EPA
Date: 2019-08-19
"It is unconscionable for Administrator (Andrew) Wheeler's EPA to continue to gut the RFS through small refinery exemptions while padding the pockets of oil refiners." -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R)

"This is a small step in the right direction, but I'm very skeptical that every company receiving waivers truly needs them." -- Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)

"I'm committed to holding EPA accountable and ensuring they not only uphold the intent of the RFS but that they're more transparent and forthcoming in this exemption process." -- Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and those that suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. (Source: Various Media, Fort Dodge Messenger, 18 Aug., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  "Hardship" Waivers",  Ethanol,  

Renewable Fuel Standard
Date: 2019-07-17
"I am incredibly disappointed to see that the EPA has failed to reallocate the millions of lost gallons due to their brazen and unprecedented use of small refinery exemption ("hardship") waivers. A robust RFS (renewable fuel standard) is essential to a healthy ag economy in Iowa and across the country." -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), July, 2019 Contact: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, 515-281-5211, www.governor.iowa.gov/contact

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  "Hardship Waiver",  

Date: 2018-10-10
"The Dems will end ethanol -- you know that -- they're not going to approve ethanol. They will take it away."

"You better get out there and vote for Republicans." -- President Donald Trump, stumping for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in Council Bluffs yesterday. (Source: The Des Moines Register, 9 Oct., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Trump. Ethanol news,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2018-08-29
In the Hawkeye State, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) is defending a bill she signed that will scale back energy efficiency programs in her state by as much as two-thirds.

Under the new legislation, the contribution individual ratepayers make to energy efficiency will be capped at 2 pct of the ratepayer's electric or gas bill. Also, customers can now opt out of the program altogether. As a result, about $100 million a month will go directly back to utility customers instead of awarded to applicants for home energy audits, home retrofits, and energy efficient appliances and other programs. Under the new law, $120 million will still be available for energy efficiency projects each year. (Source: Iowa Public Radio, Aug., 2018).

More Low-Carbon Energy News Iowa Energy Efficiency,  

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynols
Date: 2018-07-20
"Our (Iowa) farmers need some positive news. It's our hope new EPA leadership will adhere to promises made by President Trump to protect the RFS and grow demand for our homegrown fuels. It's time to end the domestic demand destruction by undermining of the RFS. It's time to open up the market for higher ethanol blends, E15 and above, to be sold year round. Unfortunately, the proposed RFS rule before us does neither of those things.

"On the surface, the numbers appear positive. Conventional biofuels like corn ethanol are set at 15 billion gallons and cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel and total advanced levels are all proposed to increase. But the EPA's decision to grant numerous small-refinery waivers and to not reallocate those volumes as the law envisioned, undercuts the 15 billion gallon level.

"These small refinery waivers have created the backdoor destruction of 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol demand. That means 500 million bushels of corn will be left in the bins, putting added pressure on already low commodity prices. Every RFS category is reduced by these small refiner waiver exemptions. In fact, it almost wipes out the proposed increase for advanced biofuels.

"And the 15 billion gallons ethanol number is in reality more like 13.5 billion. To put that in context, nearly 1 billion gallons less ethanol than was blended into U.S. gasoline in 2017. That is not progress. That is not the letter or spirit of the RFS. And that is not what President Trump promised the voters of Iowa. This issue must be addressed. The criteria for exemptions must be reasonable and transparent, and any exemptions must be reallocated to the remaining obligated parties. Correcting the small refinery exemption excesses need to be in the final rule. 15 billion gallons must mean 15 billion gallons.

"The former head )Pruitt) of the EPA often said that the decision to allow year-round sales of E15 was a matter of authority, not policy. The EPA has publicly acknowledged it has the authority, so it's time to act. It's also time for the EPA to stop ignoring a court order to restore 500 million gallons of conventional ethanol demand that was illegally waived by the Obama Administration for the 2016 compliance year." (Source: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), 18 July, 2018) Contact: Office of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, https://governor.iowa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  RFS,  Ethanol Blend,  Hardship Waiver,  E15,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2018-05-07
Following up on our 2 May report, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has approved and signed legislation that caps spending on energy efficiency programs and allows certain customers to cancel fees that support the programs. The legislation does not apply to rural electric cooperatives and 36 municipal utilities which serve approximately one-third of Iowa customers.

The legislation, which contradicts the 2016 Iowa Energy Plan encouraging greater energy efficiency, caps spending on energy efficiency at 2 pct of annual sales for electricity utilities. It also limits utility expenditures on demand response programs at 2 pct of sales. (Source: Office of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Energy News, Various Media, 7 May, 2018) Contact: Office of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, www.reynoldsgregg.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Kim Reynolds,  Energy Efficiency Iowa,  Energy Efficiency Incentives,  Energy Efficiency Rebates,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2018-05-02
In Des Moines, the Republican-dominated Hawkeye State Senate has ratified a plan that will limit energy efficiency programs run by Iowa utilities, reducing annual charges on gas and electric bills in the state by an estimated $100 million. Even with the cutback, the state's utilities are expected to distribute approximately $150 million worth of rebates and energy efficiency incentives, according to Senator Michael Breitbach.

Supporters say the energy efficiency programs utility companies run in Iowa will be more closely scrutinized, while critics predict utility rates will rise as efforts to reduce energy use are reduced. The bill is awaiting the signature of Gov. Kim Reynolds (R). (Source: Radio Iowa, Various Media, 1 May, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Efficiency Rebates,  Energy Efficiency Incentives,  

RFS
Date: 2017-08-09
In Washington, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and other renewable fuel supporters have celled on the EPA to strengthen the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) saying that ethanol and biodiesel blend levels are too low and if not raised could curtail future investment in the biofuels-biodiesel industry.

Iowa hosts two large cellulosic ethanol plants (Emmetsburg and Nevada) that use corn stover -- stalks, husks and other corn crop residue -- as feedstock for cellulosic ethanol. The two plants are expected to produce approximately 25 million gallons of fuel in 2018. Yet the proposed level assumes only 17 million gallons of liquid cellulosic biofuel from the entire country. Iowa and industry leaders also criticized the proposed biomass-biodiesel requirements that left the 2019 mandate at the 2018 level of 2.1 billion gpy. (Source: Office of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Wallaces Farmer, 7 Aug., 2017) Contact: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, www.reynoldsgregg.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Advanced Biofuel,  Cellulosic,  Ethanol,  Renewable Fuel Standard,  RFS,  Ethanol Blend,