Refiners had voiced concerns about putting more biofuels into the already strained fuel supply.

 

The agency has lowered the amount of ethanol that must be blended into U.S. fuel supplies from 16.55 billion gallons in 2013 to 15.21 billion gallons in 2014. The refining industry warned the agency earlier this year that refiners were reaching the maximum amount of ethanol that could safely be blended into the fuel supply, known as the “blendwall.”

 

The industry welcomed the reduced blending requirements, but warned that this did not address long term problems.

“While we are pleased that EPA has taken steps to avoid the blendwall in 2014, we remain concerned that the proposed rule leaves open the possibility that the biofuel mandates will exceed the maximum amount of ethanol that can be safely added to our gasoline supply,” said Charles Drevna, president of the American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers.

“Consumers should be shielded from the costs of an overly aggressive biofuel mandates and Congress should address this issue immediately before this unworkable law does further damage,” Drevna added.

The biofuels industry shot back at the refining industry and the EPA over the lowered blending requirements.