Minnesota Senator Al Franken said White House counselor John Podesta reported Friday the EPA’s announcement of volumetric requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard this year is imminent – according to The Hagstrom Report. Podesta suggested the volumetric requirements will be higher than EPA’s initial proposal – but not as high as they would be if requirements established in the law were followed. During a meeting with Podesta – senators told him the administration should retain higher standards because biofuels are domestically produced and create jobs. They also told him the oil industry’s arguments against higher blends are wrong. He says NASCAR has already proven E15 works – that oil companies just don’t like ethanol and are doing everything they can to prevent the infrastructure from going into place. National Biodiesel Board Vice President Anne Steckel says her organization is encouraged by these discussions – but the biodiesel industry remains concerned that the administration still appears to be considering a proposal that would backtrack from last year’s proven production and threatens biodiesel plants around the country. Steckel says this is a critical decision for the future development of clean, American-made renewable fuels that will help reduce the nation’s dependence on petroleum.
Source: NAFB News Service