RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Senators' Joint Statement: Pruitt’s EPA Again Admits RFS Compliance Doesn’t Hurt Small Refiners
Secret EPA ‘Hardship’ Waivers for Multibillion Dollar Oil Companies Threaten to Break Trump Pledge to Support Biofuels
WASHINGTON – In response to a January letter sent by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), EPA again confirmed that oil refiners aren’t negatively impacted by compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), stating that it stood by its previous conclusion that “all obligated parties, including merchant refiners, are generally able to recover the cost of the RINs they need for compliance with the RFS obligations through the cost of the gasoline and diesel fuel they produce.”
Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits were created as a voluntary alternative compliance mechanism for refineries that choose not to blend biofuels as required by law since 2006. In its response, EPA also reiterated that the agency led by Administrator Pruitt “was not persuaded by arguments that merchant refiners are put at a distinct disadvantage when compared to integrated refiners.”
Warrior Project Biogas Facility in Dodge City, KS is Operational
The City of Dodge City is set to host a ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of the Warrior Project Biogas Facility on Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 a.m.
The ribbon cutting will take place at the project site located at 11079 Warrior Road, Dodge City, Kansas and a reception will follow at Boot Hill Museum in the Long Branch Saloon.
In 1984; the City of Dodge City’s South Wastewater Treatment Plant was completed, with an expansion project completed in 2004.
By Dodge City Daily Globe.
Draft 2018 Farm Bill reauthorizes Energy Title programs
On April 12, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, released a draft of the 2018 Farm Bill, officially titled the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. The legislation reauthorizes many bioenergy-related programs, but provides them with only discretionary funding.
The draft bill spans nearly 650 pages and includes a wide variety of provisions related to farm policy, nutrition, trade, conservation, crop insurance, regulatory reform, rural development, animal health and other topics.
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
Exxon & Chevron seek 'small refinery' waivers from U.S. biofuels law
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global energy giants Chevron Corp and Exxon Mobil have asked U.S. regulators for exemptions to the nation’s biofuels policy that have historically been reserved for small companies in financial distress, according to sources familiar with the matter.
By Jarrett Renshaw & Chris Prentice.
Trump says he will 'probably' allow E15 gasoline sales all year
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday his administration may allow the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol year-round, something that could help farmers by bolstering corn demand.
By Jeff Mason, Reuters.
Shell sheds light on New Energies strategy amid energy transition
April 12 (Renewables Now) - Oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell Plc (AMS:RDSA) on Thursday published a report that outlines the different paths the world could take to achieve carbon neutrality and Shell’s planned contribution towards that goal, including future actions by its New Energies division.
As part of an ongoing reshaping of its portfolio, Shell plans to expand in the power market as it projects that the energy system will increasingly electrify in the coming decades. The group noted that it will continue to sell oil and gas, but will also move into lower-carbon energy.
USDA Secretary Purdue Says RFS Waivers Create Demand Destruction
By Cindy Zimmerman, Energy AgWired.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue had the opportunity to give his opinion about the EPA granting numerous Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers to refiners during a Senate Agricultural Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.
While the purpose of the hearing was to review USDA’s FY2019 budget request, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) brought up the RFS waiver issue and pointed out that he and several other farm state senators sent a letter this week to the president asking that EPA cease granting waivers. Sec. Perdue said he agrees.
Congressional Democrats ramp up bid to oust Pruitt
By Timothy Cama, The Hill.
Senate Democrats are escalating their efforts to oust Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Adminstrator Scott Pruitt with a formal resolution calling on him to resign or be fired.
Democrats said Wednesday that between his aggressive deregulatory agenda and numerous scandals in recent weeks, Pruitt has no place at the EPA.
The senators plan to introduce in the coming days a “sense of the Senate” resolution calling for Pruitt to be removed.
VA Governor Vetoes Bill to Limit Regional Cap-and-Trade Plan
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has vetoed legislation that would have limited his authority to institute a carbon cap-and-trade plan.
Northam, a Democrat, announced Monday he had spiked a bill that requires legislative approval before Virginia can participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade program among Northeastern and mid-Atlantic states that mandates emission reductions in the power sector.
By Don Rush, Delmarva Public Radio.
Duke University counting on hog waste biogas to meet climate goal
Duke University is counting on gas captured from pig manure to meet its climate change goal, officials said at a forum Tuesday evening.
The Durham, North Carolina school, like others across the country, aims to ratchet down its global warming pollution and spur clean energy projects to cancel out emissions it can’t control, such as faculty and student travel.
By Elizabeth Ouzts, Energy News Network.
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