Dubuque Telegraph Herald: Businessman: Rough time for biofuels

FARLEY, Iowa — While the Obama administration and federal regulators see “ambitious” growth in renewable fuel production, Farley biodiesel businessman Tom Brooks sees another year of lost profits and plant shutdowns.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week finalized rules designed to increase production of corn-based ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels to be blended with the country’s gasoline supply.

The final rule sets higher Renewable Fuel Standards for 2015 and 2016 than the EPA proposed in May, boosting production and “providing support for robust, achievable growth of the biofuels industry,” according to an EPA announcement.

However, the rule sets levels well below those called for by federal legislators in a 2007 renewable fuels law.