by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ‘Essential Energy,’ the theme of the upcoming National Ethanol Conference, is inspired by the inclusion of U.S. biofuel producers on the Department of Homeland Security’s list of critical and essential industries during the onset of the pandemic.
As states across the country began implementing COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions in March 2020, the Department of Homeland Security issued a list of industries and business sectors that should remain open during the pandemic because they perform functions that are critical and essential to our economy.
It was no surprise to us that our nation’s ethanol producers were included on this list at the beginning of the pandemic. That’s because ethanol sits at the juncture of the energy and agriculture sectors, providing not just fuel and feed, but also other key products like COVID-killing hand sanitizer, carbon dioxide to preserve meat and fresh foods, and d
(Aemetis/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … High-capacity electric vehicles (HCEV’s) from Nevo Motors are designed for heavy cargo and long range by using on-board range extender generators powered by renewable natural gas (RNG), with future electric truck models designed to use patented hydrogen and ethanol range extenders. The goal is to achieve major reductions in operating and maintenance costs while eliminating carbon and pollution emissions in highway cargo transport by meeting zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standards.
“Nevo Motors plans to replace diesel engines in the $90 billion per year trucking industry with hybrid electric systems that combine electric drivetrains, batteries and patented range extender generators,” stated Michael Peterson, CEO of Nevo Motors. “Long haul and other diesel trucks can be powered by low carbon, lower cost, domestically produced renewable natural gas and biofuels that expand local investment and jobs instead of continuing to export inv
Excerpt from House Agriculture Committee: The Agriculture Committee was given a total of $26 billion to spend on COVID relief for nutrition assistance and agriculture and rural programs. Half of that funding, $13 billion, was provided to the House Agriculture and the House Education & Labor Committees to provide nutrition assistance. The other $13 billion went to agricultural assistance and programs. Of that $13 billion, $300 million was provided to the Commerce Department to operate a program to assist the fisheries industry.
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May make payments to producers of advanced biofuel, biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, conventional biofuel, or renewable fuels with market losses due to COVID-19; READ MORE
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Dec. 17, reporting that five additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency seeking exemptions of Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements. The status of three other SRE petitions appear to have been changed from “denied” to “pending.” A total of 66 SREs are now listed as pending, up from 58 as of Nov. 19.
The five newly filed SRE petitions are all for RFS compliance year 2020, increasing the number of pending petitions for that compliance year from nine as of Nov. 19 to 14 as of Dec. 17.
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The U.S Department of Agriculture has announced another round of funding for its successful Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, or HBIIP. Approximately $22 million is being made available for retailers to add higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85.
The application window will be open for 30 days starting December 21 and ending January 19. Ethanol organizations are offering help to retailers in the application process. Awards to successful applicants will be in the form of cost-share grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, but not to exceed $3 million.
The Renewable Fuels Association is urging retailers to act quickly.