The agency released a prepublication version of the proposed rule on July 5. The proposal calls for approximately 19.24 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be blended into the national fuel supply next year. This includes 238 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel, 2.1 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel and 4.24 billion gallons of advanced biofuel. For 2019, the new proposal calls for the biomass-based diesel RVO to be maintained at 2.1 billion gallons.

In a notice posted to its website, the EPA said the hearing aims to provide interested parties the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposal. The agency may ask clarifying questions during the hearing, but will not respond to presentations at that time. Written statements and supporting information submitted during the public comment period will be considered with the same weight as information presented at the hearing.

Those wishing to testify at the hearing should notify the EPA by July 25. Additional information is available on the EPA website. 

The EPA is expected to open a 45-day public comment period on the proposed rule following its publication in the Federal Register. A prepublication version of the rule can be downloaded from the EPA website.