EPA to propose cuts to biofuel blending requirement: report

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reportedly proposing cuts for how much biofuel has to be blended into other fuels. 

Reuters, citing a document it obtained, reported that under the proposal, the EPA would lessen 2020 and 2021 requirements to about 17.1 billion gallons and 18.6 billion gallons, respectively. 

This figure is lower than the 20.1 billion gallons that had been set for 2020 before the pandemic. 

For 2022, the level would reportedly be at 20.8 billion gallons. 

Under the Renewable Fuel Standard, a certain amount of biofuel has to be blended into vehicle fuel, heating oil or jet fuel that comes from petroleum. 

The reported proposal would be a boost for the oil industry, while angering some in the agriculture industry. 

The EPA declined The Hill’s request for comment and did not comment to Reuters. But Biden administration officials told the wire service that the numbers aren’t final and could be revised. 

The oil industry has pushed for such cuts in response to decreased fuel demand during the pandemic as people stayed at home rather than traveling or commuting. 

But since the vaccine rollout, fuel demand in the U.S. has largely rebounded, with gasoline prices hovering above $3 per gallon for several months.