Comments to EPA Highlight Steps to Increase Biofuel Blending and RIN Availability

Contact: Cassidy Walter
515-322-0435

JOHNSTON, IOWA – Today the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) submitted joint comments to the EPA encouraging the agency to follow through with its proposal to deny 65 small refinery exemptions (SREs) to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The comments emphasized that denying unjustified SREs is “not only justified but is required by a fair and faithful execution of the RFS.” IRFA and ICGA stressed that the primary justification given by refiners for an exemption is the cost of RINs while it has been repeatedly proven that RIN prices do not negatively harm refiners.

“After more than a decade to comply with the RFS, no refiner has made an even remotely credible case that compliance with the RFS creates disproportionate economic harm,” the groups said.

The comments also suggested to EPA several steps that would increase the availability and thereby reduce the price of RINs, chief among them ensuring all parts of the country have access to lower volatility blendstock that would make it possible for retailers to sell E15 all year.

“By standardizing the volatility of gasoline blendstocks, EPA can eliminate current boutique fuels, unlock greater ethanol blending opportunities, improve air quality, and reduce GHG emissions – all while increasing the supply and lowering the price of RINs,” the groups said. “Allowing more consumers the option of E15 provides them with a higher octane, lower cost, lower emissions fuel while at the same time significantly improving RFS compliance options for obligated parties.”

Finally, IRFA and ICGA urged EPA to refocus on the mission of the RFS – to lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase national security, and improve air quality by moving the market toward biofuels.

“There has still not been one single year when the RFS was fully and faithfully implemented at the 15-billion-gallon level for conventional biofuels,” they said. “While we applaud EPA’s proposal to end the SRE abuse, we implore the Agency to properly implement all facets of the RFS for the first time ever.”

To view the full comments, click here.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.5 billion gallons annually – including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 11 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 410 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.

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