Category: Policy

European Biogas Association slams EU Parliament for overlooking biomethane in decarbonization

European Biogas Association slams EU Parliament for overlooking biomethane in decarbonization

April 11, 2024 |

In Belgium, the European Biogas Association (EBA) welcomed Wednesday’s adoption of the European Parliament Report on the CountEmissions EU proposal, which is based on a well-to-wheel approach, but regrets the decision not to include a mechanism to account for renewable fuels in the scope of the CO2 Emission Performance Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs) Regulation, […]

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Commission approves $2.4 billion German state aid scheme to support the decarbonization of industrial processes

Commission approves $2.4 billion German state aid scheme to support the decarbonization of industrial processes

April 11, 2024 |

In Belgium, the European Commission has approved a $2.4 billion German scheme to support investments in the decarbonisation of industrial production processes to foster the transition to a net-zero economy. Under this measure, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to companies relying on the use of fossil […]

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US coalition files comments within Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade over ethanol tariff

US coalition files comments within Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade over ethanol tariff

April 10, 2024 |

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy jointly submitted comments within the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) regarding the Brazilian tariff on imported U.S. ethanol. In October 2023, ABICOM (the Brazil association of fuel importers) formally requested to drop the ethanol duties because data showed the tariff raised fuel costs for […]

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UC Davis researchers say scaling SAF production could risk crop supplies

UC Davis researchers say scaling SAF production could risk crop supplies

April 9, 2024 |

In California, the Biden administration’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge could launch the most important national-level biofuel policy of the next decade. Stakeholders and regulators are pressuring airlines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, commercially viable battery and fuel-cell airplanes do not exist yet because the energy needs of commercial flights far exceed current technology. […]

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Biden Administration seen keeping corn ethanol feedstock rules tight for SAF

Biden Administration seen keeping corn ethanol feedstock rules tight for SAF

April 8, 2024 |

In Washington, Reuters reports that sources expect the Biden Administration will announce its preliminary climate model for assessing the sustainability of feedstocks for Sustainable Aviation Fuel before mid-May. Only ethanol produced from corn that uses efficient tilling, use of cover crops or efficient fertilizer application will be considered eligible for tax breaks for SAF under […]

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WA Government enters exclusive lease negotiations with Cargill Australia for a canola crush plant in Kwinana

WA Government enters exclusive lease negotiations with Cargill Australia for a canola crush plant in Kwinana

April 5, 2024 |

In Australia, Mirage News reported that the government of Western Australia region has entered exclusive lease negotiations with Cargill Australia for a world-class canola crush plant in Kwinana. The report noted that Cargill is investigating the potential to develop a canola crush plant on a site adjacent to the CBH Kwinana Grain Terminal, subject to […]

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Illinois B20 bill goes into effect

Illinois B20 bill goes into effect

April 4, 2024 |

In Illinois, implementation of a bipartisan bill to encourage the use of higher blends of biodiesel took effect on Monday, April 1. The B20 bill raises the bar on biodiesel use by increasing the minimum biodiesel blend level eligible for tax exemption. Starting April 1, 2024, the eligible fuel mixture will jump from the current […]

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UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee calls on aviation industry accountability for net zero

UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee calls on aviation industry accountability for net zero

April 3, 2024 |

In the UK, the Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee has urged the Government to hold the aviation industry accountable for its proposed  emissions reductions, as it publishes the Government’s response to its report on net zero aviation. The Government’s plans for delivering net zero aviation are set out in the Jet Zero Strategy, published in 2022. […]

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RFA seeks to intervene in ePure’s suit against the EU’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation

RFA seeks to intervene in ePure’s suit against the EU’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation

April 2, 2024 |

In Belgium, the Renewable Fuels Association on Thursday filed a petition to intervene in support of a legal challenge brought by European ethanol producers against the European Union’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation. By arbitrarily assuming crop-based biofuels like ethanol have the same lifecycle carbon emissions as the dirtiest fossil-based marine fuels, the EU regulation effectively bans […]

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Clean Fuels Alliance America disappointed in EPA’s final heavy duty vehicles rule

Clean Fuels Alliance America disappointed in EPA’s final heavy duty vehicles rule

April 1, 2024 |

In Washington, Clean Fuels Alliance America expressed extreme disappointment in the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3. In the rule, EPA adopts new standards that are designed expressly to incentivize electric vehicles for model year 2027-2032 heavy duty vehicles. The standards are part of GHG emission regulations for trucks […]

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