Biofuels groups give EPA RFS proposal mixed reviews

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Biofuels groups give EPA RFS proposal mixed reviews

Renewable fuels groups have mixed reviews on EPA’s biofuels program updates.

Renewable Fuels Association president Geoff Cooper calls the series of proposals a modest step in the right direction.

“The EPA has proposed to get the RFS back in a growth mode (by) proposing for 2022 a 15 billion gallon requirement, which would be consistent with the statutory volume.”

Cooper is also pleased EPA is proposing to deny virtually all pending Small Refinery Exemption petitions.

But biofuels groups are upset the package would retroactively cut renewable volume obligations for 2020 and 2021.

American Coalition for Ethanol senior vice president Ron Lamberty tells Brownfield the RFS is not in a better place with Tuesday’s announcement.

“They’ve lowered some numbers for 2020, which didn’t need to be touched at all. It’s unnecessary, there’s no reason for them to go in and do it. And it’s probably illegal, so it will end up being another lawsuit that we have to spend money on.”

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the Biden administration cannot meet its climate goals while retroactively rolling back low-carbon biofuel blending requirements to help oil refiners.

Geoff Cooper audio:

Ron Lamberty audio:

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