AFPM responds to EPA Renewable Volume Obligations
Published by Rosalie Starling,
Editor - Hydrocarbon Engineering
Hydrocarbon Engineering,
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) has responded to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations for 2014, 2015 and 2016.
“Today’s rule is further proof that the RFS programme is irreparably broken and that the only solution is for Congress to repeal it outright,” said AFPM President Chet Thompson. “For starters, that EPA is just now – on the last day of November – establishing standards for calendar years 2014 and 2015 is indicative of just how dysfunctional the program has become. While EPA hasn’t suffered consequences from its tardiness, consumers and obligated parties are not so lucky.”
“We applaud EPA for recognising that the E10 blend wall is real and using its waiver authority to reduce the volume requirements. But, the fact that EPA has had to invoke its waiver authority year after year demonstrates that the programme is not functioning as Congress intended and that change is desperately needed. The simple truth is that 10 years after promulgation of the programme, the advanced biofuels industry still has not delivered on its promise of commercially viable fuels, and only the corn ethanol and biodiesel industries benefit from the RFS.
“Obligated parties should not have the responsibility to force consumers to use products they either don’t want or that are incompatible with their cars, boats, and motor equipment. It’s also unclear how EPA can simultaneously recognise the E10 blend wall and yet establish requirements that exceed those constraints. This decision is hard to view as anything other than an attempt by EPA to placate the biofuels lobby.
“Finally, EPA’s biomass-based diesel standards are clearly unlawful, as EPA has undoubtedly failed to provide the mandatory lead time required by the Clean Air Act. The time is long overdue for Congress to step-in and repeal a programme that isn’t working.”
Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling
Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/01122015/afpm-responds-to-epa-renewable-volume-obligations-1857/
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