2016 Announcements for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program
Response to Petition for Partial Supplemental Waiver of the 2016 Cellulosic Biofuel Volumetric Requirements
On January 17, 2017, EPA sent a letter to the American Petrochemical and Fuel Manufacturers (“AFPM”) denying its petition for a partial supplemental waiver of the 2016 cellulosic biofuel standard established under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Learn more about the petition response.
Extension of Comment Periods for: the Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and the Proposed Denial to Change the Point of Obligation
On December 20, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued extensions of the comment periods for two actions: the Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and the Proposed Denial to Change the Point of Obligation.
- Learn more about the comment period extension for the Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support rule (PDF)(3 pp, 20 K, prepublication, signed December 20, 2016, About PDF)
- Learn more about the comment period extension for the Proposed Denial
Notice of Data Availability for the Proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support Rule
On December 2, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) that will make additional data available for comment on the ethanol flex fuel (EFF) provisions in the Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) rule.
Learn more about the Notice of Data Availability
Notice of Cellulosic Waiver Credit Price Calculation for 2017
Information regarding the calculation of the Cellulosic Waiver Credit (CWC) price, and establishment of the CWC price, for 2017.
Learn more about the 2017 CWC Price
Renewable Fuel Standard: Final Renewable Fuel Standards for 2017, and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018
EPA finalized the volume requirements and associated percentage standards under the RFS program for calendar year 2017 for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel, and biomass-based diesel for 2018.
Response to Petitions for Reconsideration of RFS2 Rule to Change the Point of Obligation
On November 10, 2016, EPA is proposing to deny requests from petitioners to initiate a rulemaking to change the point of obligation for compliance under the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) program. Due to the importance, complexity, and broad stakeholder interest in this issue, the agency is taking public comment on the proposed denials to ensure we receive input from the wide variety of stakeholders that could be affected.
Learn more about the petition response
Public Hearing for Proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing in Chicago, Illinois on December 6, 2016 for the proposed ‘‘Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support Rule.’’
A conference line has been set up for the public hearing and will be on listen-only mode. The line will not open until the hearing begins at 9:00 AM CST.
To listen in to the hearing on December 6, 2016, dial:
877-397-0291 (Toll-Free) and enter participant code 178369.
Learn more about the Public Hearing (PDF)(1 pp, 231 K, published November 10, 2016, About PDF)
Proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support Rule
EPA is proposing to update its renewable fuels standard regulations and related fuels regulations to better align our standards with the current state of the renewable fuels market and to promote the use of ethanol and non-ethanol biofuels. Several of the proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard program would align regulations with recent developments in the marketplace resulting in increased production of cellulosic, advanced and other biofuels.
Learn more about the proposed updates
Public Hearing for Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2017, and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing in Kansas City, Missouri on June 9, 2016 for the proposed rule ‘‘Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2017 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018.’’
Learn more about the Public Hearing (PDF) (2 pp, 199 K, published May 25, 2016, About PDF)
A conference line has been set up for the public hearing. This conference line will be in listen-only mode. The line will not open until the hearing begins at 9:00AM Central time.
To listen in to the hearing on June 9, 2016, dial:
877-396-8104 (Toll-Free) or 720-362-6938 (Toll), and enter participant code 29834687#.
Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2017, and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018
On May 18, 2016, EPA proposed the volume requirements and associated percentage standards that apply under the RFS program in calendar years 2017 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel. EPA is also proposing the volume requirement for biomass-based diesel for 2018.
Final Technical Amendments
EPA is finalizing three amendments from a February 2015 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The amendments being finalized are two changes to provisions to correct and clarify portions of the Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards rule, and one to clarify an aspect of the Renewable Fuel Standard Program that was put in place with the Quality Assurance Program rule.
Learn more about the Final Technical Amendments
EPA and U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) enter into a Memorandum of Understanding
On March 17, 2016, CFTC and EPA announced a memorandum of understanding that allows the agencies to share RFS data and analysis. Under this agreement, the agencies agree to cooperate and coordinate on topics related to implementation of the RFS program and the market for renewable identification numbers.