Over the objections of many lawmakers who say the entire program has failed, the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday increased the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s gasoline supply next year.
In the latest update to the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the agency said that at least 19.28 billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels must be included in gasoline supplies in 2017.
While that’s an increase over this year’s target of 18.11 billion gallons, it’s a far cry from what Congress had envisioned when it established the RFS in 2007.
That legislation called for 24 billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels to be blended into the gas supply by 2017, and the wide gulf between the initial target and today’s reality illustrates the difficulty the EPA has encountered as it tries to meet congressional mandates.
Still, the EPA argues its new rule will ramp up production of biofuels and save consumers money at the pump.
“Renewable fuel volumes continue to increase across the board compared to 2016 levels,” said Janet McCabe, the EPA’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. “These final standards will boost production, providing for ambitious yet achievable growth of biofuels in the transportation sector. By implementing the program enacted by Congress, we are expanding the nation’s renewable fuels sector while reducing our reliance on imported oil.”
But critics say the blending requirement has outlived its usefulness and argue that it’s impossible to meet the targets given today’s technology. Opponents of the RFS say most of today’s vehicles and fuel infrastructure aren’t compatible with the biofuels levels the EPA is requiring — a problem commonly known as the “blend wall.”
More broadly, those critics argue that ramping up the RFS actually increases fuel costs and drives up the price of virtually everything for consumers.
“The EPA’s final RFS rule doubles down on the proposed rule, breaks the blend wall, and sets biofuels requirements that are not achievable in today’s energy market. More unrealistic mandates won’t benefit the environment or lead to innovation in biofuels technology,” said Rep. Lamar Smith, Texas Republican and chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. “Regular Americans will pay the price with increased costs on everything from the gas they put in their cars to their Thanksgiving turkey. The next administration must work with Congress to reform this mandate.”
It’s unclear whether President-elect Donald Trump will seek to reform or end the RFS, but there’s already pressure on the incoming administration — and its allies in Congress — to do just that.
“The RFS mandate is a bad deal for the American consumer. Today’s announcement only serves to reinforce the need for Congress to repeal or significantly reform the RFS,” said Frank Macchiarola, downstream group director at the American Petroleum Institute.
Proponents are urging Mr. Trump to keep the standard in place, and say the notion that refiners are unable to meet the EPA targets is wrong.
“The biofuels industry continues to innovate. The merchant refiners saying they cannot comply with the RFS are now implementing cost-effective changes at their refineries to blend more renewable fuel,” said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council. “President-elect Trump will no doubt hear from a shrinking group of RFS naysayers, but I think he understands that the RFS is working, supports a strong manufacturing base across the country and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
“We are looking forward to working with EPA and the next administration on further accelerating the commercial deployment of advanced biofuels.”
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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