EPA extends comment period on biofuel standard

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday said it was extending the comment period on a draft rule that aims to cut greenhouse gases emitted by biofuels.

The proposed changes to the 2007 U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard attempt to make production of corn-based ethanol more efficient and increase output of advanced biofuels.

The comment period on the rule, also known as RFS2, will now end on September 25 instead of July 27.

“With the 60-day comment period extension, EPA seeks to provide the public adequate time to provide meaningful comment while finalizing and implementing the standards in a timely manner,” the agency said.

Critics of corn ethanol have blamed the fuel for increasing food prices and indirectly causing greenhouse gas emissions by forcing forests and other lands to be burned abroad to create farmland.

Reuters