By Jessica Domel
Field Editor

America will likely see more renewable fuels in its supplies in the coming years.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday final volume requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014 through 2016 and final volume requirements for biomass-based diesel for 2014 to 2017.

The rule calls for an increased amount of ethanol and other renewable fuels, 18 billion gallons, but stops short of the 2007 RFS goal of 22.25 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2016.

“The biofuel industry is an incredible American success story, and the RFS program has been an important driver of that success—cutting carbon pollution, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and sparking rural economic development,” said Janet McCabe, the acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “With (the) final rule, and as Congress intended, EPA is establishing volumes that go beyond historic levels and grow the amount of biofuel in the market over time. Our standards provide for ambitious, achievable growth.”

Following the announcement, agriculture organizations like the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) voiced their concerns with the rule.
EPA’s decision today to lower the Renewable Fuel Standard undermines our nation’s commitment to advancing biofuels and establishing energy independence,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “Biofuels have been a homegrown energy success story for the U.S. and our rural economies. The RFS has produced jobs, decreased reliance on foreign oil and contributed to cleaner air.”

Stallman went on to say America needs more biofuels, not less.

Earlier this year, AFBF called on the EPA to protect RFS.

“We are disappointed to see the agency move forward with a decision that will stall growth and progress in renewable fuels as well as the broader agricultural economy,” Stallman said. “Farmers, ranchers and consumers will be impacted by the drop in ethanol production and the falloff in livestock feed that goes along with it. In the end, we lose the jobs and stability that come from growing renewable fuel.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced it was pleased the EPA took a step forward and revised its original proposal, which called for a lower amount of renewable fuels.

NCGA President Chip Bowling went on to say that any reduction in the statutory amount will have a negative impact on our economy, our energy security and the environment.

“It is unfortunate that Big Oil’s campaign of misinformation continues to carry weight in the court of public opinion, and in this decision,” Bowling said. “The Renewable Fuel Standard has been one of America’s most successful energy policies ever. Because of it, our economy is stronger, we are more energy independent, and our air is cleaner. We should be strengthening our commitment to renewable fuels, not backing down.”

In July, NCGA asked the Environmental Protection Agency to restore the 2014-16 corn ethanol renewable volume obligation to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard as passed by Congress and signed into law.

“America’s corn farmers are proud to grow a cleaner burning, renewable fuel source for America and the world,” Bowling said.

NCGA is evaluating its options, according to the release. The organization will continue to fight to protect the rights of farmers and consumers and will hold EPA accountable.

RFS was established by Congress in 2005. It requires the EPA to set annual volume requirements for four categories of biofuels.

According to the EPA, the final rule took over 670,000 public comments into consideration before announcing its final rule.

Additional information about RFS can be found here: http://1.usa.gov/1LLmTvd.