EPA proposes rule changes for RFS to boost cellulosic ethanol production

In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule change to the Renewable Fuel Standard that would allow poplar and willow trees as feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production. Rules allowing higher ethanol blends between 16% and 83% are also included in the proposed changes, both of which are open for public comment for 60 days. There are several companies that have developed renewable fuel production technologies that produce a “biointermediate” at one facility that is then processed into renewable fuel at another facility, so the rule also proposes regulatory changes to allow fuels produced through such methods to qualify under existing approved renewable fuel production pathways.