A study released this week shows Iowa biofuels continue to have a significant positive impact on Iowa’s economy, but recent market challenges reduced the job and household income impacts of ethanol and biodiesel production in the state. The study was commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and conducted by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics. The outcome showed ethanol and biodiesel production accounts for nearly $4 billion of the states’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It also supports an estimated 37,000 direct and indirect jobs and boosts Iowa household income by $1.8 million. All three of these metrics, however, are down 20 to 25 percent compared to 2019. “Biofuels still provide a major boost to Iowa’s economy, but quite frankly, the report is a wake-up call to redouble our efforts at the state level,” says IRFA Executive Director, Monte Shaw. “Midwestern states like Iowa must be aggressive to drive local demand for biofuels in a meaningful way, thereby
(Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)) U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) led a letter to Acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Jane Nishida highlighting the need to restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by reviewing small refinery waivers, swiftly issuing a proposed rule for the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation, and advancing the proposed E15 streamlining proposal.
Hours before the inauguration, former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler took action to exempt three unidentified oil refineries from their 2018 and 2019 RFS obligations under the Clean Air Act. These exemptions betrayed earlier assertions made by the Trump administration that the EPA would not grant or deny additional waivers pending the resolution of ongoing litigation over the use of the small refinery waiver authority. In January 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit found that EPA had “grossly exceeded” its authority by grant
Friday, February 5, 2021
EPA, on January 15, 2021, issued a proposed rule to modify certain compliance dates under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The proposed deadline extension for the 2019 compliance year and the associated deadline for submission of attest engagement reports for the 2019 compliance year for small refineries are as follows:
November 30, 2021, and
June 1, 2022, respectively. The second extension would be for the 2020 compliance year and the associated deadline for submission of attest engagement reports for obligated parties and Renewable Identification Number (RIN)-generating renewable fuel producers and importers, among other parties holding RINs. The new deadlines for these would be
January 31, 2022, and
Senators Urging EPA to Restore Integrity to RFS
Farm state Senators urge the Environmental Protection Agency to “restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard.” Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley and Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, along with 13 Senate colleagues, made the request in a letter to EPA Acting Administrator Jane Nishida. The Senators urged the EPA to review three small refinery exemption waivers issued last-minute by the former EPA Administrator, and evaluate if those waivers comply with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. The letter states, “If these waivers do not meet the three-part test laid out in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, then we urge you to immediately reverse them and deny the refiners’ waiver requests.” The lawmakers also urged the EPA to swiftly issue a proposed rule for the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation, which they say will provide growth in all renewable fuel categories and move forward with the E15 streamlining proposal to rem
Missed some ag news this week? Here are seven stories to catch you up.
1. The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack s nomination to lead the agriculture department again on Groundhog Day. Vilsack, 70, served as Agriculture Secretary for eight years in the Obama administration. Climate change was a major theme of questioning during the hearing. Vilsack is expected to be easily confirmed by the full Senate. The hearing can be watched on C-Span. – The Hill, Farm Futures, Politico
2. General Mills and Cargill aim to work with farmers to grow crops in a way that is better for the environment. The companies are letting farmers decide how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil health. – MPR