The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a massive increase in the U.S. biomass-based diesel mandate, which includes biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. However, under the proposed rules foreign biofuels and feedstocks would only generate 50 per cent of the Renewable Identification Numbers credit value relative to U.S. biofuels and feedstocks. Photo: File

U.S. biofuel rules to throttle canola

Canadian biofuels will not be competitive in the U.S. market if they do not get the same credit and tax value as American biofuels

There are positives and negatives for Canada’s canola industry after a flurry of biofuel policy announcements in the United States.



The production of biodiesel from sustainable ingredients including used cooking oil can earn refiners climate subsidies. However, there is concern that some supplies labelled as used cooking oil are actually palm oil.  |  Reuters photo

EPA audits used cooking oil

REUTERS — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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. EPA spokesperson Jeffrey Landis said the agency has launched audits over the past year, but declined to […] Read more

Scott Irwin, professor of agriculture at the University of Illinois, is bearish on crush and export demand for soybeans. “Unless the U.S. has a substantial production problem this summer, it’s hard for me to see how 2024-25 ending stocks don’t end up above 500 million bushels,” he said. | File photo

Experts bearish on soybean crush, export demand

If U.S. soybean prices falter due to high ending stocks, it could affect canola price

SASKATOON — A leading agricultural economist thinks the United States soybean sector is going to have a “very ugly” 2024 and early 2025. Scott Irwin, professor of agriculture at the University of Illinois, is bearish on crush and export demand for the oilseed. Related stories: “Unless the U.S. has a substantial production problem this summer, […] Read more



A commercial gas pump with "ethanol blend" written on it.

EPA’s renewable fuel rule called ‘missed opportunity’

Clean fuel producers, oilseed processors, fuel distributors and marketers have all made significant investments to grow the industry rapidly over the next several years. "The volumes EPA finalized today are not high enough to support those goals," said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs with Clean Fuels Alliance America.