In a letter to seven senators sent late Thursday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt committed to final 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations at levels equal or greater to those that the agency proposed in July, as well as a commitment to finalize the rule by the Nov. 30 statutory deadline. In the letter, Pruitt also announced EPA will finalize …
Trump Directs EPA to Back Away from RFS Proposals
Bloomberg reports the White House has told the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stand down on proposals that biofuels advocates say threaten the Renewable Fuel Standard. The news comes after Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds spoke with President Trump Wednesday morning over the phone before a planned meeting between the two next week. Reynolds said she made the case for …
Strong RFS Critical to Farm Success
Changes being considered by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard would undermine the RFS, according to Growth Energy. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the EPA considering last-minute changes to the proposed renewable volume obligations is contrary to the administration promise to support the RFS. Rolling back the volume targets would reduce the opportunity for farmers during …
Celebrating National Farmers Day
Oct. 12 is celebrated as National Farmers Day. Farmers are the lifeblood of our economy, providing food, fuel, and fiber for our nation and around the globe. On this day of recognition, the Renewable Fuels Association would like to thank and honor farmers for their service, especially USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, who grew up on a dairy and row crop …
RFA Thanks 38 Senators for Leadership
38 senators, led by Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, urging him to implement a strong final 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rule that reflects Congressional intent to promote future biofuels growth. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen offered the following statement: “We applaud the leadership of these lawmakers, …
Grassley Slams EPA RFS Proposal to Cut Biodiesel
The Environmental Protection Agency announced it’s considering a new proposal to reduce 2018 biodiesel, advanced biofuel, and total Renewable Fuel Standard volumes, in addition to a prior proposal to cut 2019 volumes. that has ethanol supporters ‘hopping mad.’ Ethanol Industry groups swiftly responded with press releases that the EPA proposal was unjustified, unneeded, contrary to the RFS’s intent, and would …
National Chicken Council to EPA: Reduce RFS Targets
As agriculture groups submitted their comments to the Environmental Protection Agency last week regarding the Proposed Renewable Fuel Standard, it should come as no surprise that the National Chicken Council urged further reductions. The National Chicken Council, long opposing the RFS, said in comments to the EPA: “As proposed, the RFS targets exceed the percentage of ethanol Congress envisioned being …
ISU Study Shows No Impact of RFS on Greenhouse Gasses
A study by Iowa State University (ISU) says the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) brings a net positive to the U.S. economy but fails to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. The study, produced in June, was released by the Renewable Fuels Association recently, highlighting the net positive to the U.S. economy. Iowa State University’s Center for Agriculture and Rural Development developed …
Economic Study Shows Renewable Fuel Standard Added to Price of Corn
A new economic study shows the Renewable Fuel Standard has added a third to the price of corn and saved the U.S. nearly 18-billion in gasoline costs. The Iowa State University study to be published soon in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics shows specific benefits to farmers, consumers, and the environment, from the nation’s renewable fuels requirement. Renewable Fuels …
New Academic Journal Study: RFS Offers Substantial Benefits to U.S. Economy
A new economic modeling study that will soon be published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics finds that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has substantially benefited the U.S. economy by lowering gasoline and crude oil prices, cutting crude oil imports, adding value to U.S.-produced agricultural commodities, and reducing U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. “The results confirm that the current …