The Environmental Protection Agency released the long-awaited Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements for 2023-2025. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said she welcomes the move.
“We’re grateful to President Biden and EPA Administrator Reagan for keeping clean energy on an upward trajectory that will move America closer to a net zero future. As we saw again this summer, biofuels remain the single best tool available to shield motorists from volatile global oil prices and rapidly decarbonize the transportation sector. We are greatly encouraged by EPA’s strong proposal and appreciative of administrator Reagan support for the growing role ethanol continues to play in decarbonizing the transportation sector, now and into the future.”
Skor also talked about what’s next for the biofuels industry.
“Our opportunities for growth across both conventional and advanced biofuels are linked, so it’s important that EPA’s volumes continue to reflect industry growth and innovation, especially when it comes to renewable diesel. We’re also appreciative that the proposal keeps EPA on track to restore the final 250 million gallons of biofuel demand that had been illegally waived in the agency’s 2016 rule, a long overdue fix that began with the 2022 volumes. We do, however, want to ensure that the final rule preserves the integrity of the RFS when it comes to new renewable fuel sources like those tracked by E-RIN’s. All new pathways must include safeguards to address double-counting, fraud risks, and other requirements to ensure that truly renewable energy is being harnessed to fuel our transportation needs.”
Skor said the EPA needs to make the path smoother for more advanced biofuel development in the future as well.
“At the same time, the agency must clear the backlog of pathway approvals for advanced and cellulosic biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels from kernel fiber and advanced biofuels from corn oil produced at ethanol wet mills, and better leverage this opportunity to account for all of the innovation taking place in the renewable transportation industry. That will require updated modeling to reflect the best available science on low-carbon ethanol, including benefits of carbon capture technology and other innovations biofuel plants are deploying in the production of sustainable aviation fuel. We look forward to working with the agency as it finalizes this proposal so that we’re tapping the full potential of the RFS, and meeting EPA’s final rule deadline included under a consent decree with Growth Energy. America’s biofuel producers and our foreign partners are ready to lead the charge on climate and energy solutions, and a firm commitment to growth will offer regulatory certainty and predictability in the years ahead.”
For more information, visit growthenergy.org.
New RFS numbers keep ethanol on the right track – Iowa Agribusiness Network
