Lately an argument has broken out over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and whether it drives up gasoline prices. The recent controversy was sparked by a WSJ article discussing the shocking fact that Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits—which are one way of complying with the federal standard—had shot up in prices from about 7 cents [...]
Ethanol “Blending Wall” Leads to Gas Exports
A recent WSJ article explained how the ethanol mandate is leading to a “blend wall” that paradoxically leads U.S. refiners to export their gasoline, raising pump prices at home. This is just another fantastic example of government policies having unintended consequences. Before looking at just how serious the problem is, let’s set the context by [...]
March 18, 2013 | Bus Tour, News, Renewable Fuel Standard
Dubious Arguments in Tier 3 Study
The EPA is planning to tighten its gasoline regulations from Tier 2 to Tier 3 standards, which would reduce permissible sulfur content from the current 30 parts per million (ppm) down to 10 ppm. (I have written a full overview of the economic issues surrounding Tier 2 and Tier 3 in this earlier IER [...]
December 5, 2012 | Bus Tour, News, Threats, Tier 3 Standards
McDermott’s Carbon Tax Bill Is Worst of All Possible Worlds
An August analysis from Capital Alpha explores Rep. Jim McDermott’s carbon tax bill introduced late in the summer. The proposal calls for an initial $25 per ton tax on carbon, which quickly escalates to a capped fine of $525 (!) per ton by the year 2024. The Capital Alpha report is fairly evenhanded and speaks [...]
October 24, 2012 | Greenhouse Gases, News
“A Refinery Rescue Reconsidered”
The incredible people we’ve met out on the American Products American Power bus tour know that you’re not a hero for calling the doctor after deliberately breaking someone’s legs. But that’s what the Obama Administration effectively did by driving a refinery out of business with regulations and then calling in a rescue operation. As [...]
September 19, 2012 | Corporate Average Fuel Economy, News, Renewable Fuel Standard, Threats, Tier 3 Standards
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines
The American Products American Power bus tour was right at home this past weekend at the Richmond International Raceway for NASCAR. Thousands of fans flocked to the bus to sign the petition and to join the thousands of other Americans from all across the country fighting for sensible energy policies. As the current administration [...]
Is Ethanol Cheaper Than Gasoline?
CLICK HERE to tell the EPA to waive the ethanol mandates and relieve pressure on our nation’s food supply, fuel prices, and vehicle fleet. No doubt feeling the heat from record corn prices, defenders of the ethanol mandate are now claiming that ethanol is actually something that the market would embrace, without government intervention. If [...]
August 30, 2012 | News, Renewable Fuel Standard, Threats
Refineries: The Backbone of the Economy
The American Products and Power bus tour made an exciting stop at the Tesoro refinery in Mandan, ND last week. The bus tour team was greeted by managers on site where we learned about a recent expansion at the refinery, bringing economic growth and jobs to the area. Ron Day, Environmental Health and Safety Manager, [...]
August 23, 2012 | Bus Tour, News, Tier 3 Standards
MIT and UC Davis Scholars Agree: Ethanol Hasn’t Made Gasoline Cheaper
Back in May, we posted a critique of a Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) study that purported to show how ethanol mandates and subsidies had held down gasoline prices for American motorists. We pointed out that despite its fancy bells and regression analysis, the study—which was touted by the Renewable Fuels Association [...]
August 21, 2012 | News, Renewable Fuel Standard, Threats
Low Carbon Fuel Standards Will Raise Fuel Prices
Recognizing that American motorists will reject any policies that raise fuel prices, the people pushing new regulations on the energy sector are trying to have their cake and eat it too. For example, a new report [.pdf] claims that a national Low Carbon Fuel Standard would not only reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but it [...]
July 19, 2012 | Corporate Average Fuel Economy, Emissions Standards, News, Renewable Fuel Standard, Threats
