Sustainable Bioenergy, Farms, and Forests - December 21, 2018

SBFF will not publish on December 28 and will return January 4.  

 

Congressionally-Proposed Octane Standard Would Decrease Biofuels Use, Increase Greenhouse Gases

The 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act, sponsored by outgoing House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee Chair Shimkus (R-IL), would phase out portions of the Renewable Fuel Standard, replacing it with an octane standard by 2022. As lawmakers have grappled with the competing interests of the petroleum and biofuels industry, the Administration and Republican lawmakers have attempted to broker a ‘grand bargain’ between the two industries, to little success. The latest proposal has support from the oil industry, but received a tepid response from biofuels trade groups at a recent hearing. While the bill contains a number of provisions that the ethanol industry has long sought, overall, the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act would not spur the use of additional gallons of biofuels—indeed, ethanol’s market share could decline over time under the plan.

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Headlines:

1. Farm Bill Done, But President Focused on Funding Battle
2. Exclusive: Exxon Mobil Secured U.S. Hardship Waiver from Biofuels Laws - Sources
3. House Democrats Gear Up to Block Planned Move of USDA Research Agencies
4. Green Plains to Idle Minnesota Ethanol Plant Amid Weak Margins - Sources
5. Cap and Trade for Cars Arrives in the Northeast
 

 

 

 

 

To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]

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