Oil industry groups recently filed several petitions with the Environmental Protection Agency requesting changes to American biofuels programs. The EPA announced this week it will deny all of the petitions. A Reuters article says several groups wanted the Agency to begin a full rule-making process in order to change the “point of obligation” requirement in the Renewable Fuels Standard. The RFS establishes targets for the amount of biofuels that are blended into the nation’s fuel supply. Several groups wanted to do away with that obligation or push the obligation into the future because they say it burdens refiners that have little to no capacity to blend biofuels at their operations. Multiple refining operations say they’re being squeezed by higher costs from government mandates to blend increasing amounts biofuels into their products. The EPA did decide to open a 60-day public comment period on the topic, which the oil industry says is a sign that the issue is worth serious consideration. The oil industry has spent millions lobbying against the Renewable Fuels Standard. The industry says the targets set by Congress in the policy are unachievable without a serious overhaul of the nation’s infrastructure.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.