Avfoil’s Post

The Inflation Reducton Act — as Biden’s landmark legislation is known — is in its early days. And if other key issues are addressed — including higher blending mandates and proper regulation to tax credits so US growers can better compete with foreign rivals — there’s still “tremendous opportunity for American agriculture,” according to Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Still, uncertainty prevails over the extent to which farmers will benefit from federal incentives as details about a clean energy credit tax set to go into effect next year are still pending. While Biden’s initial guidelines have given US corn-based ethanol a path to compete with foreign ingredients for the production of lower-emitting airplane fuel, critics say the multiple practice changes farmers would have to adopt for it to qualify aren’t practical. Take the case of a new facility in rural Georgia for making sustainable aviation fuel, used to power planes and known as SAF. While the plant is able to churn out ethanol made from American-grown corn, the company behind the facility has said it will use Brazilian sugarcane ethanol, which typically has a lower carbon score. Lowa corn farmer Jolene Riessen said she’s thankful the yellow grain was included as a so-called feedstock to produce SAF. But, she said, the practices necessary for a farmers’ grain to qualify makes it like “farming with one hand tied behind your back.” #biofuel #agriculture #farming #cropgrower #climatechangesolution #greenenergy #usmarket #businessstrategy #supplychainmanagement

Uncertainty prevails over the extent to which farmers will benefit from federal incentives as details about a clean energy credit tax set to go into effect next year are still pending. While Biden’s initial guidelines have given US corn-based ethanol a path to compete with foreign ingredients for the production of lower-emitting airplane fuel, critics say the multiple practice changes farmers would have to adopt for it to qualify aren’t practical. The Inflation Reducton Act — as Biden’s landmark legislation is known — is in its early days. And if other key issues are addressed — including higher blending mandates and proper regulation to tax credits so US growers can better compete with foreign rivals — there’s still “tremendous opportunity for American agriculture,” according to Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Take the case of a new facility in rural Georgia for making sustainable aviation fuel, used to power planes and known as SAF. While the plant is able to churn out ethanol made from American-grown corn, the company behind the facility has said it will use Brazilian sugarcane ethanol, which typically has a lower carbon score. Lowa corn farmer Jolene Riessen said she’s thankful the yellow grain was included as a so-called feedstock to produce SAF. But, she said, the practices necessary for a farmers’ grain to qualify makes it like “farming with one hand tied behind your back.” #biofuel #agriculture #farming #cropgrower #climatechangesolution #greenenergy #usmarket #businessstrategy #supplychainmanagement

Despite President Biden’s climate initiatives boosting biofuel demand, U.S. farmers are struggling. Incentives favoring waste-based biofuels from abroad, like used cooking oil from China and waste beef fat from Brazil, are eroding demand for U.S. crops. This issue has spurred bipartisan concern as U.S. farm income declines. Critics argue that while U.S. biofuel production is supported, foreign imports are undermining local agriculture. Senate pressure is mounting to address these concerns and ensure fair competition for American farmers. #PresidentBiden #Climate #BioFuel #USFarmers #CookingOil #China #Brazil

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig: “As the top producing state of lower cost and cleaner burning biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel is an emerging market with huge potential for Iowa agriculture. Unfortunately, the Biden administration is once again telling Iowa farmers that Washington D.C. knows best. The administration's proposal mandates rigid requirements that ignore the innovation of agriculture and fails to recognize farmers ability to incorporate the practices that work best for their individual operations. This administration has continually pursued a one-size-fits-all approach that puts domestic energy production, like homegrown ethanol, at a disadvantage to international competitors. Yesterday’s guidance is more of the same. While inclusion of the GREET model is a welcome step, the details need to be right, and the administration has more work to do. I know Iowa’s Congressional delegation will be working to ensure that Iowa’s farmers and biofuel producers will be able to realize the full potential that SAF offers.” https://lnkd.in/gYaMvsf2 #IowaAg #SAF

Just days after the announcement of 40BSAF-GREET 2024, the difficulties of qualifying for lucrative SAF incentives have been highlighted by farm groups, biofuel producers, stakeholders, and Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley. Iowa farmer and Ag consultant, Mitchell Hora, of Continuum Ag put the stark reality of 40BSAF-GREET on display: “The crop you grew last year probably didn’t qualify for all these check the box items and you definitely didn’t have a written plan, which is what’s required. The crop we’re going to grow this year…nobody is really going to make any tax credits.” Grassley pulled no punches in defense of US grain farmers: "To put it bluntly, this GREET-model update is a stupid approach." The point of contention surrounds 40BSAF-GREET's heavy reliance on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) requiring the adoption of no till, cover crops and enhanced efficiency fertilizer. While it may be too late for SAF under 40B, with the hurdle for many US farmers set too high (and retroactive at that), the experience may guide policymakers to produce a more workable approach for the 45Z credit. #renewablediesel #biodiesel #epa #rfs #uco #dco #bft #sbo #soybeanoil #soybeans #renewables #fuels #diesel #hedging #hvo #saf #distillate #refining #ethanol #e10 #e15 #fuels #45z #ira #canada #canola #airlines #aviation #jetfuel #jet #iata #a4a #crude #airlines #travel #truckers #truckstop #ev #evcharging #rng #refining #lcfs #carb #california #lowcarbon #carbonemissions #afpm #emissionsreduction #emissions #sustainableaviationfuel #sustainableaviation

📢 Six U.S. Senators have reached out to the Biden administration to address an urgent issue! They want to ensure that imported used cooking oil (UCO) does not include any virgin vegetable oil. This oil is commonly imported from places like China. Using virgin vegetable oil instead of actual used cooking oil can mess up renewable energy programs. 🌍🚫 In their letter, the Senators asked what steps are being taken to verify the authenticity of UCO imports. They want to make sure that these imports are truly from used cooking oil and not something else. The Senators are looking out for the environment and protecting the integrity of green energy efforts. 🌿🛢️ Interested in more details? Check out the full article on SupplyChainBrain: https://lnkd.in/gN5J4Aee 📖 #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #EnvironmentalProtection #SupplyChain #Government #EcoFriendly 🌱💡

Topping the news on EU Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) EU member states, led by Austrian agriculture minister Norbert Totschnig, urge EU Commission to delay implementation of EUDR “We now urge the Commission for a temporary suspension of the regulation allowing for a feasible implementation accompanied by a revision of the regulation,” EU industries raise their voice in a joint cross-commodity call on EU Commission and Member States to provide clarifications and workable solutions for #EUDR implementation.  https://lnkd.in/gFeaRQEC

Long-term projects for sustainable biofuel production are crucial to reach a low-carbon intensity system. Glad the legislation is aligned with that now.

With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the demand for poultry is rising, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, and organic waste. Anaerobic digestion offers a sustainable solution by transforming organic material into renewable energy using microbes, reducing landfill waste by up to 40%. This process not only generates energy and valuable soil amendments but also lowers the carbon footprint of food production. In the latest 🐓 WATT Poultry article, our VP of Government Relations, Andrew Cassilly, explains how anaerobic digestion can transform poultry production, save costs on energy and fertilizer, and address the staggering 40% of food waste in the U.S., saving $444 billion annually. 📖 Read the Article here: https://lnkd.in/gu-__6HQ #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #AnaerobicDigestion #BioenergyDevco #CircularEconomy #PoultryProduction #EnvironmentalImpact #GreenTech #FutureOfFood

The USDA has taken a significant step toward supporting climate-smart agriculture by delivering an interim final rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This rule aims to establish guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the impact of climate-smart farming practices on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from biofuel feedstocks. Relating to the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit, the rule seeks to expand eligible feedstocks beyond traditional crops like corn and soy. Once approved, this framework could drive greater adoption of climate-smart methods, helping align U.S. biofuel production with national and international clean energy goals. https://lnkd.in/gD2rpyPN   At NXTClean Fuels, we are committed to creating sustainable fuels that make a make difference in the fight against climate change.   #Biofuels #Sustainability #USDA #GHGEmissions #NXTCleanFuels