EPA Finalizes Renewable Fuel Standards for 2019 and 2020

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized an update to the Renewable Fuel Standard Program for the years 2019 and 2020, pursuant to requirements under Section 211 of the Clean Air Act. The rule modestly increases the total volume of renewable fuels that must be blended into gasoline and diesel to 19.88 billion gallons in 2019 (a 3.1% increase over 2018 levels). The rule also increases the volume standard for biomass-based diesel from 2.1 to 2.43 billion gallons in 2020. In addition, the action establishes percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel for 2019.