Setting the 2013 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was not the only ethanol-related policy update the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) undertook last week. The EPA also issued new rules on Renewable Identification Number (RIN) fraud in the biodiesel sector.The RFS requires gasoline and diesel refiners, blenders and importers to purchase RINs representing volumes of renewable fuel they must blend each year. The RINs are a compliance credit. In providing oversight, EPA has taken a caveat emptor type of approach in that EPA has fined diesel fuel refiners and importers for using RINs that were fraudulently generated by companies that did not actually produce any renewable fuel. EPA also has requi...
Key Takeaways: Argentina is on pace for a record corn crop and record exports in the current marketing year, with abundant supplies likely to keep the country highly competitive in global export markets. Argentina’s record exportable surplus is allowing it to offer highly competitive pri...
From WPI Consulting
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.