Category: Policy

White House to meet EPA and USDA on Monday to figure out RFS

White House to meet EPA and USDA on Monday to figure out RFS

April 5, 2018 |

In Washington, on the back of concerns about hardship waivers granted to at least 25 refiners by the Environmental Protection Agency that lets them out of their ethanol blending or RIN obligation and has sent RIN prices crashing as a result, the White House will meet on Monday with staff from the EPA and the […]

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EPA seeks public comment regarding isobutanol blending

EPA seeks public comment regarding isobutanol blending

April 4, 2018 |

In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on any aspect of the use of isobutanol in gasoline. Butamax Advanced Biofuels, has submitted an application pursuant to the regulations titled “Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives” for the registration of isobutanol as a gasoline additive at up to 16 volume percent. Butamax has […]

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Senator Mitch McConnell pushing hard for hemp deregulation

Senator Mitch McConnell pushing hard for hemp deregulation

April 3, 2018 |

In Kentucky, the Associated Press reports that Senator Mitch McConnell will support hemp legalization legislation, removing the crop from the controlled substances list and introducing it as an agricultural commodity. The state is a leading hemp producer with more than 12,000 acres licensed to grow the crop and 57 processors producing a wide range of […]

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Indonesian corruption commission wants 90% of palm oil levy to go to farmers

Indonesian corruption commission wants 90% of palm oil levy to go to farmers

April 2, 2018 |

In Indonesia, a UCA news agency reports that the Prevention Bureau of the Corruption Eradication Commission wants 90% of the $2.1 billion in revenues generated from a levy on palm oil exports to go towards improving the livelihoods of smallholder oil palm farmers rather than subsidizing oil companies like Pertamina for blending biodiesel. The Commission […]

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BIO rips US Justice Department’s proposed PES bailout: “Refiner sold credits to undermine RFS”

BIO rips US Justice Department’s proposed PES bailout: “Refiner sold credits to undermine RFS”

March 29, 2018 |

In Washington, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Justice on the proposed Consent Decree and Environmental Settlement Agreement with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in the case of Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining and Marketing LLC and PES Holdings LLC. Brent Erickson, executive vice president of […]

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Australian E10 policy seen boosting domestic economy

Australian E10 policy seen boosting domestic economy

March 29, 2018 |

In Australia, massive economic, social and environmental benefits that can be delivered to Australians through the creation of a strong bioenergy industry could be lost without clear government strategies. Increased use of 10 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E10) in Australia could create more than 8600 direct & indirect jobs, attract A$1.56 billion in investment and […]

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PES deal on RINs could cut ethanol mandate by 2%

PES deal on RINs could cut ethanol mandate by 2%

March 28, 2018 |

In Washington, Platts reports that consultants the Brattle Group believe if Philadelphia Energy Solutions is allowed to forego half of its RIN buy for 2016 and 2017 as part of a proposed settlement with the Department of Justice, as much as 2% of the ethanol blending mandate would shrink and RIN prices would fall accordingly […]

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Biofuel industry hits back at proposed PES RIN compliance bailout

Biofuel industry hits back at proposed PES RIN compliance bailout

March 27, 2018 |

In Washington, unsurprisingly the biofuels industry has overwhelmingly come out in opposition of the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice’s proposed deal with Philadelphia Energy Solutions to offer a bail out on its RIN compliance. The National Biodiesel Board called on the DOJ to reconsider its proposed settlement allowing PES Holdings to escape the vast majority […]

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NBB disappointed omnibus spending bill didn’t reinstate biodiesel tax credit

NBB disappointed omnibus spending bill didn’t reinstate biodiesel tax credit

March 26, 2018 |

In Washington, the U.S. Congress passed an omnibus spending bill to fund the government that did not include a reinstatement of the biodiesel tax credit. “The National Biodiesel Board is again disappointed that Congress has failed to provide pro-growth tax certainty for a domestic energy industry that has broad, bipartisan support. The lack of urgency […]

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China fires back on Trump’s trade war with ethanol tariffs

China fires back on Trump’s trade war with ethanol tariffs

March 23, 2018 |

In China, the trade war has begun as China responded on Friday to Trump’s latest trade tariffs with a proposed list of U.S. products they plan on targeting as well. The list includes 128 U.S. products, including ethanol, wine, fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts, steel pipes and ginseng, according to a statement from China’s […]

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