A bill to approve certain advanced biofuel registrations, to require the consideration of certain advanced biofuel pathways, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-218
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-02-04
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative remedies

Air quality

Alternative and renewable resources

Climate change and greenhouse gases

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Licensing and registrations

Motor fuels
Latest action: action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S476-477)

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-04
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill expedites the approval process for renewable fuels under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program. The existing RFS program requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. Producers must register renewable fuels under the program.</p> <p>The bill considers an application to register a renewable fuel under the RFS program to be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if the fuel has been approved under any state renewable fuel program. It also establishes a deadline for the EPA to make a decision on any pending application for a renewable fuel that has not yet been approved under any state program.</p> <p>In addition, the bill establishes deadlines for the EPA to make decisions on pending pathway petitions by producers to register biofuels. If the EPA does not make decisions on the petitions by the deadlines, then petitions are automatically approved.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 218 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 4, 2021 Mr. Thune (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To approve certain advanced biofuel registrations, to require the consideration of certain advanced biofuel pathways, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for other purposes.

1. Approval of advanced biofuel registrations (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Application The term application means an application for registration under section 80.1450 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on February 4, 2021)— (A) that was submitted for approval before February 4, 2021; (B) for which not less than 180 days have elapsed since the date on which application was submitted for approval; and (C) that has not been denied by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this Act as the Administrator ) before February 4, 2021. (2) Transportation fuel The term transportation fuel has the meaning given the term in section 211(o)(1) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7545(o)(1) ). (b) Action on applications (1) In general For the purposes of carrying out the Renewable Fuel Program under section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7545(o) ) (referred to in this Act as the Renewable Fuel Program ), an application shall be considered approved if not less than 1 State has approved the sale of fuel produced using the processes described in the application under a program designed to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuel. (2) Final action on certain applications For the purposes of carrying out the Renewable Fuel Program, in a case in which no State has approved the sale of fuel produced using the processes described in the application under a program designed to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuel, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall take final action on the application. 2. Requirement for action on pending advanced biofuel pathways For purposes of carrying out the Renewable Fuel Program, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall take final action on a petition for a renewable fuel pathway under section 80.1416 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on February 4, 2021), if— (1) the petition was submitted for approval and deemed complete in accordance with section 80.1416 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on February 4, 2021), before February 4, 2021; and (2) not less than 180 days have elapsed since the date on which the petition was submitted for approval and deemed complete in accordance with section 80.1416 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on February 4, 2021). 3. Funding (a) In general Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Administrator to carry out this Act $2,000,000, to remain available until expended. (b) Receipt and acceptance The Administrator shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this Act the funds transferred under subsection (a), without further appropriation.