EPA Sued Over “Unachievable” Bio-Fuel Standards

The API, or American Petroleum Institute, has filed a lawsuit against the EPA over their requirements to buy fuels that "don't exist" to be mixed with standard gasoline.

The EPA's new 2012 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) contain requirements that oil companies purchase and mix with their "regular" gas  a percentage of what are called 'renewable energies.'  The ethanol signs you see at the pump, and other bio-products, are part of the RFS.  It's supposed to make vehicles more efficient, cleaner and enviornmentally friendly.

  The problem?  The 2012 RFS requires oil companies to buy and utilize at least 8.65 million gallons of what are called cellulosic fuels--made from wood byproducts, and they don't exist--at least NOT outside of the experimental lab.   API, who represents over 500 oil, gas, and natural gas companies, says how can they add the cellulosic fuel when it's not commercially available in large quantities?

   A few plants have begun to produce the fuel, that comes from wood chips and other wood by- products, but it's not nearly enough to match the EPA required amounts.  And to make it more fun, the EPA fined oil producers for NOT using the wood fuel--even though  it was not available. Makes your head spin, doesn't it.  At least the API is fighting back.  They don't have an issue mixing the wood chip fuel with gas--but they can't do it, if they can't get it.