Growth Energy, BIO to EPA: Proposed Biodiesel Reductions Would Roll Back the RFS

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#RFS–Growth Energy and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today
filed joint comments
with exhibits
in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Notice
of Data Availability (NODA) published October 4, opposing several
proposals.

“The biofuel reductions in the NODA would pave a path that would reverse
the progress of the Renewable Fuel Standard and undercut the benefits
our nation is currently gaining from the RFS – job creation, rural
development, energy security, significant environmental benefits, and
consumer cost savings,” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said.

“As we’ve seen in recent days, those who represent our rural communities
and farmers know the significant benefits this program has and continues
to provide, so we stand with them in support of strong and robust
renewable fuel volumes that continue to move the program forward, not
backward. We’re encouraged to know the White House is clearly paying
close attention to this issue and hope that will indeed lead to the EPA
abandoning these unjustified biofuel reductions and attempts to tie RINs
to exports.”

The NODA proposed reductions in the 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations
(RVOs) for biodiesel, advanced, and total renewable fuel including a
proposal to reduce the biodiesel volume for 2018 by as much as 315
million gallons and the advanced and total renewable biofuels by 473
million gallons. Doing so would reduce the already too low 2018 advanced
RVO to 3.77 billion gallons (down from 4.24 billion proposed) and would
drop the total renewable fuel volume to 18.77 billion gallons (down from
19.24 billion proposed).

“EPA’s proposal would chill investment at a time when more cellulosic
and advanced biofuel capacity is poised to come online, as evidenced by
the recent approval of a new cellulosic ethanol facility,” Brent
Erickson, executive vice president, Biotechnology Innovation
Organization (BIO), said. “The agency should commit to setting 2018
standards that support continued growth of biofuel production and use.”

In their comments, Growth Energy and BIO also provided a legal analysis
of how EPA’s latest proposed changes to the RFS run contrary to
Congress’ goals and purposes in adopting the statute.

Additional key points from the comments including the following:

• Promotion of U.S. energy independence does not justify a waiver of the
  RFS volumes.
• Definition of domestic supply under the RFS for consideration of EPA’s
  waiver authority includes and has always included foreign-produced
  renewable fuel that is available to U.S. importers.
• EPA may not consider RIN costs when assessing their general waiver
  authority.
• EPA has no authority to carry through the reductions in advanced
  biofuel to total renewable fuel.
• EPA should follow its previous interpretations of the severe harm
  standard; there is no basis for a waiver of the 2018 volumes based on
  severe harm.

About Growth Energy
Growth Energy represents producers and
supporters of ethanol working to bring consumers better choices at the
fuel pump, grow America's economy and improve the environment for future
generations. Our organization's national campaign — online at GetEthanol.com
— serves as the leading source of information for consumers seeking
cleaner, more affordable fueling options. For more information on our
organization, visit us at GrowthEnergy.org,
follow us on Twitter @GrowthEnergy,
or connect with us on Facebook.

About BIO
BIO is the world's largest trade association
representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state
biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States
and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the
research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural,
industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces
the BIO
International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the
biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and
partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW
is BIO's blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the
BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe
to the BIO Newsletter.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO
One-on-One Partnering™ @ JPM
January 7-11, 2018
San
Francisco

BIO
CEO & Investor Conference
February 12-13, 2018
New
York, New York

BIO
Asia International Conference
March 19-20, 2018
Tokyo,
Japan

BIO
International Convention
June 4-7, 2018
Boston, MA

Contacts

Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Paul Winters, 202-962-9237
or
Chris
Hogan, 202-545-4025
GrowthEnergy.org/press
Web:
www.bio.org
Blog:
www.biotech-now.org
Twitter:
@IAmBiotech