NBB Focuses On Extension Of $1-Per-Gallon Tax Credit Over Conversion
On May 25, 2018, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) dropped its nearly decade long pursuit to convert a $1-per-gallon tax credit for biofuel blenders to an equivalent credit for producers. NBB originally sought to change the credit to support the domestic biofuel industry, as some blenders who benefited from the credit were also importing foreign biodiesel. Recent import duties imposed by the U.S. Commerce Department have done a great deal to curb inexpensive biodiesel imports from Indonesia and Argentina (as reported in the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®) blog post “USTIC Determines Argentinian And Indonesian Biodiesel Dumping Injured U.S. Industry”), thus removing much of the impetus to convert the tax credit program. The $1-per-gallon credit has been retroactively approved for 2017 and NBB continues to push for the credit’s extension in 2018.
Coalition Intends To Ensure EPA Retains Safer Choice
A coalition will be launched on June 1, 2018, that intends to ensure that Safer Choice will continue to exist as a federal program within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to improve the program so that it operates in the most effective way possible for all stakeholders. The Coalition will comprise companies throughout the chemical value chain -- chemical manufacturers, consumer product companies, and retailers -- as well as non-governmental organizations (NGO). Benjamin E. Dunham, a Senior Policy Advisor at Holland & Knight LLP, and former Hill staffer, announced the new coalition at EPA’s May 14, 2018, Safer Choice Partner & Stakeholder Summit. During the summit, industry representatives called for expanding Safer Choice to additional sectors. EPA staff did not address this suggestion, however, stating instead that they will continue core efforts and urging industry to help with outreach. Clive Davies, Chief of EPA’s Design for the Environment, stated that there are “activities that we’re going to have to cut back on and activities we’re going to have to maintain at full strength,” noting declining resources. Davies requested industry input on aspects of Safer Choice that are most important to retain.
DOE Awards $2 Million To 13 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Grants
On May 24, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that, as part of the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO) support to small businesses, BETO has awarded approximately $2 million, out of $13 million awarded by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), to 13 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants. DOE states that these small businesses are “improving the state of technology for algae crop development and harvesting, driving down the cost of converting wet organic waste streams to biofuels and bioproducts, and increasing the carbon efficiency of biomass conversion.” Awardees come from across the United States, including Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, California, Washington, Colorado, and Hawaii.