Market News & Headlines >> EPA Proposes Little Change in RFS for 2018

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday afternoon proposed set setting the U.S. total renewable fuels blending mandate for 2018 at 19.24 billion gallons, down marginally from this year’s level. 

The total renewable fuels standard for this year was 19.28 billion gallons. The agency proposed keeping the 2018 target for conventional ethanol at 15 billion gallons, unchanged from 2017, and setting the requirement for advanced biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol, at 4.24 billion gallons. The overall mandate was in line with industry expectations. 

The proposed 2019 requirement for biomass-based diesel blending is 2.1 million gallons, the same as the 2018 requirement, which has already been finalized. 

“Increased fuel security is an important component of the path toward American energy dominance,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “We are proposing new volumes consistent with market realities focused on actual production and consumer demand while being cognizant of the challenges that exist in bringing advanced biofuels into the marketplace. Timely implementation provides certainty to American refiners, the agriculture community and broader fuels industry, all of which play an important role in the RFS program.” 

The EPA also said it had begun conducting analysis to consider resetting future renewable fuels mandates and is “bolstering” its agreement with the CFTC to increase biofuels market transparency. The agency also said it would take public comment to address concerns over imported biofuels from Brazil, Argentina and Indonesia.