Cellulosic RVO withdrawn

American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufactures (AFPM) President Charles T. Drevna issued the following statement after the withdrawal of its Petition for Waiver of the 2012 Cellulosic Biofuels Volumetric Requirements.

The statement

‘We appreciate the EPA’s prompt action to rescind the 2012 cellulosic RVO following a US Court of Appeals’ decision to vacate the 2012 cellulosic RVO. As a result of EPA’s response, AFPM has withdrawn its waiver petition, since our members are no longer required to purchase credits for fuel that doesn’t exist. We believe that EPA should reconsider proposed 2013 volumes, which suffer from the same shortcomings, and finalise a 2013 cellulosic biofuel RVO that reflects the Court’s directive to aim for accuracy.

‘While EPA’s decision on the 2012 cellulosic RVO is the right one, it doesn’t alleviate the waste of resources and time spent correcting just this one example of an impracticable Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). A more immediate problem with the RFS is the fast approaching blendwall, where EPA is mandating the consumption of ethanol in quantities that exceed the technological limitations of certain engines and refuelling equipment. The result is a dramatic increase in the market price of ethanol RINs, which has risen nearly 1000% since early January, with a predictable negative impact upon consumers of transportation fuels. AFPM encourages EPA to reevaluate the amount of ethanol that will be used to meet thresholds set as part of the RFS.’

Edited from press release by Claira Lloyd.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/12032013/epa_rvo_withdrawn-344/