In Minnesota, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) wrote a column defending the Renewable Fuels Standard, whose rollbacks are estimated to cost Minnesota $600 million in lost economic activity. The senior Senator asserted that the program is working in her state and across the nation, with E85 sales alone doubling in Minnesota in 2013. Klobuchar indicated that […]
In China, the government imposed a 13 cents per liter consumption tax on biodiesel as of Jan. 1, following a surge in imports that passed 1.7 billion liters. Higher biodiesel blends were outselling Sinopec and Petrochina’s domestically refined diesel, forcing them to export.
In Zimbabwe, the government plans to boost the ethanol mandate to 20% by March, up from 10% currently. The country has already saved $20 million in fuel imports since E5 was mandated in August. Zimbabwe consumes 1.5 million liters of fuel per day.
In Washington, the governors of Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska have sent a joint letter to the White House, the EPA Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture saying that as many as 44,500 jobs related to biofuels are at risk if the RFS is lowered as planned by the EPA. “If […]
In Indonesia, the transport and energy ministries have signed an agreement to begin planning the implementation of aviation biofuel supply to the country’s airport. The planning and implementation stage is set for 2014-16. Already the country has planned for 3% aviation biofuel use by 2020.
In Iowa, U.S. Senate candidate Mark Jacobs submitted critical commentary to the EPA regarding the RFS rollbacks, claiming that he is “deeply concerned that the proposal… will negatively impact jobs and economic growth in my home state of Iowa as well as other states.” The Republican candidate’s remarks fall in line with the majority of […]
In the Philippines, a legislator is calling for a probe into the 2006 Biofuels Act mandating B1 and E5 after allegations internationally that biofuels are impeding food security. The proposed resolution would mandate the House Committee on Energy to undergo the investigation.
In India, the government has set up an oversight committee including finance, agriculture and food ministries to ensure a smoother relationship between the sugar industry and oil marketing companies regarding ethanol trade. Problems are still lingering from the first ethanol tender with both sides accusing the other of reneging on contracts.
In Hawaii, the state’s public utilities commission has approved a power purchase agreement between Hawaiian Electric Light Company and Hu Honua Bioenergy, who has built a 21.5MW power plant on a former sugarcane plantation using eucalyptus as feedstock. HELCO will pay 25.3 cents per kWh during 20 years.
In Washington, Iowa senator Tom Harkin says the EPA has agreed to “take another look” at blending mandates for next year after 16 Senators asked the agency to not jeopardize the farm economy by cutting the RFS. The EPA administrator met with the senators last Wednesday to discuss the proposed rule that is currently in […]
