Environmental Protection Agency
The agency plans to cut staff to Reagan administration levels and shift research to office run by political appointees. Advocacy groups are concerned about scientific independence.
The regulations are a response by EPA to enforce the Endangered Species Act at the agency level rather than through litigation and the court system.
Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs, Clean Fuels Alliance America, says it is a historic agreement.
Steady investment in ‘green’ biofuels has promised new market demand for farmers and ethanol producers, but will that continue in 2025?
EPA’s said its decision underscores its commitment to maintaining consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for refiners and fuel suppliers. Administrator Zeldin highlighted ongoing efforts to collaborate with all stakeholders to maintain an affordable and stable fuel supply.
While the new parameters for herbicide application add complexity, Stanley Culpepper from the University of Georgia says it is a challenge ag retailers, distributors, Extension and crop consultants have an opportunity to help farmers rise to meet.
“This idea of ever going back to a period of non-compliance like we had, I don’t think would be appropriate or ever acceptable,” says Kyle Kunkler, director of government affairs at the American Soybean Association.
Throughout the hearing, Lee Zeldin underscored the importance of protecting the environment without hindering economic development. He stated, “We can, and we must, protect our precious environment without suffocating the economy.”
Trump stated that Zeldin would “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions” to “unleash the power of American businesses.” The administration aims to maintain “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet” while pursuing deregulation.
This finalizes the agency’s 2023 proposed rule without change.
EPA has launched investigations into the supply chains of at least two renewable fuel producers amid industry concerns that some may be using fraudulent feedstocks for biodiesel to secure lucrative government subsidies.
Guard X is applied in-furrow and provides an alternative to traditional insecticides used to combat corn rootworm.
Federal officials say a dry depression on Dan Ward’s Iowa land, 100 miles from a navigable river, is “waters of the United States.”
Consider these tips to ensure you’re complying with federal regulations when it comes to pesticide disposal.
Changes to the GREET Model are expected later this week, and depending on how the model is interpreted, it could be the ticket for corn ethanol to start taking flight as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
On February 14, the EPA issued an existing stocks order for dicamba products previously registered for over-the-top use.
Some farming operations have been ruined by PFAS, but there’s still things the industry doesn’t know, including how PFAS enters the food chain. John Phipps thinks the debate over PFAS may just be getting started.
Waters of the U.S. rules have evolved many times in the past 50 years. EPA announced another round of changes on Tuesday, following a May Supreme Court ruling that required EPA to revise the definition.
Roughly 1.4 million metric tons of herbicide was applied globally in 2020. EPA looks to reduce the U.S.’s contribution to global herbicide numbers via a new regulation proposed on Monday.
EPA has been asked to exclude ditches from the definition of federal waters, include wetlands when they can’t be distinguished from navigable waters, and erase the independent interstate waters and wetlands category.
Under the Clean Air Act, those affected by this decision have the right to request a judicial review with the US Court of Appeals within 60 days of the notice’s Federal Register publication.
EPA has a deadline from the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals to offer a progress report on the Waters of the U.S. rule by Sept. 15.
USDA looks to improve the future measure, monitoring, reporting and verification of ag climate emissions via a $300 million investment announced on Wednesday.
EPA plans to revise the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) regulation by Sept. 1. Both the EPA and the Corps of Engineers have regulatory duties for federal waterways.
EPA released biofuel blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard on Tuesday. While EPA says the decision will reduce reliance on oil imports, some biofuel industry leaders do not approve.
EPA’s 479-page RFS ruling can be difficult to sift through and interpret. Jim Wiesemeyer breaks down the heavy-hitting components that will impact producers.
Final blending levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are under review for 2023 and beyond. EPA is required to finalize the RFS levels by June 14, as per a consent agreement reached in court with Growth Energy.
“EPA is using decade-old analysis to measure the carbon intensity of ethanol, despite the Department of Energy’s updated data,” says Chris Bliley of Growth Energy. “This bill will ensure we capture the accuracy.”
Generally, E15 is banned in summer months, but EPA flipped the script for the first time last year when it lifted the ban to lower pump prices.
Kentucky is the 27th state to put a wall up against the legislation. EPA countered Kentucky’s move, asking the court to make clear that the latest rule does not apply nationwide.