Category: Policy

Cruz wants an even playing field for energy

Cruz wants an even playing field for energy

December 14, 2015 |

In Iowa, Texas Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz says he wouldn’t just scrap the RFS but would eliminate all subsidies for all fuels so that they compete on an even playing field. He doesn’t want the government choosing winners and losers, saying that putting artificial barriers isn’t the role of government, alluding to […]

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Climate Bonds, UNEP Inquiry launch Scaling Green Bond Markets Report

Climate Bonds, UNEP Inquiry launch Scaling Green Bond Markets Report

December 13, 2015 |

In France, Climate Bonds and UNEP Inquiry have launched Scaling Green Bond Markets – Guide for the Public Sector during a COP21 Side Event at Shearman & Sterling Paris office. The Guide is the result of a partnership between the Climate Bonds Initiative and the UNEP Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System […]

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Lithuanian parliament votes to scrap excise exemptions on biofuel blends

Lithuanian parliament votes to scrap excise exemptions on biofuel blends

December 10, 2015 |

In Lithuania, the national parliament has voted to eliminate excise duty exemptions on E85 and B100 as well as all over levels of biofuel blends, which is expect to add EUR66 million per year to state coffers. Of the 104 legislators who voted or abstained, 90 voted in favor of scrapping the tax breaks. Excise […]

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RFA sends letter to EPA urging regulatory action against barriers impeding high level blends

RFA sends letter to EPA urging regulatory action against barriers impeding high level blends

December 9, 2015 |

In Washington, in a letter submitted Dec. 8 to the U.S. EPA, the Renewable Fuels Association urged the agency to take immediate administrative action to eliminate an arcane regulatory barrier that is impeding growth in the use of E15 and other higher-level ethanol blends. “Many gasoline retailers have rejected E15 because EPA’s current gasoline volatility […]

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British Columbia wants Alberta and Saskatchewan to join Low Carbon Fuel Standard

British Columbia wants Alberta and Saskatchewan to join Low Carbon Fuel Standard

December 8, 2015 |

In Canada, British Columbia’s Energy and Mines Minister has challenged Alberta and other provinces to follow its lead on low carbon fuels in response to other COP 21 pledges that focus on GHG emissions reductions that don’t tackle fuel. The province introduced a Low Carbon Fuel Standard in 2008 mandating a minimum of 5% renewable […]

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European Commission opens ethanol price fixing investigation against Abengoa, Alcogroup and Lantmännen

European Commission opens ethanol price fixing investigation against Abengoa, Alcogroup and Lantmännen

December 7, 2015 |

In Belgium, the European Commission has opened an investigation into potential ethanol price fixing among Abengoa, Alcogroup and Lantmännen following information gathered from raids during the past two and a half years. The Commission has concerns that these companies may have colluded to manipulate ethanol benchmarks published by the price reporting agency Platts, for example […]

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Sen. Grassley, Cantwell introduce US biodiesel tax credit legislation — including switch from blender’s to producer’s credit 

Sen. Grassley, Cantwell introduce US biodiesel tax credit legislation — including switch from blender’s to producer’s credit 

December 6, 2015 |

In Iowa, lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate introduced updated legislation this week to reinstate the biodiesel tax credit through 2016 and reform it to more directly benefit the domestic biodiesel industry. The legislation would turn it from a blender’s credit to a producer’s credit starting next year. The Senate version was introduced by […]

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Global Renewable Fuels Alliance calls on countries to support biofuels at COP21

Global Renewable Fuels Alliance calls on countries to support biofuels at COP21

December 3, 2015 |

In Canada, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance has called upon world leaders participating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris to signal their support for biofuels as one of the tools to fight climate change. So far, 36 countries have already recognized the opportunity presented by biofuels in reducing GHG emissions and combating climate […]

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Queensland’s parliament approves biofuel blending from 2017

Queensland’s parliament approves biofuel blending from 2017

December 2, 2015 |

In Australia, Queensland’s parliament has passed a bill mandating 3% ethanol blending and 0.5% biodiesel blending from Jan. 1, 2017. The start date is six months later than originally planned to give the oil industry time to adapt to the blending requirements. Ethanol blending will then rise to 4% in 2018, according to the bill. […]

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America’s Renewable Future runs anti-Cruz campaign for anti-RFS stance

America’s Renewable Future runs anti-Cruz campaign for anti-RFS stance

December 1, 2015 |

In Iowa, America’s Renewable Future is running radio ads against Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, who is gaining popularity in the state, criticizing against the Texas Senator’s position on the RFS. The ads claim the candidate supports subsidies for oil but is against supporting ethanol, putting thousands of jobs in Iowa at risk. The campaign […]

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