EPA rejects idea to change “point of obligation” for RFS compliance

In Washington, after consideration of all relevant information available to EPA on the issue, including information submitted by petitioners, available fuels market data, and information gathered by EPA from multiple market participants and interested parties, EPA is proposing to deny requests to initiate a rulemaking process to reconsider or change the regulations at 40 CFR 80.1406, the “point of obligation” for the RFS program was established through a notice-and-comment rulemaking in 2010 based on the statutory direction in Section 211(o)(3)(B)(ii)(I) and (C) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to impose the renewable fuel obligation on “refineries, blenders and importers, as appropriate,” while also “prevent[ing] the imposition of redundant obligations.”

However, as an initial step, EPA believes it appropriate to open a public comment process on the requests for reconsideration or change to the point of obligation in the RFS program.