The deadline to submit comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed renewable fuels volume requirements is July 11. To date, more than 41,000 comments have been received by EPA. The final EPA rule is slated to be completed in November. Comments on EPA proposed renewable fuels volume can be submitted by clicking here.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set renewable fuel percentage standards each year. In May, EPA proposed the following volume requirements for 2017. These volume requirements are lower than the statutory target for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel. However, they are increased from the 2016 requirements.
- Cellulosic biofuel renewable fuel volume increased from 230 million gallons in 2016 to a proposed 312 million gallons in 2017.
- Advanced biofuel increased from 3.61 billion gallons to a proposed 4 billion gallons.
- Total renewable fuel increased from 18.11 billion gallons to a proposed 18.8 billion gallons
- Conventional corn-based ethanol increased from 14.5 to to 14.8 billion gallons in 2017
- Biomass-based biodiesel was set at 1.9 billion gallons in 2016 and 2 billion gallons in 2017. It is proposed to increase to 2.1 billion gallons in 2018.
“In creating an artificial demand for corn-based ethanol beyond what the fuel market can bear, the EPA’s proposal will certainly have unintended consequences for other corn users who are not guaranteed market growth for their products. If the EPA proposal stays put, consumers will see higher prices at the pump and on the plate,” said NCC President Mike Brown.
“Up to 70 percent of the cost of feed for the broiler industry is the cost of corn. Since the RFS was implemented, the broiler industry has faced $53 billion in higher actual feed costs. The unrealistic volume for ethanol proposed by the EPA ensures that the chicken industry as well as all of animal agriculture, remains only one flood, freeze, or drought away from another crisis,” Brown said.
