Category: Policy

Brazil and US announce 90-day extension on ethanol quota as they negotiate new deal

Brazil and US announce 90-day extension on ethanol quota as they negotiate new deal

September 14, 2020 |

In Washington, Brazil and the United States have held consultations regarding their bilateral trade on ethanol. As a result, they have decided to conduct results-oriented discussions on an arrangement to improve market access for ethanol and sugar in Brazil and the United States. They will also consider an increase in market access for corn in […]

Read More

Brazil seen extending zero-tariff ethanol scheme until after November elections

Brazil seen extending zero-tariff ethanol scheme until after November elections

September 10, 2020 |

In Brazil, Reuters reports that Brazil is likely to extend the zero-tariff scheme for US-origin ethanol until after the US election in November in an effort to help ease pre-election tensions. The President and agriculture minister met with the sugarcane industry on Tuesday to discuss the plan, but the industry is still insisting on getting […]

Read More

President Trump says “no way” to SRE gap year requests

President Trump says “no way” to SRE gap year requests

September 9, 2020 |

In Washington, Reuters reports President Trump himself has told the Environmental Protection Agency to deny the “gap-year” waiver applications oil refiners submitted following the 10th Circuit Court ruling in January that slammed how EPA awarded SRE waivers previously. The decision to deny the waivers is thought to potentially help Iowa Senator Joni Ernst in her […]

Read More

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association supports attempts to expand E15 in Kansas

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association supports attempts to expand E15 in Kansas

September 8, 2020 |

In Kansas, Renew Kansas Biofuels Association submitted written comments to Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regarding the agency’s notice of public hearing on its proposal to revoke an existing regulation limiting the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of ethanol-blended motor vehicle fuel sold in the Kansas City area during the summer months. “E15 fuel […]

Read More

Indian transportation minister calls on car makers to build flex-fuel engines in India

Indian transportation minister calls on car makers to build flex-fuel engines in India

September 7, 2020 |

In India, to further support the government’s policy to transition towards clean fuels and significantly reduce fossil fuel imports, the Business Standard newspaper reports the transportation minister is calling on automobile manufacturers to build flex-fuel engines. He said with engines already being manufactured in the US, Canada and Brazil, he asked big names among German […]

Read More

Senator Grassley wants ag secretary to just go ahead and bailout biofuels without Congressional mandate

Senator Grassley wants ag secretary to just go ahead and bailout biofuels without Congressional mandate

September 3, 2020 |

In Washington, KMA Land radio reports that Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says even though the agriculture secretary says he doesn’t have the authority to help out the biofuels industry, he should do so anyway. Grassley suggested that similar assistance has been provided by the USDA in the past without Congressional authority so the secretary should […]

Read More

Brazil throws Trump a bone ahead of election with potential ethanol quota extension

Brazil throws Trump a bone ahead of election with potential ethanol quota extension

September 2, 2020 |

In Brazil, in a move that will no doubt raise eyebrows with the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Bloomberg reports that Brazil is looking to temporarily extend its duty-free quota for US ethanol “in a show of goodwill” towards President Trump. Negotiators are trying to find common ground that would allow the US to […]

Read More

Brazil allows US ethanol quota to expire in message to White House

Brazil allows US ethanol quota to expire in message to White House

September 1, 2020 |

In Brazil, Agence France Presse reports the quota for US-origin ethanol expired on Monday, striking a blow to US President Trump and his efforts to keep the favor of voters in corn-producing states. The US Ambassador to Brazil is under investigation by the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee because he allegedly tried to […]

Read More

Study shows low carbon fuel standards among key policies to decarbonize transport

Study shows low carbon fuel standards among key policies to decarbonize transport

August 31, 2020 |

In Canada, ground transportation is responsible for almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions globally—and account for about 40 percent of emissions in British Columbia. Increasing emissions from this sector suggest further growth despite current policies. Continuing down this path puts into question whether we can meet the Paris Agreement requirements to slow the planet’s […]

Read More

UK government public consultation now open for new law to stop illegal deforestation

UK government public consultation now open for new law to stop illegal deforestation

August 30, 2020 |

In the United Kingdom, the government announced plans to clamp down on illegal deforestation as it consults on a new law to protect rainforests and clean up the UK’s supply chains. The consultation will run for six weeks and seeks views from UK and international stakeholders. The proposals would prohibit larger businesses operating in the […]

Read More

}