Archive for March, 2009
EPA MTS Webinar 3-5-09
Industry Survey Reveals Need for RIN Market Confidence
306 companies participated in a webinar sponsored by RINSTAR® and the CFSAB (Clean Fuel Standards Advisory Board) on March 5, 2009. Several important issues related to EPA’s proposed Moderated Transaction System (EPAMTS) were discussed.
A sampling of the more revealing survey questions are shown here:
For your convenience the entire webinar is available for replay by selecting the Play button on the video now!—
RINSTAR® Members are addressing many of these issues today with the generation of Gold Star™ and Silver Star™ Certified RINs.
Look for even more advances in the area of RIN market confidence in the coming days.
RIN Credits, Ethanol Blending and the 800-pound Gorilla
RIN Credits, Ethanol Blending and the 800-pound Gorilla
By: Ron Kotrba
From the April 2009 Ethanol Producer Magazine
Renewable energy credit prices are on the rise as ethanol blend economics remain poor and the year-end reporting date looms. EPM talks with Clayton McMartin, president of Clean Fuels Clearinghouse, about renewable identification number credits, industry consolidation, and the oil industry’s 800-pound gorilla, Valero Energy Corp., which can no longer be ignored.
The 800-pound gorilla in the room finally announced itself in early February. For months, speculators have been trying to figure out which ethanol companies will buy out which ethanol plants during this period of crushing economic recession and potential ethanol industry consolidation. Aside from food companies, what other industry made record profits in 2008 and could logically purchase distressed ethanol production facilities? The oil refiners—they who are obligated to blend ethanol into their supplies as mandated under the federal renewable fuels standard (RFS). On Friday, Feb. 6, VeraSun Energy Corp. “took out the trash”—that’s public relations lingo for releasing bad news on a Friday, with the understanding that there will be little coverage of it until at least Monday. The same day, VeraSun issued a press release titled, “VeraSun Energy Obtains ‘Stalking Horse’ Bid From Valero for Five Facilities; Files Motion Seeking Authority to Sell Substantially All Assets by March.” Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Biofuel, Biomass, Cellulosic, Clayton, Clayton McMartin, Clean Fuels Clearinghouse, Compliance, Environmental, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol-Producer Magazine, Fuel, Gasoline, McMartin, press, Regulations, Renewable Fuel Standard, Renewable Identification Number, RFS, RIN, Ron, Ron Kotrba
EPA rolls out RINs Moderated Tracking System
EPA Rolls Out RINs Moderated Tracking System
By: Ron Kotrba
From the March 2009 Web Exclusive Ethanol Producer Magazine
The U.S. EPA held a Webinar on Feb. 25 to explain its development of a Moderated Tracking System that will accurately and securely track renewable identification number (RIN) credits.
A RIN is a 38-character numeric code that’s generated by the producer or importer of renewable fuel; it represents gallons of renewable fuel produced/imported and is assigned to batches of renewable fuel that are transferred (change of ownership) to others. RINs are valid for the calendar-generated, or the following year.
RINs currently apply to the ethanol industry; however beginning in 2010 RINS will also apply to the biodiesel industry.
The EPA is developing MTS to track the generation, distribution and sale of RINs as a way to help accurately enforce the mandates under the renewable fuels standard enacted in the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007. The market-based renewable fuels registry RINSTAR has been working with the EPA to help develop a federal register through which all RIN transactions would flow to ensure accurate and honest reporting. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Biofuel, Biomass, Cellulosic, Clayton, Clayton McMartin, Clean Fuels Clearinghouse, Compliance, Environmental, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol-Producer Magazine, Fuel, Gasoline, McMartin, press, Regulations, Renewable Fuel Standard, Renewable Identification Number, RFS, RIN, Ron, Ron Kotrba
Moderated Transaction System
EPA introduced the concept of a Moderated Transaction System (MTS) on Wednesday February 25th during a webinar to an industry audience of 200 people. The purpose of the webinar was to seek stakeholder input prior to the MTS being proposed in the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), anticipated to be issued any day now. The print material is provided in the two files shown here.
With support of media partners, Ethanol Producer Magazine and Biodiesel Magazine, the Clean Fuel Standards Advisory Board (CFSAB) will sponsor a replay of the orginal webinar along with an interactive series of polling and commentary. This followup webinar is scheduled for Thursday March 5, 2009 from 1:00 - 2:30 EST. Interested parties are invited to register for the event by selecting this link now:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/495977954
Results from the polling will be shared during the webinar with all who participate. In addition, polling results and all questions gathered througout the event will be compiled and delivered to EPA as a representative sampling of the affected industry stakeholders. Over 540 people have already registered for the event. There is a limited seating of 1,000.