraud

October 21, 2020 |

In Pennsylvania, two biofuel company owners were sentenced to prison for conspiracy and making false statements to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and conspiracy to defraud the IRS and preparing a false tax claim. U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III sentenced Ben Wootton of Savannah, Georgia, to 70 months and Race Miner of […]

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“#SupportEthanol spelled out in Kansas sorghum field calls out to Washington

“#SupportEthanol spelled out in Kansas sorghum field calls out to Washington

October 20, 2020 |

In Kansas, National Sorghum Producers (shared a high-altitude view of a top policy priority with newly released aerial photos of a farm plot in Kansas emblazoned with “#SupportEthanol” spelled out in giant letters of sorghum. Rocky Ormiston, a farmer from Kismet, planted the message using the latest in precision agricultural tools and a mix of […]

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India’s PM personally involved to get comprehensive ethanol policy launched

India’s PM personally involved to get comprehensive ethanol policy launched

October 19, 2020 |

In India, CNBC TV18 reports the Prime Minister has personally looked into comprehensive ethanol policy currently under development along with a team of senior officials to ensure timely roll out. The aim is to achieve 20% ethanol by 2030 with a midpoint of between 12% and 15% at the state level by 2026. Grain feedstocks, […]

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EPA’s RFS waivers make it to Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination hearing

EPA’s RFS waivers make it to Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination hearing

October 18, 2020 |

In Washington, D.C., The Hill reports that during the politically-charged confirmation hearing for Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination for the Supreme Court, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) specifically asked Barrett about cases involving renewable fuel standard waivers, which give exemptions to requirements for a certain amount of ethanol to be blended into fuel. Ernst, who has been […]

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Trump in Iowa in last ditch effort to keep ethanol sector on his side

Trump in Iowa in last ditch effort to keep ethanol sector on his side

October 15, 2020 |

In Iowa, the Associated Press reports that President Trump is campaigning in Iowa with a strong focus on his ethanol record as a reason for voters to send him back to the White House for a second term. He pointed to year-round E15 coming into effect under his direction as well as securing bailouts for […]

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Trump “selling out” to oil industry seen converting lifelong Republicans to Biden voters

Trump “selling out” to oil industry seen converting lifelong Republicans to Biden voters

October 14, 2020 |

In Washington, Successful Farming reports ethanol is becoming a key topic in the last weeks of the presidential election campaign, with voices in the Midwest saying President Trump “sold out” to the oil industry rather than supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard. A former president of the National Corn Growers Association said during a recent event […]

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Nebraska Environmental Trust sued for awarding $1.8M blender pump grant

Nebraska Environmental Trust sued for awarding $1.8M blender pump grant

October 13, 2020 |

In Nebraska, the Omaha World Herald newspaper reports the Nebraska Environmental Trust has been sued in county court for approving a $1.8 million grant for blender pumps. The two critics to the project who brought the suit say that the required eight votes in favor by the board weren’t reached at the meetings in February […]

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European Commission grants Sweden another year for biofuels tax exemption

European Commission grants Sweden another year for biofuels tax exemption

October 12, 2020 |

In Belgium, European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation of the tax exemption measure for biofuels in Sweden. Sweden has exempted liquid biofuels from energy and CO₂ taxation since 2002. The scheme was prolonged following the Commission decision in case SA. 48069 in 2017 until 31 December 2020. By this decision, […]

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