Final Rule for Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program
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Rule Summary
EPA has finalized pathways for production of renewable fuel from giant reed (Arundo donax) and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as feedstocks. These pathways are for cellulosic biofuel, for purposes of the RFS. In response to comments on the proposal concerning the potential for these crops to behave as invasive species, EPA is adopting additional registration, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements that were developed to address the potential for GHG emissions related to these concerns.
Rule History
On February 27, 2012, EPA published a notice to withdraw the amendments to the RFS2 regulations issued via direct final rule on January 5, 2012. The amendments would have expanded Table 1 of § 80.1426 to identify additional renewable fuel production pathways and pathway components that could be used in producing qualifying renewable fuel under the RFS2 program. EPA intends to address all comments in a subsequent final action, which will be based on the parallel proposed rule also published on January 5, 2012 (77 FR 462). As stated in the direct final rule and the parallel proposed rule, we will not institute a second comment period on this action.
Additional Resources
- Fact Sheet: EPA Issues Supplemental Final Rule for Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways under the RFS Program (PDF) (3 pp, 147 K, June 2013, EPA-420-F-13-040)
- Fact Sheet: EPA Issues Direct Final Rule for Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways under the RFS2 Program (PDF)(4 pp, 299 K, November 2011, EPA-420-F-11-043)
- Final Rule (PDF) (14 pp, 312 K, published July 11, 2013)
Learn more about the withdrawn Direct Final Rule to Identify Additional Fuel Pathways under the RFS program.
- Withdrawal Notice of Direct Final Rule (PDF) (2 pp, 199K, published March 5, 2012)
- Direct Final Rule (PDF) (28 pp, 2.83MB, published January 5, 2012)
- Proposed Rule (PDF) (6 pp, 167K, published January 5, 2012)