Will EPA Protect U.S. Gasoline Consumers?

A recent report by NERA Economic Consulting finds dire consequences for American gasoline consumers if EPA does not lower the amount of ethanol required by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) this year.(i] EPA will make its decision by November 30, 2015, despite the requirement in the law that the decision should have been made last fall. According to NERA, in 2015 and beyond, it is not feasible to reach the statute volumes of total renewable fuel required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that mandates the RFS. If EPA does not use its discretion and the statutory volumes are upheld, severe economic harm will result.