Category: Policy

Argentina could get back into US biodiesel market but only if speeds up seed approvals

Argentina could get back into US biodiesel market but only if speeds up seed approvals

June 8, 2017 |

In Argentina, the US government has offered to resume biodiesel imports in exchange for the country’s quicker approval of seeds developed by American companies. A law was proposed in the Argentine legislature last year that would speed up the regulatory approval process while also allowing for fines to be lobbed against farmers who store seeds […]

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Five Democratic senators demand answers from EPA on Icahn’s RIN influence

Five Democratic senators demand answers from EPA on Icahn’s RIN influence

June 7, 2017 |

In Washington, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Elizabeth Warren, Debbie Stabenow, Jeff Merkley and Tammy Duckworth wrote a letter to the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency requesting that he hand over any reports, data and briefings exchanged between the agency, Carl Icahn and/or CVR Energy. The Senators and others have voiced concerns over the past months […]

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CFTC says not investigating Icahn’s RIN trading but advising EPA on avoiding abuse

CFTC says not investigating Icahn’s RIN trading but advising EPA on avoiding abuse

June 6, 2017 |

In Washington, despite concerns voiced by liberal watchdog groups as well as Democratic congressmen for the past several months regarding Carl Icahn’s role in the RIN market, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission confirmed to eight Democratic senators last month that it is not officially investigating his activity because RINs are not traded on futures markets. […]

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Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee could convene RFS hearing soon

Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee could convene RFS hearing soon

June 5, 2017 |

In Washington, the next policy deep dive on the Renewable Fuel Standard could come in the next couple of weeks, should the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee convene a hearing as is being batted around on Capital Hill. There are still plenty in the anti-RFS movement seeking to have the policy repealed during the […]

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“Nonsensical’ says RFA, as EPA re-commences summer shut-out of E15 ethanol

“Nonsensical’ says RFA, as EPA re-commences summer shut-out of E15 ethanol

June 4, 2017 |

In Washington, numerous pro-ethanol groups marked the official beginning of the Environmental Protection Agency’s “summer ozone control season,” which essentially prohibits  retail gas stations from selling E15 (gasoline containing 15% ethanol) in more than two-thirds of the nation’s gasoline market. According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the de facto prohibition on summertime E15 sales […]

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Reid Vapor Pressure season begins with calls for its abolition

Reid Vapor Pressure season begins with calls for its abolition

June 1, 2017 |

In South Dakota, Thursday marked the beginning of the EPA-imposed low Reid vapor pressure (RVP) season, effectively banning the sale of lower-cost, higher-octane E15 until Sept. 15, even though E15 has lower RVP and lower emissions than the gasoline sold in those markets each summer. E15 is an unleaded gasoline that can be used in […]

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Romanian biofuels industry worries about jump to 8% blending next year

Romanian biofuels industry worries about jump to 8% blending next year

May 31, 2017 |

In Romania, as the country looks to boost its biofuel blending to 8% come January 1 after a freeze at 4.5% between 2014 and 2018, its sole ethanol producer is concerned that oil companies may choose to import the required ethanol rather than support the local industry, leading to more production. The most recent statistics […]

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Additional ethanol production seen helping Colombia hit E10 by year’s end

Additional ethanol production seen helping Colombia hit E10 by year’s end

May 30, 2017 |

In Colombia, the country is looking to boost its ethanol-blending mandate to 10% by year’s end thanks to the 504,000 liter per day additional production that just came online at the El Alcaravan ethanol plant in central Meta, though that rate could eventually go even higher. Currently much of the country is at an E6 […]

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Zimbabwe returns to E10 as ethanol supplies increase

Zimbabwe returns to E10 as ethanol supplies increase

May 29, 2017 |

In Zimbabwe, the government has returned the ethanol-blending mandate to 10% following the restart of the sugarcane crush in May after lack of supply availability forced it to cut blending down to 5%. Both Green Fuel and Triangle are allowed to supply ethanol to the domestic market. E10 is retailing for between $1.35 and $1.39 […]

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Arizona OKs isobutanol fuels for on-road vehicles, clearing path for Gevo

Arizona OKs isobutanol fuels for on-road vehicles, clearing path for Gevo

May 28, 2017 |

In Arizona, a bill signed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey will let gas stations sell isobutanol-blended gasoline for on-road vehicles, enabling higher performing finished fuels with renewable content for drivers in the state. Bill HB2368 permits isobutanol to be used as an oxygenate in gasoline for on-road vehicles in Arizona. The new law takes effect […]

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