CHICAGO -- EPA "anticipates" that it will release its final 2020 Renewable
Volume Obligation (RVO) by the statutory Nov. 30 deadline, Dallas Burkholder
with the agency's Office of Transportation and Air Quality said Tuesday at the
OPIS 11th annual RFS2, RINs and Biodiesel forum here.

Burkholder's comment comes as the White House continues to work toward
completing package of proposals designed to placate a biofuels industry angry
over EPA's increased approval of small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Sources familiar with the White House talks believe the administration will
look to significantly boost next year's renewable fuel blending targets and
could seek to add still more volume by restoring some of the gallons waived
through prior-year SREs.

Burkholder said that while EPA is still awaiting word from the administration,
it does not have a set, "go, no-go" date by which it must receive a proposal in
time to incorporate it into a final RVO.

The agency, he said, has a range of "flexibilities" that would allow it to
incorporate the proposal and still meet the Nov. 30 deadline, he said.

--Jeff Barber, jbarber@opisnet.com

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