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13 Jan

Posted at 17:32h in Advocacy
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2023 Legislative Session Commences The Kansas legislature gaveled in on Monday, January 9, 2023, on the first day of the 90-day session of the two-year biennium. Renew Kansas Biofuels Association’s government affairs staff was at the capitol to greet new members and welcome back returning legislators. House and Senate Leadership released their shared vision for this session. Governor Laura Kelly’s was sworn in, but her State of the State address was postponed while she recovered from symptoms of what was initially thought to be COVID-19, but later turned out not to...

03 Jan

Posted at 16:54h in Industry News, Regulatory
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Late last week, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the prepublication availability of the final "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" rule, which will be effective 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register. The rule is slated to replace the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule with the pre-2015 regulation, including a few additional clarifications. Last October, the United States Supreme Court received arguments on a matter, referred to as Sackett v. EPA, which centers on the extent of the U.S. EPA’s jurisdiction to enforce the...

05 Dec

Posted at 13:46h in Advocacy
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Renew Kansas Biofuels Association joined a coalition letter in support of S.5145, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022, introduced last week in the United States Senate. Renew Kansas appreciates senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran serving as co-sponsors on the legislation. Organizations wishing to join the letter are able to do so until close of business Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2022 by contacting Renew Kansas President and CEO Ron Seeber (ron@kansasag.org) or Renewable Fuels Association's Robert White (RWhite@ethanolrfa.org). The letter urges congress to swiftly pass the legislation comprising the ability for...

09 Nov

Posted at 21:17h in Advocacy, Industry News
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With a potential rail strike still on the horizon, Kansas Grain and Feed Association signed a letter coordinated by GoRail to request congress take action averting a nationwide shutdown. On Nov. 9, two rail labor unions extended their "status quo" period to Dec. 4, pushing the potential for a strike back to Dec. 9 at the earliest. To date, seven labor unions have ratified agreements based on the recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board appointed by President Biden, while three other ratification votes are pending....

01 Nov

Posted at 17:19h in Advocacy, Industry News
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Previously a co-signer of broad coalition letters, as agreements have continued to stall and the November 19 deadline for a rail strike/lockout quickly approaches, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association joined a letter consisting of national and state agribusiness organizations requesting action from congress. "On behalf of our collective food and agricultural memberships, we write to urge swift action to avert a rail strike or lockout that would lead to shutdowns or slowdowns of rail-dependent facilities resulting in devastating consequences to our national and global food security," the letter said. The letter recommends congress...

25 Oct

Posted at 19:40h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
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Renew Kansas Biofuels Association has joined more than 100 state and national level organizations in signing a letter urging President Joe Biden's administration to continue working with the railroads and union officials to ensure an agreed-upon mid-September rail labor contract is ratified. To date, six of the 12 unions have ratified the agreement, however, there are concerns a strike could still take place which would have devastating consequences on the economy. Many major news organizations have published reports detailing the potential strike in November. Links to stories are below. Railroads reject sick...

15 Sep

Posted at 13:43h in Industry News
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Following hours of negotiation into the early morning, a tentative agreement has been made between railroads and rail union representatives preventing a nationwide rail shutdown ahead of Friday's 12:01 a.m., deadline. "We are pleased to learn the railroad and its labor unions were able to reach a tentative agreement as we quickly approach fall harvest throughout the state," Renew Kansas Biofuels Association President and CEO Ron Seeber said. "We appreciate all of our members who did a tremendous job explaining the intricacies of the relationship between rail service and biofuel processing...

14 Sep

Posted at 21:31h in Advocacy, Industry News
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Renew Kansas Biofuels Association joined more than 100 other organizations in signing and sending a letter on Sept. 15 to congressional leaders requesting action be taken to avoid a rail strike. A copy of the letter is available to view to the right. Although Renew Kansas and other groups prefer a resolution be reached by the negotiating parties, if an agreement can't be made, the letter addressed to United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and House...

13 Sep

Posted at 14:08h in Advocacy, Industry News
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As you are aware, railroads and rail labor have until 12:01 a.m., on Sept. 16 to reach an agreement preventing a lockout or strike after the Presidential Emergency Board published a proposed settlement on Aug. 17. Renew Kansas Biofuels Association is working with its national affiliate organizations as well as the Kansas Congressional Delegation to find solutions to the impending rail labor strike. As this deadline approaches, there is no agreement yet in place. Class I railroads announced recently they would begin curtailing shipments of hazardous materials in anticipation of a possible...

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