Opinion ID: 6317007
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Renewable Fuel Standard Program

Text: In 2005, Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act, Pub. L. No. 109-58, 119 Stat. 594 (2005). Among other things, this Act established the Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard Program. Id. § 1501, 119 Stat. at 106776 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 7545(o)). In 2007, Congress amended the Renewable Fuel Standard Program as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act. See Pub. L. No. 110-140, §§ 201–202, 121 Stat. 1492 (2007) (codified at 42 U.S.C. 2 Appellate Case: 19-9532 Document: 010110648841 Date Filed: 02/23/2022 Page: 3 § 7545(o)). As amended, the RFS requires the EPA to promulgate annual “renewable fuel obligation[s]” specifying volumes of renewable fuels to be introduced into the country’s supply of transportation fuel each year. See 42 U.S.C. § 7545(o)(2)(B), (3)(B). The RFS statute contemplates that certain participants in the transportation fuel market—namely, “refineries,” “blenders,” and “importers”—will be required to satisfy annual “renewable fuel obligation[s].” Id. § 7545(o)(3)(B)(ii). To accomplish these goals, the Program regulates suppliers through “applicable volume[s]”—mandatory and annually increasing quantities of renewable fuels that must be “introduced into commerce in the United States” each year. Id. § 7545(o)(2)(A)(i). This volume is converted into “percentage standards” that apply to obligated parties, who must then ensure that for every gallon of nonrenewable fuel it produces or imports, adequate quantities of renewable fuels are introduced into the economy. Id. § 7545(o)(2)–(3); 40 C.F.R. § 80.1406–80.1407.