Small Refinery Exemption Litigation Update
Podcast - An Update on the Renewable Fuel Standard Final Rule
A recent enforcement action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights the perils of incorrectly categorizing marine fuels under EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Diesel Fuel programs. Indeed, EPA's...more
Confusion persists among industry stakeholders regarding the correct structuring approach to renewables. The truth is that renewables traverse sectors and is not a sector itself. Electrical power generated through sustainable...more
The Environmental Protection Agency issued its final rule establishing biofuel volume requirements for 2023 to 2025 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program on June 21. The Rule aims to reduce the United States’...more
The major policy differences between President Trump and Former Vice President Joe Biden on regulations governing energy and the environment could have major impacts on the energy transition. Former Vice President Biden, if...more
On January 1, 2020, the new International Maritime Organization’s regulation—dubbed “IMO 2020”—for sulfur reduction from 3.5% to 0.5% will go into effect. The regulation stipulates that oceangoing vessels must use either a...more
On January 20, 2017, businessman Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States following a contentious and unconventional 2016 presidential election. Republicans also successfully maintained control...more
Sutherland attorneys are closely watching the developments concerning changes to environmental regulation under President Trump. This article begins a series of communications with our clients on developments of particular...more
On May 31, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register its proposed 2017 volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), an ever-controversial program established by Congress to spur the...more
On February 9, 2015, a bi-partisan group of 32 Senators led by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)...more
On October 21, 2014, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) sued EPA. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. CREW alleges that EPA failed to comply with its Freedom of...more
This monthly publication provides information on compliance deadlines, regulatory developments, and other developments in federal, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire environmental and land use laws. NEW REGULATORY...more
On July 15, 2014, Inside EPA reported that "the White House is examining options for reversing EPA's proposed cuts to several renewable fuel standard (RFS) production targets in order to promote biofuels that create fewer...more
On July 2, EPA published a final rule that amends three separate sets of regulations relating to fuels. These regulations clarify the number of cellulosic biofuel renewable identification numbers (RINs) that may be generated...more
On July 2, 2014, EPA released a signed, pre-published version of its final rule for "Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Pathways II and Modifications to the RFS Program, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Requirements, and E15 Misfueling...more
On June 26, 2014, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a 38-page report on the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), "The Renewable Fuel Standard: Issues for 2014 and Beyond." The report examines potential compliance...more
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has reportedly received the final rule on "RFS Pathways II and Technical Amendments to the RFS2 Standards" (RFS Pathways II rule) from EPA. This is the last step in the...more
On April 10, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its strategic plan through 2018. A copy of the plan is available online. It includes statements by EPA reinforcing its commitment to enhancing...more
In this article: - Introduction - EPA’s Underlying Authority to Interpret the CAA - RFS Volume Mandate Reduction Authority under the CAA - Analysis of EPA’s Authority to Amend the RFS Regulatory...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - White House proposes new fuel efficiency rules to reduce emissions from heavy trucks: Los Angeles Times - Feb 18 - President Obama moved ahead Tuesday with plans to further tighten...more
Environmental and Policy Focus: Ninth Circuit debates application of dormant Commerce Clause - CourtHouse News - Jan 22: A Ninth Circuit appellate panel’s rejection of a challenge to the “life-cycle analysis” approach...more
In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Obama urged Congress to pass a reauthorization for the Water Resources Development Act. President Obama also called for corporate tax reform as a method to finance...more
In This Issue: - Environmental Protection Agency ..NAAQS ..Tier 3 & 4 Standards ..Stormwater Control ..Hydraulic Fracturing Regulation ..Clean Water Act Expansion ..Renewable Fuels...more
As the clock struck midnight October 1, the United States entered a new fiscal year, and, without a budget, the federal government shut down. Congress worked through the weekend to pass a continuing resolution, but the...more
The House and Senate chambers, quiet for over a month, resumed regular business today. ML Strategies has produced a post-Labor Day outlook. Congress has several issues to address now that it is back in session including the...more
With Congress out for the August recess, this week’s major energy-related announcements came from the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency....more