The Renewable Fuels Association has added its voice to the chorus of scientists, businesses, and trade associations calling for the U.S. EPA's proposed Tailoring Rule, equating biogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with fossil fuel emissions.
The EPA's final Tailoring Rule will define which stationary sources will be subject to GHG emission controls and regulations during a phase-in process beginning Jan. 2. The comment period closed on Monday.
In its
comments to the EPA's Call for Information: Information on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Bioenergy and Other Biogenic Sources the RFA said the ruling "is not scientifically justified, runs afoul of accepted national and international GHG accounting methods, and is contrary to public policies enacted to encourage development of a robust renewable fuels industry in the United States."
The RFA went on to question whether the EPA has the authority to regulate biogenic emissions under the Clean Air Act.
The RFA joins other organizations such as the Biomass Power Association, American Forest & Paper Association and National Alliance of Forest Owners, who have also expressed their disappointment over the proposed rule.
In September, 114 of the nation's leading scientists wrote a letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders about their concerns. "The CO2 released from burning biomass was absorbed as part of the ‘biogenic' carbon cycle where plants absorb CO2 as they grow (through photosynthesis), and release carbon dioxide as they decay or are burned," the letter states. "This cycle releases no new carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is why it is termed ‘carbon neutral.'"
Between the U.S. EPA's proposed Tailoring Rule and the Boiler MACT rule, severely tightening the regulation of emissions from biomass boilers, the industry needs all the support it can get in educating government officials and the public about biomass.