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Balanced Reporting. Trusted Insights.
Sunday, December 04, 2022
Renewable fuel interests have gained a powerful new ally for one of their legacy priorities, but stiff opposition could still stall a potential resolution.
Stakeholders from all sides of the Renewable Fuel Standard cautioned federal regulators Tuesday about moving forward with its proposed multi-year set of blending targets for the nation’s biofuel mandate.
Bills introduced in the House and Senate would allow summertime sales of higher ethanol blends, addressing a recent court decision that found the Environmental Protection Agency's waiver allowing year-round sales of E15 exceeded legislative intent.
Even as President-elect Joe Biden pushes for electric vehicles, the biofuel industry argues he can also make progress on his climate goals by expanding biofuel usage mandates, embracing a low carbon fuel policy and increasing vehicle emissions standards.
Ethanol, corn, and biodiesel groups worry the Environmental Protection Agency will punt finalizing blending targets for the Renewable Fuel Standard to the new administration, which could delay action in a year of massive uncertainty.
EPA is not expected to meet the statutory Nov. 30 deadline this year, and supplemental rulemaking to address gallons waived through Small Refinery Exemptions is said to be the holdup.
The Environmental Protection Agency has granted 31 small refinery exemptions from the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year, a move that immediately angered the biofuel industry.
The American Coalition for Ethanol is urging Senators to “secure tangible documentation” from EPA Administrator nominee Andrew Wheeler on a pair of biofuel issues prior to supporting his confirmation.
President Donald Trump delivered welcome news to supporters of the Renewable Fuel Standard on Thursday, confirming that the administration is seriously considering a waiver for year-round E15 sales.
If recent reports about the Trump administration considering sending biofuel program reform efforts back to the legislative branch turn out to be true, don’t expect ethanol supporters to be too disappointed.
