WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to extend the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020, as well as for the yet to be proposed 2021 RVO. EPA is proposing to establish general timeframes for the extended compliance deadlines without giving specific dates. In addition, EPA is proposing to change how future compliance deadlines are determined. The 2019 RVO compliance deadline for small refineries is currently set for November 30, 2021, and the 2020 RVO compliance deadline for all obligated parties is currently set for January 31, 2022.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement in response:
“EPA needs to release 2021 and 2022 RVOs immediately. Further delaying compliance deadlines for previous RVO years does nothing but contribute to ongoing uncertainty in the marketplace,” said Skor. “Sadly, even as our country faces rising gas prices, the EPA and the Biden Administration continue to give in to the loud voices of the oil industry without considering their detrimental impact on rural America.
“During his confirmation hearing, the EPA Administrator said he wanted to get the RFS back on track and reintroduce transparency into the program. To do so, EPA must issue strong 2021 and 2022 RVOs and ensure that the 15-billion-gallon biofuel blending requirements are met. It is past time for EPA to act.”
Background
Earlier this year, EPA extended the compliance deadline for small refineries to demonstrate compliance with their 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) and for all obligated parties to demonstrate compliance with their 2020 RVOs. Growth Energy submitted comments to the agency urging EPA not to extend the deadlines, and Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley also testified before EPA on the issue.