Biofuel, Farm, Fuel Marketer Groups Urge Fairness in Tailpipe Emissions Standards

July 11, 2023

Print This Article Share it With Friends

(Renewable Fuels Association) America’s farmers, fuel marketers and retailers, and renewable fuel producers today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt a market-oriented, technology-neutral approach to transportation decarbonization in its upcoming final tailpipe emissions standards for 2027-2032 light- and medium-duty vehicles.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, seven national associations representing the full spectrum of the renewable fuel supply chain, said the proposed rule favors electric vehicles while failing to consider the decarbonization potential of existing biofuels that can improve the emissions profile of the vast majority of cars on the road today. The organizations recommend that EPA account for all emissions relating to different fuel and engine technologies and equitably incentivize emissions reductions from all of those technologies.

“EPA should use the best available science to accurately account for the full lifecycle carbon intensity associated with particular fuels and technologies, but its proposed approach ignores the significant upstream emissions from electricity generation associated with electric vehicles,” the groups said. “Incentives for alternative fuel technologies should be tied to those technologies’ full lifecycle environmental attributes rather than a single cherry-picked step in the lifecycle (i.e., tailpipe emissions).”

The associations support the agency’s goal of reducing over-the-road transportation emissions but are concerned that the agency’s proposed standards “artificially tilts the scale towards electric vehicles” while ignoring other available fuel and vehicle options that can help decarbonize the transportation sector more rapidly and at a lower cost. The groups also noted that “the proposed rule exceeds the scope of the Agency’s statutory authority, which does not include authority to set greenhouse gas emission standards that effectively mandate EVs.”

If finalized as proposed, EPA expects its tailpipe emissions standards could result in EVs accounting for 67% of new light-duty vehicle sales and 46% of new medium-duty vehicle sales by 2032. “The speed at which the Agency appears to anticipate the market and consumers will transition to electric vehicles is divorced from our members’ assessment of reality,” according to the letter. “The Proposed Rule does not appreciate the market obstacles associated with such a massive transition in consumer behavior. It also abandons proven decarbonization technologies, such as higher-octane liquid fuels, that can deliver material emissions reductions using existing infrastructure, existing vehicles, and working with consumers’ existing behavioral proclivities.”

The organizations submitting the letter include the Renewable Fuels Association; National Association of Convenience Stores; NATSO, Representing America’s Travel Plazas and Truckstops; National Corn Growers Association; National Farmers Union; SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers; and Growth Energy. The full letter is available here. READ MORE

RFA: EPA Regulations Should Focus on Reducing GHG Emissions, Not Forcing Electric Vehicles (Renewable Fuels Association)

Over 100 Trade Groups Representing Businesses Across the Transportation Sector Urge Biden Administration to Reconsider Tailpipe Emissions Rules (American Petroleum Insitute)

Toyota, Stellantis Blast Biden’s Plan to Boost Electric Car Sales: Automakers say US discounts battery-mineral concerns (Bloomberg)

Electrifying America’s Macho Trucks Is Still Too Hard (Washington Post)

States, Industry Oppose Emissions Rule: States, Ag, Renewable Fuels Industry Stand Against EPA Emissions Rule That Favors Electric Vehicles (DTN Progressive Farmer)

Biofuel and Farm Groups Join Tailpipe Emissions Letter (Energy.AgWired.com)

Biofuel, petroleum groups unite to oppose EPA tailpipe plan: Usually at odds over ethanol mandates, the groups have aligned to fight an EPA emissions proposal that would speed the transition to electric vehicles. (Politico Pro Greenwire)

Biofuel and farm groups say EPA proposed tailpipe rule favors EVs (Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network; includes AUDIO)

Consider alternatives to electric vehicles, say trade groups (Successful Farming)

What they’re saying: Call EPA's GHG proposal what it is… a de facto ban on ICE vehicles (American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers)

Automakers Detail Pitch For Annual Review Of Vehicle GHG Standards (Inside EPA)

Biden’s clean energy goals have a union problem (Politico's Power Switch)

Groups Take Action on Federal Clean Car Proposals (NGT News)

Excerpt from Renewable Fuels Association: In comments submitted today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Renewable Fuels Association called on EPA to abandon its proposal to create a de facto electric vehicle mandate and instead adopt a market-oriented, technology-neutral approach to transportation decarbonization.

The comments were submitted in response to EPA’s proposed multi-pollutant emissions standards for model years 2027 and later light-duty and medium-duty vehicles.

“Unfortunately, EPA’s proposal would effectively force automakers to produce more battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and strongly discourage them from pursuing other technologies that could achieve the same—or even better—environmental performance at a lower cost to American consumers,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “EPA’s proposed approach ignores the significant upstream emissions related to electricity generation, as well as the substantial emissions involved in battery mineral extraction and processing.”

RFA’s comments today follow Cooper’s testimony at a May EPA hearing, and a joint letter sent to the Agency this morning by a coalition of farm, biofuel and fuel marketer organizations.

In its extensive comments, RFA encouraged EPA to use a full lifecycle analysis approach to assessing the true greenhouse gas impacts of various transportation options. RFA noted that multiple studies show ethanol significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is on the way to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner. EPA’s proposed regulation favors BEVs by treating them as “zero emissions vehicles” and ignoring the upstream emissions related to electricity production, as well as mining and processing of critical battery minerals. In the end, RFA argued, emissions regulations should not dictate certain vehicle technologies, and should instead adopt technology-neutral approaches that embrace a broad portfolio of low-carbon fuel and vehicle options.

“If our nation is to reach its goal of net-zero GHG emissions by mid-century, we’ll need cleaner, more efficient cars and cleaner, more efficient fuels,” Cooper wrote. “And, we’ll need to account for their emissions honestly using a full lifecycle approach. Focusing only on emissions from the vehicle—while ignoring emissions related to the extraction and production of the fuel used to power the vehicle—will almost certainly result in falling far short of the administration’s overall climate goals.” READ MORE

Excerpt from American Petroleum Institute: The American Petroleum Institute (API) today joined with over 100 other trade groups representing diverse businesses across the transportation sector in urging the Biden administration to reverse course on its proposed tailpipe emissions standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles. In a letter to President Biden, the organizations outlined significant concerns with the EPA’s proposed rules and the need to preserve consumers’ access to affordable, reliable and efficient transportation.

“We share the goal of reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the broader economy and, specifically, those from energy production, transportation, and use by society,” the letter states. “EPA’s proposals inhibit the marketplace from identifying the most efficient, lowest cost opportunities to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles and greatly restrict consumer choice. We are concerned that such a prescriptive policy is not in the best interest of the consumer or of U.S. energy and economic security.”

The letter raised further concerns with EPA’s narrow focus on electric vehicles to achieve compliance and highlighted the benefits of evaluating a broader range of emissions reductions pathways.

“A diversified portfolio of vehicle and fuel technologies that meets the multitude of transportation needs of Americans and makes meaningful GHG reductions can be achieved while also allowing new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), and specifically battery electric vehicle (BEV), technologies to advance,” the signatories wrote. “Improved crop yield, innovative biofuel and refined product processing, and manufacturing efficiency tied with carbon capture each represent promising advancements for current liquid and gaseous fuels to continue to accelerate emissions reductions.”

The 100+ signers include state and national agricultural groups, including corn growers, farm bureaus, and ethanol producers; petroleum marketers and fuel dealers; convenience store and truck stop operators; refiners; and motor truck association among others.

Click here to view the letter.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports nearly 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability. READ MORE