ACE Submits RFS Comments, Assists Nearly 70 Advocates in Submitting Feedback to EPA
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted comments on February 10, 2023 to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed multi-year Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the 2023-2025 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance years. ACE CEO Brian Jennings highlighted areas of support in the proposal, while detailing how to adjust the rule to maximize this significant new phase of the RFS to ensure the overall goal of the program is left intact — to increase the percentage of renewable fuels consumed in the U.S. In addition, nearly 70 advocates utilized ACE’s Action Center to also submit comments to the Agency.
ACE supports EPA proposing an “effective” conventional biofuel requirement of 15.25 billion gallons for 2023 through 2025, restoring the final 250-million-gallon remedy as a supplemental requirement for 2023, and projecting no small refinery exemptions for 2023 through 2025. ACE objects to EPA suggesting it may retroactively waive blending levels established by the rulemaking, proposing an alternative approach to reduce conventional biofuel blending for 2024 and 2025, and breaking precedent by giving Tesla and other vehicle manufacturers the ability to generate eRINs when all other eRINs are generated by the producer of the renewable fuel. You can access ACE’s comments at ethanol.org/news.
ACE Joins USGC in Highlighting Ethanol Advantages at 2023 India Auto Expo 
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Ron Lamberty joined the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) at the India Auto Expo in January, Asia’s largest automotive show, to promote ethanol implementation across the country. Lamberty was also invited to speak about the U.S.’s experience and use of ethanol during a co-located event. “India has an air quality emergency and is following the science which shows the best and fastest way to improve air quality is to add more ethanol,” Lamberty said. “They’ve gone from almost zero ethanol to 10 percent in only a few years and have a goal of 20 percent nationwide by 2025.”
“In my remarks I said I was a little bit jealous to see the Indian government, the auto manufacturers, and the oil industry all supporting the 20 percent standard,” Lamberty added. “They all agree because something has to be done now, and unlike in the U.S., where ethanol has been reducing smog and pollution for decades, India doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring what works while hoping another platform can provide relief sometime in the distant future.”
Lamberty thanked the USGC for inviting ACE to sponsor and take part in the event and praised their efforts to promote ethanol at the Auto Expo. “The USGC staff put together a massive, attention-grabbing trade show display space that attracted a lot of people, and provided information about how ethanol is made, how it gets to stations, the equipment used to sell it, and even an FFV converted by eFlexFuel,” he said.
Senate EPW Committee Holds Hearing on National Clean Fuels Program
On February 15, 2023, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing on “The Future of Low Carbon Transportation Fuels and Considerations for a National Clean Fuels Program.” American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings submitted written testimony to the Committee underscoring the critical role low-carbon biofuels and climate smart agriculture practices can play in ensuring federal clean fuel policy meets transportation decarbonization goals. ACE also joined a diverse group of over 20 organizations part of the DriveClean Initiative in submitting principles upon which a Clean Fuel Standard could be drafted.
“Establishment of a federal Clean Fuel Standard would be a powerful tool to help the U.S. meet the 2050 GHG emission reduction objective for the U.S. transportation sector,” Jennings said. “The ethanol industry and U.S. farmers are primed to be part of the solution. To do so, however, means federal policies like a Clean Fuel Standard must be technology-neutral and ensure fair and accurate accounting and crediting of GHG reductions from climate smart agriculture practices.”
ACE has been at the forefront of discussions on how the ethanol industry and U.S. farmers can further contribute to GHG reduction goals. Guided by its Board of Directors’ objective for ethanol production to reach net-zero lifecycle GHG emissions by 2050, ACE is involved in policy development and work to provide real-world validation of lifecycle GHG benefits of climate smart agriculture practices at scale. To access the full testimony, visit ethanol.org/news.
