Fill Up On Facts
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA07) included an expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2), which the EPA used to develop a final rule effective July 1, 2010. To comply with the RFS2 biofuel producers and importers must blend increasing amounts of biofuels into gasoline and diesel.
Petroleum refiners and importers then must acquire sufficient RINs to demonstrate compliance with RFS2 based on the amount of gasoline and diesel they produce and/or import. The RFS2 is complex with four nested volumetric mandates: total renewable biofuel, advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel and biomass-based diesel.
More Information on the RFS:
- The Cost of Mandates
Increased RFS volumes could cost consumers money and choice, and threaten far higher costs in the form of engine damage
- The Reality of America’s Energy Revolution
Our new energy realities have made the RFS obsolete and Americans are not consuming as much gasoline as Congress estimated they would when the mandate was passed in 2007
- Outdated Supply and Demand Projections
The U.S. is now a global oil and natural gas superpower
- Disconnect Between EPA Mandate and Technology
EISA cellulosic volumes exceed reality
- What is the “Blend Wall?”
EIA demand projections for gasoline, E85 and combined ethanol consumption indicate RFS2 targets will not be met even if the cellulosic standard is waived
- E15 and Your Car
Millions of vehicles on the road today could suffer engine damage from using fuels containing higher levels of ethanol than for which they were designed
- Fairytale Thinking on E85 and Ethanol Mandates
RFS supporters who are desperate to avoid the blend wall suggest that E85 be “heavily discounted” to reach maximum sales, but the numbers do not add up
- The RFS is Bad Policy: National and Multi-Industry Consensus
The policy is bad for consumers in addition to drivers and the overall economy
- A Bumpy Ride for Motorcyclists
Engine damage, engine failure and misfueling are just a few of the consequences of the RFS ethanol mandates
- Rising Ethanol Blends Don’t Float All Boats
Ethanol mandates have the potential to cause engine damage for marine vessels
- Outdoor Power Equipment and the RFS
The RFS is dangerous for outdoor power equipment just as much as it is for automobiles and other vehicle engines
