CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE URGES EPA TO RAISE RFS MULTI-YEAR VOLUMES OR FINALIZE 2023 VOLUMES
Clean Fuels Alliance America filed formal comments on the Environmental Protection Agency ’ s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023 – 2025 and Other Changes .
“ After sending signals supporting growth for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels in June 2022 , EPA reverted to the pattern of flatlined volumes common in previous years ,” the Alliance said in a statement . “ Clean Fuels asks the agency to significantly increase the volumes for biomass-based diesel and other advanced biofuels over the next three years , based on the factors that EPA is required to consider , such as the commercial development of these fuels , the positive impact on the economy , the benefits for consumers , and the significant environmental benefits .”
Kurt Kovarik , Vice President of Federal Affairs with Clean Fuels , said , “ The clean fuels industry today meets a significant portion of the nation ’ s demand for heavy duty on-road fuels , helping to lower diesel fuel prices that impact the costs of all consumer goods . The industry is investing to double production , based on signals from the administration in the SAF Grand Challenge and pledge to cut carbon emissions in half . Flatlined volumes for the RFS threaten to undermine our industry ’ s investments as well as derail the administration ’ s goals for domestic energy security , jobs , economic opportunities , and environmental gains .”
The Energy Information Administration recently projected that domestic renewable diesel capacity could more than double through 2025 to 5.9 billion gallons , the Alliance said . EPA ’ s data show that more than 3.6 billion gallons of advanced biomass-based diesel was generated for the RFS program in 2022 , an increase of more than 500 million gallons over 2021 . The growth is supported by investments of nearly $ 5 billion by oilseed processors to increase availability of vegetable oils and meal for domestic use , the Alliance said in its statement . But EPA proposed to keep RFS biomass-based diesel requirements below 3 billion gallons through 2025 , the Alliance said .
“ In finalizing the overdue rules for 2021 and 2022 , Administrator Regan committed to increase availability of homegrown fuels , put the RFS program back on track , and deliver certainty and stability ,” Kovarik added . “ December ’ s proposed volumes for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels contradict this sentiment .”
“ Clean Fuels asks that EPA increase the D4 BBD volumes by 500 million gallons year over year and increase the D5 advanced volumes by 1 billion RINs year over year as supported through the data ,” Kovarik said . “ If EPA is unable to significantly raise the volumes across the three years , we respectively request that the agency only finalize 2023 requirements as directed by the Consent Decree . Finalizing a ‘ no growth ’ scenario as proposed will have
10 MARCH 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com