The Renewable Fuels Association is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to reject the petition for a partial waiver of the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard recently submitted by the American Petroleum Institute and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers. RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen says this is just another example of how far Big Oil will go to protect market share and block larger volumes of renewable fuel from reaching the consumer. He adds that – as trade associations – API and AFPM aren’t even entitled to file a petition for a waiver. According to a letter to Administrator Gina McCarthy – the petition from API and AFPM obscures the fundamental purpose and intent of the RFS – which is to drive the production and use of renewable fuels beyond their traditional role as fuel additives.
Dinneen writes that the need to move beyond E10 in 2014 for the purposes of RFS compliance should not come as a surprise to obligated parties. He points out that it was clear as early as 2009 that the so-called E10 blend wall would occur in 2013 or 2014. But Dinneen says many obligated parties chose to blatantly ignore the strong signals compelling them to begin preparations for higher volumes of renewable fuels and to increase investments in storage and distribution infrastructure. Now – Dinneen says the members of API and AFPM are seeking relief from their obligations – arguing their failure to prepare merits reprieve. He says EPA should not reward such blatant disregard for resoundingly clear policy signals.
RFA concludes that the combination of increased E85 and E15 sales, carry-over RINs from 2013 and likely administrative adjustments to the 2014 advanced biofuel standard will allow obligated parties to easily meet their RFS requirements without adverse economic consequences. Dinneen says EPA should act swiftly to reject the waiver petition. He says the conditions outlined in the Clean Air Act under which EPA may grant a waiver don’t exist and adds that the RFS is working precisely as intended. According to Dinneen – oil refiners and importers should have no difficulty meeting their 2014 blending requirements.
Source: NAFB News Service