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EPA probes US biofuel producers' UCO supplies

  • : Agriculture, Biofuels, Emissions
  • 24/08/07

The US Environmental Protection Agency is auditing used cooking oil (UCO) supply chains of domestic renewable fuel producers to verify whether the feedstock qualifies under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Under the RFS, EPA requires renewable fuel producers to submit UCO collection points that are used for biofuels production. Among other inspections, EPA is evaluating those UCO collection locations, the agency said on Wednesday.

After the EPA announcement, current-year biomass-based diesel D4 RINs traded as high as 60.5¢/RIN, which was 5.75¢/RIN higher than Tuesday's closing. Activity on renewable feedstocks was minimal on Wednesday, making it harder to gauge market reaction.

"These inspections and any follow-up investigations are part of EPA's routine evaluation of compliance with RFS under the Clean Air Act and reflect the agency's commitment to a stable RFS program that strengthens the nation's energy independence, advances low-carbon fuels, and supports agricultural communities," EPA spokesperson Tim Carroll said. The agency could not discuss the number of inspections, facility identities, and dates of the inspections, he said.

A coalition of US farm groups recently called on the Biden administration to restrict biofuels produced with foreign feedstocks from qualifying for a new tax credit as US imports of UCO continue to increase. The group argued that the imports are displacing US feedstocks.

US lawmakers also asked the administration to provide more visibility on the UCO supply chain and requested clarity from EPA on how they are ensuring that UCO imports are not blended with palm oil.


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25/01/10

2024 was hottest year on record: EU’s Copernicus

2024 was hottest year on record: EU’s Copernicus

London, 10 January (Argus) — Last year was the hottest year globally since records began in 1850, and the first calendar year to breach the 1.5°C temperature limit sought by the Paris climate agreement, EU earth-monitoring service Copernicus said today. The global average surface air temperature in 2024 was 15.10°C — 0.12°C higher than previous hottest year 2023 and 0.72°C higher than the 1991-2020 average, Copernicus found. The global average temperature in 2024 was 1.6°C higher than an estimate of the pre-industrial average, Copernicus data show — the first calendar year to breach the temperature limit pursued by the Paris accord. The two-year average for 2023-24 "also exceeds this threshold", Copernicus said. The Paris agreement seeks to limit the rise in temperature to "well below" 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and preferably to 1.5°C. This "does not mean we have breached the limit set by the Paris agreement", which "refers to temperature anomalies averaged over at least 20 years", Copernicus said. But it "underscores that global temperatures are rising beyond what modern humans have ever experienced", the organisation added. Each year of the past decade — 2015-24 — was one of the hottest ten years on record. And every month since July 2023, apart from July 2024, has breached the 1.5°C level, Copernicus data show. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions "remain the main agent of climate change", director of Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service Laurence Rouil said. GHG concentrations are the highest in at least 800,000 years, Copernicus said. Atmospheric concentrations of key GHGs CO2 and methane "continued to increase and reached record annual levels in 2024", it said. CO2 stood at 422 parts per million (ppm) and methane at 1,897 parts per billion (ppb) in 2024 — 2.9ppm and 3ppb higher on the year, respectively, Copernicus data show. While the rate of increase in CO2 "was larger than the rate observed in recent years", the rate of increase in methane was "significantly lower than in the last three years", Copernicus said. An international team of scientists said in November that carbon emissions from fossil fuels were projected to reach a fresh high in 2024 , with "no sign" that these have peaked. Global sea surface temperatures were also above average in 2024 and were a significant force behind the record high surface air temperatures, Copernicus said. Oceans absorb the majority of the world's excess heat. And the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere hit a fresh high in 2024, at around 5pc above the 1991-2020 average, Copernicus found. Climate change is worsening extreme weather events such as floods and storms, studies found. This "reflects the basic physics of climate change — a warmer atmosphere tends to hold more moisture, leading to heavier downpours", research groups World Weather Attribution and Climate Central said in December. By Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

UAE commits $40mn to Brazil enviro initiatives


25/01/09
25/01/09

UAE commits $40mn to Brazil enviro initiatives

Sao Paulo, 9 January (Argus) — The UAE's Erth Zayed Philanthropies committed $40mn to back Brazilian projects to protect the environment and advance sustainable development. The organization said it plans to support multiple projects in Brazil, including programs to restore ecosystems and eliminate plastic waste in the Amazon, as well as projects that support sustainable farming. It also reaffirmed its commitment to support the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), which was launched by Brazil in 2023 and aims to raise funds to protect tropical forests and help countries combat deforestation. The UAE was one of five countries that committed to backing the fund during the biodiversity summit in Colombia in October. The organization announced its plans to support Brazil's environmental protection efforts during the G20 summit in November , following a meeting between Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan. Erth Zayed Philanthropies was launched in October and will be used as a vehicle for the UAE to invest in a broad range of charitable projects in sectors including health, education, food security as well as energy and sustainability. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Denmark invites applications for CO2 storage permits


25/01/09
25/01/09

Denmark invites applications for CO2 storage permits

London, 9 January (Argus) — The Danish Energy Agency has launched its fourth tender inviting applications for exploration and CO2 storage, in three areas off the northwest coast of Denmark. The blocks, in the Danish North Sea, are geologically "particularly suitable for storing CO2", Denmark's geological survey found. The application deadline is 6 March. The Danish government issues permits with two phases — an exploration and a storage phase. If granted an exploration permit, developers have up to six years to investigate and assess the suitability and CO2 storage capacity of the area. They are then able to apply for a storage permit, which will be valid for up to 30 years. The Danish state holds a 20pc stake in all exploration and storage permits. Denmark awarded three CO2 exploration permits in February 2023, and three more in June last year. UK company Ineos took a final investment decision for the first phase of the Greensand CO2 storage project in December. The site's developers successfully demonstrated a pilot CO2 injection in March 2023. The carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry is gradually developing, led by northern Europe. The region has a geological advantage, in its declining oil and gas fields, as well as government funding from countries including Denmark and Norway. By Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

CHS grows STL capacity with new terminal deal


25/01/08
25/01/08

CHS grows STL capacity with new terminal deal

Houston, 8 January (Argus) — US agribusiness CHS will increase its fertilizer product delivery capacity to farmers after securing an exclusive deal with an Ingram Barge subsidiary at its St Louis, Missouri, terminal ahead of this spring. Ingram Barge subsidiary SCF Lewis and Clark Terminals will only move CHS product at its Municipal River Terminal in St Louis, allowing CHS access to more rail and barge shipments for distribution. "This new pathway improves the efficiency and flexibility in our supply chain, so our farmers can have access to needed inputs, particularly during the busy growing season," CHS crop nutrients vice president Roger Baker said. The CHS supply chain includes imports and the domestic distribution of nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulfur fertilizers. CHS is a global agribusiness with a portfolio that includes agronomy, grains and energy businesses that reached a revenue of $39bn for fiscal year 2024. Ingram Barge Company operates a fleet of 150 towboats and 5,100 barges that transports commodities across the US river system. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Tidewater seeks Canadian import duties on US RD


25/01/08
25/01/08

Tidewater seeks Canadian import duties on US RD

Seattle, 8 January (Argus) — Canadian biofuels producer Tidewater Renewables is asking the federal government to impose countervailing and anti-dumping duties on renewable diesel (RD) imported from the US. Tidewater's complaint to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) alleges the nation's renewable diesel market is being pressured by US producers who export volumes to Canada at artificially low prices because of US tax incentives — the now-retired blender's tax credit and pending Clean Fuel Production Credit. The complaint is also intended to alleviate pressure on emissions credits issued by British Columbia's low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and Canada's Clean Fuel Regulation, Tidewater said Monday in a statement. Tidewater said duties of C$0.50-0.80/liter (35-56¢/liter) could be imposed at the border on US renewable diesel if the complain it upheld, reflecting an estimated subsidy and dumping benefit to US producers of 40-60pc. CBSA is charged with investigating and verifying the complaints, while the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) is responsible for determining if those activities have harmed the Canadian industry. For a CBSA investigation to proceed, the complaint must have support from producers representing at least 25pc of Canadian output. Evidence of injury could then include lower prices and lost sales, reduced market share or decreased profits, among other factors. An affirmative finding by the CITT would grant the CBSA authority to impose import duties, in this case intended to offset the alleged unfair price advantage held by US exporters. Preliminary duties could be imposed as early as May, following a preliminary injury finding by the CITT. Final duties — dependent on the ruling by the CITT — could be imposed by September, Tidewater said. The company in December cited challenging economic conditions in its decision to re-evaluate its renewable diesel production from March-onward at its 3,000 b/d renewable diesel plant in British Columbia. Tidewater's profitability is dependent on sales of British Columbia LCFS credits, and its credit purchase and sales agreement with parent company Tidewater Midstream is due to end in March. By Jasmine Davis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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