The U.S. House Biofuels Caucus is introducing legislation to make it clear the EPA has the authority to allow year-round sales of E15 and higher blends of ethanol. The bill would overturn a recent federal circuit court ruling that the EPA didn't have the power to take that step. "We're going to … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley promises fight to restore year-round E-15 sales
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley vows to work with his colleagues to address restoring the year-round sale of the 15% ethanol fuel blend, even though in his words, "fighting big oil is not an easy job." On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed the rule enacted … [Read more...]
Renewable fuels group exploring options after court ruling on E-15
The Washington, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down the EPA rule granting year-round use of E-15. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says this ruling -- if it stands up -- is devastating for the ethanol industry. "If this is left unchecked, this will be … [Read more...]
Axne spoke with Biden about putting biofuels in infrastructure plan
As congressional leaders juggle three different infrastructure bills, Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne says the one that passed the U.S. House Thursday includes nearly $22 million for six projects in southwest Iowa. Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says she's still lobbying to include funding … [Read more...]
Biofuels supporters disappointed by court ruling on RFS exemptions
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned a lower court ruling that now leaves open an option for refineries to apply for blending exemptions for renewable fuels. The executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Monte Shaw, says the ruling is disappointing. "A really backwards reading … [Read more...]
Biofuels industry urging ‘technology neutral’ approach to cutting carbon emissions
The head of a trade association representing the renewable fuels industry is urging lawmakers to ensure any national goals to reduce carbon emissions include ethanol and biodiesel. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the path to a clean energy future should be "technology neutral." "We are well … [Read more...]
Farm Bureau president likes overall result of legislative session
The president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation says the state legislative session that ended last week was a great one for agriculture, with one exception. Craig Hill praised the move by lawmakers to shift the burden of paying for the state's mental health program away from county property … [Read more...]
Biden’s EPA administrator says RFS levels coming ASAP
The administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spent much of Tuesday in Iowa. It's the first solo trip Administrator Michael Regan has taken since he was sworn into office. Regan toured an ethanol plant in Nevada and he told reporters the EPA's announcement on biofuels production … [Read more...]
Iowa Renewable Fuels leader says EPA’s waiver decision fulfills Biden campaign pledge
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rescinded three waivers that had excused Sinclair Oil refineries in Wyoming from the federal requirement to blend ethanol into gasoline. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director Monte Shaw says the waivers were granted on the last day of the … [Read more...]
Speaker says Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard a ‘difficult push’ in 2021
The chairman of a key committee says a "complicated proposal" to expand use of ethanol and biodiesel in Iowa hasn't been "killed" for the year, but Senator Dan Dawson says it's not "greased for passage" either. "What the future looks like, I cannot tell," Dawson said Thursday. "...There's a lot … [Read more...]