U.S. EPA Eyes Extending Refinery Biofuel Deadlines, No Action on Waivers

Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Agency/Executive Branch, Federal Regulation, Opinions, Policy

January 15, 2021

Print This Article Share it With Friends

by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it would propose to extend deadlines for refiners to prove compliance with biofuel laws, but signaled it would not decide on a slew of pending waiver requests submitted by the industry.

The agency’s proposal represented mixed news for refiners hard hit by slumping energy demand during the coronavirus pandemic and eager to sidestep regulatory costs associated with U.S. biofuel blending policy.

…

The agency said it is proposing to extend the compliance deadline for 2019 biofuel blending obligations to Nov. 30, 2021, and an associated deadline for submission of attest engagement reports to June 1, 2022. The EPA is also proposing to extend the 2020 deadlines to Jan. 31, 2022, and June 1, 2022.

…

“While we don’t agree that EPA needs to wait as long as it is proposing, particularly for the 2020 compliance year, we do agree with EPA that the outgoing administration should refrain from any further action on the pending small refinery petitions,” said Geoff Cooper, president of the Renewable Fuels Association. READ MORE

EPA proposed extending 2019 and 2020 compliance deadlines (Politico’s Morning Energy)

RFA is fired up over ethanol waiver rumors (RFD TV)

Ethanol Watches EPA Warily on RFS: EPA Gives Refiners Extra Time to Meet RFS Requirements as New Exemptions Possible (DTN Progressive Farmer)

EPA proposes extending Renewable Fuel Standard compliance deadlines (Agri-Pulse)

Iowa leaders: Trump waivers for big oil would be ‘devastating blow’ for ethanol, farmers (Des Moines Register)

Why Small Refinery Exemptions Would Leave Stain on Trump Administration (Farm Journal Ag Web)

BIOFUELS, WHICH ARE CRITICAL FOR SOY GROWERS, HAVE ROLE TO PLAY IN CLIMATE CHALLENGE (Brownfield Ag News)

Excerpt from Politico’s Morning Energy: —EPA proposed extending2019 and 2020 compliance deadlines under the Renewable Fuels Standard. In a proposed rule published today, the agency called for extending the deadline for 2019 biofuel blending obligations to Nov. 30, 2021, and the corresponding deadline for submission of attest engagement reports until June 1, 2021. It also proposed extending the 2020 compliance deadlines to Jan. 31, 2022, and June 1, 2022. Though EPA was looking to issue some small refinery exemptions before President Donald Trump’s term had ended, the agency appears to have backed off that position. The proposed rule said that due to ongoing litigation, the agency would “take no position” on the availability of small refinery exemptions for the 2019 compliance year. READ MORE

Comments are closed.

Advanced BioFuels USA