Iowa
Federal agencies sue Iowa biofuels producer while providing millions in aid – Iowa Capital Dispatch
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Iowa
What Fran McCaffery said at Iowa basketball Media Day
“I think for Payton we all have an expectation, you know, when your best player comes back and lead the league in made threes, well, he’s going to make more threes and he’s going to get more rebounds.
“The thing I’ve been impressed with is he was a really good rebounder last year. He’s a special offensive rebounder.
“A lot of shooters just don’t do that. They hang around on the perimeter, and that’s that. Throw me the ball, and I’ll shoot it in the hole for you.
“He does that, but he’s done more off the dribble. He’s done more passing to open people and reading situations, which is what you would expect from a senior.
“Think about him. Freshman year he played a lot. He was on the Big Ten Championship team. Sophomore year, Rookie of the Year in the league. Last year led the league in made threes, was an All-League player.
“Now, I think how do you go from being a second- or third-team All-League player to first-team? Obviously it’s consistency of effort and performance, and he is going to work harder.”
Iowa
Ohio State Offensive Lineman Acknowledged After Win Over Iowa
Back in the offseason, the assumption was that Seth McLaughlin would win the starting center job after transferring from Alabama. Not only did he win that job but so far this season, he has played quite well.
This is certainly a welcome sight after the Ohio State Buckeyes struggled with offensive line consistency in 2023 and McLaughlin himself had a down year with the Crimson Tide.
Through the non-conference schedule and two Big Ten Conference games, the pairing has been perfect for both parties. The experienced center has been a strong addition in the trenches and will look to continue to be a dominant force throughout the rest of the season.
Just how dominant has McLaughlin been?
In the win against the Iowa Hawkeyes, McLaughlin actually posted the highest grade of any center in the country during week six according to Pro Football Focus. His 78.6 mark is an excellent grade, yet not surprising considering how solid he has been in the middle.
Not only has McLaughlin been solid this season, but the rest of the offensive line has played quite well. Against the Oregon Ducks, McLaughlin, Josh Simmons, Donovan Jackson, Tegra Tshabola and Josh Fryar will all need to be at their best. It seems like they have been at their best to this point, however, this will be the toughest test yet for the whole team.
If this unit can enforce physicality in the run game and give Will Howard time to operate on Saturday, then not only might McLaughlin grade high with PFF once again, but the rest of the unit may fair pretty well.
Iowa
Iowa football: Kickoff time, TV announced for Hawkeyes’ Oct. 19 game at Michigan State
Video: Jay Higgins on Iowa’s defensive performance in loss to Ohio State
Jay Higgins discusses a variety of topics after Iowa’s 35-7 loss to Ohio State.
The Iowa football team’s Oct. 19 game at Michigan State will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT.
The Big Ten contest will be televised on NBC.
Iowa plays host to Washington on Saturday, Oct. 12. That game is set for 11:10 a.m. CT.
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