Renewable Fuel businesses are anxiously awaiting EPA’s decision on the volume requirements for the R-F-S for 2014. POET’s Director of Federal Affairs Rob Walther says the volumes and methodology arriving at those are keys for the future of both corn based and cellulosic ethanol.
POET which has produced corn based ethanol for some time recently opened the first commercial scale size ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Walther says without a strong renewable fuel standard the likelihood of them commercializing more cellulosic ethanol plants in the United States is slim.
Walther says if EPA’s final 2014 RFS decision follows their proposal there could be more U.S. ethanol plants being outsourced. He says several other countries are waiting for the opportunity to develop their own renewable fuels and would benefit from EPA’s decision.
The RFS proposal is still over at the Office of Management and Budget awaiting final release.