Environmental Protection Agency
EPA released biofuel blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard on Tuesday. While EPA says the decision will reduce reliance on oil imports, some biofuel industry leaders do not approve.
Generally, E15 is banned in summer months, but EPA flipped the script for the first time last year when it lifted the ban to lower pump prices.
Kentucky is the 27th state to put a wall up against the legislation. EPA countered Kentucky’s move, asking the court to make clear that the latest rule does not apply nationwide.
Michael Regan, EPA administrator, appeared before the House Ag Committee on Wednesday to discuss everything from WOTUS to the farm bill. Here are the highlights that will directly impact producers.
Richard Gupton from the Ag Retailers Association came on The Scoop Podcast to detail what retailers needs to know about recent WOTUS, train safety discussions, non-compete agreements, and more.
“As I understand it, this rule says EPA is going to determine jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis,” says NCBA’s Ethan Lane. “This is never the way you want a bureaucracy to interact with your private businesses.”
The EPA’s new definition of Waters of the U.S. takes effect Monday. Here’s a rundown of what is considered WOTUS and, therefore, subject to federal regulation.
A federal judge in Texas put WOTUS on hold in two states over the weekend but denied a concentrated effort by industry groups to stop the rule nationwide.
The House last week has already passed its WOTUS rule resolution and it’s up for a Senate vote. The White House has pledged a veto of the measure, should it reach President Joe Biden’s desk.
EPA is looking to evolve the existing chemical licensing program to offer more education and training in restricted use pesticides.
ASA CEO: Renewable Diesel Could Drive a New Era for Soybean Demand, But EPA Needs to Rethink the RFS
ASA policy priorities during Commodity Classic focus on everything from the Farm Bill to EPA’s recent Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) proposal, while also pushing for increased market access through trade.
“This proposal, while well-intended, still leaves the country with a patchwork of regulations that prevents the nation’s driving public from enjoying the full benefits of biofuels,” said Sen. Deb Fischer.
Farm Bureau’s Duvall says the rule puts farmers and ranchers in a position where they will have to hire lawyers and consultants to establish the boundaries of farming.
ERP Phase Two is likely to be announced by USDA in coming weeks, according to Jim Wiesemeyer. In a farm bill year, he says there might be more opportunities to capture additional profit.
The definition maintains longstanding exemptions for farming activities but trims an exclusion for prior converted cropland that had been in the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule.
Proposed renewable fuel volume targets, electric vehicle’s seat at the RFS table and year-round E15 odds: Here’s everything you need to know about renewable fuel’s big week on The Hill.
The GAO study released on Thursday found small oil refineries pay more than larger competitors to fulfill their blending obligations, showing EPA’s reason to deny refinery exemption petitions is inaccurate.
By the end of the year, the Biden administration is expected to issue new rules that Government Lawyer Brian Fletcher told the court will “provide greater clarity to the regulated public on all parts of the test.”
The WOTUS case, Sackett v. EPA, centers on a long-running dispute involving an Idaho couple named Chantell and Michael Sackett. The Sacketts have won at the Supreme Court before.
If you were confused Friday about the EPA announcement on glyphosate, you were not alone. Bottom line: glyphosate can still be used.
EPA public comment on WOTUS closed on Feb. 11. Industry leaders and lawmakers are rushing to plead their Clean Water Act case with agency officials.
EPA proposes to reduce biofuels blending levels, add a supplemental obligation to volumes and reject 65 pending applications for small refinery exemptions.
Stakeholders applaud President Biden following months of pleading for increased biofuel availability while others set the record straight on biofuel impacts on the climate.
EPA believes the current pesticide approval system has major “unsustainable and legally tenuous” setbacks. Courts currently dictate ESA cases for the EPA, but this new workplan will allow the Agency to work alone.
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) gets a lot of headline time in agriculture as it directly correlates with corn and soybeans. Understanding the dynamics of RFS and the role government agencies play is another ballgame.
President Donald Trump says he has accepted the resignation of scandal-plagued Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt.
EPA said there was little risk to most people from exposure to dicamba, though it identified six additional instances in which workers handling the herbicide should wear a respirator along with the required outfit.
John Phipps says he was aware that the West and especially the southern Plains had high average wind speeds, he didn’t realize the Midwest was also a good place to site wind turbines, especially the newer, larger ones.
Infuriating price increases are the topic of the day, and but like the 80’s, rising inflation is driven largely by energy and the price of oil. It’s now less about the supply of oil, and more about refining capacity.
“Capping carbon dioxide emissions at a level that will force a nationwide transition away from the use of coal to generate electricity may be a sensible solution to the crisis of the day,” says Chief Justice Roberts.