Policy

March 06, 2023

Washington Senate passes bill to establish SAF tax credits

BY Erin VoegeleThe Washington State Senate on March 1 voted 46 to 2 in favor of a bill that aims to encourage the manufacture and purchase of SAF though tax incentives. The bill also directs WSU to convene a workgroup to further development of alternative jet fuel. READ MORE

March 03, 2023

Iowa awards $1.1 million in renewable fuels infrastructure grants

BY Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Twenty-three Iowa locations in 16 different counties were awarded more than $1.1 million in cost-share grants from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program during the latest quarterly application cycle. READ MORE

February 22, 2023

Feenstra introduces 3 bills to boost research for biobased fuels

BY Erin VoegeleRep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, in February reintroduced three bills that aim to support the U.S. biofuels industry by comparing the costs of EV and FFV fleets, supporting R&D for SAF, and supporting the development of biofuel fuel cells. READ MORE

February 21, 2023

EPA accepts Christianson PLLP quality assurance program protocol

BY Christianson PLLP Christianson PLLP on Feb. 21 announced that the U.S. EPA has approved its Quality Assurance Program (QAP) protocol for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers participating in the Renewable Fuel Standard. READ MORE

February 20, 2023

EPA: 1.75 billion RINs generated under RFS in January

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. EPA has released data showing more than 1.75 billion renewable identification number (RINs) were generated under the Renewable Fuel Standard in January, up from 1.59 billion that were generated during the same month of 2022. READ MORE

February 20, 2023

EPA: 2 new SRE petitions filed, 24 SRE petitions now pending

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. EPA on Feb. 16 released data showing that two SRE petitions have been filed under the RFS over the past month. A total of 24 SRE petitions are now pending, up from 22 that were pending as of mid-January. READ MORE

February 20, 2023

GAO: EPA’s June 2022 denial of SREs not subject to CRA

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. Government Accountability Office on Feb. 9 issued a determination that states the U.S. EPA’s June 2022 denial of 69 SREs under the RFS is not a rule, and therefore is not subject to the requirements of the Congressional Review Act. READ MORE

February 08, 2023

DOE announces $25.5 million to improve biofuels, bioproducts

BY U.S. Department of Energy The U.S. Department of Energy announced $25.5 million in funding to enable the sustainable use of domestic biomass and waste resources, such as agricultural residues and algae, to produce low-carbon biofuels and bioproducts. READ MORE

February 07, 2023

Illinois governor signs bill establishing SAF tax credit

BY Erin VoegeleIllinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Feb. 3 signed the Invest in Illinois Act. The legislative package, in part, creates a $1.50 per gallon sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) purchase tax credit to support the supply and use of SAF within the state. READ MORE

January 30, 2023

Court suspends RFS obligations for 2 small refineries

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Jan. 27 suspended Renewable Fuel Standard compliance obligations for two refineries that were denied small refinery exemptions (SREs) by the U.S. EPA last year. READ MORE

January 26, 2023

DOE awards $118 million to 17 biofuel projects

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. Department of Energy on Jan. 26 awarded $118 million to 17 projects to accelerate the production of sustainable biofuels for America’s transportation and manufacturing needs. The projects were selected under a FOA issued in mid-2022. READ MORE

January 25, 2023

Illinois lawmakers approve $1.50 per gallon SAF tax credit

BY Erin VoegeleBoth houses of the Illinois General Assembly on Jan. 10 approved a legislative package that, in part, creates a $1.50 per gallon tax credit for SAF. The legislation must now be signed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. READ MORE

January 19, 2023

EPA: 2022 RFS RIN generation reaches 21.27 billion

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. EPA has announced 1.89 billion RINs were generated under the RFS in December, down from 2.02 billion generated in December 2021. Total RIN generation for 2022 reached nearly 21.27 billion, up from 19.93 billion generated in 2021. READ MORE

January 19, 2023

EPA: 10 new SRE petitions filed, 22 SRE petitions now pending

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. EPA on Jan. 19 released data showing that 10 new SRE petitions have been filed under the RFS over the past month. A total of 22 SRE petitions are now pending, including two that were previously declared a as ineligible. READ MORE

January 17, 2023

EU ag outlook includes forecasts for biodiesel, ethanol demand

BY Erin VoegeleThe European Commission has published its annual EU agricultural outlook, which includes projections for biofuel use through 2032. The outlook predicts stable biodiesel use in the medium-term, with increased ethanol use through 2030. READ MORE

January 16, 2023

Clean Fuels hires new communications director

BY Clean Fuels Alliance America Clean Fuels Alliance America has announced the appointment of Heather Buechter as director of communications. Buechter fills a vital role in continuing the association’s rebranding efforts and other initiatives. READ MORE

January 13, 2023

Iowa recognizes Growmark, Kwik Trip with renewable fuels awards

BY Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on Jan. 10 announced the winners of the agency's 2023 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards. Growmark FS was recognized for its ethanol marketing, while Kwik Trip was recognized for its biodiesel marketing. READ MORE

January 13, 2023

UK RAF fuels Typhoon and Hercules aircraft with SAF

BY U.K. Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force has used sustainable aviation fuel blended with regular jet fuel to achieve the first sustainable aviation fuel blend air-to-air refueling of a Typhoon and C-130 Hercules aircraft. READ MORE

January 11, 2023

DOE releases blueprint to decarbonize US transportation

BY Erin VoegeleThe DOE has released the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, which focuses on achieving net-zero emissions in the transportation. The blueprint, in part, discusses the role sustainable fuels can play in reaching that goal. READ MORE

January 10, 2023

Biofuel groups offer testimony on EPA’s proposed RFS ‘set’ rule

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. EPA on Jan. 10 held a virtual public hearing to gather public comments on its proposed RFS “set” rule. The ethanol industry is generally supportive of the proposal, while biomass-based diesel groups are calling for improvements to the RVOs. READ MORE

January 09, 2023

STB seeks biofuel representative to fill vacancy on RETAC

BY Erin VoegeleThe STB is seeking nominees to fill nine vacancies on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee. One of those vacancies is to be filled with an individual representing biofuel feedstock growers or providers and biofuel refiners. READ MORE

January 09, 2023

2023 FEW now accepting speaker presentation ideas

BY BBI International The call for speaker presentation ideas is now open for the 2023 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW). The three-day event is scheduled to take place June 12-14, 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska. READ MORE

January 04, 2023

OMB agenda confirms timelines for RFS, E15, Biopreferred rules

BY Erin VoegeleThe White House OMB on Jan. 4 published its 2022 Fall Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan, confirming the expected timeline on federal rulemakings related to the Renewable Fuel Standard, E15 sales and the Biopreferred program. READ MORE

January 03, 2023

EPA opens comment period on draft RFS report

BY Erin VoegeleThe U.S. EPA on Jan. 3 released an external review draft of its third triennial report to congress on biofuels and environment for public comment. A 60-day public comment period will be open through March 6. READ MORE

January 03, 2023

Senate confirms McKalip, Taylor to federal posts

BY Erin VoegeleThe Senate has confirmed Doug McKalip and Alexis Taylor to posts critical to agriculture trade. McKalip is now chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the USTR and Taylor is USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. READ MORE

December 29, 2022

DOE awards $1 million for bioenergy research

BY U.S. Department of Energy Three projects have been selected for funding under a U.S. DOE interagency agreement with the Minority Serving Institution STEM Research & Development Consortium. The projects focus on algae, waste feedstocks, and catalyst development. READ MORE

December 29, 2022

DOE to fund bioenergy feedstock, biofuel optimization projects

BY U.S. Department of Energy The U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office has announced its intent to issue two funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) in early 2023 focused on algae crop production and cellulosic biomass conversion. READ MORE

December 27, 2022

Treasury, IRS issues guidance on new SAF tax credit

BY U.S. Treasury Department The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service on Dec. 19 issued a notice regarding the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) credit. The new credit was created by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. READ MORE

December 27, 2022

Opinion: Building Out Capacity, Policy and Technology

BY Anna Simet As the SAF industry moves forward in pursuit of its 2030 and 2050 market goals, continued expansion and evolution of state and federal SAF policy will be essential for success. READ MORE

December 22, 2022

Study: Soybean oil for biofuels has limited impact on food prices

BY United Soybean Board The United Soybean Board has partnered with Purdue University on a Food and Fuel study to evaluate whether the increased use of soybean oil in biofuels has contributed to the rising retail prices of food products for consumers. READ MORE