EPA rejects lower biofuels standards

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rejected a request by the State of Texas to lower the nation's renewable fuels standard.

EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson announced his decision Thursday, saying the required total volume of renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, mandated by law to be blended into the nation's fuel supply will remain at 9 billion gallons this year and 11.1 billion gallons during 2009.

"After reviewing the facts, it was clear this request did not meet the criteria in the law," Johnson said. "The (standard) remains an important tool in our ongoing efforts to reduce America's greenhouse gas emissions and lessen our dependence on foreign oil, in aggressive yet practical ways."

Current law authorizes the EPA to waive the national standard if the agency determines the mandated biofuel volumes would cause "severe harm" to the economy or the environment, officials said.

The EPA said it "recognizes that high commodity prices are having economic impacts, but EPA's extensive analysis of Texas' request found no compelling evidence that the (standard) mandate is causing severe economic harm during the time period specified by Texas."