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...
As predicted, the Federal Reserve held rates steady at the last meeting before the midterm elections, likely in part because of the election (see WPI 19 October and 22 September). The decision comes at the tail end of a midterm election cycle that has been marked by the two parties campaigning...
Key Takeaways: WPI’s new EU rapeseed crushing margin models point to weaker processing returns over the next four months due to higher rapeseed procurement costs and weaker product values. Statistical forecasts call for German crushing margins to decline from €181/MT to €...
From WPI Consulting
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.