Sep 24, 2015
Pennsylviania votes to eliminate E10 ethanol mandate
Policy News
Sep 15, 2015
The EU will extend anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on imported US biodiesel until 2020, according to Reuters.
The duties were extended in an EU attempt to maintain its defence against trade in renewable fuels.
The EU argues that should the duties, originally set in 2009 on certain US biodiesel producers, be lifted, the resulting increase in imports could damage European... [Read More]
Policy News
Aug 26, 2015
The Indian government is planning to boost the use of biofuels in transport fuels after recognising their major contribution to air pollution.
A proposal by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has set a target of 20% blending of diesel and petrol with biodiesel and ethanol by 2017.
Blending targets for bioethanol have been in effect since 2008, but this is the first... [Read More]
Policy News
Aug 20, 2015
The US tax authority IRS has published a notice informing claimants about the federal income tax treatment of fuel credits under sections 6426(c) and (d) of the internal revenue code.
These sections regulate the federal payments made to biodiesel and alternative fuel producers in compensation for producing these fuels.
The section 6426(c) allows a blender of a biodiesel... [Read More]
Policy News
Jul 30, 2015
The Rural Business Cooperative Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued an interim final rule making changes to the USDA's Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program.
Formerly referred to as the Biorefinery Assistance Program, the programme provides loan guarantees of up to $250 million (€228 million)... [Read More]
Policy News
Jul 29, 2015
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen its proposal for biodiesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
In its comments submitted to the agency on the pending RFS rule, NBB cited compelling benefits of increased biodiesel production and significant additional capacity for growth in the industry.
'The... [Read More]
Policy News
Jul 21, 2015
A group of 36 US senators from both major parties have sent an open letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging it to increase the biodiesel production volumes proposed under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
The letter comes in the aftermath of EPA setting a lower limit on biodiesel production than originally envisioned by the US Congress, which has drawn... [Read More]
Policy News
Jun 2, 2015
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced proposed volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) programme for 2014, 2015 and 2016, and also proposed volume requirements for biomass-based diesel for 2017.
The proposal would boost renewable fuel production and provide for ambitious yet responsible growth over multiple years, supporting future... [Read More]
Policy News
Apr 29, 2015
On 28 April the European Parliament voted to approve the cap on first generation biofuels made from food-based crops.
Current legislation requires EU member states to ensure that renewable energy accounts for at least 10% of energy consumption in transport by 2020.
In order to cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) caused by the growing use of farm land for biofuel crops,... [Read More]
Policy News
Apr 15, 2015
On April 14, the European Parliament's environment committee (ENVI) moved a step closer to an agreement on plans to cap the production of traditional biofuels and accelerate the shift to alternative sources, such as certain types of waste and residues and new sources such as seaweed, with the environment committee's vote backing a deal struck by legislators. The plan aims... [Read More]
Policy News
Apr 13, 2015
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it will finalise the volume requirements for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), in addition to the 2017 volume requirement for biomass-based diesel, by 30 November.
The following schedule has been established following a proposed consent decree in litigation brought against EPA by the American Petroleum... [Read More]
Policy News
Apr 1, 2015
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is calling for the EPA to stay its recent decision to streamline Argentinian biodiesel imports to the US under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) pending public review and comment.
In a petition filed 30 March with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Gina McCarthy, NBB cited the lack of public comment on the EPA decision... [Read More]
Policy News
Mar 23, 2015
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) have announced a settlement with Utah-based Washakie Renewable Energy that resolves allegations that the company generated more than 7.2 million invalid renewable fuel credits worth more than $2 million (€1.8 million).
From January to October of 2010, Washakie generated more than 7.2... [Read More]
Policy News
Feb 25, 2015
A draft law to cap the production of traditional biofuels and accelerate the shift to alternative sources was approved by the Environment Committee on 24 February. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that result from the growing use of agricultural land to produce biofuel crops.
Current legislation requires EU member states to ensure that renewable energy accounts... [Read More]
Policy News
Feb 10, 2015
A bipartisan group of 32 US senators is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to move quickly in approving strong biodiesel volumes under the nation's Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS).
The senators expressed concern about the agency's delays in implementing the RFS standards for 2014, 2015 and 2016, noting that the delays have created tremendous uncertainty... [Read More]
Policy News
Feb 10, 2015
US ethanol exports reached near-record levels in 2014, sending 836 million gallons of ethanol worth $2.1 billion (€1.8 billion) to international markets. This is according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and its new publication '2014 US Ethanol Exports and Imports: Statistical Summary'.
The publication offers an overview of the US ethanol export and import... [Read More]
Policy News
Feb 3, 2015
Barrack Obama has announced a $3.99 trillion (€3.5 trillion) budget to tackle climate change issues, with a specific focus on preventing global warming.
In its 2016 budget, the US government also wants to give $1.29 billion to advance its Global Climate Change Initiative, which includes $500 million for US contributions to the UN's Green Climate Fund, which is the... [Read More]