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API: BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION TO RFS PROPOSAL GROWS IN CONGRESS Representative Bill Flores (TX-17) and 183 other members of Congress sent a let- ter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy expressing concerns over the proposed 2016 Renewable Fuel Standard require- ments. EPA's proposal would threaten consumers and our economy by raising ethanol mandates to potentially harmful levels, according to API. "There's growing, bipartisan rec- ognition in Congress of the negative consequences that higher ethanol man- dates could have on consumers, including unexpected auto repair bills and potential harm to our nation's economy," said API Downstream Group Director Bob Greco after the letter was released. "The admin- istration seems poised to pursue a careless rush to raise ethanol volumes regardless of costs to consumers and our economy. EPA appears to be putting politics ahead of sound policy." The refining industry is near hitting the ethanol blend wall, above which the amount of ethanol required to be blended under the RFS could be unsafe for most vehicles on the road today, according to API. Millions of cars could be damaged by fuel blends that contain more than 10% ethanol, according to studies by the Coordinating Research Council, and automakers have said using higher ethanol blends would void car warranties. Higher ethanol mandates could also cause severe fuel rationing that would lead to a 30% decrease in the U.S. fuel supply and decrease the take-home pay of American workers, according to a study by NERA Economic Consulting. "We urge EPA to reduce the total ethanol renewable fuels volume require- ments for 2016 to below 9.7% of gasoline demand to protect consumers and our economy," Greco said. "This will keep us below the 10% ethanol blend wall while allowing consumers the option of buying non-ethanol gasoline if they want it." API also thanked Representative Flores for his leadership on this issue. NBB: NATIONAL SURVEY RESULTS: LARGE MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT RFS A recent national survey shows that b i o d i e s e l i s a n i n c r e a s i n g l y p o p u - lar alternative fuel and that support for a Renewable Fuel Standard is on the rise. With just one month until the Environmental Protection Agency releases a final RFS rule, 80% of voters support a renewable fuel standard. "This is just more evidence that the EPA should strengthen biodiesel vol- umes in the final RFS proposal," said Anne Steckel, Vice President of Federal Affairs. "There is substantial public sup- port and mounting data behind strong renewable fuel volumes that allow for additional growth in the program. We are hopeful the administration and EPA recognize the opportunity they have to deliver meaningful policy that will reduce carbon emissions and reduce our depen- dence on oil." Moore Information conducted an online survey of registered voters nationwide on behalf of the National Biodiesel Board. The survey showed continued support for a national renewable fuel standard to sup- port increased biodiesel use in the U.S. After hearing a description of biodiesel and its uses 80% of voters in the United States sup- port a renewable fuel standard for biodiesel and just 10% oppose. The remaining voters are unsure. This is up from just 70% support two years ago. The survey also showed that despite drops in oil and gas prices, public support for renewable fuels has not been adversely affected. On the contrary, it appears the public is increasing its support for renew- ables, like cleaner burning biodiesel. "Voters clearly support biodiesel and the RFS. The policies are working," Steckel said. "Now is the time to build on that success." Biodiesel—made from a variety of resources including soybean oil, recy- cled cooking oil and animal fats—is the first EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel to reach commercial-scale production nationwide. With plants in nearly every state in the country, the industry is work- ing to displace nearly two billion gallons of fossil fuel annually. According to the EPA, biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57% to 86% compared with petroleum diesel. CLEAN CITIES GROUP HONORS BIODIESEL LEADER The Greater Washington Region Clean C i t i e s C o a l i t i o n r e c e n t l y h o n o r e d National Biodiesel Board Vice President Anne Steckel with its Initiative of the Year Award for her work promoting biodiesel on the local and national level. Steckel was presented with the award www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | DECEMBER 2015 3 DATELINE • API: Bipartisan Opposition to RFS Proposal Grows In Congress • NBB: National Survey Results: Large Majority of Voters Support RFS • Clean Cities Group Honors Biodiesel Leader • Dead River Company Announces Retirement of President and CEO Robert Moore FUELS/EIA - pg 12 • Register Now For the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo • Tank Utility Wins Cleantech Competition • EIA: High Distillate Fuel Oil Inventories in Central Atlantic Weighing on Distillate Spot Price • EIA: Heating Oil Expenditures Forecast to be Lower This Winter • EIA: U.S. Propane Production and Export Capacity Expand Business Operations BUSINESS OPERATIONS - pg 19 • Truckerline APP Seeks to Make It Easier for Fleets and Shippers to Hire Drivers • Smart Home Revenues to Reach $100 Billion by 2020, Driven by Automation and Entertainment Services • Matrix Announces the Successful Sale of Crossamerica Partners LP's Fuels Transportation, Heating Oil & Tank Wagon Businesses HVAC/HYDRONICS - pg 44 • Taco Announces Agreement to Acquire Askoll Sei • ASHRAE Celebrates Future of Engineering Innovation as Solar Decathlon Sponsor Featured News DATELINE BREAKING NEWS