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Biofuel stakeholders critical of EPA 2020 RFS final rule

Ag and biofuel stakeholders are critical of the EPA’s final rule for 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements. 

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says while she’s encouraged that EPA is finally taking steps to follow the law and account for biofuel demand lost to small refinery exemptions, the new rule leaves important work unfinished.

“Integrity is restored to the RFS only if the agency accurately accounts for exemptions it will grant. The (new) rule uses an accounting formula based on Department of Energy recommendations, which EPA has a poor track-record of following.”

On a conference call with reporters Thursday morning, senior EPA official Anna Zulf defended the methodology that will be used to account for lost gallons.

“I certainly don’t feel comfortable necessarily speaking on behalf of the biofuels stakeholders that have taken this position, but what I can surmise is they are assuming that despite our position that we are going to continue on the previous path of granting actuals as opposed to the projecteds. Which we have laid out here which include 50 percent DOE recommendations.”

Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper says the EPA has blown its chance to make up for abusing the SRE program, and has failed to deliver on President Trump’s promise to restore integrity to the RFS.

EPA conference call: