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U.S. Ethanol/Biofuel targets finally set

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by wjtracy, May 31, 2015.

  1. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Apparently EPA finally set the ethanol targets for 2014 (retro-active) and 2015 and 2016.

    Here is a recap from a pro-biofuels view point-
    EPA Slashes Corn Ethanol Targets Under Proposed Renewable Fuel Standard | Alternative Energy Stocks

    Basically EPA decided Congress made a mistake when it mandated ethanol volumes that turned out to be excessive when US gasoline demand unexpectedly turned downwards around 2008. But I believe the amount of ethanol mandated still forces E10 pretty much everywhere. I don't know if there is much extra slack for E0. Each year the amount of ethnaol rises a little bit (so if gaso sales go up there is no escaping E10).

    One comment was interesting: why not increase biodiesel? But apparently the 2007 regs allow Brazil ethanol to come in under biomass derived biofuel, so increasing biodiesel just allows more Brazil ethanol to come in which is what we don't really want.