In April 2023, EPA released its Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles. Despite having lower lifecycle emissions that several other fuels and their compatibility with cars and trucks that are already on the road today, biofuels aren’t mentioned once in EPA’s proposal as a potential emissions-reducing solution.

Growth Energy responded to the initial proposal and then has issued statements, signed on to letters, and submitted comments to EPA highlighting the importance of biofuels to any effort to reach net zero emissions.

In May 2023, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley testified at a public hearing hosted by EPA on the tailpipe emissions proposal.

In July 2023, Growth Energy submitted comprehensive comments on the proposal, challenging EPA’s legal justification to issue the rule and highlighting the inconsistencies in EPA’s approach to evaluating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the lifecycles of electric vehicles (EVs) versus internal combustion engine vehicles. The comments also call on EPA to update its final standards to include biofuels as a necessary solution to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector.

“This proposal is unnecessarily narrow, presenting a false choice between only two paths forward – fossil-fuel-only vehicles or mass adoption of EVs,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Neither outcome reflects reality, and EPA’s framework ignores the proven, available, and American-made solution of emissions-reducing biofuel.”

Learn more about Growth Energy’s comments and about what’s next for Growth Energy and EPA in this video.

Growth Energy has also signed on to a number of letters with like-minded organizations urging EPA to think bigger and make room for other fuels in its regulations governing tailpipe emissions.

• A joint letter signed by Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Farmers Union, the National Association of Convenience Stores, the National Association of Truck Stop Operators, and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America
• A joint letter signed by Growth Energy, the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and dozens of other energy and agricultural organizations.

To learn more please contact Growth Energy’s SVP of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.