Today, Growth Energy, the nation’s top ethanol advocate, submitted formal comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the final day of the public comment period for the agency’s proposed renewable volume obligation (RVO) targets for 2019.
Growth Energy’s comments urge the EPA to make the proposed numbers real by accounting for lost gallons due to small refinery exemptions and reallocating said gallons to other refineries to fulfill the target RVO. Growth Energy also reiterates its request for Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) relief for rural America to allow the sale of higher octane blends, such as E15, year-round to increase domestic market demand of ethanol and help lower fuel prices for consumers at the pump. Additionally, Growth Energy continues to support 15 billion gallons of starch ethanol and that the cellulosic volumes should be increased in conjunction with regulatory approval for pending cellulosic registrations.
“On it’s face, this is a strong proposal with a 15-billion-gallon commitment to starch ethanol and a significant increase in cellulosic biofuels,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “However, the proposed RVO has failed to account for the 2.25 billion gallons lost due to small refinery exemptions. By failing to account for these exemptions, EPA has made the numbers hollow turning the clock back on the RFS by 5 years.”
“With ag demand at a 12 year low, America’s farmers and producers need the proposed RVO targets for 2019 set and met earnestly,” Skor continued. “I hope the new leadership at the EPA reverses course and gets back on the path of blending more gallons of homegrown renewable biofuels and increases domestic grain market demand through the year-round sale of higher octane blends, such as E15.”
In July, Growth Energy’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley testified before EPA officials at a field hearing in Ypsilanti, Michigan on the proposed RVO targets. Read Mr. Bliley’s full testimony here.
Click HERE for the full comments submitted to EPA.
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For further information contact:
Leigh Claffey
(202) 545-4000
LClaffey@GrowthEnergy.org