Category: Policy

Nigeria strikes deal with Shell to supply $3.8 billion methanol project

Nigeria strikes deal with Shell to supply $3.8 billion methanol project

April 19, 2024 |

In Nigeria, Reuters reported that Nigeria has signed a deal for Shell to supply gas to its proposed $3.8 billion Brass methanol facility, resolving a major hurdle to a final investment decision on the project.  Nigeria, which holds Africa’s largest natural gas reserves of more than 200 trillion cubic feet, has struggled to tap the […]

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Representatives introduce bill to allow year-round E15 sales in 8 Midwestern states

Representatives introduce bill to allow year-round E15 sales in 8 Midwestern states

April 18, 2024 |

In Washington,  U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to implement year-round E15 sales. The Year-Round E15 Act, which is co-led by U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith (NE-03), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Don Bacon (NE-02), would allow for sales of E15 in 2024 across eight Midwestern states.  The bipartisan Year-Round E15 […]

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Brazil keeps tariffs on US-based ethanol but could lower them for SAF access

Brazil keeps tariffs on US-based ethanol but could lower them for SAF access

April 16, 2024 |

In Brazil, Bloomberg reports that despite presure from the Biden Administration, Brazil will continue to apply tariffs on US origin ethanol to protect its ethanol producers. Brazil would be open to lower tariffs, however, if tariffs into the US market allowed for more Brazilian sugarcane-based ethanol for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. By “growing the pie”, there […]

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Bipartisan senators asking Biden for summertime E15

Bipartisan senators asking Biden for summertime E15

April 15, 2024 |

In Washington, a bipartisan group of senators urged President Biden to permit the summertime sale of E15 fuel. The senators note that American biofuels are a clean and reliable energy solution that will help drive down fuel costs for consumers. This letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Thune (R-SD), Dick […]

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European Biogas Association slams EU Parliament for overlooking biomethane in decarbonization

European Biogas Association slams EU Parliament for overlooking biomethane in decarbonization

April 11, 2024 |

In Belgium, the European Biogas Association (EBA) welcomed Wednesday’s adoption of the European Parliament Report on the CountEmissions EU proposal, which is based on a well-to-wheel approach, but regrets the decision not to include a mechanism to account for renewable fuels in the scope of the CO2 Emission Performance Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs) Regulation, […]

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Commission approves $2.4 billion German state aid scheme to support the decarbonization of industrial processes

Commission approves $2.4 billion German state aid scheme to support the decarbonization of industrial processes

April 11, 2024 |

In Belgium, the European Commission has approved a $2.4 billion German scheme to support investments in the decarbonisation of industrial production processes to foster the transition to a net-zero economy. Under this measure, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to companies relying on the use of fossil […]

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US coalition files comments within Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade over ethanol tariff

US coalition files comments within Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade over ethanol tariff

April 10, 2024 |

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy jointly submitted comments within the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) regarding the Brazilian tariff on imported U.S. ethanol. In October 2023, ABICOM (the Brazil association of fuel importers) formally requested to drop the ethanol duties because data showed the tariff raised fuel costs for […]

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UC Davis researchers say scaling SAF production could risk crop supplies

UC Davis researchers say scaling SAF production could risk crop supplies

April 9, 2024 |

In California, the Biden administration’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge could launch the most important national-level biofuel policy of the next decade. Stakeholders and regulators are pressuring airlines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, commercially viable battery and fuel-cell airplanes do not exist yet because the energy needs of commercial flights far exceed current technology. […]

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Biden Administration seen keeping corn ethanol feedstock rules tight for SAF

Biden Administration seen keeping corn ethanol feedstock rules tight for SAF

April 8, 2024 |

In Washington, Reuters reports that sources expect the Biden Administration will announce its preliminary climate model for assessing the sustainability of feedstocks for Sustainable Aviation Fuel before mid-May. Only ethanol produced from corn that uses efficient tilling, use of cover crops or efficient fertilizer application will be considered eligible for tax breaks for SAF under […]

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WA Government enters exclusive lease negotiations with Cargill Australia for a canola crush plant in Kwinana

WA Government enters exclusive lease negotiations with Cargill Australia for a canola crush plant in Kwinana

April 5, 2024 |

In Australia, Mirage News reported that the government of Western Australia region has entered exclusive lease negotiations with Cargill Australia for a world-class canola crush plant in Kwinana. The report noted that Cargill is investigating the potential to develop a canola crush plant on a site adjacent to the CBH Kwinana Grain Terminal, subject to […]

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