Monday, November 30, 2015

EPA Finally Releases Renewable Fuel Levels for 2014, 2015 and 2016

Food and Fuel America - www.foodandfuelamerica.com
Proving that the government moves at a snail's pace, the EPA finally released the volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2014, 2015 and 2016.  

That's right, they finally got around to 2014.

Better late than never.

While higher than the initial numbers proposed earlier, they still fall short of the Congressional mandate.



Final Renewable Fuel Volumes
2014201520162017
Cellulosic biofuel (million gallons)33123230n/a
Biomass-based diesel (billion gallons)1.631.73 1.902.00
Advanced biofuel (billion gallons) 2.672.883.61n/a
Renewable fuel (billion gallons)16.2816.9318.11n/a
Source: EPA

Predictably, the American Petroleum Institute (API) complained that the numbers are too high.

"EPA must do more to ensure Americans have access to fuels they want and can safely use in their vehicles until Congress can repeal or significantly reform the outdated Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), API President and CEO Jack Gerard said following EPA’s release of the 2014, 2015, and 2016 RFS mandates Monday." 

API's message: We need to drill more.  Frack more.  And buy more foreign oil

Supporters of American grown biofuels were disappointed in the EPA's decision as well.

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)

“While we appreciate that the Administration made incremental improvements compared to the proposed RFS rule, unfortunately, today they are choosing to side with those who say ‘no, we can’t’.  Regrettably, EPA’s final RFS rule protects the old way of doing business by obstructing consumer access to cleaner fuels, stifling competition in the marketplace, and undermining innovation. 

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)

“EPA’s decision today turns our nation’s most successful energy policy on its head. When EPA released its proposed RFS rule in May, the agency claimed it was attempting to get the program back on track. Today’s decision, however, fails to do that. It will deepen uncertainty in the marketplace and thus chill investment in second-generation biofuels. Unlike Big Oil, the ethanol industry does not receive billions in tax subsidies and the RFS is our only means of accessing a marketplace that is overwhelmingly and unfairly dominated by the petroleum industry."

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)


“While we are pleased to see the EPA take a step forward and revise its original proposal, the fact remains that any reduction in the statutory amount will have a negative impact on our economy, our energy security, and the environment. It is unfortunate that Big Oil’s campaign of misinformation continues to carry weight in the court of public opinion, and in this decision."

So the US has a crippled biofuels policy.  "We support it, but not really."

That's no way to run a country.

READ MORE

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