Six biofuel trade associations have filed a motion in the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to intervene in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) 2012 final rule being challenged by the American Petroleum Institute (API).  The filing was made on Friday, April 6. 


Specifically, the groups are standing with EPA in its implementation of the requirements under the RFS, including the cellulosic biofuels volumes.  The trade associations seeking intervenor status are the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA), the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC), the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Growth Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). 

In their joint filing, the groups noted that their “members have investments in equipment, research and development, to supply the necessary renewable fuel.”  API’s challenge would reduce the standards set by Congress and EPA and deprive members of the benefit of the investments made in reliance on Congress’ policy choices.

The case is D.C. Circuit case no. 12-1139, American Petroleum Institute v. United States Environmental Protection Agency.