Governor Kim Reynolds has approved legislation that reduces the state tax on gas with an ethanol blend of 15 percent or higher. It applies the same six-cent per gallon break to 20 percent or higher blends of biodiesel. "It's going to make higher blend biofuels even cheaper at the pump, making it … [Read more...]
EPA consideration of oil refinery waivers key topic in Ernst-Greenfield race
Republican Senator Joni Ernst and Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield are both criticizing the EPA administrator's handling of federal ethanol policy -- and each questions the other's commitment to promoting the corn-based fuel. Greenfield said Ernst never should have voted to confirm a … [Read more...]
Iowa Senators question FDA about ethanol use in hand sanitizers
Iowa's two U.S. senators are asking the Food and Drug Administration to clarify its policies on making alcohol-based hand sanitizer during the pandemic. Iowa ethanol producers were initially given the go ahead to use some of their ingredients to make sanitizer, but Senator Chuck Grassley says the … [Read more...]
New House economic package includes $2.25 billion for biofuels
The $3 trillion economic recovery plan introduced in the U.S. House includes $2.25 billion for the biofuels industry. Iowa Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer, a Democrat from Dubuque, is part of the House Biofuels Caucus that lobbied for the assistance. "This is obviously a meaningful step towards … [Read more...]
Finkenauer in Midwest group pushing for federal biofuel grants
Iowa Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer is co-sponsoring a bill that would establish $500 million worth of federal grants to boost use of ethanol and biodiesel. The grants could be used to upgrade fueling stations, pipelines or fuel terminals -- so a higher percentage of ethanol and biodiesel could be … [Read more...]
Oil state governors seek ethanol exemption for refineries
A handful of governors in oil-producing states are asking federal regulators to waive the requirement that ethanol be blended into gasoline. The governors of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Utah and Wyoming say U.S. oil refineries face severe financial hardships due to economic shutdowns around the … [Read more...]
Iowa Senators want U.S.D.A. aid for ethanol producers
Iowa ethanol producers are struggling as fuel demand is dropping with so many Americans staying home during the pandemic. Both of Iowa's U.S. senators are calling on the U.S.D.A. to provide aid for ethanol producers before more plants shut down. Senator Chuck Grassley says the $2.2 trillion CARES … [Read more...]
Falling gas prices another hit for ethanol industry
With gasoline prices falling, ethanol producers across Iowa are seeing their profits fall, too, and industry leaders say the timing couldn't be worse. Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, says international trade feuds and reduced travel due to coronavirus are … [Read more...]
Ethanol backer says court decision on waivers is a victory
A federal court decision last week may reduce the number of small refinery waivers the Environmental Protection Agency issues for blending ethanol. The 10th circuit court of appeals found the agency over-stepped its reach in the case of three refineries. American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian … [Read more...]
IRFA seeks 66% boost in grants for E15 pump installation
Just ten percent of gas stations in Iowa have pumps that will dispense the higher blend of ethanol that's now cleared nationally for sale year-round. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is asking state officials for a 66 percent increase in the total amount of state "cost-share" grant money that's … [Read more...]