Category: Policy

Iowa legislature extends fuel tax incentive for biodiesel

Iowa legislature extends fuel tax incentive for biodiesel

June 7, 2020 |

In Iowa, the Iowa State Legislature voted to extend a fuel tax incentive for diesel sold in the state containing at least 11 percent biodiesel, a move praised by the Iowa Biodiesel Board. The provision would have sunset this month without legislative action, noted Grant Kimberley, IBB executive director. Originally enacted in 2015, the successful […]

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Indonesia seen not importing much ethanol-blended gasoline despite policy change

Indonesia seen not importing much ethanol-blended gasoline despite policy change

June 4, 2020 |

In Indonesia, Platts reports that despite the country changing its policy recently to allow for imports of US-origin ethanol-blended gasoline, a surge in demand isn’t expected. Freight costs from the US has been flagged as one of the key barriers to increased ethanol-blended trade with Indonesia as freight from the region is much lower, which […]

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Uttar Pradesh looking at ways to further boost waste-based biofuel production

Uttar Pradesh looking at ways to further boost waste-based biofuel production

June 3, 2020 |

In India, the Business Standard newspaper reports that the Uttar Pradesh government wants to revisit the state’s biofuel law from 2018 to find ways to increase biofuel production. The state is the largest sugar producer and as such a top ethanol producer but the policy would help to boost investment in energy production from other […]

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Indonesia removes ban on pre-blended US origin ethanol imports

Indonesia removes ban on pre-blended US origin ethanol imports

June 2, 2020 |

In Washington, U.S. ethanol can now enter the Indonesian market by way of pre-blended fuel, following the recent removal of a ban on pre-blended product entering the country. This change creates a potential market of more than 200 million gallons (71 million bushels in corn equivalent). The market development efforts to accomplish this policy goal […]

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EPA “backsliding study” says no more action needed

EPA “backsliding study” says no more action needed

June 1, 2020 |

In Washington, on May 29, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed that no additional measures are necessary pursuant to Clean Air Act (CAA) section 211(v) to mitigate the adverse air quality impacts of the renewable fuel volumes required under CAA section 211(o). EPA is proposing to determine that no additional fuel control measures are necessary because […]

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Governors’ Biofuels Coalition pushes for renewable fuels aid in next COVID-19 stimulus package

Governors’ Biofuels Coalition pushes for renewable fuels aid in next COVID-19 stimulus package

May 31, 2020 |

In Washington, D.C., the Renewable Fuels Association thanked the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, led by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, for sending a letter to Senate and House leadership urging them to make sure emergency relief for the renewable fuels industry is included in the next COVID-19 stimulus package. In their […]

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Oregon DEQ submits details plans to carry out GHG reductions

Oregon DEQ submits details plans to carry out GHG reductions

May 28, 2020 |

In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality has submitted detailed information to Gov. Kate Brown on how it plans to carry out her March 10 executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. In all, DEQ submitted a preliminary report on Cap and Reduce programs, and four other work plans regarding clean fuels, […]

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Sens. Grassley and Ernst urge FDA to allow ethanol manufacturers to produce hand sanitizer

Sens. Grassley and Ernst urge FDA to allow ethanol manufacturers to produce hand sanitizer

May 27, 2020 |

In Washington, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting clarification on its temporary policy for the manufacture of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FDA released temporary guidance on March 27, 2020 regarding ethanol used for hand sanitizer production during […]

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RFA tells EPA to deny “gap filling” petitions

RFA tells EPA to deny “gap filling” petitions

May 26, 2020 |

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deny new petitions submitted by refiners for past-year waivers from their renewable volume obligations. In a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper argued that granting such waivers would be unlawful, inconsistent with the statute, and contrary […]

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Brazilian ministry rejects B13 request from industry

Brazilian ministry rejects B13 request from industry

May 25, 2020 |

In Brazil, Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) responded negatively to the proposal that had been circulated by entities representing the biodiesel sector to boost blending to 13% to reduce the impacts of Covid-19 along the entire supply chain. The request had been submitted to the MME at the end of last month. According to […]

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