API files suit against EPA’s unrealistic 2013 ethanol requirements

WASHINGTON, October 8, 2013 – API filed a lawsuit with the D.C. Circuit Court challenging EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2013.

“EPA’s unrealistic ethanol mandates for 2013 are simply bad public policy,” said Harry Ng, API vice president and general counsel. “EPA issued this year’s requirements nine months late and has once again mandated significantly more cellulosic ethanol than is available in the marketplace.”

The 2013 RFS volume requirements were not issued until August 2013, despite a statutory deadline of November 2012. EPA also mandated that refiners use four million gallons of cellulosic ethanol in 2013, but only 142,000 gallons have been available for refiners to blend so far, according to EPA. The court has already had to rein in EPA’s excessive cellulosic ethanol mandates, according to Ng, but the agency continues to ignore reality.

“The 2013 mandates are an example of why EPA can’t be relied upon to implement the RFS effectively and in the interest of consumers,” Ng said. “Ultimately, Congress must fully repeal this unworkable and costly mandate.”

API is a national trade association that represents all segments of America’s technology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 550 members – including large integrated companies, exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms – provide most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers $85 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested over $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.