The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) encourages ethanol advocates to utilize its Legislative Action Center to participate in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) comment period on the proposed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) for the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Comments must be submitted on or before August 31.
ACE expressed gratitude toward EPA’s proposal to maintain the 15-billion-gallon conventional biofuel blending requirement in its July 5 proposed RVOs, and encourages EPA to utilize the comment period to fine tune the cellulosic and advanced blending targets so further investment can be made in domestic cellulosic and advanced biofuel facilities. It’s important for EPA to hear that they are likely underestimating the volume of cellulosic biofuel which can be produced and used in 2018, particularly from corn kernel fiber technologies. ACE supports making a reasonable increase in cellulosic volumes for 2018.
ACE is also grateful EPA is holding a public hearing on the proposed RVOs, scheduled next Tuesday, August 1 in Washington, D.C. However, given the delay in issuing the proposal, ACE reiterates the importance of EPA Administrator Pruitt moving this process forward in a timely manner to meet the final rule publishing date of November 30.
“We urge the agency to expedite the process of finalizing strong blending targets to help restore confidence to the rural economy and reassure retailers that it makes sense to offer E15 and flex fuels like E30 and E85 to their customers,” said Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE. “The RFS is meant to drive increasing levels of domestic biofuel production and use. This issue is of paramount importance to America’s farmers—who are reeling from oversupplies and low prices—and the rural communities that depend upon a strong farm economy.”
