Category: Policy

Secretary of Agriculture seeks to assure biofuel industry of USDA commitment to ethanol

May 10, 2021 | Meghan Sapp

In Arizona, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack delivered remarks to the leading voices of the biofuels industry at Growth Energy’s 12th Annual Executive Leadership Conference (ELC). In a video address, Sec. Vilsack outlined USDA’s commitment to the biofuel industry and discussed his focus on championing ethanol’s critical role for rural economies and in attaining the Biden Administration’s climate goals: “I’m certain that […]

RFA submits comments to Oregon Clean Fuels Program expansion

May 9, 2021 | admin

In Washington, D.C., the Renewable Fuels Association submitted feedback related to a planned expansion of the Oregon Clean Fuels Program. The Oregon CFP currently requires a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity (CI) of transportation fuels by 2025, and the state intends to expand the reductions to 20% by 2030 and 25% by 2035. In […]

EPA sending refiners’ confidential information to GAO for investigation

May 6, 2021 | Meghan Sapp

In Washington, Reuters reports that the Environmental Protection Agency is taking further steps to ensure that the small refinery exemption program follows the letter of the law rather than the broader interpretation seen under the Trump Administration. The EPA is handing over disclosed confidential documents from refiners to the Government Accountability Office, including all data […]

Airline industry meetings with House aviation subcommittee on SAF

May 5, 2021 | Meghan Sapp

In Washington, Reuters reports World Energy, the Advanced Biofuels Association and Airlines for America as well as others met virtually with the aviation subcommittee of the Democratic-led House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Tuesday in order to see how the aviation industry could help achieve the Biden Administration’s transportation decarbonization goals. Central to the […]

Brazil’s soy crushers demanding government clarify biodiesel blending intentions

May 4, 2021 | Meghan Sapp

In Brazil, Reuters reports that the country’s soy crushers are extremely concerned about the government’s recent lowering of biodiesel blending back to 10% last month and are calling on the government to clearly articulate its plans for returning to the 13% blend, or not. Abiove, which represents the largest soy crushing companies in the country, […]

EPA files motion with Supreme Court seeking three Sinclair SREs be vacated

May 3, 2021 | Meghan Sapp

In Washington, Reuters reports the Environmental Protection Agency has filed a motion in the Supreme Court case currently being reviewed regarding how the EPA awards small refinery exemptions, with the motion saying the agency under the Trump Administration did not properly review Sinclair Oil’s applications. As such, the EPA is seeking the three waivers granted […]

RFA sends comment letters to USDA on ethanol, ag and rural policy recommendations

May 2, 2021 | admin

In Washington, D.C., in separate comment letters submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Renewable Fuels Association explained how expanded ethanol production and use can support the administration’s “climate-smart” agriculture goals and encouraged USDA to use the Rural Energy Pilot Program to support research into the use of ethanol for low-carbon power generation. In […]

Senator Ernst pushes EPA administrator on inclusion of biofuels in Biden plans

April 29, 2021 | Meghan Sapp

In Iowa, KIOW radio reports that Senator Jodi Ernst stressed to the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency during Thursday’s Environment and Public Works Committee hearing that biofuels needed to be a part of the Biden Administration’s national infrastructure plan. Pointing out that corn-based ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% compared […]

Indiana governor vetoed bill that would have hindered E15

April 28, 2021 | Meghan Sapp

In Indiana, Indiana Governor Holcomb vetoed SEA 303, legislation that would have stalled sales of homegrown biofuels by mandating confusing labels on E15 fuel dispensers and muddying key regulations on retailers seeking to offer the lower-cost blend. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement applauding the governor’s veto: “We are deeply grateful to Governor Holcomb […]

Supreme Court hears SRE arguments

April 27, 2021 | Meghan Sapp

In Washington, The Hill reports the Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday regarding the long-disputed way the Environmental Protection Agency issued small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard, even though the new EPA administrator has agreed to change the way his predecessor decided who got waivers and who didn’t. Supreme Court justices already appear […]

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