Reading Time: 2 minutes New York | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency waiver for a higher-ethanol gasoline blend on Friday, allowing summertime sales of the fuel in an attempt to help lower gasoline prices at the pump. The move represents a temporary win for the biofuels industry and corn farmers, as it will likely […] Read more
U.S. EPA allows temporary summer sales of higher-ethanol fuel
Waiver seen as score for corn growers
U.S. EPA proposes biofuel mandate cuts
Proposal seen as boost to pandemic-hit refiners
Reading Time: 3 minutes New York | Reuters — The Biden administration proposed on Tuesday a reduction in the amount of biofuels that U.S. oil refiners were required to blend into their fuel mix since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The long-awaited decision offers some relief to the U.S. refining industry after the health crisis slammed domestic demand […] Read more
U.S. EPA to propose expanding credit eligibility under biofuel program
Reading Time: < 1 minute New York | Reuters — The Biden administration is expected to propose expanding the kinds of renewable fuel production processes that are eligible to receive credits under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard program, three sources familiar with the matter said. The move could help increase production of advanced biofuels, which include lower-carbon products such as […] Read more
U.S. EPA recommends lowering 2020 biofuel mandates retroactively
Agency not confirming or denying sources' statements
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended retroactively lowering biofuel blending mandates for 2020, two sources familiar with the matter said, after the agency on Thursday sent a proposal on the mandates to the White House for review. The move could provide immediate relief to oil refiners that have to comply with the […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans rise for second day after U.S. crop conditions report
Reading Time: 2 minutes New York | Reuters – Chicago soybean rose for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, after a weekly U.S. government report showed crop conditions deteriorated unexpectedly last week. Corn and wheat both fell as traders took profits at midday after prices rose in the session. “It’s a trading range without much conviction,” said Brian Hoops, […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn prices rise after days of losses
Reading Time: 2 minutes New York | Reuters – Chicago soybeans and corn rose on Monday after traders fretted that both markets were oversold, while continued dryness in the northern Plains helped boost futures further. Wheat prices, however, fell. Hot, dry weather in the U.S. Midwest has raised concerns about the outlook for crops for both corn and soybeans. […] Read more
U.S. appeals court rules for environmental groups in biofuel case
Reading Time: 2 minutes New York | Reuters — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled on Friday in favour of environmental groups who argued against the U.S. government’s conclusion that biofuel blending obligations posed no danger to species’ habitats. The Environmental Protection Agency decides on the amount of biofuels that oil refiners must […] Read more
U.S. court tosses Trump-era rule expanding ethanol sales
Reading Time: < 1 minute New York | Reuters –– A federal appeals court on Friday struck down a U.S. rule put in place under former president Donald Trump to expand sales of corn-based ethanol, drawing ire from farm and biofuel groups that vowed to work to ensure that such sales continue. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District […] Read more
U.S. Supreme Court backs refineries in biofuel waiver dispute
Top court overturns ruling against EPA granting waivers
Reading Time: 3 minutes Reuters — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday made it easier for small oil refineries to win exemptions from a federal law requiring increasing levels of ethanol and other renewable fuels to be blended into their products, a major setback for biofuel producers. The justices overturned a lower court decision that had faulted the U.S. […] Read more
U.S. refiners amass biofuel liability as Biden mulls relief
Open RIN positions could hit refiners' earnings
Reading Time: 3 minutes New York | Reuters — U.S. merchant refiners have amassed up to a US$1.6 billion shortfall in the credits they will need to comply with U.S. biofuel laws, according to a Reuters review of corporate disclosures, an apparent bet that the Biden administration could let them off the hook or that credit prices will fall. […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
