EPA seen raising 2019 RVO by 3% to 19.88 billion gallons

In Washington, Reuters reports that the Environmental Protection Agency will propose a 3% increase in biofuels blending for 2019 at 19.88 billion gallons. The increase will come from non-corn-based ethanol, volumes for which will remain unchanged at 15 billion gallons, while nearly 600 million more gallons of advanced biofuels will be required for a total of 4.88 billion gallons. Biodiesel targets will also increase to 2.43 billion gallons from 2.1 billion gallons in 2018. The proposal announcement is not expected to include any proposed re-allotment of RINs to refineries to make up for those waived for smaller refiners, contrary to last week’s plan that saw blowback from the oil industry.