. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/N/USA/219 
4 October 2006 
 (06-4754) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION 
 
The following notification is being circ ulated in accordance with Article 10.6. 
 
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   UNITED STATES
 
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):         
2. Agency responsible:   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (226) 
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and web-site 
addresses, if available) of  agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be  indicated if different from above:         
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [  X ], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:         
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. 
ICS numbers may be provided in  addition, where applicable):   Fuel and fuel additives 
(HS:  Chapter 2710)  
(ICS:  13). 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:   Regulation of Fuels 
and Fuel Additives:  Renewable Fuel  Standard Program; Proposed Rule 
(100 pages, in English).  
6. Description of content:    
Under the Clean Air Act, as amended by Section 1501 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the 
Environmental Protection Agency is required to promulgate regulations implementing a 
renewable fuel program.  The statute specifies th e total volume of renewable fuel that needs 
to be used in each year, with the total volum e increasing over time.  In this context, it is 
expected to simultaneously reduce dependence on foreign sources of petroleum, increase 
domestic sources of energy, and help us make progress in moving beyond a petroleum-based economy.  The increased use of renewable fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel is also 
expected to have the added benefit of pr oviding an expanded market for agricultural 
products such as corn and soybeans, expa nding economic benefits for our nation's 
agricultural sector.  Based on our analysis, there is also reason to believe that the expanded 
use of renewable fuels will provide reductions  in carbon dioxide emissions and some air 
toxics emissions, such as benzene, from the transportation sector, while other emissions 
may increase. This action proposes regulations designed to ensu re that refiners, blenders, and importers of 
gasoline will use enough renewable fuel each year  so that this total volume requirement is 
met.  Our proposal describes the standard that  will apply to these parties and the renewable 
fuels that qualify for compliance.  The regula tions would also establish a trading program 
that would be a critical aspect of the overall program, allowing renewable fuels to be used where they are most economical while providing a flexible means for obligated parties to 
comply with the standard. G/TBT/N/USA/219 
Page 2  
 
  7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:  
Protection of the environment 
8. Relevant documents:   71 Federal Register (FR) 55551 22 September 2006; Title 40 Code 
of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 80. Will a ppear in the Federal Register when adopted. 
9. Proposed date of adoption:   
Proposed date of entry into force:   } To be determined 
10. Final date for comments:   12 November 2006 
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [  X ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers, e-mail and web-site addresses, if available of the other body:   
Internet URLs: 
 
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/24 22/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/06-
7887.htm 
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/24 22/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/
06-7887.pdf