Recent Federal Actions
This list includes recent federal actions, such as Federal Register notices and rulemaking actions, agency directives or agency communications, that are all publicly available. These actions relate to alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction and fuel economy measures. When rulemakings are finalized, they will move to the list of Federal Laws and Incentives.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the 2020 volume requirements and associated percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel that must be blended into transportation fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2). EPA also proposed the 2021 volume requirements for biomass-based diesel.
The proposed renewable fuel volumes are as follows:
| 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cellulosic biofuel (million gallons) | 540 | N/A |
| Biomass-based diesel (billion gallons) | 2.43 | 2.43 |
| Advanced biofuel (billion gallons) | 5.04 | N/A |
| Renewable fuel (billion gallons) | 20.04 | N/A |
| 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Cellulosic biofuel | 0.29% |
| Biomass-based diesel | 1.99% |
| Advanced biofuel | 2.75% |
| Renewable fuel | 10.92% |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule to modify the volatility requirements for gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol (E15) during the summer season and to implement additional requirements for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2). E15 is granted a waiver to exceed the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements for gasoline that are detailed in the Clean Air Act Section 211(h)(1) by 1 pound per square inch from May 1 through September 15. In addition, E15 is defined as “substantially similar” to gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol (E10), which is used to certify light-duty vehicles under the Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards program.
EPA also finalized additional requirements for RINs, including requiring public disclosure when D6 RIN holdings exceed specified thresholds, the reporting of additional price and affiliate data to EPA, and that obligated parties report new RIN holding information quarterly.
For more information, refer to the final rule and EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard Program website.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the 2019 volume requirements and associated percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel that must be blended into transportation fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2). EPA also finalized the 2020 volume requirements for biomass-based diesel.
The final renewable fuel volumes are as follows:| 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cellulosic biofuel (million gallons) | 418 | N/A |
| Biomass-based diesel (billion gallons) | 2.1 | 2.43 |
| Advanced biofuel (billion gallons) | 4.92 | N/A |
| Renewable fuel (billion gallons) | 19.92 | N/A |
The associated renewable fuel percentage standards are as follows:
| 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Cellulosic biofuel (million gallons) | 0.230% |
| Biomass-based diesel (billion gallons) | 1.73% |
| Advanced biofuel (billion gallons) | 2.71% |
| Renewable fuel (billion gallons) | 10.97% |
For more information, refer to the final rule and EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard Program website.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a request for nominations for the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Section 1413 Alternative Fuel Corridor Designation process. Under the FAST Act Section 1413, DOT designates national electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors to improve mobility of alternative fuel passenger and commercial vehicles. Any state or local agency is invited to nominate an alternative fuel corridor for designation. The solicitation deadline is January 31, 2019. For more information, including updated nomination criteria and instructions, see the FHWA Alternative Fuel Corridors website.