In response to the EPA’s notice of proposed rulemaking regarding 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard required volumes – the Renewable Fuels Association has submitted comments. In a release from the group – they highlighted four key points of the comments. According to RFA – EPA should revise its proposed 2013 cellulosic biofuel standard to better correspond with current expectations of actual 2013 cellulosic biofuel production volumes. But the group says EPA should partially reduce the 2013 advanced biofuel standard – as sugarcane ethanol imports are unlikely to be available in sufficient volumes to meet the requirement. Because there are legal and economical options available for surmounting the blend wall – RFA tells EPA the E10 saturation point should not be a factor in their decision-making process for 2013 RVO levels. RFA also believes EPA should propose 2014 RFS standards as expeditiously as possible and ensure the 2014 RVOs are established no later than November 30th of this year.
RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen says the RFS is a flexible program that is a proven success. He says it is lowering the country’s dependence on foreign oil, creating American jobs and stimulating investment in the next generation of biofuels. To ensure the RFS continues to be implemented in the most effective way – he says RFA is calling on EPA to exercise its discretion to adjust the 2013 advanced biofuel standard. Dinneen says RFA doesn’t believe the levels of sugarcane ethanol imports assumed by EPA are reasonable given current market conditions. He says the request regarding 2014 RFS standards is to make sure stakeholders can engage with the agency to ensure the program is efficiently as possible next year.
Source: NAFB News serivce