EPA Unveils RFS Proposals

EPA Tuesday released its proposed levels for 2019 biofuels and 2020 biodiesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), with the proposed levels matching levels that had been widely expected since last week.For 2019, EPA is proposing “Conventional” renewable fuel volumes, primarily met by corn ethanol, would be maintained at the implied 15-billion gallon target set by Congress. The advanced biofuel standard for 2019 would be increased by almost 600 million gallons over the 2018 standard. The cellulosic biofuel standard for 2019 would be increased by almost 100 million gallons over the 2018 standard.For 2020, the biomass-based diesel standard would be increased by 330 million gallons as compared to the standard for 2019.Absent from the plan is any proposals relative to reallocating obligations for small refiners. Those totaled around 1.6 billion gallons for 2017 and have been the subject of ire among biofuel backers.