2013 Cellulosic Biofuel Standard: Direct Final Rule
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Rule Summary
EPA is taking direct final action to revise the 2013 cellulosic biofuel standard. This action follows from EPA having granted the American Petroleum Institute’s and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers’ petitions for reconsideration of the 2013 cellulosic biofuel standard published on August 15, 2013.
On reconsideration, section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act directs EPA to base the standard on the lower of “projected” production of cellulosic fuel in 2013 or the cellulosic biofuel target established in the statute. Since data are available to show actual production volumes for 2013, EPA’s “projection” and direct final rule are based on actual cellulosic biofuel production in 2013. Specifically, we are calculating the volume of cellulosic biofuel to be used in 2013 by reference to the actual number of cellulosic biofuel renewable identification numbers (RINs) generated and reported through EPA’s Monitored Transaction System (EMTS) in 2013.
EPA is also publishing a separate document that will serve as the proposed rule to revise the 2013 cellulosic standard if adverse comments are received on the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received, EPA will take no further action on the proposed rule.
Additional Resources
- Fact Sheet: EPA Issues Direct Final Rule for 2013 Cellulosic Standard (pdf) (153 KB, April 2014, EPA-420-F-14-018)
- Direct Final Rule (pdf) (273 KB, published May 2, 2014)
- Notice of Proposed Rule (pdf) (205 KB, published May 2, 2014)