Just as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Deputy Director for Office of Transportation and Air Quality was addressing the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, EPA finally released its proposed rule in response to the request from eight Midwest states for removal of the national gasoline volatility waiver to allow year-round sales of E-15 ethanol. The proposal states, “After …
RFA: 3rd Triennial Biofuels Report “Needs Work”
The Environmental Protection Agency’s recently released Third Triennial Report to Congress on the environmental impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard “takes some constructive steps but needs work,” according to the Renewable Fuels Association. In comments during a peer review meeting last week, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman pointed out several issues with the content they hope will be addressed in …
Biofuels Groups Submit Final RFS Proposal Comments
Biofuels stakeholder organizations have submitted final comments on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023, 2024, and 2025 to the Environmental Protection Agency prior to the deadline on February 10. The Renewable Fuels Association said the proposed renewable volume obligations for 2023-2025 will bolster the Renewable Fuel Standard and provide for sustainable growth in low-carbon renewable liquid fuels. “Moving forward, …
States Attorneys General Push EPA for Response on E15
A bipartisan coalition of seven Attorneys General sent a letter last week to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the Biden Administration to follow the law and respond to the request of their Governors and issue regulations allowing the sale of year-round E15 ethanol gasoline in their respective states. The letter was signed by the Attorneys General of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, …
Biofuels Groups Provide Comments on RFS Proposal
Biofuels groups offered testimony to the Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday during a virtual public hearing for the proposed rule to establish required Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes and percentage standards for 2023-25. “Overall, we believe the proposed ‘Set’ rule establishes a firm foundation for the future of the RFS and creates a pathway for sustainable growth in the production and …
Missouri Becomes 10th State to Seek Year-round E15 Sales
Missouri has become the tenth state to take action to allow the year-round sale of 15% ethanol fuel (E15). This week, Missouri Governor Mike Parson notified EPA administrator Michael Regan by letter that he will exercise authority granted to state governors under the Clean Air Act to allow Missouri retailers to sell E-15 all year. He joins nine other Midwestern …
White House Reviewing Governors E15 Volatility Petition
The White House Office of Management and Budget is now officially reviewing the request from nine Midwest governors to eliminate the 1-psi RVP waiver for E10 in their states and allow year-round sales of E15, according to the RegInfo.gov dashboard. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said, “OMB review marks an important step in this process, and we …
EPA Finalizes Canola Oil Pathways Rule for RFS
In addition to proposing new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes and percentage standards for 2023, 2024, and 2025 this week, the Environmental Protection Agency also released a rule finalizing pathways for certain biofuels produced from canola/rapeseed oil. With this action, these fuel pathways will be eligible to generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), provided they satisfy the other definitional and RIN …
RFA CEO Discusses EPA Proposed RFS Volumes Rule
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper held a telephone media call with reporters Thursday shortly after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposed rule to establish required Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes and percentage standards for 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as to propose a series of important modifications to strengthen and expand the RFS program. …
Clean Fuels Criticizes EPA Biomass Diesel Volumes
Clean Fuels Alliance America is criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2023 and beyond for “undercutting investments in biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity.” The minor increases for biomass-based diesel volumes in 2023, 2024 and 2025 are below the industry’s existing production and ignore the clean fuels industry’s significant investments in new capacity. The volumes provide …