In Washington, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) made the following comments on the deal reached by lawmakers regarding temporary tax code provisions also known as “extenders.” “After years of uncertainty for many Americans, we’ve finally come to an agreement on the future of these temporary tax policies. Many people in my state, farmers […]
In Indonesia, following warnings that it wouldn’t take the European Union’s policy against palm oil in biofuels sitting down, Reuters reports that Indonesia has officially sent a request for consultations to the World Trade Organization, the first step in a complaint, on December 9. The consultation process lasts 60 days and if no resolution is […]
In Zambia, Lusaka Times reports that Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil, Dr. Alfreda Kansembe has held bilateral talks with Brazil’s sugar, ethanol and energy companies in an effort to find partners to help establish the biofuel industry in Zambia. Dr. Kansembe toured energy plants in and around the city of Pirajuba and talked with companies like […]
In Spain, Euractiv reports that the head of the World Bioenergy Association says that the European Green Deal is an opportunity for the European Union to rethink its Renewable Energy Directive in order to truly support biofuels rather than implement policies that end of with more fossil fuels in the mix. With renewables having a […]
In Belgium, the European Commission presented The European Green Deal – a roadmap for making the EU’s economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all. The European Green Deal covers all sectors of the economy, notably transport, energy, agriculture, buildings, and […]
In Indonesia, Antara news agency reports that following the European Union’s publication of a five-year extension of anti-dumping duties on Indonesian biodiesel imports of between 8% and 18%, the Indonesian government confirmed it is working on a lawsuit against the European Commission to battle the decision. The secretary general of the trade ministry declined to […]
In Belgium, Bloomberg reports that the European Commission is published in its Official Journal the five year extension on anti-dumping duties for Indonesia biodiesel imports, a move that is wide expected to create further trade tension between the bloc and the Southeast Asian country who is fighting against Europe’s pushback on palm oil for biodiesel. […]
In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds issued an Executive Order requiring state agencies to purchase diesel engines and vehicles with manufacturer support for at least a 20 percent blend of biodiesel (B20). The move is hailed as a potential driver of increased support for B20 and higher blends with diesel equipment and engine companies in the […]
In Japan, the final US-Japan Trade Agreement solidifies trade with Japan by maintaining a zero duty on imports of corn for feed and eliminating a three percent tariff for corn other than feed. Japan will also eliminate U.S. sorghum tariffs, which are as high as three percent, and reduce a mark-up on barley for feed. […]
In Washington, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), led a public comment letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler expressing concern over the proposed supplemental rule establishing the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) 2020 […]
