Biofuel Groups Ask EPA to Ease Regulatory Burdens

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Several biofuel trade groups have filed comments with the U.S. EPA asking for changes to regulations that are hindering the growth of U.S. ethanol production and use.

On Feb 24, President Donald Trump released Executive Order 13777, focused on enforcing the regulatory reform agenda. The order aims “to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on the American people.” The EPA is among the agencies impacted.

One month later, on March 24, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a memorandum to agency staff outlining his plan to comply with the requirements of the executive order. In April, the EPA opened a public comment period inviting members of the public to provide input on existing regulations under Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OA-2017-0190 on Regulations.gov. That comment period closed May 15.

Information posted to the docket folder indicates nearly 60,000 comments were received. Several comments filed by representatives of the ethanol industry provide input on ways to lessen regulatory burdens impacting the U.S. renewable fuels industry. The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol, and Biotechnology Innovation Organization were among those who submitted comments. READ MORE and MORE (National Biodiesel Board) and MORE (Biodiesel Magazine)