China’s National Development and Reform Commission
Date: 2020-01-10
In Beijing, it is being widely report that China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has suspended its planned implementation of a nationwide E10 gasoline-ethanol blend program due to a sharp decline in the country's corn stocks and limited biofuel production capacity.The few provinces that have already implemented full or partial blends will, however, continue the program.

In 2018, China was the eighth-biggest market for U.S. ethanol exports, taking up 52.9 million gallons of the corn-based fuel, according to the RFA. Reaching the 2020 target would have required about 15 million tonnes of the biofuel annually, more than four times current output, or some 45 million tonnes of corn -- roughly 16 pct of the country's current consumption, according to Reuters. (Source: BOE Report, ETAuto, Reuters, 8 Jan., 2020) Contact: China National Development and Reform Commission, en.ndrc.gov.cn

More Low-Carbon Energy News E10,  Biofuel Blend,  China Biofuel,  Ethanol,  China National Development and Reform Commission ,  

Renewable Fuel Standard
Date: 2019-12-20
Reuters is reporting the Trump administration plans to stick with its proposed 2020 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) biofuel blending requirements as proposed in October, despite the farming sector's complaint that the plan does too little for corn growers.

Under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) oil refiners are required to blend some 15 billion gpy of corn-based ethanol into their gasoline, but small facilities can be exempted if compliance would hurt them financially.

The October proposal was intended to placate corn growers and compensate the biofuel industry for the administration's expanded use of refinery exemptions, but which the industry has largely panned as insufficient, according to Reuters. The EPA's October plan would raise the biofuels volumes that some refineries must blend in 2020 based on DOE recommendations for volumes that should be exempted.

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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: Reuters, Various Media, 19 Dec., 2019)

For details see our Oct. 21 report as follows -- Proposed Volumes for 2020 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021. The Trump administration EPA has issued the attached supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking seeking additional comment on the recently proposed rule to establish the cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel volumes for 2020 and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2021 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.

The notice does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead, it proposes and seeks comment on adjustments to the way that annual renewable fuel percentages are calculated. Annual renewable fuel percentage standards are used to calculate the number of gallons each obligated party is required to blend into their fuel or to otherwise obtain renewable identification numbers (RINs) to demonstrate compliance.

Specifically, the agency is seeking comment on projecting the volume of gasoline and diesel that will be exempt in 2020 due to small refinery exemptions based on a three-year average of the relief recommended by the BOE, including where DOE had recommended partial exemptions. The agency intends to grant partial exemptions in appropriate circumstances when adjudicating 2020 exemption petitions. The agency proposes to use this value to adjust the way it calculates renewable fuel percentages. The proposed adjustments would help ensure that the industry blends the final volumes of renewable fuel into the nation's fuel supply and that, in practice, the required volumes are not effectively reduced by future hardship exemptions for small refineries. Consistent with the statute, the supplemental notice seeks to balance the goal of the RFS of maximizing the use of renewables while following the law and sound process to provide relief to small refineries that demonstrate the need.

Download the Renewable Fuel Standard Program -- Proposed Volumes for 2020 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021 HERE. Contact: EPA Renewable Fuel Standard, 800-385-6164, www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/forms/fuels-program-helpdesk

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  "Hardship" Waiver,  Ethanol.Ethanol Blend,  Iowa Renewable Fuels Association,  Red Trail Energy,  

Mediterranean Shipping Company
Date: 2019-12-11
Geneva, Switzerland-headquartered Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.(MSC) notes it is committed to using "responsibly sourced" biofuels on a regular basis when bunkering vessels in Rotterdam. The company initially trialed using 10 pct biofuel blends and has now increased this to 30 pct for a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. is a Swiss-Italian international shipping line operating in all major ports of the world. It is the world's second-largest shipping line in terms of container vessel capacity. (Source: Mediterranean Shipping Company , Seatrade, 9 Dec., 2019) Contact: Mediterranean Shipping Company, Bud Darr, exec. VP, Policy & Government Affairs , +41227038888, info@msc.com, www.msc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mediterranean Shipping Company,  Biofuel,  Marine Biofuel,  Biofuel Blends,  

New York Department of Agriculture and Markets
Date: 2019-11-22
In Albany, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets reports it has finalised a rule allowing the sale of E15 ethanol blend fuels in the Empire State -- America's fourth-largest fuel market.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved E15 for all vehicle models year 2001 and newer. (Source: New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, Biofuels Int'l. 21 Nov., 2019) Contact: New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, 800-554-4501, www.ny.gov › agencies › department-agriculture-and-markets

More Low-Carbon Energy News E15,  Biofuel Blend,  

Alberta Canola.
Date: 2019-11-15
On the oil-soaked Canadian prairies, Alberta Canola reports it is labbying the Province of Alberta to boost the amount of biofuels blended into diesel fuel to 5 pct from the existing 2 pct as mandated under the Alberta duel standard. The trade association notes the increase could provide new markets for hard-hit canola producers and encourage more processing capacity. Alberta's fuel standard also dictates gasoline sold in the province must meet a minimum 5 pct average of renewable fuels, such as ethanol.

Alberta farmers produced nearly 6 million tonnes of canola in 2018. (Source: Alberta Canola, Red Deer Advocate, Nov., 2019) Contact: Alberta Canola, John Guelly, (780) 454-0844, www.albertacanola.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alberta Canola,  Canola,  Biouel,  Biofuel Blend,  

Growth Energy, U.S. Grains Council,Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2019-10-25
Previously this week in Washington, a coalition of the American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and Renewable Fuels Association filed a petition with the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, challenging the process by which the U.S. EPA issue economic "hardship waivers" to over 30 small refineries from their respective Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuel blending obligations for 2018.

The coalition's brief noted, "Even as the Trump Administration indicates it is taking steps to account for future small refinery exemptions, the coalition remains concerned that EPA's abuse of the small refinery exemption program diverges from the spirit and letter of the Clean Air Act. From a substantive and procedural perspective, this is not the way for a federal agency to make such a momentous decision." (Source: Growth Energy, U.S. Grains Council, and Renewable Fuels Association , 23 Oct., 2019) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, Elizabeth Funderburk, (202) 545-4000, EFunderburk@GrowthEnergy.org, www.growthenergy.org; U.S. Grains Council, Tom Sleight, Pres., (202) 789-0789, (202) 898-0522, www.grains.org; Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  Growth Energy,  U.S. Grains Council,  Renewable Fuels Association,  

EPA, Renewable fuel Standard
Date: 2019-10-21
The Trump administration EPA has issued the attached supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking seeking additional comment on the recently proposed rule to establish the cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel volumes for 2020 and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2021 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.

The notice does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead, it proposes and seeks comment on adjustments to the way that annual renewable fuel percentages are calculated. Annual renewable fuel percentage standards are used to calculate the number of gallons each obligated party is required to blend into their fuel or to otherwise obtain renewable identification numbers (RINs) to demonstrate compliance.

Specifically, the agency is seeking comment on projecting the volume of gasoline and diesel that will be exempt in 2020 due to small refinery exemptions based on a three-year average of the relief recommended by the Department of Energy (DOE), including where DOE had recommended partial exemptions. The agency intends to grant partial exemptions in appropriate circumstances when adjudicating 2020 exemption petitions. The agency proposes to use this value to adjust the way we calculate renewable fuel percentages. The proposed adjustments would help ensure that the industry blends the final volumes of renewable fuel into the nation's fuel supply and that, in practice, the required volumes are not effectively reduced by future hardship exemptions for small refineries. Consistent with the statute, the supplemental notice seeks to balance the goal of the RFS of maximizing the use of renewables while following the law and sound process to provide relief to small refineries that demonstrate the need.

Download the Renewable Fuel Standard Program -- Proposed Volumes for 2020 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021 HERE. Contact: EPA Renewable Fuel Standard, 800-385-6164, www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/forms/fuels-program-helpdesk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel Standard,  Biofuel,  Biofuel Blend,  

EPA,RFS
Date: 2019-10-09
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that President Donald Trump is promoting a new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Under the agreement, the following actions will be undertaken by EPA and USDA. In a forthcoming supplemental notice building off the recently proposed 2020 Renewable Volume Standards and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021, EPA will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020. EPA will seek comment on actions to ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply beginning in 2020, and that the volume obligation for biomass-based diesel is met. This will include accounting for relief expected to be provided for small refineries; the EPA intends to take final action on this front later this year. In the most recent compliance year, EPA granted 31 small refinery exemptions. Building on the president’s earlier decision to allow year-round sales of E15, EPA will initiate a rule making process to streamline labeling and remove other barriers to the sale of E15; EPA will continue to evaluate options for RIN market transparency and reform; and USDA will seek opportunities through the budget process to consider infrastructure projects to facilitate higher biofuel blends. (Source: Talk Business & Politics , 7 Oct., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Trump. RFS news,  Renewable Fuel Standard news,  "Hardship" Waiver news,  

RFS,"Hardship Waivers"
Date: 2019-10-02
It is being widely reported by Fox News and others that the EPA has stalled on updates to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuels policy regarding biofuel blending "hardship" waivers (exemptions) that have been issued at near wholesale levels.

The EPA appears to be acting on instructions from Trump who is no doubt preoccupied with his own whistleblower and impeachment worries.

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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. Under the now vanquished administrator Greg Pruitt's direction, the EPA handed out 54 exemptions over two years and not a single request for an exemption was denied. (Source: Fox News, Various Other Media, 2 Oct., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Trump,  RFS,  "Hardship" Waiver,  Biofuel Blend,  

Teump
Date: 2019-09-16
Reuters is reporting U.S. Pres. Trump has tentatively approved a plan to increase the amount of biofuels that oil refiners are required to blend each year to compensate for the large number of financial "hardship" exemptions granted to "small" -- 75,000 bpd or less -- refiners by the EPA.

Under the plan, the EPA will calculate a three-year rolling average of total biofuels gallons exempted under its Small Refinery Exemption program and add that figure to its annual biofuel blending quotas each year -- about 1.35 billion gallons in 2020. That would come in addition to a tentative agreement to boost 2020 blending volumes by 1 billion gallons, including 500 million gallons for conventional biofuels like corn-based ethanol and 500 million gallons for advanced biofuels like biodiesel, according to the Reuters report.

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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. Under the now vanquished administrator Greg Pruitt's direction, the EPA handed out 54 exemptions over two years and not a single request for an exemption was denied. (Source: Reuters, Various Media, 16 Sept., 2019)

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

Growth Energy, RFS, EPA
Date: 2019-08-21
In response to the EPA's recent claim -- "There is zero evidence that EPA's congressionally mandated small refinery exemption program has had any negative impact on domestic corn ethanol producers" -- Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement.

"The latest reports say President Trump 'felt misled' about the EPA's most recent batch of small refinery exemptions. That's hardly a surprise. The EPA spent months trying to paper over the devastating impact these refinery (waiver) handouts have had on farm communities and rural workers in America's biofuel sector. They can't hide the simple fact that dozens of biofuel plants have cut production, and ethanol consumption fell for the first time in 20 years in the wake of these exemptions. Closures in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Nebraska are only the beginning.

"Just today, the world's largest ethanol producer closed a major plant in Indiana and cut production across seven states. Hundreds of millions of gallons of production are offline, and hundreds of millions of bushels of grain are falling in value, just as farmers face the worst economic conditions in a generation.

"The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) creates an incentive that opens the market to biofuel blends, including the E15 that President Trump personally embraced. These exemptions destroy that incentive, pure and simple. You cannot carve billions of gallons from America's biofuel targets and still keep this administration's promises to farm families. EPA needs to account for these lost gallons immediately and start repairing the damage before more rural communities lose hope for a comeback."

Growth Energy represents producers and supporters of ethanol working to bring consumers better choices at the fuel pump, grow America's economy and improve the environment. (Source: Growth Energy, 21 Aug., 2019) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, Elizabeth Funderburk, (202) 545-4000, EFunderburk@GrowthEnergy.org, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy,  RFS,  Renewable Fuel Standard,  

EPA, RVO
Date: 2019-07-24
The US EPA's recently proposed 2020 and 2012 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) require 91 billion litres of renewable fuels to be blended into the US fuel supply in 2020, up from 90.5bn litres in 2019 -- 23 billion litres of advanced biofuels, 11 billion litres of biomass-based diesel - which was set last year and is the same for 2021, and 2.4 billion litres of cellulosic biofuel -- up 545 million litres from the 2019 figure.

The proposed RVO would require biofuels to make up 10.92 pct of US transportation fuel, including 2.75 pct advanced biofuels, 1.99 pct biomass-based diesel and 0.29 pct cellulosic biofuel.

The rule making also proposed amendments to the RFS regulations including: clarification of diesel RVO calculations; pathway petition conditions; a biodiesel esterification pathway; distillers corn oil and distillers oil pathways; renewable fuel exporter provisions allowing the production of biomass-based diesel from separated food waste; flexibilities for renewable fuel blending for military use; heating oil used for cooling; RFS facility ownership changes; additional registration deactivation justifications; a new Renewable Identification Number (RIN) retirement; a new pathway for co-processing biomass with petroleum to produce cellulosic diesel, jet fuel and heating oil; public access to information; and other revisions. The amendments came as part of the as yet finalized Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support rule. (Source: EPA, Oils & Fats Int'l., 22 July, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel Standard,  RVO,  Biofuel Blend,  

UK NFU
Date: 2019-07-19
In Warwickshire, the UK National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling for the introduction of E10 -- ethanol from wheat and sugar beet -- petrol. This is opposed to the current proportion that limits the content of bioethanol to a maximum of 5 pct (E5).

The call comes as an All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol (APPG) issued a report urging the Department of Transport to prioritize the introduction of E10.

According to NFU Combinable Crops board chairman Tom Bradshaw, "Increasing the bioethanol content in fuel is a win-win for the environment, farmers and the economy. The industry is desperate to see both Vivergo and Ensus plants back up and running so they can continue to convert British wheat into bioethanol. But at the moment there simply isn't enough demand to keep these plants going." Bradshaw added, "Now is the time for legislative action. Farmers want to help deliver renewable fuel for the nation but the government needs to step up and provide supportive policy, especially if we are to hit their target of becoming a net zero economy by 2050." (Source: FarmingUK, GIZMODO, 18 July, 2019) Contact: UK NFU, +44 024 7685 8500, www.nfuonline.com; All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol, info@britishbioethanol.com, www.britishbioethanol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News E10,  Biofuel Blend,  

GEVO
Date: 2019-06-26
Englewood, Colorado-headquartered renewable fuels and chemicals manufacturer Gevo, Inc. reports Virgin Australia has used Gevo's sustainable aviation jet fuel (SAJF) on 1 million kilometers of flights, for all aircraft operating in and out of Brisbane Airport. The Gevo fuel was dispensed through the airport's general fuel supply system.

Since the first container of SAJF was delivered to Brisbane back in August 2018, Virgin Australia has continued to work with GEVO and has welcomed three more deliveries of the SAJF since this time, according to the Gevo release.

As previously reported, in October, 2017, Virgin (Airlines) Australia announced a two-year project with Brisbane airport, GEVO and the Queensland Government and worked on the trial with supply partners Caltex and DB Schenker. The first test saw a biofuel blend pumped to 195 domestic and international flights that traveled more than 430,000 kilometres. Additional trials were expected to follow over the next 12 to 18 months. (Source: GEVO, PR, Ethanol Producer, 24 June, 2019) Contact: GEVO, Patrick Gruber, CEO, pgruber@gevo.com; Virgin Australia, +61 7 3295 2296, www.virginaustralia.com/uk; Brisbane Airport, www.bne.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  Aviation Biofuel,  

All Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol
Date: 2019-06-12
In the UK, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Bioethanol is reporting release of its its interim Introducing E10 in the UK report considering the to barriers to the introduction of E10 ethanol blended transportation fuel into the UK. The report notes:

The UK economy will likely lose its £1 billion ($1,272,225,000 US) bioethanol industry without the introduction of E10 by 2020 at the latest, and will continue to decline and likely disappear.

Introducing E10 would help the UK meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, saving the equivalent of taking 700,000 cars off the road.

Petrol fuel sales volumes in the UK are now increasing, due to the decreasing popularity of diesel cars. With widespread adoption of electric vehicles still decades away, the use of increasing blends of biofuels in petrol to make cars greener and cleaner must be a priority.

E10, or a higher blend of bioethanol, could help tackle the UK's air quality problems and health issues caused by high particulate levels.

If the British bioethanol industry is lost, the UK is unlikely to attract further investment, including for the next generation of biofuels and enhanced animal feed co-products, which would deliver further economic and environmental benefits.

Lose of the UK Biofuels industry could also increases the country's dependence on imported biofuels, force British farmers to source animal feed from less sustainable sources, and contribute the the UK missing its fuels quality directive target -- 4 pct rising to 6 pct in 2020 -- and miss its GHG emissions targets. (Source: All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Bioethanol, June, 2019) Contact: All Party Parliamentary Group for British Bioethanol, info@britishbioethanol.com, www.britishbioethanol.com/about-the-appg

More Low-Carbon Energy News UK Bioethanol,  Ethanol,  Biofuel,  Biofuel Blend,  B10,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2019-06-12
According to Growth Energy, US drivers have logged more 10 billion miles on American highways using E15 fuel which has just been approved for year-round sales by the US EPA. Growth Energy notes the E15 – aka Unleaded88 – is available at mobe than 1,800 filling states across 31 US states.

(Source: Growth Energy, Various Media, June, 2019) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, Elizabeth Funderburk, (202) 545-4000, EFunderburk@GrowthEnergy.org, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy,  E15,  Ethanol Blend,  Biofuel Blend,  

RFS,"Hardship Wsivers"
Date: 2019-06-12
Last week in Washington, a dozen Democrattic US Senators wrote to the Trump Administration appointed EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler advising that the small refiner "hardship waiver" provision was NOT intended to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Accordingly, the Senators added,

"We request that you cease issuing any further small refinery exemptions, immediately reallocate the remaining gallons, and make public the information regarding any recipients of these exemptions

"We are extremely concerned about the EPA's recent actions to continue to improperly grant small refinery hardship waivers under the RFS. EPA's continued manipulation and misuse of the small refiner waiver authority is undermining the integrity of the RFS and disadvantaging farmers. Rather than follow congressional intent in the RFS and follow through on the promises made to rural America, the EPA and the (Trump) Administration are providing waivers, in secret, to help some of the largest oil companies and refiners evade their compliance obligations under the Clean Air Act.

The letter's signatories included Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct. (Source: Farm Journal, Various Media, AgPro, 11 June, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Blend,  RFS,  "Hardship Waivers" ,  Andrew Wheeler,  

Klobuchar
Date: 2019-05-27
Last week while on the campaign trail in Iowa, Minnesota Senator and 2020 Presidential wannabe Amy Klobuchar (D) called for the revamping of the EPA's RFS "hardship waiver" rules governing small refineries.

According to Klobuchar, EPA waivers that allow small refineries to avoid the requirements are "misguided" and manipulated by financial institutions and the biofuels credit trading market. The senator proposed new compliance standards and additional oversight. Klobuchar also supports year-round sales of E15.

To date in the presidential primary race, Klobuchar is near the bottom of the pack and playing on the small refinery waiver program could play well in the Corn-husker State.

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct (Source: IJR, Various Media, Reuters, 25 May, 2019) Contact: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile/email-amy

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  Biofuel Blend,  

RFS, US EPA
Date: 2019-05-15
In Washington, the Trump administration EPA is reported to be proposing to increase volume of biofuels refiners must blend into their fuel annually from the present 19.92 billion gallons to 20.04 billion gallons in 2020. The proposed mandated increase is awaiting review by other government agencies before being finalized.

The mandate includes 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuels -- ethanol -- unchanged from 2019, and 5.04 billion gallons of advanced biofuels, up from 4.92 billion in 2019. The biodiesel mandate of 2.43 billion gallons for 2021, would be unchanged from 2020. (Source: US EPA, AgWEB, 14 May, 2019)

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

US EIA
Date: 2019-05-10
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the share of total soybean oil consumed as a biodiesel feedstock doubled from the current 15 pct to 30 pct as the total U.S. soybean oil supply grew from about 22.5 billion pounds to nearly 26.0 billion pounds between marketing year 2010-2011 and 2017-2018.

Soybean oil is the most commonly used vegetable oil for biodiesel production, and inputs reached 7.1 billion pounds during the latest soybean oil marketing year which ran from Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018. Between marketing year 2010-2011 and marketing year 2017-2018, U.S. domestic biodiesel production grew from 700 million gpy to 1.8 billion gpy. The production increase was largely driven by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuel blending mandate. (Source: US EIA, Xinhua, 8 May, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Soybean,  Soybean Oil,  BiodieselBiofuel,  

E15
Date: 2019-05-01
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig submitted the following comments in support of the US EPA's proposed changes to E15 fuel-blend regulations to allow year-round sales of E15:

"The Iowa renewable fuels industry accounts for more than $5 billion (roughly 3 pct) of Iowa's GDP, generating $2.5 billion of income for Iowa households and supporting almost 50,000 jobs throughout the state. Year-round access to E15 represents a long-overdue step toward creating a truly competitive fuel market, where cleaner, lower-cost biofuel blends are available to all consumers. This means stronger markets for farm families across Iowa who have been struggling with ongoing low commodity prices and trade tensions." Naig said.

"In addition to allowing year-round sales of E15, the EPA's proposed regulatory changes would modify certain elements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance system to improve the renewable identification number (RIN) market." Iowa is expected to have nearly 1,000 E-15 pumps at 200 stations statewide by the end of 2019. (Source: Iowa Dept. of Agriculture, Crop Life, 30 April, 2019) Contact: Iowa Dept. of Agriculture, Mike Naig, Sec., (515) 281-5321, www.IowaAgriculture.gov

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

Iowa Renewable Fuels Assoc., Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2019-04-02

EPA, RFS,American Coalition for Ethanol
Date: 2019-03-25
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will reportedly issue partial waivers to some of the 39 refiners asking for exemptions from the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The agency also notes it will keep granting partial waivers until the end of March and won’t retroactively reallocate those waived obligations.

According to the American Coalition for Ethanol the EPA's position is "disappointing and has caused a lot of ethanol demand destruction."

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct. (Source: American Coalition for Ethanol, EPA, WNAX Radio, 25 Mar., 2019) Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, Ron Lamberty, VP, (605) 334-3381, https://ethanol.org.

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Coalition for Ethanol,  RFS,  Hardship Waivers,  Biofuel Blend,  

Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2019-03-22
The EPA reports approval of five more 2017 Small Refiner "Hardship" Exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and noted that two more petitions have been received for 2018 exemptions, bringing the total to 39. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper offered the following statement:

"It's extremely disappointing and outrageous to see EPA once again allow oil refiners to undermine the RFS and hurt family farms, ethanol producers and our environment by exploiting and abusing a statutory provision that exempts them from their obligations to blend renewable fuels. The RFS was created to preserve the environment, protect America's energy security and give Americans more affordable options at the pump. These exemptions undercut those goals, and today's exemptions mean more than 2.6 billion gallons of RFS blending obligations have been erased with the stroke of EPA's pen. RFA will continue to fight these exemptions through the courts and urge EPA to adopt a more judicious and restrained decision-making process on refiner exemptions, as well as restore lost volume obligations from previous years."

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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: Renewable Fuels Association, 21 Mar., 2019) Contact: Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, Pres., (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association,  EPA,  RFS Hardship Waiver,  Biofuel Blend,  

Shell
Date: 2019-03-22
In the Netherlands, A.P. Moller -- Maersk A/S reports its is partnering with a group of Dutch multinationals, including Shell, in a maritime biofuels pilot program that will see one of Maersk's giant Triple E container ships sail 25.000 nautical miles from Rotterdam to Shanghai and back on a blend of up to 20 pct sustainable second-generation Biofuels.

The fuel blend, which will eliminate 1.5 million kg of CO2 and 20,000 kg of sulfur emissions, is being supplied by Shell which, along with the other partners in the project -- Friesland Campina, Heineken, Philips, DSM, and Unilever -- is a member of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition (DSGC). (Source: A.P. Moller -- Maersk A/S, Marinelog, Various Others, 22 Mar., 2019) Contact: A.P. Moller -- Maersk. Soren Toft, CEO, www.maersk.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Marine Biofuel,  Biofuel Blend,  

EPA
Date: 2019-03-18
In Washington, the US EPA has proposed regulatory changes to allow E-15 ethanol blended gasoline to take advantage of the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver for the summer months that has historically been applied only to E10. Under the proposed expansion, E15 would be allowed to be sold year-round without additional RVP control, rather than just eight months of the year.

EPA is also proposing regulatory changes to modify elements of the renewable identification number compliance system under the Renewable Fuel Standard program to enhance transparency in the market and deter price manipulation. Proposed reforms to RIN markets include: prohibiting certain parties from being able to purchase separated RINs; requiring public disclosure when RIN holdings exceed specified thresholds; limiting the length of time a non-obligated party can hold RINs; and increasing the compliance frequency of the program from once annually to quarterly.

Download details on proposed rulemaking HERE. (Source: US EPA, Irrigation & Green Energy, Mar., 2019) Contact: US EPA, www.epa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News E-15,  E15,  Biofuel Blend,  EPA,  Alternative Buels,  Renewable Fuel,  Biofuel,  

EPA
Date: 2019-03-11
In Washington, the US EPA reports it has sent sent a draft rule to allow for year-round sales of E15 ethanol fuel blends to the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) for review -- the next step in the regulatory process and for meeting expectations that this rule-making be completed when the summer driving season begins on June 1, 2019. A separate rule aims to curb market speculation in biofuel credits.

The proposed rule does not have to be approved by Congress to be finalized, but it does have to be published and put out for public comment. In order for E15 to be available for summer sales, the process has to be completed before June 1, 2019. (Source: US EPA, Feedstuffs, 8 Mar., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News EPA,  RINs,  E15,  Biofuel Blend,  

Virgo Corporation
Date: 2019-02-13
The Punjab government Monday signed an MoU with the Delhi-based engineering products and services company Virgo Corporation for a Rs 630-crore ($88,389 million, &euro:77.931 million) biofuel project that will use Honeywell technology to produce renewable fuel from waste rice stubble and husks. The Punjab State agricultural sector generates approximately 20 million metric tpy of paddy straw.

The new biofuel facility will create a new market cash flow for Punjab farmers as well as support the national government's biofuel blending and air quality targets. (Source: Energy InfraPost, 12 Feb., 2019) Contact: Virgo Corporation, +91 11 43588335-37, +91 11 43588338 - fax, virgo@vsnl.com, www.virgogroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Virgo Corporation,  India Biofuel,  Biofuel,  

Biofuel
Date: 2019-02-08
In Helsinki, in keeping with its effort to lower carbon emissions and fight climate change, the Parliament of Finland has voted to increase the percentage of biofuels powered vehicles on the country's highways to 30 pct by 2029. The Parliament also approved similar legislation on "light" heating oil and other bio-based fuel oil starting in 2021.

The legislation is inline with the government's commitment to lower transportation emissions over the next decade. (Source: Gov. of Finland, Various Media, EnergyLIve, 7 Feb., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Blend,  Biofuel Vehicles,  

Date: 2019-01-11
In Paris, the French government has lifted the minimum mandatory blending rate of biofuels blended into gasoline to 7.9 pct in 2019 and 8.2 pct in 2020.

In 2019, the minimum blending rate for biodiesel and ethanol was 7.5 pct. The bleand rate target for 2030 is 15 pct. (Source: Various Media,Renewables Now, 10 Jan., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Blend,  

RFS
Date: 2018-12-21
In Washington, the US EPA is reporting receipt of seven new Renewable Fuel Standard “hardship” waiver petitions for the 2018 compliance year and one new petition for the 2017 compliance year as of Nov. 10 , 2018

For the 2017 compliance year, the EPA has received 37 small refinery petitions, up from the 36 it had received as of Nov. 10. Twenty-nine of the 37 petitions have been approved , 7 ar pending and 1 was withdrawn. The 29 approved petitions exempted 13.62 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel from meeting the RFS blending targets.

Under the RFS, oil refiners must increasingly blend ethanol and other biofuels into their fuel each year or purchase blending credits from those that do. The 2005 regulation was intended to help farmers and to cut fuel imports. But small oil refineries can be exempted from the standard if they prove compliance would cause disproportionate hardship. The EPA granted 29 waivers for the 2017 compliance year, up from 14 in 2015 and 20 in 2016. (Source: EPA, Dec. 20, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel Standard,  Hardship Waiver,  Biofuel Blending,  

RFS
Date: 2018-12-17
The Houston Chronicle is reporting US House Republicans are pushing to eliminate the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandating the blending of ethanol into the nation's fuel supply by 2032 in favor of a requirement that cars built from 2023 on run only on gasoline with a minimum octane level of 95.

The new octane requirement is being pitched as a fuel-neutral mechanism that would retain demand for ethanol into the future while improving vehicle engine efficiency.

Under present legislation the EPA would take over the RFS in 2022 with authority to reduce the ethanol mandate first set by Congress in 2005. Industry players have described the Republican proposal as "unworkable" especially with the possibility of Trump winning a second four-year term. (Source: Various Media, Houston Chronicle, 12 Dec., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  Biofuel Blend,  

Ontario, E15
Date: 2018-12-05
The province of Ontario is touting its "Greener Gasoline" plan to move from a E5 blend to a E10 ethanol fuel blend by 2020. Key elements of the Greener Gasoline plan include: increasing renewable fuels content in gasoline to 15 pct as early as 2025; the increased use of renewable natural gas and other lower-carbon fuels will be encouraged; large emitters will be subject to emission performance standards; and a $350 million Carbon Trust Fund and a $50 million Ontario Reverse Auction Fund will provide financial assistance for emission reduction initiatives.

The plan builds on the amended Ethanol in Gasoline & Greener Diesel regulations that will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

Download details of Canada's Clean Fuel Standard HERE. (Source: Prov. of Ontario, Farm Progress, 3 Oct., 2018) Contact: Advanced Biofuels Canada, Ian Thomson, Pres., (604) 947-0040, info@advancedbiofuels.ca, www.advancedbiofuels.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Advanced Biofuels Canada,  E15,  Biofuel,  Biofuel Blend,  

EPA,RFS
Date: 2018-12-05
On November 30, 2018, the US EPA finalized volume quotas under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2019 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, total renewable fuel, and biomass-based diesel for 2020.

In brief,the conventional renewable fuel quota, which is met primarily by corn-based ethanol, will be maintained at 19 billion gal in 2019, while required advance biofuel volumes will climb by 630 million gal from 2018 to 19.92 billion gal. The 2019 quota for cellulosic biofuels increased nearly 130 million gal to 418 million gal.

Download the EPA RFS summary HERE. (Source: EPA, Dec., 2018) Contact: US EPA, www.epa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  Biofuel,  Biomass,  Ethanol,  Biodiesel,  Biofuel Blend,  

Renewable Fuels Standard
Date: 2018-11-30
It is being widely reported that the Trump Administration is reconsidering and temporarily frozen Renewable Fuels Standard "hardship" waivers exempting small oil refineries from biofuel blending requirements.

Under the RFS, oil refiners must increasingly blend ethanol and other biofuels into their fuel each year or purchase blending credits from those that do. The 2005 regulation was intended to help farmers and to cut fuel imports. But small oil refineries can be exempted from the standard if they prove compliance would cause disproportionate hardship. The EPA granted 29 waivers for the 2017 compliance year, up from 14 in 2015 and 20 in 2016. (Source: Various Media, 28 Nov., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Standard,  Hardship Waiver,  Ethanol,  Biofuel Blend,  

RFS,Renewable Fuels Standatd
Date: 2018-11-28
Bloomberg is reporting the Trump administration will likely order refiners to use 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol and other conventional renewable fuels in 2019 despite oil industry pressure to lower the mandate, The slate of biofuel blending targets, which are expected to be released on Friday, are unlikely to placate biofuel and agricultural interests that have denounced the EPA's generous issuance of RFS "hardship" waivers to small refineries. To date, 15 refineries have reportedly applied for "hardship" waiver relief from the 2018 quotas.

The EPA had proposed requiring refiners to blend 19.88 billion gallons of biofuels next year, a 3.1 pct increase over current quotas. That target included a 15 billion gallon quota for corn-based ethanol and other conventional renewable fuels, the maximum allowed under federal law and the same amount required in 2018. The agency also is set to finalize a 2020 requirement for using biodiesel, after proposing a 15.7 pct increase in the target.

The EPA reportedly plans to establish new biofuel blending targets for 2020 through 2022 and is poised to lower congressional goals for cellulosic biofuels as part of the RFS "reset" process. (Source: EPA, Bloomberg, Farm Journal, 27 Nov., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS news,  Biofuel Blend news,  Cellulosic news,  

Growmark Energy
Date: 2018-11-07
Bloomington, Illinois-headquartered Growmark Energy reports it is now offering pre-blended E15 at its company-owned terminals in Amboy, Ashkum, and Petersburg, Illinois, Fort Dodge, Iowa, and St. Joseph, Missouri. Growmark has been working with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) on a number of issues related to offering E15 at the terminals, including regulatory compliance, participation in the EPA's required fuel survey, and adoption of RFA's misfueling mitigation plan (MMP).

The RFA noted it will continue to work with interested retailers serviced by the six Growmark-owned terminals to assist them with the transition to offering E15 at retail. (Source: Renewable Fuels Association , Growmark Energy, 5 Nov., 2018) Contact: Growmark Energy, (309) 557-6000, contactus@growmark.com​, www.growmark.com; RFA, Bob Dinneen, Pres., (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFA,  Biofuel Blend,  E15,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2018-10-05
Growth Energy is launching a new consumer-focused website for Unleaded 88 fuel: Unl88.com. Unleaded 88 is the unified brand identify for E15 ethanol blended fuel and is approved by the EPA for cars model year 2001 and newer -- about nine out of 10 cars on the road today.

(Source: Growth Energy, Convenience Store Decisions, 3 Oct., 2018) Contact: UNL88.com, www.UNL88.com; Growth Energy, Mike O'Brien, VP Market Dev., Emily Skor, CEO, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy,  Biofuel Blend,  

Boskalis,GoodFuels
Date: 2018-09-26
The Dutch marine dredging and heavy lift company Boskalis reports it is using a 30 pct biofuel blend onboard the large trailing suction hopper dredger Prins der Nederlanden for the Borssele Alpha project which is being carried out on behalf of TenneT.

Using biofuel is one aspect of the Boskalis-on-Bio programme, for which the company recently signed a long-term partnership with biofuel supplier GoodFuels. The programme is aimed at achieving a 35 pct reduction in the CO2 emitted by the Boskalis fleet and equipment in the Netherlands in the next five years. According to Boskalis, various sea trials have shown that sustainable biofuels lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 90 pct compared to fossil fuels and are also more effective than alternatives such as LNG. (Source: Boskalis, Bunkerspot, Sept., 2018)Contact: Boskalis, Peter Berdowski, CEO, +31 78 6969 000, www.boskalis.com; GoodFuels, Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, +31 (0) 85 8000 238, info@goodfuels.com, www.goodfuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Boskalis,  Biofuel,  GoodFuels,  

Date: 2018-09-14
The Renewable Fuels Association and other agriculture and ethanol groups on Wednesday appealed to President Donald Trump to immediately approve year-round sales of E15 and to reallocate Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) small-refinery waivers to larger refiners as originally intended under the RFS.

In a joint letter, the groups stress that small-refinery waivers have given refiners "exactly what they asked for: artificially low RIN (renewable identification numbers) credit prices and weaker biofuel blending requirements." Ethanol RIN prices have been trading between 20 and 30 cents since May as a result of the waivers, or a decrease of about 80 pct since last fall, the groups said.

Read the letter HERE. (Source: RFA, DTN/Progressive Farmer , Others, 12 Sept., 2018)

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

Virgin Australia
Date: 2018-09-12
In the Land Down Under, Brisbane Airport is confirming the successful delivery of jet biofuel through the airport's regular fuel system.

The trial, which involved the delivery of approximately 20,000 litres of jet biofuel imported from the US, was intended to show potential biofuel producers that their product could be mixed with traditional aviation fuels and piped through the Brisbane Airport fueling system to end users.

In October, 2017, Virgin (Airlines) Australia announced a two-year project with Brisbane airport, US renewable fuel supplier Gevo and the Queensland Government and worked on the trial with supply partners Caltex and DB Schenker. The first test saw a biofuel blend pumped to 195 domestic and international flights that traveled more than 430,000 kilometres. Additional trials are expected over the next 12 to 18 months. (Source: Virgin Australia, Virgin, Airline Ratings, Sept., 2018) Contact: GEVO, Pat Gruber, CEO, (303) 858-3358, info@gevo.com, www.gevo.com; Virgin Australia, +61 7 3295 2296, www.virginaustralia.com/uk; Brisbane Airport, https://bne.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  Jet Biofuel,  Aviation Biofuel,  

Jet Biofuel
Date: 2018-08-27
India's first ever biofuel flight, operated by SpiceJet, completed its maiden trip toda. A 78-seater aircraft Bombardier Q400 aircraft, partially using biojet fuel, took off from Dehradun and landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.

The biofuel for the flight was developed and tested by Dehradun-based CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum. SpiceJet's biofuel is a mix of the oil extracted from the seeds of Jatropha plant and regular aviation turbine fuel, the airline said. (Source: SpiceJet, NDTV, DNA, 27 Aug., 2018) Contact: CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, +91 135 252 5722, www.iip.res.in

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel,  Jet Biofuel,  Jatropha biofuel,  

National Biodiesel Board
Date: 2018-08-01
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) reports it filed an opening brief July 27 in its lawsuit objecting to U.S. EPA's methodology for establishing the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). Specifically, the NBB claims: the EPA must account for all small refinery exemptions in the annual percentage standard; the EPA acted arbitrarily when it set the 2018 advanced biofuel volume below what it found to be “reasonably attainable"; and the agency set the 2019 biomass-based diesel volume based on impermissible considerations.

The NBB brief is the first the courts will consider in arguing that EPA must account for all small refinery "hardship" exemptions -- including retroactively granted exemptions -- when it sets the annual RFS volumes and renewable volume obligations (RVOs).

The NBB brief claims the "EPA unlawfully failed to account for all small-refinery exemptions it awards, violating its duty to promulgate percentage standards that 'ensure' all aggregate volumes are met. Unaccounted for small-refinery exemptions reduce aggregate volumes, and EPA's approach creates a new, de facto waiver authority contrary to Congress's design. Despite knowing those consequences, EPA declines to adjust percentage standards to account for that shortfall, either before it is likely to happen or after it actually does."

The EPA has disclosed that it recently retroactively granted 48 small refinery hardship exemptions, reducing the 2016 and 2017 RVOs by a combined 2.25 billion RINs. In the brief, NBB notes that the exemptions reduced the 2016 RVOs by 4.3 pct and the 2017 RVOs by 7.5 pct.

Separately, NBB estimates the 2016 and 2017 exemptions reduced demand for biodiesel by more than 300 million gallons, potentially putting hundreds of new jobs at risk.

The NBB argues that EPA violated its duty to ensure that the annual volumes it sets are met and that the use of its cellulosic waiver authority to reduce the 2018 advanced biofuel RVO below the volume the agency determined would be reasonably attainable. The "EPA's view that it has unlimited discretion to do whatever it wants to the advanced-biofuel volume via the cellulosic waiver provision is not supported by this Court's precedents and would, if correct, render the provision unconstitutionally broad," the NBB brief states. the NBB brief also argues that EPA set the 2019 biomass-based diesel volume based on factors that are not mentioned in the RFS statute, while disregarding factors that are in the statute. "EPA set the 2019 BBD volume nearly identically to how it set the 2018 volume, which NBB is challenging in a separate proceeding. But the result here is even worse for the industry," NBB says in the brief. (Source: National Biodiesel Board , PR, 30 July, 2018) Contact: National Biodiesel Board, Kurt Kovarik, VP of Federal Affairs, (800) 841-5849, www.biodiesel.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Biodiesel Board ,  RFS,  Biofuel Blend,  

EPA
Date: 2018-07-27
This week in Washington, the Omaha World Herald is reporting former EPA top dog Greg Pruitt's replacement, Acting EPA Chief Andrew Wheeler commented: "When everybody's complaining about a program (the Renewable Fuel Standard RFS) from every side, then we ought to take a look and figure out if there's a way to make the program better, and I'm certainly open to trying to make the program better." Wheeler also noted that "the EPA must ensure it's following both the letter and spirit of the law" and rejected changes to ethanol policy in "piecemeal fashion." (Source: Various Media, Omaha World Herald, 26 July, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  EPA,  Sorghum,  Biofuel Blend,  Pruitt,  

EPA, Renewable Fuel Standard
Date: 2018-07-13
Reuters is reporting the US EPA as abandoned plans that would have forced refiners to blend more biofuels into their gasoline and diesel in 2019 to compensate for volumes likely to be exempted under the agency's small refinery hardship waiver program, according to newly released EPA documents.

The plan would have boosted the renewable fuel blending obligation from 10.88 pct to 11.76 pct to offset volumes lost under the waiver program, which has been expanded sharply under Scott Pruitt's tenure at the EPA.

The idea was apparently aimed at assuaging the U.S. corn lobby which has accused Trump's EPA of undermining the demand for biofuels like corn-based ethanol through the waiver program, but was scrapped amid intense protest from the refining industry, according to the Reuters report.

The "hardship" exemptions representing some 2.25 million gallons worth of biofuel were granted for 2017 and 2016, including waivers covering 1.46 million compliance credits (RINS). The EPA projected some 8.18 billion gallons of gasoline and 5.44 billion gallons of diesel produced by small refiners would be exempt from the requirements in 2019, according to the EPA.

As previously reported, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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: EPA, Manitoba Co-oporator, Various Media, Reuters, 12 July, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Blend,  RFS,  Pruitt,  Renewable Fuel Standard,  "Hardship" Waiver,  

TOTAL
Date: 2018-06-29
Paris-headquartered French oil and natural gas giant TOTAL, the fourth-largest oil company in the world, CEO Patrick Pouyanne reportedly contemplated asking the US EPA for a Renewable fuel standard "hardship" waiver exempting a refiney it owns in Texas from having to blend ethanol into the U.S. gasoline supply. The company's legal team, however, reportedly replied to Pouyanne's suggestion with an emphatic "No. Our refinery is too big," according to Pouyanne.

As previously reported, "hardship" waivers were intended for small 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: TOTAL, Various Media, Washington Post, June 25, 2018) Contact: TOTAL, www.total.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News TOTAL,  RFS,  Hardship Waiver,  Biofuel Blend,  

EPA
Date: 2018-06-25
Bloomberg and others are reporting oil industry criticism has caused the Trump Administration to reconsider a proposal to require large refineries to blend more biofuel to make up for "hardship" exemptions granted to smaller refineries. Accordingly, the EPA has put a planned announcement on proposed biofuel quotas for 2019 on hold.

Ethanol producers and farm-state lawmakers say that recent waivers granted to small refiners have undercut the Renewable Fuels Standard. The Trump administration's plan to make up for the lost biofuel gallons would have put the burden on non-exempted refineries, prompting an outcry from the two top oil industry trade groups.

As previously reported, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and 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, Bloomberg, HoosierAg Today, 24 June, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel Standard,  Ethanol Blend,  Pruitt,  

EPA,RFS
Date: 2018-06-22
Reuters is reporting the U.S. EPA will propose reallocating Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuel blending obligations waived under its "hardship" exemption program to other refiners. The move would significantly increase the regulatory costs of those refineries that do not qualify for, or have not received, a waiver.

As previously reported, "hardship" waivers were intended for small refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and thos 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: WSAU, Reuters, 20 June, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  EPA,  Hardship waiver,  Hardship Exemption,  

Cathay Pacific,Fulcrum BioEnergy
Date: 2018-06-06
Hong Kong-headquartered air carrier Cathay Pacific reports it will use a 10 pct blend of alternative jet biofuel to deliver new of 20 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to Hong Kong over the next 4 years. The first A350-1000 will depart Airbus headquarters in Toulouse on 19 June. A further seven aircraft are due for delivery by the end of 2018.

In 2014, Cathay Pacific became an equity investor in US-based Fulcrum BioEnergy Inc., which focuses on turning municipal solid waste into sustainable aviation fuel. As previously reported, Fulcrum broke ground on its first commercial-scale plant last month in Nevada. When fully operational in 202, the plant is expected to produce approximately 10 million gpy. (Source: Cathay Pacific, 4 June, 2018)Contact: Cathay Pacific, Rupert Hogg, CEO, www.cathaypacific.com; Fulcrum Bioenergy Inc, Rick Barraza, VP Administration, (925) 224-8244, rbarraza@fulcrum-bioenergy.com, www.fulcrum-bioenergy.com, www.facebook.com/fulcrumbioenergy

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cathay Pacific,  Aviation Biofuel,  Jet Biofuel,  Fulcrum BioEnergy ,  

Air Canada
Date: 2018-05-04
Air Canada reports it joined other civil aviation organizations and companies, in a biofuel blend demonstration project at Toronto's Lester B Pearson International Airport. The April 22nd demonstration was intended to show that delivering biofuel at airports via existing supply infrastructure is feasible beyond 2020.

Air Canada claims that it saved 160 tonnes of carbon emissions on 22 domestic flights, after introducing 230,000 litres of sustainable biofuel blended within the airport fuel supply system. The biofuel used was a blend of standard fuel with hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). (Source: HIS Janes's Airport Review, May, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel,