This month, the EPA proposed a package of actions setting biofuel volumes for the Renewable Fuel Standard program for years 2020, 2021, and 2022, and introducing regulatory changes intended to enhance the program’s objectives.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, along with five other Midwestern Democrats, say the announcement is “good,” but still delays progress to achieve climate goals.
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
---|---|---|---|
Cellulosic Biofuel | 0.51 | 0.62 | 0.77 |
Biomass-Based Diesel | 2.43** | 2.43** | 2.76 |
Advanced Biofuel | 4.63 | 5.20 | 5.77 |
Total Renewable Fuel | 17.13 | 18.52 | 20.77 |
Supplemental Standard | n/a | n/a | 0.25 |
**The 2020 and 2021 BBD volumes were established in previous RFS annual rulemakings.
“After months of waiting, it is good the EPA announced this rule that will help restore certainty in fuel markets. It is clear that we need to be moving full steam ahead to a homegrown energy future that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and drives economic opportunity in America’s heartland,” Baldwin; Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota; Tammy Duckworth, Illinois; Debbie Stabenow, Michigan; Dick Durbin, Illinois; and Tina Smith, Minnesota said in a statement.
“That said, this announcement will delay progress to achieving our climate goals, making it all the more essential that moving forward, biofuels policies are implemented with clear, on-time and reliable actions from the EPA,” they continue. “There is clearly much room for improvement and we will continue working with the Administration to make changes to ensure that the final rule fully supports rural communities.”
They note it’s good to see support from USDA for biofuel producers through the American Rescue Plan and investments in biofuel infrastructure.
The EPA also proposed to add a 250-million-gallon “supplemental obligation” to the volumes proposed for 2022 and stated its intent to add another 250 million gallons in 2023. This would address the remand of the 2014-2016 annual rule by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in Americans for Clean Energy v. EPA, according to the EPAs website.
The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing Jan. 4 on its proposal for the “Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program: RFS Annual Rules” which was signed on Dec. 7: https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/public-hearing-information-proposed-renewable-fuel-standards-2020
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