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NEWS RELEASE via Environmental Protection Agency This week, the Trump Administration reaffirmed its commitment to support America’s farmers by moving forward to review and adjudicate petitions for small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is denying petitions for small refinery exemptions for past compliance years, the so-called “gap-filling” petitions for the 2011-18 compliance years. “This decision follows President Trump’s promise to promote domestic biofuel production, support our nation’s farmers, and in turn strengthen our energy independence,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “At the EPA, we...

On Friday, September 11, 2020, the State Finance Council met to consider Governor Kelly’s request to extend her COVID-19 related disaster declaration which is set to expire on Tuesday, September 15th. On a vote of the members, the State Finance Council extended the Governor’s emergency disaster declaration for 30 days until October 15th, with additional language included stating that the Governor does not intend to close businesses. Without the extension of the emergency declaration, Kansas would lose access to federal CARES funding. Further extensions of the disaster declaration after October...

As we have reported previously, Kansas has some of the highest electric utility rates in our region. In order to make Kansas a more competitive state to operate your business, your Association joined with other stakeholders in pushing for legislation to lower those rates. Kansas public utilities have historically included in their rates, an amount to compensate them for the state corporate income taxes that they pay. In fact, while the utilities have collected those monies, they have not actually paid those taxes to the State for at least the last...

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association submitted written comments to Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regarding the agency’s notice of public hearing on its proposal to revoke existing regulation limiting the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of ethanol-blended motor vehicle fuel sold in the Kansas City area during the summer months. “E15 fuel could be made available to consumers in Kansas City by simply revoking this unnecessary regulation,” Renew Kansas President and CEO Ron Seeber said. “Allowing the sale of higher blends of ethanol fuel in the Kansas City area will directly...

The Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Environment, Bureau of Air, will conduct a public hearing at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 to consider the revocation of K.A.R. 28-19-719. Renew Kansas, who has partnered with Kansas Corn on modifications to the State Implementation Plan (SIP), will be submitting comment. KDHE proposes to revoke K.A.R. 28-19-719, the Kansas City summertime Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulation. The Kansas City area is attaining the 2015 ozone standard based on 2015-2017, 2016-2018, and 2017-2019 monitoring data, and modeling shows that ozone forming...

The FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will hold a webinar on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 from 2:30-3:30 pm EST to provide a COVID-19 update for food operations stakeholders. During the webinar, subject matter experts will highlight key aspects of the FDA/OSHA Employee Health and Food Safety Checklist for Human Food Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic, discuss the CDC testing strategy and its application, and provide an update on FDA inspections. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the FDA...

The Economic Development and Connectivity grant program is a new COVID response program that will use $60 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide grants to small businesses and nonprofits that have incurred losses greater than 25% of revenues during the COVID pandemic, among other eligible categories. The program is being administered by the state's Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) task force and the Kansas Dept. of Commerce. KARA will provide more information as soon as it is available. On Monday, August 10, the...

This week, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive order No. 20-57, extending conditional and temporary relief from certain motor carrier rules and regulations. The rule is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on August 14, 2020 or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency extended by House Bill 2016 expires, whichever is earlier.   In accordance with the FMCSA's declaration under Title 49 C.F.R. § 390.23(a)(l)(i), Title 49 C.F.R §§ 390-399 are hereby suspended for motor carriers and persons operating commercial vehicles actively participating in COVID-19 relief or restoration efforts, except that...

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association is endorsing Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D., for the United States Senate. Marshall, co-chairman of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, has shown steadfast support of renewable fuels since his election to the United States House of Representatives in 2016. “Dr. Marshall has continually shown his ability to be a leader and positive voice for biofuels in Washington, D.C.,” said Lyle Schlyer, Renew Kansas Chairman and President of Pratt Energy LLC. “It is crucial the biofuels industry, and all of agribusiness, support a trusted ally to step into Sen. Pat...

Today Governor Kelly issued Drought Declarations for Kansas counties with Executive Order #20-54.  The declaration includes 74 out of 105 counties either in an emergency, warning or watch status. “Unfortunately, the majority of the state of Kansas has been considered in drought or abnormally dry conditions for the past several weeks, which has led to high risk of fire hazard,” said Governor Kelly. “This declaration will allow affected communities to access the water they need. I encourage Kansans to continue to be mindful of drought conditions, and work to minimize the...

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