EPA’s Tier III Rule Can Encourage Adoption of Biofuels, BIO Says

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a final Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards rule that maximizes investment in and adoption of advanced biofuels. 

“EPA clearly recognizes that the most effective and efficient way to achieve the important goals of the proposed rule is to work to harmonize it with other policies affecting and regulating the transportation fuel sector throughout the country, including the RFS, Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE), and California’s Low Emission Vehicle Program,” writes Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section in formal comments submitted to the agency today. “BIO supports the proposed rule and believes that the final Tier 3 rule has the potential to encourage the continued development and commercialization of all biofuels.” 

“Encouraging biofuels, including higher blends of ethanol and drop-in biofuels, would help meet EPA’s overall goal in this rulemaking to address the impacts of motor vehicles and fuels on air quality and public health,” Erickson continued. “For instance, advanced drop-in biofuels have the same molecular make-up of traditional petroleum-based fuels, but they contain little or no sulfur and have significantly reduced GHGs. In addition, ethanol combusts without producing air toxics, which are the main source of particulate matter.” 

Erickson concluded, “BIO believes that EPA should work to set the emissions test fuel to maximize investment and adoption of all biofuels, including higher ethanol blends and drop-ins, while also maximizing the level of octane in the U.S. fuel supply. This action would help EPA meet one of its stated goals of this rulemaking to address the impacts of motor vehicles and fuels on air quality and public health.”