WASHINGTON – A proposed rule that would make regulatory changes to the current Renewable Fuel Standard was announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The proposal is designed to set a standard for greenhouse-gas reductions of renewable fuels compared to conventional gasoline. 

The proposed rule was required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The proposal calls for renewable fuels to be defined into four new categories.  The thresholds for the new categories would be 20% less greenhouse gas emissions for renewable fuels produced from new facilities, 50% less for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels, and 60%less for cellulosic biofuels.

Public hearings are being planned by E.P.A. and it also plans to conduct peer-reviews on the lifecycle analysis of the four renewable fuel categories.

A 60-day comment period on the proposal will begin upon publication in the Federal Register. To see E.P.A'.s comments, go to: