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Ethanol leader not convinced EPA understands concerns

One of the EPA’s top advisors on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) spoke Thursday at an Ethanol Forum in Omaha.

Paul Argyropoulos, senior policy advisor in the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, talked about the recent consent decree which sets firm deadlines for proposing and finalizing the ethanol volume requirements for 2014, 2015 and 2016 under the RFS.

After listening to Argyropoulos’ presentation, Brian Jennings of the American Coalition for Ethanol told Brownfield that, while it’s good to have a set timetable, he’s still not convinced EPA understands the ethanol industry’s concerns.

“EPA originally was talking about limiting—not promoting—but limiting the renewable fuel use in gasoline, talking about the E10 blend wall,” Jennings says.  “I didn’t hear a lot today that gives me a whole lot of comfort that they heard us loud and clear.”

Jennings says if EPA doesn’t follow the intent of the RFS, in his words, “We’re probably going to see them in court.”

AUDIO: Brian Jennings