This week’s program includes several interviews from the inaugural Heart of American Agricultural Hemp Classic in Independence, MO. The event was organized by the Missouri Hemp Association. Farmers have a lot of questions about hemp and in the interviews you will hear from presenters and farmers who have some answers. You can find a lot more in our virtual ag …
National Biodiesel Conference “Vision 2020”
The National Biodiesel Board unveils its “Vision 2020” for the industry during the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Tampa, Florida on January 20-23. This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and audio content available free of charge for digital or print publication or broadcast. Full multi-media coverage of the conference can be found for the 15th year on …
Report Shows Importance of Biodiesel Tax Credit
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) released a new report on the “Importance of the Biodiesel Tax Credit” that highlights how uncertainty regarding extension of the biodiesel tax credit significantly increases business risks for biodiesel producers. The report was written by John Urbanchuk, managing partner of ABF Economics. “The current uncertainty surrounding reinstatement and retroactivity of the tax credit is a …
Biofuels Groups Express Concerns at EPA Hearing
Representatives from multiple ethanol and biodiesel stakeholder organizations and companies testified at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing Wednesday on the proposal to make up for volumes lost under the Renewable Fuel Standard due to small refinery waivers. Audio from some witnesses: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig – (5:42) Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper – (5:16) American …
Biofuels Industry Testifies on Harm Done by RFS Waivers
Biofuels industry representatives testified during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing Tuesday on how the increase in small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard has hurt ethanol and biodiesel producers and farmers. Opening testimony: Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) – (5:00) Kelly Nieuwenhuis, Iowa farmer and Siouxland Energy Cooperative president, on behalf of Growth Energy (4:50) World Energy …
President Trump Praises Refinery Waivers
During a cabinet meeting on Monday October 21, President Donald Trump praised EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler for making small refineries happy by granting them waivers from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “And I know you’re working on the small refineries — getting that straightened away so that it’s going to be terrific for the small refineries,” President Trump said to …
Iowa Groups Outraged Over EPA Proposal
Representatives of Iowa’s corn, ethanol, biodiesel and soybean producers held a press conference Wednesday in response to the Supplemental Proposal for Renewable Fuels Volumes released Tuesday by EPA. Iowa Corn Growers Association CEO Craig Floss quoted one farmer who is outraged over the proposal. “No more Iowa Nice, now it’s Iowa Pissed.” Floss was joined by Iowa Soybean Association farmer …
Biofuels Groups Disappointed With EPA Proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a Supplemental Proposal for Renewable Fuels Volumes Tuesday, following up on the administration plan announced October 4. Biofuel groups expressed disappointment in the proposal, which they say is different than what was presented to them. “If the Oct. 4 announcement from EPA was a big step forward, today’s supplemental proposal is a step backward,” said …
Biofuels Industry Reacts to Administration Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a plan Friday to promote biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard in an effort to make up for small refinery exemptions (SRE)that have caused many renewable fuel plants to halt production. Under the plan, EPA will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020 and will …
Sen. Grassley Comments on Pending Biofuel Deal
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) answered a number of reporter questions about how President Trump will address the small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard in a way that will address concerns of farmers and biofuel producers. During a call with reporters, Sen. Grassley said the biofuel industry demands are very simple. “We want 15 billion gallons to be 15 …
Biodiesel Industry Spotlights Waiver Pain
The biodiesel industry wants the administration to understand that they are hurting as much or more than ethanol producers as a result of EPA’s small refinery exemptions (SRE). National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Donnell Rehagen and Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik hosted a conference call with reporters Thursday to discuss the impact of small refinery exemptions on biodiesel …
Biofuels Groups Testify at EPA RFS Hearing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) heard concerns from many biofuels industry stakeholders during a public hearing Wednesday in Ypsilanti, Michigan on the proposed rule to set 2020 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) and the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Much of the comments from both sides of the issues centered on whether or not EPA …
Lawmakers Rally for Biodiesel Tax Incentive
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) hosted a press conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday featuring a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers including Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). Grassley introduced The Tax Extender and …
ABLC2019 Renewable Fuels Policy Panel and Sen. Grassley Award
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was honored at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) in Washington DC April 4 with the Holmberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in Bioenergy. The ABLC is actually six conferences in one place, including the 10th Annual Advanced Biofuels Summit. The Digest editor Jim Lane moderated the panel discussion which featured Mike McAdams, Advanced Biofuels Association; Geoff …
Biofuels Advocates Testify at EPA Hearing
The Environmental Protection Agency held a hearing Friday on proposed regulatory changes related to retail sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) and the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. Biofuels advocates, organization representatives and company officials testified at the hearing about the proposal and other related topics. Below are links to audio files from …