Why is EPA requiring the use of renewable fuels?
Congress directed EPA in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to design a program that requires the blending of renewable fuels into our nation’s motor-vehicle fuel supply. This program is called the Renewable Fuel Standard. The RFS program requires increasing the use of renewable fuels every year through 2012. For 2007, a minimum of 4% of fuel dispensed to U.S. motorists shall come from renewable sources (a floor of 4.7 billion gallons). By 2012, at least 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel must be blended into motor-vehicle fuel sold in America. After 2012, renewable fuel use is required to grow in volume as gasoline demand grows. In 2006, American refiners, blenders, and importers used 5.4 billion gallons of renewable fuel — almost 25% more than was required for that year.
