An Iowa biofuels producer that stands to gather $3.9 million in federal help can be being sued by the federal authorities over alleged violations of the Clear Air Act.
In June, the U.S. Division of Agriculture introduced $70.8 million in grants to assist present monetary help for 10 Iowa biofuel producers that sustained sudden market losses as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds have been made out there by way of the USDA’s Biofuel Producer Program, which was created as a part of the Coronavirus Support, Aid, and Financial Safety Act (CARES Act). One of many 10 recipients of the federal grants is Ida County’s Quad County Corn Processors Cooperative, which stands to gather $3,991,563.
Final week, one other arm of the federal authorities, the Environmental Safety Company, sued Quad County for as much as $21.7 million in civil penalties, alleging violations of the federal Clear Air Act.
Advertisement
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Advertisement
The federal authorities’s Renewable Gasoline Normal program requires producers of renewable fuels to generate gas credit, often known as Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, in proportion to the quantity of renewable gas they produce. This system is meant to cut back the nation’s dependence on international oil and enhance the manufacturing of renewable fuels, all whereas pursuing reductions in greenhouse fuel emissions.
The lawsuit alleges that Quad County, at its amenities in Galva, produces non-cellulosic renewable gas utilizing corn as a feedstock. The corporate generates RINs for that manufacturing, based on the lawsuit. From Might 26, 2015, by way of Oct. 12, 2015, Quad County allegedly produced renewable gas utilizing tools that launched starch into the manufacturing course of — though that step was not described in data shared with the EPA.
The EPA additionally alleges Quad County didn’t undergo the EPA chemical evaluation and knowledge associated to the method that launched starch into the cellulosic fermenter.
And at last, as a 3rd reason behind motion, the EPA claims that the corporate’s actions resulted in Quad County creating invalid RINs that have been of monetary profit to the corporate.
For every of the three alleged violations, the EPA says Quad County is accountable for civil, every day penalties of as much as $51,796 for every of the 140 days the corporate is claimed to be in violation of federal requirements. That legal responsibility totals $21,754,320.
Advertisement
As well as, the EPA says the corporate is accountable for any financial advantages or financial savings generated by every of the alleged violations. The company’s court docket petition doesn’t embrace an estimate of these advantages or financial savings.
Quad County has but to file a response to the lawsuit, and firm executives didn’t instantly reply to calls and emails from the Iowa Capital Dispatch on Tuesday.
The EPA is the federal company charged with imposing the necessities of the Renewable Gasoline Normal program. To be able to defend this system’s integrity and preserve a stage taking part in area for the entire company gamers, the company says, it has been taking enforcement motion towards producers accused of producing invalid RINs.
Along with the civil lawsuit towards Quad County, the EPA has pursued circumstances towards different corporations accused of making invalid RINs.
In 2016, for instance, the EPA settled a case towards Iowa’s Western Dubuque Biodiesel, which was accused of producing greater than 36 million invalid RINs. The corporate agreed to pay a civil penalty of $6 million.
Advertisement
In a associated case, the EPA introduced in 2018 that it had reached a settlement with NGL Crude Logistics over invalid RINs the corporate allegedly generated in reference to Western Dubuque Biodiesel. NGL agreed to pay a civil penalty of $25 million.
That very same yr, the EPA entered right into a settlement with the Chemoil Company that required the corporate to retire 65 million renewable gas credit to resolve allegations it violated the phrases of the Renewable Gasoline Normal program. The market worth of the credit was greater than $71 million. Chemoil additionally agreed to pay a $27 million civil penalty.
Former Iowa Hawkeyes star George Kittle is in the midst of what has to be the most trying season of his NFL career.
Kittle’s San Francisco 49ers—who were Super Bowl contenders heading into 2024—fell to just 5-6 with their loss to the Green Bay Packer this past Sunday, further hindering their playoff chances.
However, the tight end is not giving up hope in the midst of severe adversity.
“My optimism is not broken by any means,” Kittle told reporters. “We still have a lot of very talented players. We will get some guys back. And I still have full trust in the coaching staff to put our guys in position to make plays, and I got no worry about that. But definitely an uphill grind, and going to see what we’re made of, which I’m looking forward to.”
Advertisement
You have to love Kittle’s fighting spirit, but it seems hard to imagine the 49ers righting the ship in their current predicament.
San Francisco is dealing with a plethora of injury issues up and down the roster, which includes quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed the Packers game with a shoulder problem.
Kittle himself had a strong performance in Week 12, logging six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He has also been his usual impressive self overall this season, totaling 49 receptions for 642 yards and eight scores in nine appearances.
But not even Kittle can save the Niners from all of their current troubles.
The 49ers will face the Buffalo Bills in a matchup that could ultimately decide their playoff fate this Sunday.
No. 17 Iowa State goes into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday night as one of the Big 12 teams with the highest probability of making it to the conference championship game next week.
That calculation comes from conference officials putting pencil to paper to figure out all the scenarios that could unfold on the final weekend of the regular season.
Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said his team just needs to worry about itself and not the myriad of possibilities that could determine the matchup for next week’s Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“To me,” he said, “all that other stuff is wasted time, effort and energy.”
Advertisement
If the Cyclones (9-2, 6-2, No. 18 CFP) beat the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3, No. 24 CFP), they probably would be in. Arizona State would be the likely opponent if the Sun Devils win at Arizona.
So much would have to align for the Wildcats to advance — starting with beating Iowa State — that coach Chris Klieman said he didn’t plan to address the possibilities with his players. He said he wouldn’t have to anyway.
“The kids know,” he said.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Going for 10
The Cyclones are trying to become the first team in the program’s 133-year history to win 10 regular-season games. Wildcats’ tight end Will Swanson said he wasn’t aware of the 10-win milestone until a reporter told him. He indicated he and his teammates would like to keep the Cyclones from achieving it.
Advertisement
“I’ll probably have to mention that,” he said, laughing.
Up and running
K-State quarterback Avery Johnson appears to be back to his old self. The staff tried to reduce his rushing attempts after he was injured Oct. 12 at Colorado. There were no limitations on him in last week’s 41-15 win over Cincinnati. He ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 33-yard burst and a 21-yard touchdown.
“People saw when he’s healthy, we’re really good on offense,” Klieman said.
Cold, but no snow
Temperatures are expected to be in the teens in Ames, but no snow is in the forecast. Heavy snow fell during last year’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. Abu Sama III ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns and the Cyclones’ defense made a fourth-down stop in the final minute to preserve a 42-35 victory.
“I just remember the snow and Abu running wild,” ISU receiver Jayden Higgins said. “There definitely was a lot of snow on the field.”
Advertisement
K-State’s Swanson said the game reminded him of a backyard football game but that it “panned out terribly.”
“Some spots there were 6 inches of snow,” he said. “I remember I caught a ball and I got tackled. I was face-first in the ground and had a pound of snow between my face and my facemask.”
Injury update
Klieman said RB Dylan Edwards could return against the Cyclones after sustaining a no-contact leg injury two weeks ago against Arizona State.
Campbell said S Drew Surges will be available and DT J.R. Singleton and TE Ben Brahmer are on track to play.
Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (4-1)
Lahaina, Hawaii; Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. EST
Advertisement
BOTTOM LINE: Colorado and No. 5 Iowa State play at Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Cyclones are 4-1 in non-conference play. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 41.2 points per game in the paint led by Keshon Gilbert averaging 9.2.
The Buffaloes are 5-1 in non-conference play. Colorado ranks fifth in the Big 12 shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.
Iowa State makes 49.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Colorado has allowed to its opponents (40.8%). Colorado averages 13.9 more points per game (77.7) than Iowa State gives up (63.8).
The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
Advertisement
TOP PERFORMERS: Gilbert is scoring 16.8 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Cyclones.
Elijah Malone is averaging 14.3 points for the Buffaloes.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
 "Moana 2 movie review: Disney’s sequel is visually breathtaking but fails to recreate the magic of first part")
![Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water – Quick and Easy Home Water Testing Kit for Bacteria Nitrate Nitrite pH Manganese & More | Made in The USA in Line with EPA Limits [NO MAILING Required]](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/71zFxEZ3NgL._SL1500_-400x240.jpg "Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water – Quick and Easy Home Water Testing Kit for Bacteria Nitrate Nitrite pH Manganese & More | Made in The USA in Line with EPA Limits [NO MAILING Required]")
![Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water – Quick and Easy Home Water Testing Kit for Bacteria Nitrate Nitrite pH Manganese & More | Made in The USA in Line with EPA Limits [NO MAILING Required]](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/71zFxEZ3NgL._SL1500_-80x80.jpg "Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water – Quick and Easy Home Water Testing Kit for Bacteria Nitrate Nitrite pH Manganese & More | Made in The USA in Line with EPA Limits [NO MAILING Required]")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
