Biofuels stakeholders are celebrating some good news today with word that the Trump administration had made the decision not to request a rehearing of the recent unanimous ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit that the EPA had “vastly exceeded its authority in granting exemptions from 2016 and 2017 RFS requirements to three refineries.” The challenge …
Farmers, Biofuel Producers Urge Trump to Support RFS
Farmer leaders and biofuel producers from the Midwest today expressed their concerns about news that the Trump administration has reversed course and decided to side with oil companies in their court battle against biofuels. The debate centers around a unanimous court decision that would halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) abuse of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel …
Ethanol Report on New Trade Deals
Two major trade deals in one week last week are giving the agriculture and ethanol industries reason to be optimistic as we move into the “Roaring ’20s.” In this episode of The Ethanol Report, we hear from Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper, President Donald Trump, USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and USDA …
Project LIBERTY “Pauses” Cellulosic Biofuel Production
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels is hitting the pause button on production of cellulosic biofuels at Project LIBERTY and shifting instead to “R&D focused on improving operational efficiency,” according to the company which is a joint venture of Royal DSM and POET, LLC. POET-DSM is blaming the shift on “EPA challenges with the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).” POET’s Senior …
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 …
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 …
ZimmCast 619 – Industry Reaction to President’s Visit
In this week’s program you will hear from industry attendees to President Trump’s visit to Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) in Council Bluffs, IA. Included in the program are: Mike Jerke, CEO, SIRE Craig Floss, President/CEO, Iowa Corn Growers Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Ross, farmer and 1st VP, NCGA Monte Shaw, Executive Director, IRFA Geoff Cooper, President/CEO, …
The Ethanol Report – Presidential Visit to Ethanol Plant
The Renewable Fuels Association was thrilled to host President Donald J. Trump as he visited the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) ethanol plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa on June 11 to celebrate year round sales of E15 (15% ethanol). This Ethanol Report podcast includes some of the president’s remarks at the plant and interviews with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, SIRE …
President Trump Visits SIRE Ethanol Plant
President Donald Trump will visit Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) on Tuesday, June 11. We will be posting photos, audio and more as content opportunities become available. This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and audio content available free of charge for digital or print publication or broadcast. Photos President Trump at Iowa Ethanol Plant Photo Album Audio/Interviews Pre-event …