EPA'S TIER 3 RULE COMES UP SHORT

Tricia Braid

Mar 07, 2014  |  Today's News

Illinois Corn Growers Association is disappointed to hear the EPA again missed an opportunity to support renewable fuels in this country. In issuance of its final rule for its Tier 3 regulations on gasoline sulfur levels this week, EPA stipulates that light duty vehicles will be required to be certified on E10 rather than E15.

Illinois Corn’s Director of Technology and Business Development, Dave Loos, explains that it makes no sense that EPA would choose a certification fuel that does not mimic the highest ethanol blend of “regular unleaded” available on the market.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen added, “While dramatically lowering sulfur content in gasoline will lower emissions and improve public health, today’s Tier 3 rulemaking is yet another missed opportunity by the EPA. EPA missed the opportunity to address volatility parity with E15 and E10, missed the opportunity to provide a more equitable incentive for FFVs, and missed the opportunity to send a signal about future fuels by backing off the ethanol content of test fuels. The Administration has got to stop missing opportunities to fully commit to diversifying the nation’s fuel pool beyond dirty, expensive petroleum.”