EPA Hears From Public On 2014 RFS Rule

EPA received approximately 16,000 comments by the January 28, 2014, deadline for the public to weigh in on the EPA's proposed 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVO). Industry organizations from all interested stakeholders made submissions.

For the first time, EPA proposed to reduce the statutory RFS RVOs for corn ethanol and advanced biofuels, in addition to cellulosic biofuels. Under the proposal, EPA would use "a combination of" both of its RFS waiver authorities to achieve these reductions. EPA justified its proposed reductions by concentrating on whether there would be sufficient supply of all of the renewable fuels. EPA broadly defined supply to include other factors such as the ability to consume the fuels and distribution capacity.

Representatives of the biofuels industry, including the American Coalition for Ethanol, Advanced Biofuels Association, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Growth Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association, urged EPA to reconsider the proposed RVOs and warned of negative consequences on biofuels production if it did not. Many comments from the biofuels industry argued that EPA did not have the authority to reduce advanced and total renewable volumes in 2014 as it proposed.

The American Petroleum Institute and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers filed joint comments in support of EPA's proposal. Among other things, these groups argue that EPA does have the authority to make its proposed reductions to the 2014 RVOs. They warn of significant supply and economic consequences if EPA maintains the statutory RVOs for 2014.

EPA is expected to issue in final the 2014 RFS RVOs this Spring.