Grainnet

Washington, DC-–The U.S. ethanol industry is ready to hit the ground running as the full Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) is implemented beginning September 1.

The RFS requires oil companies and gasoline refiners to use increasing amounts of renewable fuels like ethanol in the nation’s motor fuel supply.

A default version of the RFS has been in place since January 1, 2006.

Starting September 1, 2007, the full RFS will be in effect, including the generation and transfer of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) used to track the amount of renewable fuels used.

“The U.S. ethanol industry has worked diligently with the Environmental Protection Agency and our petroleum customers to ensure that the implementation of the RFS is as smooth as possible,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen.

“The RFA has sponsored workshops, produced educational material and surveyed the industry and we are confident U.S. ethanol producers are prepared to meet the regulatory requirements of the full RFS.

"Renewable fuels are becoming an increasingly critical part of our nation’s motor fuel supply, with ethanol use alone already exceeding the requirements of the RFS.

"America’s ethanol producers look forward to the challenge of being a renewable energy industry that is standing up to meet America’s growing demand for energy.”

The RFS was included as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

It requires the use of renewable fuels beginning with 4 billion gallons in 2006 and increasing incrementally to 7.5 billion gallons of annual renewable fuel use in 2012. Under the law, ethanol producers are required to generate a 38-character identification number for a set number of ethanol gallons produced.

This number, also known as a RIN, will then be transferred to ethanol marketers and ultimately the end users of ethanol who blend it into the nation’s gasoline supply.

This RIN will be the tool by which the federal government verifies gasoline refiners are using the required volume of renewable fuels.

More information on the RFS and the requirements of each party can be found on the RFA website at www.ethanolrfa.org.

For more information, call Matt Hartwig at 202-289-3835.

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