Renewable Fuel Volumes
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. The EPA’s proposed Renewable Fuel volumes are out and, while modest, keep the RFS alive and opens new avenues for future expansion.
The proposal with no baseline boost in conventional ethanol next year and only tiny hikes in ‘24 and ‘25, still has its pluses, starting with bigger increases in cellulosic and advanced biofuels …
COOPER … “It allows sustainable aviation fuel that is made from ethanol, even corn ethanol, to qualify as an advance biofuel if that sustainable aviation fuel meets a 50 percent greenhouse gas reduction.”
But, Renewable Fuels Association head Geoff Cooper argues the proposal keeps the RFS alive, despite the expiration this year of volume targets set back in 2007 …
COOPER … “There had been fears and some expectations and conjecture that the volumes could go the other way if EPA has much more discretion to set them and is no longer bound by specific volumes from Congress.”
Cooper credits the administration’s emphasis on reducing carbon pollution and more …
COOPER … “The energy security benefits and the consumer price benefits have also been top of mind. And then, finally, I think this administration has also done a good job of recognizing the importance of the RFS to the farm economy, and the fact that this program has created and maintained new markets for farmers.”
But the National Corn Growers Association says it will make the case to EPA for larger volume increases, while the
American Soybean Association says it’s ‘deeply disappointed’ in the volumes proposed outside of biodiesel and cellulosic biofuels.
