Clean Fuels Alliance America announced plans to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over delays in setting biofuel volumes for 2026 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The delay, according to Clean Fuels, threatens businesses and environmental goals.
Paul Winters, Clean Fuels’ public affairs and federal communications director, highlighted the impact of EPA’s delays on biodiesel and renewable diesel producers, who are cutting production or shutting down. This, in turn, affects shipping and trucking companies seeking low-carbon fuel alternatives. Winters urged the EPA to adhere to its timeline, which generally involves proposing rules by mid-year and finalizing them by the end of the year.
Statutory Deadlines and Delays
By law, the EPA must finalize RFS rules 14 months before the compliance year starts, meaning the 2026 standards should be set by October 31, 2024. However, the White House Office of Management and Budget’s timeline suggests the EPA plans to propose the 2026 volumes by March 2025 and finalize them by December 2025, missing the statutory deadline. Consequently, Clean Fuels issued a formal notice of intent to sue if the EPA does not act within 60 days.
Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels’ vice president of federal affairs, argued that the EPA has no practical reason to miss the legal deadline for the 2026 RFS rule, stressing that continued delays hinder the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of a domestic renewable energy economy.
Broader Industry Impact and Legislative Support
The delayed regulations have broader implications. In April, nine organizations, including the American Trucking Associations and the American Soybean Association, signed a letter urging the EPA to adjust its biofuel output volumes. Lawmakers have also been vocal, with 18 senators and 37 House members sending bipartisan letters to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, pushing for timely and realistic biofuel volume standards.
Senators emphasized the critical role of biofuels in reducing emissions and supporting the economy, noting that biomass-based diesel reduces life cycle carbon emissions by over 70%. They argued that increased production and availability of renewable fuel benefit consumers and support farm sector income.
Representatives echoed these points, stressing that the current EPA volumes do not match the nation’s production capacity. They warned that facility closures due to these unrealistic standards are putting Americans out of work and disrupting local economies.
Future Outlook
Clean Fuels Alliance America’s impending lawsuit highlights the urgent need for timely regulatory action to support the biofuel industry and environmental goals. As the legal process unfolds, industry stakeholders and lawmakers continue to advocate for standards that reflect actual production capabilities and contribute to decarbonizing the transportation sector.
Source:
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/clean-fuels-alliance-sues-epa
Leave a Comment