In Brazil, Reuters reports that the country’s agriculture minister is “frustrated” with the slow pace of supports for the sugar and ethanol industry suffering from COVID-19. A range of support measures were meant to be published last week but they were stuck within the economy ministry and further delayed by the May 1 holiday. The […]
In North Dakota, Grand Forks Herald reports that the North Dakota Industrial Commission approved the Ethanol Recovery Program, a loan guarantee and interest buydown program for the state’s ethanol industry. “Under terms of the program, the commission said the state’s ethanol producers may access up to $15 million or 50 cents per bushel of corn […]
In Texas, ICIS reports that Valero supports the request by four Republican and one Democratic governor from Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming for the Environmental Protection Agency to issue blending waivers. The EPA has the power to issue waivers in emergencies, which the states believe the COVID-19 pandemic counts as one, but farm states […]
In Washington, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) announced the introduction of the Clean Fuels Deployment Act of 2020. The bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), would provide funding for installing and converting fuel pump infrastructure to deliver higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. The bill authorizes $500 million […]
In Canada, due to the extraordinary circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, Environment and Climate Change Canada will delay the publication of proposed regulations for the liquid fuel class of the Clean Fuel Standard to fall 2020. Environment and Climate Change Canada is continuing to work on the Clean Fuel Standard, and it plans to engage the […]
In the Ukraine, Reuters reports that the government is thinking of limiting its corn exports to 29.3 million metric tons for the 2019/20 crop despite expected lower demand for ethanol production. Exports are also beginning to be hit as demand for imports falls. The country has already exported 25.2 million tons this season. Russia and […]
In Belgium, in a letter sent to the European Commission, Copa and Cogeca express their concerns about the potential consequences of the Covid-19 crisis on the vegetable oils, biodiesel, protein-rich by-products like rapeseed and sunflower meals and DDGS, and ethanol sectors. Faced with falling European production and social distancing measures in the EU and worldwide […]
In Washington state, the Guardian newspaper reports that a state emergency planning document shows the CO2 shortage could have negative impacts on drinking water supplies as well as some food supply chains. Some water plants were said to have been informed they may only have access to a third of their normal CO2 supplies. The […]
In Washington, Brownfield Ag News reports that the National Corn Growers Association and other stakeholders are still working hard to get in place a nationwide low carbon, high octane fuel standard. Rather than focusing on blending rates as the Renewable Fuel Standard does with minimum blending targets based on gallons, the proposed policy would look […]
In Romania, Euractiv reports the government approved changes to its legislation on April 9 allowing for reductions of biofuel blending for as long as the country remains in a state of emergency which is currently set until mid-May. The country imports 100% of its ethanol demand but just 30% of biofuel blended with fossil diesel. […]
