Category: Policy

House subcommittee to hold “Protecting the RFS: The Trump Administration’s Abuse of Secret Waivers” hearing

House subcommittee to hold “Protecting the RFS: The Trump Administration’s Abuse of Secret Waivers” hearing

October 24, 2019 |

In Washington, the House Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change of the Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a legislative hearing on Tuesday, October 29 at 10:30 a.m. in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building.  The hearing is entitled “Protecting the RFS: The Trump Administration’s Abuse of Secret […]

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Coalition files petition challenging EPAs small refinery hardship waiver approval process

Coalition files petition challenging EPAs small refinery hardship waiver approval process

October 23, 2019 |

In Washington, a coalition of renewable fuel and agricultural trade organizations filed a petition Tuesday afternoon with the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, challenging the process by which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exempted certain unknown small refineries from their respective Renewable Fuel Standard obligations for 2018. The coalition includes […]

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Malaysia and Indonesia confirm WTO complaint against Europe will be filed by year’s end

Malaysia and Indonesia confirm WTO complaint against Europe will be filed by year’s end

October 22, 2019 |

In Malaysia, Reuters reports that Malaysia’s primary industries minister said that her country together with Indonesia will file their official complaint against the European Union’s policy against palm oil in biofuel at the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement body before year’s end. An outspoken Member of European Parliament from the Greens recently challenged the countries […]

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India seeking to monetize 600 million tons of biomass annually for energy security

India seeking to monetize 600 million tons of biomass annually for energy security

October 21, 2019 |

In India, the petroleum and natural gas minister said during the 2nd Annual India Leadership Summit of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum that the government is focusing on how to monetize the country’s 600 million metric tons of non-fossilized biomass through bioenergy. The country has significantly increased its imports of petroleum and natural gas from […]

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Association news: NBB opens West Coast office, Growth Energy taps new Chairman

Association news: NBB opens West Coast office, Growth Energy taps new Chairman

October 20, 2019 |

In Missouri, the National Biodiesel Board will open a US west coast office to be led by long-time California Air Resources Board (CARB) Division Chief Floyd Vergara. The expansion will bolster NBB’s presence on the west coast where climate programs are a substantial market driver for low carbon fuels like biodiesel and renewable diesel and […]

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US Energy Secretary Rick Perry to step down

US Energy Secretary Rick Perry to step down

October 17, 2019 |

In Washington, President Trump revealed that US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry will leave his post before the end of the year. In recent weeks, Secretary Perry had been subpoenaed by the US House of Representatives investigating US-Ukrainian ties. Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette, who has been subbing for Secretary Perry at several high-profile events, is […]

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President Trump losing blue collar and farmer base following latest EPA move

President Trump losing blue collar and farmer base following latest EPA move

October 17, 2019 |

In Washington, Newsweek reports that President Trump’s latest move regarding the missing gallons from the Renewable Fuel Standard has caused such a backlash in his major constituencies of farmers and blue collar workers working in oil refineries that pundits say he may never get them back. The president of Elite Octane even went so far […]

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Philippines looking to unbundle biofuels and more from oil prices to reduce anti-competitive behavior

Philippines looking to unbundle biofuels and more from oil prices to reduce anti-competitive behavior

October 16, 2019 |

In the Philippines, the Department of Energy is seeking to crack down on anti-competitive behavior when it comes to fuel pricing nationwide, an issue it is looking at even more closely since the drone attacks on a Saudi oil facility in September. The proposed oil deregulation law would unbundle fuel prices so they are easier […]

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MEP tells Malaysia and Indonesia to “bring it on” over potential palm oil WTO fight

MEP tells Malaysia and Indonesia to “bring it on” over potential palm oil WTO fight

October 15, 2019 |

In Belgium, MongoBay reports that one of the European Parliament’s leading environmental proponents says the legislative body isn’t afraid of threats by Malaysia and Indonesia to file a complaint at the World Trade Organization against Europe’s future ban on palm oil for biodiesel, and has encouraged the two countries to “bring it on”. He said […]

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Malaysia to invest $131.35 million in boosting palm oil production and trade

Malaysia to invest $131.35 million in boosting palm oil production and trade

October 14, 2019 |

In Malaysia, the government is investing $131.35 million in a loan fund to help smallholder oil palm farmers replant trees that are getting old and losing production volumes. The loans will be offered at 2% interest with a 12-year tenure and four-year grace period on repayment. Funding will also be allocated to the national palm […]

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