Category: Policy

National Green Tribunal shuts 33 sugar mills for failure to have permit

National Green Tribunal shuts 33 sugar mills for failure to have permit

May 11, 2016 |

In India, 33 of 35 sugar mills producing ethanol don’t have licenses for storing explosives, which the National Green Tribunal used as just cause to have them shut down ethanol production immediately following a complaint by an NGO who pointed out the lack of permits. The NGO also said the lack of safety procedures at […]

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RFA sees RFS safe under either Clinton or Trump

RFA sees RFS safe under either Clinton or Trump

May 10, 2016 |

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association’s CEO says the ethanol industry should be safe if either the Democratic or Republican frontrunners win the race to the White House in November as both Clinton and Trump are supporters of homegrown energy. Republican congressmen especially have been keen to attack the Renewable Fuel Standard with proponents for […]

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DOE approves $90 million for biorefinery projects

DOE approves $90 million for biorefinery projects

May 9, 2016 |

In Washington, recognizing the importance of biofuels to energy and climate security, the Energy Department announced up to $90 million in project funding focused on designing, constructing and operating integrated biorefinery facilities. The production of biofuels from sustainable, non-food, domestic biomass resources is an important strategy to meet the Administration’s goals to reduce carbon emissions […]

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California’s emissions downshift driven overwhelmingly by renewable fuels: report

California’s emissions downshift driven overwhelmingly by renewable fuels: report

May 8, 2016 |

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association has released an analysis of data recently released by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), highlighting ethanol as a significant factor in the reduction of CA’s greenhouse gas emissions. The RFA analysis shows that the majority of carbon credits approved have been for […]

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Argentina extends biodiesel support policy through year’s end

Argentina extends biodiesel support policy through year’s end

May 5, 2016 |

In Argentina, the government has extended the policy infrastructure it put in place the end of last year including elimination of excise taxes on biodiesel to support increased consumption of the fuel nationally. The policy will now be in effect through the end of 2016, extending it past its previous April 30 expiry date. It […]

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European Commission confirms no biofuel target post-2020 but hope is not lost

European Commission confirms no biofuel target post-2020 but hope is not lost

May 4, 2016 |

In Belgium, the European Commission has confirmed that it will not have a mandatory sub-target for transport in the Renewable Energy Directive post-2020 but it may introduce an “incorporation obligation” that would require minimum blending levels of ethanol and biodiesel. The policy tweak basically shifts the burden of blending to fuel companies rather than member […]

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European Commission slams Portugal for failing to comply with the RED

European Commission slams Portugal for failing to comply with the RED

May 3, 2016 |

In Belgium, the European Commission has sent to Portugal a reasoned opinion urging the Member State to ensure the full compliance of its biofuel legislation with the Renewable Energy Directive. The Directive sets the objective of reaching a 20% share of renewable energy in the EU’s final energy consumption in 2020 which includes individual national […]

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RFA shows how CARB didn’t want grain ethanol but it’s what it got

RFA shows how CARB didn’t want grain ethanol but it’s what it got

May 2, 2016 |

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association reviewed the California Air Resources Board’s quarterly update on the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and found regulated parties have reduced the carbon intensity of the state’s transportation fuels by a cumulative 16.55 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases (GHG) since enforcement began in 2011. While that’s an […]

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Iowa to continue biodiesel and ethanol blender pump program through 2016

Iowa to continue biodiesel and ethanol blender pump program through 2016

May 1, 2016 |

In Iowa, the Iowa Legislature voted 94 – 0 in the House of Representatives and 49 – 0 in the Iowa Senate to secure another year of funding for the state’s very successful biodiesel and ethanol blender pump program, the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). The IRFA recently reported interest amongst Iowa retailers in offering […]

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Iowa extends biofuels incentives through 2024

Iowa extends biofuels incentives through 2024

April 28, 2016 |

In Iowa, the state’s senate has unanimously approved a bill to extend incentives for ethanol and biodiesel blending through 2024 rather than ending in 2017 as planned, with the house voting 88-6 in favor. The bill now goes to the governor for signature. The bill extends the E85 tax credit, E15 credit, the B5 credit […]

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