EPA Releases Proposed Biofuel Volume Standards for 2018

In Washington, DC, the EPA released its first Renewable Fuel Standard proposal under the Trump Administration with numbers up for ethanol with a 15 billion gallon cap for 2018, but biodiesel staying the same at 2.1 billion gallons for 2019. Total advanced biofuels amount was slightly lowered for 2018 at 4.24 billion gallons (down from 4.28 billion gallons for 2017).

The EPA report cites challenges in meeting production of cellulosic biofuel and slower than expected development of that industry, as one of the reasons for lowering amounts for 2018. So while the ethanol industry seems pleased with the EPA report, the biodiesel industry is disappointed that their 2018 targets weren’t raised as they requested. Since the EPA document is a proposal, there is a 30 day comment period still open, offering a last ditch chance for requesting changes to it.