The renewable fuels standard (RFS) was signed into law as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Today the U.S. EPA formally announced how the program will be implemented.	
 	
 The EPA's long-awaited announcement finalizes the national renewable fuel program. The lengthy document establishes renewable fuel standards, responsibilities of refineries and other fuel producers, a trading system and other compliance mechanisms, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

 	
 U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, DOE Secretary Samuel Bodman and National Highway Safety Administrator Nicole Nason discussed the standard in a press conference in Washington, D.C. Johnson said the RFS is an important first step toward meeting President George W. Bush's plan to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by 20 percent in the next decade.
 	
 Johnson said the program will cut petroleum use by nearly 4 billion gallons by 2012. The increase in renewable fuels will decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to 13 million metric tons.
 	
 Bodman said that move sends a signal to private investors that government policy supports investment in the renewable fuels industry. 
 
 "The consistent commitment the federal government has shown in developing a renewable fuels industry in this country is just beginning to pay off," said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen. "The RFS, together with incentives for renewable fuel use, are helping to develop an industry already contributing to a more sustainable energy future."
 	
 The program largely mirrors the proposed program, with some revisions reflecting continued input from stakeholders during the formal comment period.
 
 The EPA released its proposed rulemaking Sept. 22, 2006. It then took public comments to craft the final ruling.
 	
 The development of a renewable identification number (RIN) program was one of the questions that were ironed out. A RIN must be assigned by a renewable fuel producer or importer to every batch of fuel produced by a facility located in the contiguous 48 states.
 
 Information on the renewable identification numbers (RINs) can be found beginning on page 69 of the ruling: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/rfs-preamble.pdf">http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/rfs-preamble.pdf</a>.

 
 The ruling becomes effective Sept. 1, 2007. More information, including a 350-page regulatory impact analysis and a review of public comments, is available here: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/#rfs040907 ">http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/#rfs040907 </a>
 
 Dave Nilles is Contributions Editor for Biodiesel Magazine. Reach him at dnilles@bbibiofuels.com or (701) 373-0636.
 
 Posted: 2:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday, April 10, 2007

EPA releases final RFS implementation plans

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