In Massachusetts, activists have successfully added an amendment to the state budget proposal to block the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection plan to allow ethanol facilities to use rail transport in densely populated communities. The original plan was initiated by Global Partners LP who hoped to transport ethanol from its storage terminal in Revere using […]
In the UK, the House of Commons Select Committee on International Development is urging the government to revise its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to exclude agriculturally-produced biofuels and push the European Union to limit the use of unsustainable food-based biofuels. The committee cited concerns over indirect land use change (ILUC) and first-generation biofuels such […]
In South Africa, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has agreed on a global approach to reduce carbon emissions in the airline industry. The breakthrough resolution was endorsed by the 240-member airlines at its annual general meeting, and will help governments establish procedures for a single market-based carbon-offsetting measure.
In Florida, Governor Rick Scott signed a HB 4001 into law, repealing the state’s 10 percent ethanol mandate. “I think the movement for freedom of choice at the pump just got a full tank of gas,” Gaetz told The Florida Current on Friday. The bill does not impact federal ethanol blending obligations stemming from the […]
In Washington, Senator Angus S. King, Jr. introduced legislation, cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins that would recognize and promote the economic and environmental benefits of biomass thermal energy. The Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013, or BTU Act, would amend the federal tax code to incentivize biomass energy, as it already does for several other […]
In Iowa, the state’s biofuels industry is awaiting the governor’s signature on a law passed by both the state House and Senate protecting fuel retailers by ensuring their right to supply higher blends of both ethanol and biodiesel including E15, E85 and B20. The bill, nicknamed the retailer’s “bill of rights” prohibits restrictions on everything […]
In India, the expected mandatory E5 blend set to come in on June 1 may not in fact become mandatory because the high prices of imported ethanol versus would-be prices of domestic ethanol would lead to price increases of 4 rupees per liter at the pump compared to the 1 rupee per liter expected. General […]
In India, the lead advisor who led the move for the government to decontrol the sugar sector is now calling for decontrol of molasses and ethanol. Both commodities are currently controlled by governments at the state level. He insists that pricing for both molasses and ethanol should be left to the market.
In Iowa, the Iowa Legislature approved legislation (H.F. 640) preventing oil refiners’ supply agreements from directly or indirectly limiting the ability of local retailers to offer the ethanol and biodiesel blends they choose. The provision was based on a law enacted in South Dakota in 2011 and addresses specific, anti-competition provisions from actual refiner supply […]
In Mexico, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement following his meeting with Mexico’s new Secretary of Agriculture, Enrique Martínez y Martínez, which reads in part: “In our wide-ranging discussions, Secretary Martínez and I committed to reenergize and revitalize the U.S.-Mexico Consultative Committee on Agriculture, a forum that will enable us to address […]
