Sustainable Bioenergy, Farm, and Forests - April 11, 2014 | Newsletter

A weekly look at sustainable bioenergy, farm, and forest policy issues

April 11, 2014

Renewable Fuel Standard: Advocates and Opponents Speak Out Leading Up to EPA’s Final Rule

With a decision on the RFS expected sometime in June, advocacy groups, industry and lawmakers on all sides have been voicing their opinions on biofuels. While there have been musings of a partial rollback of EPA’s proposed initial reduction, the final Renewable Volume Obligates (RVOs) are still being calculated by the EPA. Recently, EESI, along with environmental, energy and farm interest groups met with Janet McCabe, Acting EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. They voiced their concerns about unintended consequences of potential reductions in the RVO by EPA on the environment, farm conservation and human health. EESI Executive Director Carol Werner commented on the potential for biofuels to help deal with the impacts of climate change. A lifecycle analysis performed by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory found corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an average of 34 percent as compared to gasoline. And there are even much higher GHG reductions possible from advanced cellulosics such as corn stover and micanthus. She remarked to McCabe, "We urge EPA not to take any steps that would compromise efforts to reduce emissions that contribute to a changing climate … We ask you to ensure that the full potential of biofuels to meet multiple objectives can be realized."

Senate Finance Committee Approves Tax Credit ‘Extender’ Package

On April 3, the Senate Finance Committee approved the Expiring Provisions Improvement Report and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act, which would extend the tax credit package for two years. Among the tax credits extended by the EXPIRE Act are several biofuels and bioenergy tax credits. They include: a $1.01 per gallon production tax credit (PTC) for biofuels, a $1.00 per gallon PTC for biodiesel and renewable diesel, a 10 cent per gallon small agri-biodiesel producer credit, a 50 cent per gallon alternative fuel tax credit and alternative fuel mixture tax credit. In addition, the bill would extend the bonus depreciation for cellulosic biofuels facilities, as well as the 30 percent investment tax credit for alternative vehicle refueling property. Other renewables are included in the package, including PTCs related to wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, hydropower, and solid waste electricity generation."

To Contact the Author: Jessie Stolark at jstolark[at]eesi.org

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