Post on 28-Dec-2015
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National Renewable Fuel Standards
Paul ArgyropoulosOffice of Transportation and Air Quality
October, 2012
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What is the RFS
What are EPA’s Critical Roles ◦ Develop◦ Implement◦ Enforce
What policies / issues are key to AFOA◦ Volume Standard Settings Process◦ New Pathways◦ Compliance
General Discussion
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2012 Final Standards
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1.28 Billion Gallons
Minimum volume beginning 2012 is 1 billion gallons
Standards are set 14 months in advance (OK, it didn’t quite work out that way)◦ Proposed July 2011◦ Finalized……………September 2012
2014 Standard Setting Process Underway
2013 Biodiesel Volume Standard
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Standards for 2013◦ ??.?? bg total renewable fuel◦ 1.28 bg biomass based diesel◦ ??.?? bg total advanced◦ ??.?? Million Gallons of a 250 Mg Standard
Other 2013 RFS Volume Standards
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Final Action Under Final Review◦ Camelina◦ Others - Energy Cane / Grasses; Napier Grass; Arundo Donax
Palm Comment Process Concluded Final Review and Analysis Underway
Woody Pulp –Purpose Grown Initial Analytical Process Underway Develop Future Rule
Others Petitioning for Pathways◦ Feedstocks◦ Process Technologies
Interpretive Actions Under Existing Rules◦ Fuel Oil / Heating Oil Revision◦ Other
New Pathways – Of Interest
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Other Renewable Fuel / Process Pathways
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Some concerns over compliance with the RFS Standards◦ Fraudulent RINs
Agency and Industry working together to address issues◦ Coordination with obligated parties and producers, traders, brokers◦ Planning to propose a rule before years end◦ Key elements include options for quality assurance plans◦ Consideration of affirmative defense for obligated parties◦ Bridge from proposal to final action / effect date of rule
Ensuring Market Integrity through◦ Conducting investigations
◦ Taking enforcement actions where appropriate
◦ Maintaining EMTS database with blocking and locking mechanisms
◦ Developing a web portal to post RIN information reported by producers
Compliance
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Questions
Paul Argyropoulos
Senior Policy Advisor
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
USEPA
Argyropoulos.paul@epa.gov
OECA website: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/caa/fuel-novs.html
OTAQ website:http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/compliancehelp/index.htm