Growth Energy Outlines Path Forward for RFS in Comments to EPA

 

Growth Energy has formally submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on pathways forward for the Renewable Fuel Standard. The group highlights the importance of next generation biofuels and how increased market access will play a critical role in the ultimate success of the RFS. CEO Tom Buis writes that Growth Energy’s members and the ethanol industry have produced significant volumes of renewable fuel that have displaced 10-percent of U.S. transportation fuel since the inception of the RFS. He says this has helped reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, improve our air quality, create thousands of jobs and revitalize rural communities nationwide. Buis continues that the industry has successfully built the foundation of the RFS with the first generation of grain-based ethanol production – and is poised to do the same in the next generation with advanced biofuels and cellulosic ethanol.

Growth Energy continues to advocate for additional pathways to meet the goals of the RFS – including the new pathway for cellulosic biofuel from corn kernel fiber – as well as additional crop residues. Buis writes Growth Energy believes any renewable biomass meeting the 60-percent greenhouse gas threshold should be able to generate cellulosic RINs.

Finally – the comments address the refusal by oil companies and refiners to use higher blends of biofuels to help meet the target goals for the RFS and the calls for repeal. Buis writes the petroleum and other industries have had ample time to plan and adjust their business accordingly to accept higher ethanol blends to meet the volumes outlined in the final RFS as the RFS has been the law of the land since 2007.

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