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July 11, 2014
Senators Klobuchar and Grassley Call for FTC Probe on Big Oil’s Monopoly on Fuels
On July 9, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) released a damning report on the stranglehold that the “Big Five” oil companies have over the retail fuel industry. The Big Five (Shell, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips) have repeatedly claimed that they have no control over the offerings at individual retail gas stations, because they are individually and not refinery owned. However, RFA shows that extremely restrictive fuel contracts with Big Five refineries de-incentivizes gas station owners from offering mid-blends to consumers, thus contributing to the E10 “blend wall”. The timing of this report is especially ironic, as Americans just concluded the biggest driving holiday of the summer -- over 41 million hopped in cars for trips of over 50 miles over the July 4th Holiday, according to AAA. On July 10, Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Grassley (R-IA), again requested that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) look into whether or not the industry is violating anti-trust laws in their fuel supply contracts.
Biogas Eligibility Expanded Under Renewable Fuel Standard: Could Provide Boost to EVs
On July 2, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that qualifies renewable biogas sourced from a number of new feedstocks as advanced fuel pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). New pathways include compressed and liquefied natural gas produced from landfills, municipal waste-water treatment facilities, and agricultural digesters as well as municipal solid waste (MSW). Additionally, electricity sourced from biogas that is specifically used to power electric vehicles now qualifies for renewable fuel credits.
Event: Climate Impacts in the Midwest: Becoming More Resilient
July 17, 2014 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building - Constitution Avenue and 1st Street, NE Free and open to the public
EESI Briefing Thursday, July 17, on the current and projected impacts of climate change in the Midwest, as well as strategies being developed to mitigate the associated risks. According to the Third National Climate Assessment, climate change is already having wide-reaching impacts in the region, affecting the agricultural industry, the Great Lakes, northern forests, the energy system, and public health, generally in detrimental ways. To Register click here.
To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]
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