Energy Tomorrow Blog
Study Finds Negative Impacts of EPA’s Proposed RIN Reform
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Jessica Lutz
Posted February 27, 2019
EPA’s proposal to reform a key component of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) would only worsen the already broken RFS, a new study finds. The analysis by Covington & Burling for API affirms that the administration’s proposal to reform the market for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) under the RFS misdiagnoses the problem with the RINs market and provides misguided and counterproductive changes.
RFS is Still Broken, and Consumers Still Need Protection
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Jessica Lutz
Posted August 17, 2018
With EPA receiving public input this week on its proposed ethanol volumes for 2019 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), it’s important to stay focused on the potential negative impacts of a broken Washington policy — on consumers and the fuel market.
Yes, we know that America’s energy renaissance in natural gas and oil production has accomplished the program’s aim of reducing U.S. reliance on imported crude oil. And we know that the RFS’ original goal of developing a commercially viable supply of cellulosic biofuel hasn’t become a reality. Even putting those (very large) factors aside, it is still very clear that lawmakers must to work together to find meaningful and long-term solutions to the broken RFS mandate – because it could bring very real harm to the nation’s consumers through higher energy costs and damage to the engines in their vehicles.
This week, API Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola told reporters that Congress needs to protect American consumers from potential risks posed by RFS mandates.
EPA Should Protect Consumers from the Broken Ethanol Mandate
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Jessica Lutz
Posted July 18, 2018
In the decade since the inception of the RFS, EPA has consistently implemented the mandate in a manner that dictates more and more ethanol into a fuels market regardless of whether market conditions can bear such an increase. The ever-increasing volumes of ethanol in the fuel supply – more than can be used in E10 gasoline - inefficiently pushes fuels such as E15 into the marketplace. This puts consumers at risk because three out of four vehicles in the U.S. fleet were not built to use E15, including some model year 2018 cars and trucks from BMW, Mazda, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Volvo, among others. A number of automakers have said that using E15 could potentially void car warranties. Moreover, E15 is not compatible with motorcycles, boats, lawn equipment and ATVs.
E15 is a symptom of a broken Renewable Fuel Standard

Sabrina Fang
Posted June 7, 2018
Recognizing the harm E15 can impose on consumers, Senator Tom Udall and Rep. Peter Welch issued a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt reiterating of the EPA’s lack of legal authority to allow the sale of E15 gasoline without the necessary legislation:
EPA Sidesteps RFS Problems in its 2018 Volumes
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Mark Green
Posted November 30, 2017
Congress Still Needs to Protect Consumers From RFS
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Sabrina Fang
Posted November 10, 2017
Flawed RFS Needs Solutions, Not Distractions
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Sabrina Fang
Posted June 13, 2017
Poll: Potential RFS Impacts Concern U.S. Voters
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Sabrina Fang
Posted April 7, 2017
A new national API poll shows that American voters have serious concerns about the Renewable Fuel Standard and its mandates for ever-increasing levels of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply. Key findings from the survey of 1,000 registered voters include 74 percent agreeing that federal regulations could contribute to increased costs for gasoline to consumers and 68 percent who're concerned about government regulations that would increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline.
RFS Needs Real Solutions, Not New Distraction

Sabrina Fang
Posted February 23, 2017
The recent push to shift responsibility for compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), from refiners and importers to independent blenders and retail gasoline stations, is a flawed approach that could impact consumers at the gasoline pump and does nothing to fix the larger set of problems that plague the RFS – problems Congress must address by repealing the program or significantly reforming it. API Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola discussed these issues during a conference call with reporters.
100 Days: U.S. Energy Renaissance Overtakes Flawed RFS
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Mark Green
Posted February 21, 2017