fraud

Top Tweets
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.
An NOAA truck with a weather satellite on the back.
Courtroom with a jury box and judge's bench.
Wind turbines in grass field during golden hour.
Newsletter
EPA investigates biofuel fraud concerns

EPA investigates biofuel fraud concerns

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is auditing renewable fuel producers for possible fraudulent use of unsustainable feedstocks in biodiesel production.

Leah Douglas reports for Reuters.

In short:

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun auditing renewable fuel producers over concerns that some companies may be fraudulently using unsustainable feedstocks like virgin palm oil, which are labeled as used cooking oil to earn government subsidies.
  • These audits were initiated after the EPA updated supply chain accounting requirements in July 2023, aimed at ensuring the authenticity of materials used in producing biodiesel, a process eligible for various state and federal incentives.
  • U.S. senators have urged federal agencies to rigorously verify both domestic and imported feedstocks to maintain integrity in biofuel production and avoid undermining efforts to promote sustainable energy.

Key quote:

“EPA has conducted audits of renewable fuel producers since July 2023 which includes, among other things, an evaluation of the locations that used cooking oil used in renewable fuel production was collected.”

— Jeffrey Landis, EPA spokesperson.

Why this matters:

The integrity of biofuel production is crucial for achieving environmental goals and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Fraudulent practices could undermine the transition to sustainable energy sources and harm environmental and economic policies designed to support renewable fuels.

Related EHN coverage:

Keep reading...Show less
Top Story
Plastics industry's recycling deception
Credit: MPCA Photos/Flickr

Plastics industry's recycling deception exposed

A new report uncovers decades of misleading claims by plastic producers about the viability of recycling, revealing it as a flawed solution for waste management.

Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
electric vehicle Nikola fraud
Credit: VanderWolf Images/BigStock Photo ID: 463290307

E.V. start-up founder could get prison term in fraud case

Trevor Milton, who founded the truck company Nikola, will be sentenced on Monday in a fraud case that exposed the excesses in the electric vehicle business.
Ohio vote to frack state parks
Paul (unless labeled Cathy!)/Flickrhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Ohio commission approves fracking in state parks and wildlife areas despite fraud investigation

A state commission in Ohio has voted to approve fracking for oil and gas drilling in state parks and designated wildlife areas.
avoiding greenwashing scammers
BigStock Photo ID: 456977425
Copyright: tanaonte
Available for extended license use

How to avoid getting scammed by greenwashing

Deceptive eco-marketing techniques prey on consumers looking to make responsible purchases. Follow these tips to avoid getting duped.
cow manure biogas Ponzi scheme

Man is sentenced in $9 million cow manure Ponzi scheme

Raymond Brewer defrauded investors by falsely telling them he was building machines that could convert cow manure into biogas, federal prosecutors said.
billion-dollar solar Ponzi scheme
Ken Bosma/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

The billion-dollar Ponzi scheme that hooked Wall Street, Warren Buffett, and the U.S. Treasury

How a small-town auto mechanic peddling a green-energy breakthrough pulled off a massive scam.

ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE