Monday, November 28, 2016

EPA releases 2017 Renewable Fuel Standards for biofuels; farm groups mostly support regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency says it "has finalized the volume requirements and associated percentage standards under the Renewable Fuel Standards program for calendar year 2017 for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel, and biomass-based diesel for 2018."

Farm and Dairy reports, "Non-advanced or 'conventional' renewable fuel will increase in 2017, meeting the 15 billion-gallon congressional target for conventional fuels. The advanced biofuel standard—comprised of biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, and other biofuel—increases 19 percent over the 2016 standard. The total renewable fuel volume will grow 1.2 billion gallons from 2016 to 2017, a 6 percent increase."

Farm groups indicated support for the standards. The National Farmers Union said: "We are appreciative that EPA has raised the RFS volume obligations from their initial proposal to meet the 15 billion volume obligations set by Congress. Today’s action shows a clear commitment to achieving the environmental benefits inherent in conventional ethanol and to protecting the future of advanced biofuels in the market."

Wesley Spurlock, a Texas farmer and National Corn Growers Association president, "said the decision was a step in the right direction," reports Farm and Dairy. The American Soybean Association "said the increases are encouraging, but said there is more opportunity," saying they "would still like to see additional support and promotion of domestically produced biodiesel, through higher volumes for the biomass-based diesel category."

No comments: