Providing flexibility to fuel retailers will be the key to continued growth in availability of higher level ethanol blends like E15 and other renewable fuels. That’s according to written testimony submitted to a House Energy Subcommittee by Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen in support of the Domestic Fuels Protection Act. Dinneen says the measure is narrowly tailored to ensure that retailers, fuel producers and other stakeholders don’t have to defend meritless lawsuits if a fuel has been approved by the EPA, the equipment used by retailers to store and dispense the fuel meets specifications and customers are properly informed about the uses of the new fuel.
According to Dinneen – the legislation does not alter the Renewable Fuel Standard. He says the RFS has been the most successful energy policy the U.S. has ever implemented and should be vigorously defended and maintained. But as increasing volumes are required by the RFS – Dinneen says greater volumes of ethanol and a greater diversity of biofuels and feedstocks will be needed. He says the current regulatory structure favors incumbent technologies and discourages market access. Gasoline marketers – he says – deserve the certainty they won’t be penalized for utilizing a new fuel or fuel blend that’s been approved for use by the EPA.
Source: NAFB News Service