Category: Policy

Missouri set to implement E15 from June despite opposition play

Missouri set to implement E15 from June despite opposition play

March 4, 2014 |

In Missouri, E15 is set to come online this summer after a major push by the state’s governor to overturn the anti-biofuel lobby. Back in October, the rule was temporarily blocked by the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules but the Senate didn’t manage to vote it out of committee so won’t come into […]

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Vilsack pushes biofuels while EPA Administrator tours policy “consequences”

Vilsack pushes biofuels while EPA Administrator tours policy “consequences”

March 3, 2014 |

In Texas, the Secretary of Agriculture told the annual Commodity Classic that he has been talking with the EPA Administrator in order to get her to back down from lowering the ethanol and biodiesel blending mandates. He assured the industry however that he is looking for ways to support biofuels no matter what the EPA […]

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Novozymes joins Advanced Ethanol Council

Novozymes joins Advanced Ethanol Council

March 3, 2014 |

In Washington, Novozymes has joined the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC). The Danish company operates the largest enzyme plant dedicated to biofuel production in the United States in Blair, Nebraska. The $200 million plant specializes in making world-leading enzymes, a key technology component for both the conventional and advanced biofuel markets. “Novozymes and the Advanced Ethanol […]

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Ways & Means chair seeks to eliminate tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel

Ways & Means chair seeks to eliminate tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel

February 27, 2014 |

In Washington, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman David Camp, R-Mich. has proposed a bill that would repeal tax credits for ethanol that expired in 2011 as well as the $1.01 per gallon tax credit for cellulosic ethanol that expired at the end of 2013. In addition, the bill proposes to also repeal the biodiesel […]

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Utah one step closer to using its own biodiesel locally

Utah one step closer to using its own biodiesel locally

February 26, 2014 |

In Utah, a proposal recognizing the benefits of biodiesel successfully passed the state’s House of Representatives Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee on Tuesday, a move that is meant to support the introduction of biodiesel blending in the state. Currently the two commercial biodiesel producers, Washakie Renewable Energy in Plymouth and Washington County’s Pleasant Valley, […]

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California opens comment period on fuel pathways under LCFS

California opens comment period on fuel pathways under LCFS

February 25, 2014 |

In California, a comment period regarding various fuel pathways under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard is currently open until March 2. The fuel pathways open for comment are Methes Energies’ UCO to biodiesel and corn oil to biodiesel, Neste Oil’s New Zealand tallow to renewable diesel, and Poet’s corn and sorghum ethanols.

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Panamanian president under fire for family’s ethanol plans after approving mandate

Panamanian president under fire for family’s ethanol plans after approving mandate

February 24, 2014 |

In Panama, the public is criticizing the president due to recent revelations regarding his family’s direct involvement in the development of a large-scale sugarcane ethanol project. The country has an ethanol blending mandate in effect since September 2013. The president countered by encouraging everyone to invest in ethanol production as a way to vitalize the […]

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Farm Bill provides $250M to USDA for BAP, expands loan guarantees

Farm Bill provides $250M to USDA for BAP, expands loan guarantees

February 24, 2014 |

In Washington, the Farm Bill provides $250 million to the USDA for the development and construction of commercial-scale biorefineries that produce advanced biofuels in Section 9003. Mandatory budget authority for Section 9003 totals $100 million for this year, and $50 million for 2015 and 2016, and discretionary funding can reach $75 million. The bill also […]

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US ethanol industry rounds on EU during NEC

US ethanol industry rounds on EU during NEC

February 20, 2014 |

In Florida, ePure Secretary General Rob Vierhout was the target of heated debate during the National Ethanol Conference where he was accused of creating artificial trade barriers against US ethanol in the European market. RFA chief Bob Dinneen said the only ones benefiting from the ethanol tariffs in Europe were attorneys, claiming that eventually the […]

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Some Good News for a Change: Why The Farm Bill Is a Big Win for Biofuels and Biorefineries

Some Good News for a Change: Why The Farm Bill Is a Big Win for Biofuels and Biorefineries

February 19, 2014 |

By Brent Erickson, Executive VP, Head, Industrial & Environmental Section, BIO It has been the winter of discontent for the biofuels industry, given EPA’s proposed RVO numbers for the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). But in the midst of the winter chill the sun broke through the clouds and providence shined down on the biorefining industry […]

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