The American Petroleum Institute (API) recently said it was disappointed in U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit's decision not to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to lower the Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations for 2014-16.
"EPA's waiver was necessary to protect consumers from an outdated mandate that attempts to force the use of ethanol beyond the limits that the vehicle fleet and refueling infrastructure were designed to handle,” Frank Macchiarola, API downstream group director, said in a press release. "Today’s decision reaffirms the need for Congress to revisit and significantly reform the broken RFS program. The outdated goals of the ethanol mandate have led to implementation challenges for EPA and the refining industry."
The mandate was updated in 2007 when fuel was getting more expensive, but now petroleum consumption from imports is at its lowest point since 1970, and the U.S. is now a leading exporter of refined petroleum products.
"API had supported EPA basing its waiver on the broader negative economic consequences of the mandate, and as EPA considers implementing a revised and retroactive standard for 2014-2016, we will encourage EPA to reconsider this option," Macchiarola said.
The API is calling for reform of old policies that will line up with the current needs of the country.
Alerts Sign-up