The Environmental Protection Agency has filed a motion asking the the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to vacate and remand three last-minute small refinery exemptions granted to Sinclair by the previous administration. The filing says the Trump administration’s EPA “…granted exemption extensions that EPA now believes are ‘outside the scope of the EPA’s statutory authority.’” Renewable Fuels …
New EPA Chief Pledges to Get RFS Back on Track
The day after the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020 until 2022, Administrator Michael Regan told the Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit they are focused on getting the program back on track. “More transparency, more certainty in the decisions that we’ve made and looking at fuel …
EPA Extends RFS Compliance Deadlines
The first decision by the new administration that impacts biofuels is a disappointment to the industry. Late Tuesday afternoon, the Environmental Protection Agency extended compliance deadlines for the Renewable Fuel Standard, a move proposed under the Trump Administration that is opposed by biofuels supporters. EPA finalized a rule to extend the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program’s compliance deadlines for 2019 …
RFA Urges New EPA Admin to Support RFS
The Renewable Fuels Association is urging new EPA Administrator Michael Regan to “stay the course” on the Renewable Fuel Standard, as the policy faces renewed attacks from oil refiners. In a letter to Regan, RFA responds to several assertions about the RFS and RIN credits made by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM). “Contrary to the refiners’ claim that …
Kansas City Gets Approval for Year Round E15
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the approval of the removal of the low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) gasoline requirements in the Kansas City metro area, which allows for E15 fuel to be sold in the area year-round. The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) welcomed the news after working with government agencies in …
RFA Opposes Proposal to Extend RFS Deadlines
The Renewable Fuels Association submitted comments this week to oppose an EPA proposal to extend the deadlines for demonstrating compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2019 and 2020. “This proposal is unnecessary, and the timelines are excessive,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “All that the extensions would do is to compound problems that the EPA itself created …
Biofuels Groups Oppose General RFS Waivers
Biofuels organizations filed comments this week opposing requests from refiners, several state governors, and an environmental organization that the Environmental Protection Agency waive 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes. “None of the petitions provides the required evidence that the RFS itself is causing economic or environmental harm. In fact, the requests point to the continuing coronavirus emergency as the …
RFA Opposes Extending RFS Compliance Deadlines
In a virtual public hearing this week, the Renewable Fuels Association opposed the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed extension of the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard compliance deadlines, calling it a last minute favor to oil refiners made by former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on his way out the door. In his testimony, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman said, “All …
Senators Ask EPA to Take Action on RFS Issues
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), along with more than a dozen others, sent a letter this week asking the Environmental Protection Agency to take immediate action on Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) related issues. Those issues include reviewing small refinery waivers, issuing a proposed rule for the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligation, and advancing the proposed E15 streamlining …
EPA Administrator Nominee Says RFS is Priority
The nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency says the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will be a priority for the new administration. “You have my commitment that we will look at the RFS program and we will introduce some transparency into that program,” nominee Michael Regan said Wednesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works …