• Policy: US federal, state and international
• Federal Legislation
• Federal Regulations
• Regulations Open for Public Comment
• Federal Litigation
• By and About Advanced Biofuels USA
• Advanced Biofuels USA Policy Analyses and Statements

Federal Legislation

by Jael Holzman (E&E News/Greenwire)  With climate change pushing the U.S. toward more rapid adoption of new technologies, many Republicans and Democrats are in rare agreement on one key point: This country needs a lot more mines. But exactly how much new mining is required for the energy transition isn’t clear. ... October 14, 2022 Read Full Article

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Minnesota farmer Tom Haag is the new president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), starting his term on October 1. Haag farms corn and soybeans in Eden Valley with his son Nathan and has been farming for over 40 years. He has has served on the Minnesota Corn ... October 5, 2022 Read Full Article

by Ben Lefebvre (Politico Pro)  An industry that barely existed several years ago is pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into their lobbyist budgets. — Democrats’ blockbuster clean energy and infrastructure laws are proving a gold mine for at least one industry — lobbyists who work for the companies building carbon ... October 5, 2022 Read Full Article

by Andres Picon (E&E News/Politico Pro) Advocates of a national clean fuel standard say it would help cut transportation-sector emissions as electrification ramps up.  — Electrification is widely regarded as the primary way to tackle vehicle emissions, but there’s a growing push to disrupt that narrative. Advocates of a national clean ... September 27, 2022 Read Full Article

by Mariannette Miller-Meeks (The Iowa Torch) Mariannette Miller-Meeks: Biochar has the incredible potential to help sequester carbon in our agricultural economy and we must promote this innovative tool. —  Biochar is produced by burning forest or agricultural residue (organic material) at very high temperatures with limited oxygen into a condensed black ... September 26, 2022 Read Full Article

(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) Bill seeks to explore agricultural, environmental benefits of biochar —  Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a family farmer and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was joined by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in introducing the Biochar Research Network Act. This ... September 22, 2022 Read Full Article

by Scott Neuman (NPR) …  The government’s conservation programs are meant to bolster farmers’ response to climate change, as (Iowa farmer Robb) Ewoldt and others like him are forced to confront worsening droughts on the one hand, and unprecedented rainfall and flooding on the other. But even with billions more in ... September 21, 2022 Read Full Article

(National Oilheat Research Alliance/Biobase Diesel Daily) Congress and President Biden have recognized the critical role that the transition to low-carbon biofuels in homes heated with fuel oil will play in the reduction of greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act includes legislation that incentivizes the heating-oil industry to improve ... September 20, 2022 Read Full Article

by Timothy Cama (E&E News/Politico Pro) The push from green groups would seek a new law for the transportation sector that would also give credit to electric vehicle charging and biofuels. —  A coalition representing environmentalists, biofuels and electric vehicles is starting a new push to implement a low-carbon fuel standard ... September 19, 2022 Read Full Article

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Federal Regulation

by Katie Schroeder (Ethanol Producer Magazine) With CCS expanding rapidly, there is an accompanying need for technology to monitor the CO2 underground. A North Dakota ethanol producer, environmental researcher and a geophysicist explain how it’s done. As the number of new and proposed carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects in ... October 17, 2022 Read Full Article

U.S. Forest Service Awards Cooperative Agreement to Strategic Biofuels to Develop a Renewable Fuel Standard Compliance Tracking System

(Strategic Biofuels/Business Wire) Standardized requirements will be instrumental for environmental credits enabling commercialization of forestry waste-derived renewable fuels  —  Today (October 12, 2022), the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, awarded Strategic Biofuels a cooperative agreement under its Wood Innovations Program for the first phase of a ... October 13, 2022 Read Full Article

ABFA Supports Greater American Energy Independence

(Advanced Biofuels Association/Biodiesel Magazine) Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, on Oct. 5 issued the following statement in response to announced OPEC+ production cuts: “Today, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia announced its largest oil production cut since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. And ... October 12, 2022 Read Full Article

(Iowa Utilities Board) The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) issued an order today that denies a request for an environmental impact study (EIS) regarding the proposed carbon capture pipeline by Summit Carbon Solutions LLC (Summit Carbon), which is pending before the IUB in Docket No. HLP-2021-0001. The request for the EIS was filed by the Winnebago ... October 11, 2022 Read Full Article

Wastewater Facilities Turn to Greasezilla® for Upstream Fats, Oils & Grease Solution and Revenue Generation

(PRZen) Woodard & Curran is the latest company to incorporate Greasezilla’s ecological and highly automated fats, oils and grease (FOG) separation system into wastewater treatment projects —  Downey Ridge Environmental Company, developer of Greasezilla® FOG (fats, oils & grease) separation and processing system, announces a significant increase in the number .. October 11, 2022 Read Full Article

EPA Approves Efficient Producer Pathway for Nebraska Plant

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA in September approved an efficient producer pathway for Green Plains Inc.’s 116 MMgy ethanol plant located in Central City, Nebraska. The approval allows the facility to generate renewable identification numbers (RINs) for non-grandfathered volumes of ethanol. Ethanol plants that have approved efficient ... October 11, 2022 Read Full Article

Potholes on the Road to Electric Cars

by Lamar Johnson (Politico) … The Department of Labor plans to add lithium-ion batteries to a list of products whose components are known to be made using child or forced labor, write E&E News’ Jael Holzman and David Iaconangelo. … The department made the designation because many lithium-ion batteries use cobalt in ... October 7, 2022 Read Full Article

Electric-Vehicle Charging to Get Biofuel Credits under EPA Plan

by Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) EV plan part of draft proposal to set biofuel-blending quotas; Change would mark major expansion of Renewable Fuel Standard — Charging electric vehicles using some forms of renewable power would qualify for credits under Environmental Protection Agency draft plans to expand a longstanding US biofuel support program. ... October 6, 2022 Read Full Article

California Adopts Comprehensive Strategy to Meet Federal Ozone Standard over Next 15 Years

(California Air Resources Board) Strategy calls for control measures by state, federal, international entities to ensure California meets federal 70 ppb 8-hour ozone standard — The California Air Resources Board today approved a statewide plan for attaining the federal health-based standard for ozone, typically experienced as smog. The 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy identifies ... October 5, 2022 Read Full Article

Exclusive-U.S. EPA to Consider Tougher Emissions Rules for Heavy Trucks

by David Shepardson (Reuters/WTVB)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will consider adopting more stringent greenhouse gas emissions rules for heavy trucks after Congress passed new incentives to speed the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, the agency told Reuters. In March, the EPA proposed new rules to cut smog-forming and greenhouse gas ... October 4, 2022 Read Full Article

Carbon America to Launch Nebraska’s First Commercial Carbon Capture and Sequestration Project

(Carbon America) The carbon capture and sequestration facility will capture 95 percent of emissions from a Nebraska ethanol production facility and permanently store the CO₂ underground —  Carbon America, the first vertically integrated carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) super developer, announced today an agreement with Bridgeport Ethanol, LLC to develop a ... October 4, 2022 Read Full Article

DOE Seeks Input on How Defense Production Act Could Support National Security by Strengthening Grid Reliability DEADLINE November 30, 2022

(U.S. Department of Energy) Request for Information Seeks Input on Best Uses for Defense Production Act to Bolster National Security, Boost American Manufacturing, and Lower Energy Costs —  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a Request for Information (RFI) to determine how DOE could best leverage the Defense Production Act .. October 4, 2022 Read Full Article

Summary: Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation 2022 Congressional Tours

(Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation)  In 2022 Clean Fuels Foundation hosted or supported three Congressional Tours. The first was in New York City, second in Iowa, and the third in California. Between the three tours the Foundation was able to show almost 60 Congressional staffers the complete biodiesel/renewable diesel value chain. ... October 1, 2022 Read Full Article

Guidance on Qualifying an Analytical Method for Determining the Cellulosic Converted Fraction of Corn Kernel Fiber Co-Processed with Starch

(Environmental Protection Agency)  This document provides updated guidance on qualifying an analytical method for determining the cellulosic converted fraction of corn kernel fiber co-processed with starch in order to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements in 40 CFR 80.1450(b)(1)(xiii)(B)(3). 1 Public confidence in the volumes of cellulosic ethanol produced under the Renewable ... September 30, 2022 Read Full Article

Report: Design of RFS Limits Incentives for E85

(Agricultural & Applied Economics Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine)  The nested design of the Renewable Fuel Standard is limiting incentives for blenders to sell higher blends of ethanol (E85) and has instead resulted in increasing blending of biodiesel to comply with the RFS. The nested structure of the RFS allows a more advanced ... September 29, 2022 Read Full Article

EPA Delivers Final Rule on Canola Oil RFS Fuel Pathways to OMB

by Erin Voegele  (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  The U.S. EPA on Sept. 19 delivered a final rule to create canola oil fuel pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard for renewable diesel, jet fuel naphtha, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and heating oil to the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB review ... September 29, 2022 Read Full Article

Environmental Group Asks Court to Vacate EPA Biofuels Rule

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico Pro) The Center for Biological Diversity called on a federal appeals court Tuesday to vacate EPA’s final rule setting renewable fuel volumes for 2020, 2021 and 2022, arguing the agency failed to comply with the Endangered Species Act. “The EPA is blatantly ignoring how the renewable fuel ... September 28, 2022 Read Full Article

Ethanol Report 9-27-22 What the Set Means for Ethanol Producers and Farmers

(Renewable Fuels Association)  When Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) that authorized the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), annual volume requirements were specified through the year 2022 for renewable fuels. But that does not mean this year is the end of the RFS. After this year, the ... September 27, 2022 Read Full Article

DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap — Comments Invited on Draft

(American Economic Association) Executive Summary:  This is an unprecedented time in history for hydrogen with interest being amplified worldwide due to its potential to address the climate crisis as well as energy security and resiliency. Though there are significant challenges, zero and low-carbon hydrogen can be a key part of .. September 27, 2022 Read Full Article

Thompson: Farmers Can Help Solve Nation’s Fuel Crisis | Opinion

by Bob Thompson (Michigan Farmers Union/Detroit News) …  Fortunately, President Joe Biden and our members of Congress have taken decisive steps to lower gas prices and limit our dependence on foreign oil. They have done that by supporting biofuels — fuel grown by America’s farmers. Not only does this lower gas prices and .. September 26, 2022 Read Full Article

Special Report: Advisory – Story Has Been Withdrawn – How U.S. Ethanol Plants Are Allowed to Pollute More than Oil Refineries

Reuters is withdrawing a Sept. 8 article that compared carbon emissions from U.S. ethanol plants and oil refineries because of its flawed interpretation of data on ethanol-plant pollution and fuel-production capacity. That led to inaccurate estimates of carbon emissions for individual ethanol plants named in the story. STORY_NUMBER: L8N30E5AE STORY_DATE: ... September 26, 2022 Read Full Article

Biofuels Leaders Set Priorities for 2023 and Beyond: The Industry Is Calling for Strong RFS Volumes

by Cassidy Walter (Successful Farming) Today (September 22, 2022) a coalition of leaders from America’s biofuels industry sent a united call to EPA for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2023 and beyond, to advance biofuels’ efforts toward net-zero emissions. “We think EPA has an enormous opportunity with this rulemaking ... September 23, 2022 Read Full Article

Journey to Net Zero Carbon Global Transport Requires Many Routes

(American Journal of Transportation) Advanced Diesel Technology and Renewable Biofuels Deliver Important Near-term Carbon Reductions Now   — As leaders come together in New York during Climate Week NYC all decarbonization options for transport must be considered, given the magnitude of the challenge and the great diversity of global economies, energy systems, ... September 21, 2022 Read Full Article

UPDATE 2-GM Backs Setting Tough U.S. Emissions Targets for 2030

by David Shepardson (Reuters)  General Motors Co said on Tuesday it backed establishing tougher federal emissions standards to help ensure at least 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 are zero-emission. The largest U.S. automaker and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) released a series of joint recommendations to boost electric vehicles ... September 21, 2022 Read Full Article

Design of the Renewable Fuel Standard Implicated in Leading to the Ethanol Blend Wall

(Agricultural and Applied Economics Association/CISION) The nested design of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is limiting incentives for blenders to sell higher blends of ethanol (E85) and has instead resulted in increasing blending of biodiesel to comply with the RFS. The nested structure of the RFS allows a more advanced biofuel ... September 20, 2022 Read Full Article

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Regulations Open for Public Comment

MORE OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT REQUESTS

(U.S. Department of Energy) Request for Information Seeks Input on Best Uses for Defense Production Act to Bolster National Security, Boost American Manufacturing, and Lower Energy Costs —  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a Request for Information (RFI) to determine how DOE could best leverage the Defense Production Act ... October 4, 2022 Read Full Article

DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap — Comments Invited on Draft DEADLINE unclear

(American Economic Association) Executive Summary:  This is an unprecedented time in history for hydrogen with interest being amplified worldwide due to its potential to address the climate crisis as well as energy security and resiliency. Though there are significant challenges, zero and low-carbon hydrogen can be a key part of ... September 27, 2022 Read Full Article

Federal Litigation 

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico Pro) The Center for Biological Diversity called on a federal appeals court Tuesday to vacate EPA’s final rule setting renewable fuel volumes for 2020, 2021 and 2022, arguing the agency failed to comply with the Endangered Species Act. “The EPA is blatantly ignoring how the renewable fuel ... September 28, 2022 Read Full Article

US Biofuel Industry Hopes Their Voices Are Heard as EPA Eyes Final Rules on E15, RFS

by Jasmin Melvin (S&P Global) E15 solution for Midwest states coming: Regan; Biofuel group pushes for nationwide action; Lays out industry priorities for next RFS rulemaking — A promise by US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to lift a summertime ban on sales of a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol in certain ... September 14, 2022 Read Full Article