API Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola said the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposal to deny the petitions to change the point of obligation is the right call and now the focus must be on reforming the broken Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
“We are pleased that EPA recognizes that passing this burdensome requirement from one entity to another would add complexity and have negative impacts to a program that we believe is already deeply flawed. In short, moving the point of obligation would be irresponsible, and EPA’s proposal confirms this,” said Macchiarola. “Requiring businesses to blend increasing amounts of ethanol into gasoline, which consumers have demonstrated they don’t particularly want or need, is the central flaw of the RFS mandate that must be addressed.
“Policymakers from both sides of the aisle agree that the current RFS policy is broken, and bipartisan support is growing in Congress to fix it by passing Flores-Welch. It’s time to put consumers first by taking action to address the broken RFS.
“We were pleased that, based on data and thoughtful analysis, EPA affirms our view and proposes to reject efforts to move the point of obligation. And, we look forward to commenting further on this during the public comment period so that we can put this issue to rest and return the focus back to meaningful RFS reform.”
