BIO Submits Comments to EPA Regulatory Reform Task Force

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) yesterday submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regulatory Reform Task Force on regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification. EPA sought input in accordance with Executive Order 13777 “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda.” In the comments, BIO emphasizes the need for proper, consistent and stable implementation of both the Renewable Fuel Standard program and the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, writes in the comments:

“To ensure the continued growth of the advanced and cellulosic biofuels industry; to spur the development of new investment, innovation, and job growth; and to enhance energy and national security, EPA must improve its implementation of RFS by doing the following:

• issue its annual Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) under the RFS on time;

• interpret its general waiver authority as it did before 2013;

• make process improvements for RFS pathway approvals – not only to clear backlogs of pending but to speed new approval decisions;

• work to facilitate inclusion of additional biofuels under the RFS program;

• update lifecycle analyses and evaluations of the environmental impact of biofuels; and

• reject all proposals to change the point of obligation under the RFS.”

BIO’s comments are available at https://www.bio.org/letters-testimony-comments/bio-comment-executive-order-13777-enforcing-regulatory-reform-agenda.