The Renewable Fuels Association has published an article on its website saying that despite a shortfall in cellulosic biofuel production in relation to the targets set by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), as reported by the New York Times, the sector has been making advances.
“In a very difficult financial and policy environment, the first wave of commercial advanced ethanol production facilities are under construction in a number of states across the country,” said Advanced Ethanol Council Executive Director Brooke Coleman. “Diversifying America’s fuel supply with increasing amounts of clean, domestically produced renewable fuel requires us to keep our eyes on the prize and not be distracted by the noise and misdirection coming from naysayers protecting the status quo.”
The Environmental Protection Agency made adjustments to the RFS cellulosic biofuel blending volumes as required by Congress. The adjustment is based on forecasted future available supplies. For both 2011 and 2011, EPA made volume reductions of over 90 percent.
Coleman highlights that the market does not operate on free market principles and that’s the reason why there are blending requirements. “The market is controlled by one industry, and few players, who are increasingly reliant on OPEC to secure their product. In turn, we need forceful programs with the right incentives to introduce new fuels made by Americans. That’s what the RFS is, and it’s working,” he added.
He said commercial scale facilities are being and production will met the adjusted requirement for 2012. “America cannot afford to back track on an RFS program that has already dramatically reduced foreign oil dependence and remains a linchpin for local bio-economies all over the country.”
Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.
