EPA Delivers Final Rule Containing 2020 RVOs, SRE Plan to OMB
The U.S. EPA delivered a final rule regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard to the White House Office of Management and Budget on Dec. 6. The final rule includes the 2020 RFS renewable volume obligation (RVO), the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel, and the agency’s plan to address future small refinery exemptions (SREs). OMB review marks a final step before the rule is released publicly.
The EPA released its proposed rule to set 2020 RVOs and the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel in July. The proposed rule aims to require 20.04 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be blended with the U.S. fuel supply next year, up from 19.92 billion gallons in 2019. The proposed RVO includes 5.04 billion gallons of advanced biofuels, 2.43 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel, and 540 million gallons of cellulosic fuel. The 2020 RVO for biomass-based diesel was finalized in a separate rulemaking last year. The rulemaking also proposed to set the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel at 2.43 billion gallons, level with the 2020 RVO.
By Erin Voegele, Ethanol Producer