EPA Issues Final Renewable Fuel Standard

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized the increases in renewable fuel volume requirements across all categories of biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.

The action finalized the volume requirements and associated percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel for 2017, and for biomass-based diesel for 2018.

The final rule increases the advanced biofuel standard by 19 percent over the 2016 standard. The total renewable fuel volume will grow 1.2 billion gallons in 2017, a 6 percent increase.

Wesley Spurlock, president of the National Corn Growers Association, said the decision was a good step.

“This is critical for farmers facing difficult economic times, as well as for consumers who care about clean air, affordable fuel choices, and lowering our dependence on foreign oil,” he said. “The Renewable Fuel Standard has been one of America’s great policy success stories.”

But not everyone was pleased with the increases, especially those who have lobbied against the RFS and spoken out on the downsides of ethanol.

The National Council of Chain Restaurants described the rule as “unconscionable,” saying the biofuel law is “outdated” and “broken.”

The restaurant council claims ethanol has done more harm than good, driving up the cost of food and causing market volatility that affects industry and consumers.

Source: Farm and Dairy