January 5, 2017
BY Erin Krueger
The U.S. EPA has extended the public comment periods for its Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support proposed rule and its proposed denial to change the point of obligation under the renewable fuel standard (RFS).
The original 60-day comment period on the proposed REGS rulemaking was set to close Jan. 17. According to the EPA, it received a joint request for an extension on Dec. 9. That request was filed by the American Soybean Association, Corn Refiners Association, Global Renewable Strategies and Consulting LLC, Growth Energy, Iowa Biodiesel Board, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, National Biodiesel Board, National Renderers Association, Renewable Fuels Association, and U.S. Canola Association. Within the request, the petitioners asked for an extension in order to have more time to evaluate the implications of the REGs rule. The EPA said that in light of the large number of revisions proposed in the REGS rulemaking, it will extend the comment period for 30 days. The new deadline to file written comments is Feb. 16.
The EPA has also issued a 30-day extension period of the comment period associated with its proposed denial of petitions seeking to change the RFS point of obligation. According to the EPA, it received a request from the Small Retailers Coalition on Dec. 13 asking for an extension to allow its members to provide thorough comments and data. In light of the importance of the point of obligation issue, the agency said it will extend the deadline to file written comments. The comment period, which was originally scheduled to close Jan. 23, will not be extended through Feb. 22.
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Additional information is available on the EPA website.
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