Category: Policy

Estonian Liquid Fuel Act allows Circle K to offer ethanol-free 95 octane gasoline

Estonian Liquid Fuel Act allows Circle K to offer ethanol-free 95 octane gasoline

January 19, 2021 |

In Estonia, the ERR news agency reports that Circle K will start selling 95 octane ethanol-free gasoline at its gas stations in response to demand for ethanol-free fuel. Currently only 98 octane fuel is sold without ethanol and the company says it does not think it’s fair that customers should have to pay more for […]

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Senators call on EPA administrator to avoid SRE decisions until after Supreme Court ruling

Senators call on EPA administrator to avoid SRE decisions until after Supreme Court ruling

January 18, 2021 |

In Washington, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined their colleagues from the Midwest, Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging him to avoid making any decisions on small refinery […]

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Malaysia to sue European Union in WTO lawsuit over palm oil

Malaysia to sue European Union in WTO lawsuit over palm oil

January 17, 2021 |

In Malaysia, Scandasia reports that the Malaysian government plans to file a lawsuit against the European Union on the trade bloc’s policy to phase out palm oil-based biofuels imports to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by 2030. “Datuk Dr. Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister said at a press conference at the […]

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EPA looks to extend 2019 and 2020 RIN compliance periods and hold of on SRE decisions

EPA looks to extend 2019 and 2020 RIN compliance periods and hold of on SRE decisions

January 14, 2021 |

In Washington, Reuters reports the Environmental Protection Agency said it won’t decide on the nearly 40 small refinery exemption applications that have been submitted for 2019 but that it will instead look to extend the compliance period for 2019 through to November 30, 2021. At the same time, it would seek to also extend the […]

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DOE forms Fuels of the Future Advisory Board; disbands Biomass Research and Development TAC 

DOE forms Fuels of the Future Advisory Board; disbands Biomass Research and Development TAC 

January 14, 2021 |

In Washington, the US federal government formed the Fuels of the Future Advisory Board, which will have three subcommittees on biofuels, hydrogen and methane hydrates. At the same time, the government terminated the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee (BR&D TAC); Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee (MHAC); and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee […]

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Democrat Senators call on Biden administration to restore missing gallons ASAP

Democrat Senators call on Biden administration to restore missing gallons ASAP

January 13, 2021 |

In Washington, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are calling on the incoming Biden administration to take bold action immediately following the inauguration to support farmers and rural communities by restoring integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Richard J. Durbin […]

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EPA could approve 2019 SREs this week

EPA could approve 2019 SREs this week

January 12, 2021 |

In Washington, Reuters reports the Environmental Protection Agency could announce 2019 small refinery exemption approvals this week. Currently, the agency’s website shows there are 32 applications pending for 2019. The Renewable Fuels Association says there is no legal precedent to approve any SREs from 2019 due to the 10th Circuit court ruling, which the Supreme […]

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Supreme Court to review 10th Circuit SRE decision in April

Supreme Court to review 10th Circuit SRE decision in April

January 11, 2021 |

In Washington, Reuters reports the Supreme Court has agreed to review the 10th Circuit Court’s January 2020 ruling on how the Environmental Protection Agency approves small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The court ruling has sent the industry and RIN markets on their heads with the EPA forced to rework how SREs are […]

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Farm & biofuel coalition rejects EPA’s excuses for failing to comply with 2017 court order

Farm & biofuel coalition rejects EPA’s excuses for failing to comply with 2017 court order

January 10, 2021 |

In Washington, D.C., a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups including Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Biodiesel Board, and others, filed its reply in support of its motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia, and reasserts that EPA’s delays in remedying the improper waiver are […]

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Malaysia and Indonesia forced to push back higher blending plans

Malaysia and Indonesia forced to push back higher blending plans

January 7, 2021 |

In Malaysia, Bernama reports that much like Indonesia, Malaysia is being forced to postpone increasing its biodiesel mandate due to focus on battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than completing the nationwide 20% mandate in mid-2021, the full roll out has been postponed until early 2022 while Indonesia’s B40 mandate could be delayed to late 2022 […]

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