Petroleum groups ask EPA for lower RFS targets
August 13, 2013 | 07:43 PM
The American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers today formally asked the Environmental Protection Agency to set the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard targets at less than 10 percent of the anticipated total fuel supply, rather than follow the scheduled mandate of 18.15 billion gallons, Fuel Fix reported.
The result would be the use of 3.35 billion gallons less of ethanol, according to current estimates.
EPA has acknowledged that as the ethanol requirement rises under a 2005 law, there are concerns that refiners will hit the “blend wall,” meaning that they would exceed the 10 percent threshold acceptable for use in all cars and trucks.
Growth Energy and other renewable fuels groups have been encouraging the use of E15, but the oil industry and some automobile groups say it would be unsafe in some vehicles.
“The actions by API and AFPM are designed with one goal in mind – to eliminate any competition from clean, green biofuels in the liquid transportation fuels marketplace,” Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said in a news release today.
“Biofuels are a clean-burning, reliable and sustainable alternative and it is time we start recognizing their cost savings and numerous benefits and end our addiction to a fossil fuels and Big Oil’s price gouging,” Buis said.
The result would be the use of 3.35 billion gallons less of ethanol, according to current estimates.
EPA has acknowledged that as the ethanol requirement rises under a 2005 law, there are concerns that refiners will hit the “blend wall,” meaning that they would exceed the 10 percent threshold acceptable for use in all cars and trucks.
Growth Energy and other renewable fuels groups have been encouraging the use of E15, but the oil industry and some automobile groups say it would be unsafe in some vehicles.
“The actions by API and AFPM are designed with one goal in mind – to eliminate any competition from clean, green biofuels in the liquid transportation fuels marketplace,” Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said in a news release today.
“Biofuels are a clean-burning, reliable and sustainable alternative and it is time we start recognizing their cost savings and numerous benefits and end our addiction to a fossil fuels and Big Oil’s price gouging,” Buis said.
