The Advanced Biofuels Association issued the following statement in response to the EPA’s June 3 renewable volume obligation ruling:
“With this RVO ruling, the Biden administration has missed an important opportunity to prioritize advanced low carbon fuels that will help America achieve its climate ambitions and support American energy independence. We were, however, pleased to see the regulations permitting the use of biointermediates finalized in this rule, enabling our members using these processes to participate in the RFS program and increasing the volumetric potential of the advanced biofuels industry now and in the years to come.”
“Fortunately, the administration will have a chance to strengthen the development of America’s low carbon fuel industry and broaden our national supply of renewable fuel sources by setting a more progressive path under the forthcoming “Set” process. The ABFA strongly encourages the EPA to provide certainty to the advanced biofuels industry by finalizing the volume standards for 2023 before the end of 2022. Completing this soon and setting the highest advanced volume obligations possible is critical to fully capturing the environmental, societal, and economic benefits of the RFS as Congress intended. Further, the Agency should commit to the issuance of a more comprehensive proposal under the “Set” process that can forge a stronger advanced biofuels future under the existing law for 2024 and beyond.”
“We commend the Biden administration for concluding the SRE decision making process, and we look forward to the consistent application of this criteria moving forward.”
“Four years ago, the Advanced Biofuels Association filed the first lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to grant SREs to small refineries, even those owned and operated by large companies. This went well beyond the intent of Congress and ultimately undermined the RFS program and lowered the value of the RINs. Today’s ruling puts the program back in line with Congressional intent and is a step forward in the right direction toward prioritizing the development of America’s low carbon energy future.”