Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) advocacy is continuing at a steady pace in anticipation of the expected imminent release of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2014 final RFS rule. Some biofuels advocates believe that they are making an impact with their stepped-up advocacy, as they believe the Administration will adjust the total renewable and advanced biofuel targets upwards from its proposed reductions to those categories of renewable fuels. The final rule is expected to be issued in June 2014.

On May 8, 2014, nine members of the pro-biofuels Fuels America coalition sent a letter to President Obama urging the Administration to reconsider EPA's proposed reductions to the total renewable and advanced biofuels targets in the 2014 RFS rule. The Fuels America coalition does not believe that it is necessary to make any legislative changes to the RFS. A copy of the letter is available online.

The coalition argues in the letter that the proposed 2014 RFS reductions are inconsistent with the Administration's climate change goals and recent National Climate Assessment (NCA) report. The Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG™) reported on the NCA. A copy of that BRAG report is available online.

Earlier this week, representatives of the anti-ethanol Smarter Fuel Future coalition, including livestock, environmental, and small-engine organizations, lobbied Congress to repeal or reform the RFS through legislation. Generally, they are either supportive of EPA's proposed 2014 RFS rule or they believe that the proposal does not make enough reductions to the 2014 renewable fuel obligations.