EPA Announces Public Hearing On RFS Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard [RFS] Program: Standards for 2018 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2019 proposed rule. The hearing will take place at 9:00 a.m. on August 1, 2017, and will provide an opportunity for EPA to gather data, views, and arguments on the proposed rulemaking from interested stakeholders. While EPA does not plan to respond to presentations, the Agency may ask clarifying questions. EPA intends to use the information to inform a future rulemaking to reset the statutory volumes for cellulosic, advanced, and total biofuels pursuant to the Clean Air Act. In resetting the mandatory biofuel production requirements under the RFS program, EPA will need to review the implementation of the program during previous years and coordinate with the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Agriculture. Factors that EPA must consider in its analysis include:
- The impact of renewable fuels on the environment;
- The impact of the fuels on energy security;
- Production rates of fuels;
- Economic impacts of fuels; and
- The impact of renewable fuel on U.S. infrastructure.
Stakeholders interested in testifying during the hearing should contact Julia MacAllister (RFS_Hearing@epa.gov) by July 25, 2017.