ARLINGTON, Va. – Industry stakeholders from ethanol, oil, livestock, environmental, biofuels, retail and consumer groups took part yesterday in a public hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume mandate for 2014.

The EPA convened the public hearing for all interested parties to provide comments on the proposed volume requirements and associated percentage standards that would apply under the RFS in 2014 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel. More than 140 individuals representing groups from pro-ethanol to Big Oil and food manufacturers participated in the hearing.

Paige Anderson, NACS director of government affairs, spoke on behalf of NACS and the convenience and fuel retailing industry. Anderson focused her comments on the economic and infrastructure challenges that the industry continues to face while trying to comply with the RFS mandate.

“The convenience and fuel retailing industry sells approximately 80% of the gasoline consumed in the United States. Our mission is to sell products that consumers want to buy. We don’t prefer one fuel type over another. If demand is for E10, we sell E10. If consumers want E85, we sell E85.”

Anderson continued: “The reality is that consumer acceptance of higher blends of ethanol beyond 10% remains a challenge. Just because people are purchasing flex fuel vehicles does not mean they are filling up their gas tanks with E85. So, when a retailer is making the decision on whether or not to spend thousands of dollars on new equipment or retro-fitting current equipment in order to sell a new fuel, that financial decision will be based on consumer demand.”