The EPA has finalized its new, more relaxed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), according to a Federal Register notice on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. The amendments change certain regulations from the Renewable Fuel Standard program, originally published on March 26, 2010, and which took effect on July 1, 2010. The second standard under the program, the regulations are colloquially referred to as "RFS2."

Following publication of the RFS2 regulations, promulgated in response to the requirements of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the EPA discovered some technical errors and areas within the final RFS2 regulations that could benefit from clarification or modification. In a direct final rule and parallel notice of proposed rulemaking published on May 10, 2010, but the agency received adverse comment on a few provisions in the direct final rule and, on June 30, 2010, withdrew those provisions prior to their effective date of July 1, 2010. In the Federal Register notice, the agency addressed those comments received on the portions of the direct final rule that were withdrawn.

The final rule is effective on Jan. 1, 2011.

For more information, read PE's previous coverage from Nov. 29, 2010, detailing the agency's announcement it would finalize its second such standard. RFS2 changed little from its initial form last July.

SOURCE: Federal Register