Growing Beyond the RFS to Drive Demand for Ethanol

January 27, 2016

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by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) ... “The RFS helped kick start the significant volumes of ethanol production we see today, but we cannot rely on the RFS to ensure a continued market,” Durante (Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) executive director) said. “The industry needs to grow beyond the RFS and create new, consumer-driven demand that capitalizes on the health benefits of ethanol’s clean octane and the ability to meet low-carbon fuel standards.”

Durante suggested that ethanol advocates find additional pathways to create market demand that allows the industry to move beyond the RFS volume obligations. He noted that eliminating the following burdens on ethanol would help create more opportunities for ethanol:

Removing unnecessary seasonal Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) restrictions
Raising the minimum octane for fuel
Enforcing limitations on levels of toxic aromatics in gasoline
Correcting the flawed EPA MOVES model and lifecycle analysis
Reinstating meaningful flex fuel vehicle (FFV) credits for vehicle manufacturers
Streamlining the certification of higher ethanol blends up to E30

“Given the restrictions and possible expiration of the RFS, the transition to more open and free ethanol markets must begin now,” explained Durante. “Ethanol production and utilization has only scratched the surface of its potential.” READ MORE and MORE (New York Times)