Biofuels Mandate Has Unintended Consequences

See Biofuel Makers Seek to Ease Mandates to Avert Congress by Mark Drajem of Bloomberg, July 25, 2013. Excerpts:

"With production of fuels made from sources such as wood waste, algae or used cooking oils at a fraction of what was envisioned in a 2007 law, the Environmental Protection Agency needs to adjust requirements for use of biofuels in coming years,..."

Refiners

"...must use a certain amount of renewable fuels each year, or buy credits called Renewable Identification Numbers, known as RINs..."

"...separate requirements for cellulosic fuels, diesel made from biomass such as soybean oil, as well as a general renewable category that is largely filled by ethanol made from corn.

With the use of gasoline falling, refiners say that EPA’s current mandate means they can’t sell enough ethanol without exceeding the 10 percent blended level deemed safe for all vehicles."