EPA Report on Biofuels Environmental Impacts Misses the Fore

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) criticizes a June 30, 2018, EPA report for failing to compare the environmental impacts of biofuels with those of petroleum, arguing that such a comparison is necessary to accurately assess the benefits of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

• The EESI asserts that the EPA's second triennial report to Congress provides an incomplete assessment because it does not compare the environmental and health impacts of biofuels production against those of petroleum extraction and refining.
• The document argues that biofuels are generally a superior choice for environment, health, and air quality compared to fossil fuels, noting that the biofuels industry has improved the greenhouse gas footprint of conventional ethanol, which is limited to 15 billion gallons under the RFS.
• Cellulosic fuels derived from manures, food wastes, and crop residues are highlighted for their ability to reduce waste and mitigate methane emissions, which can have up to 36 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide.
• Biofuels are described as essential for meeting Paris Climate Accord goals, particularly in the short-term for passenger fleets and long-term for hard-to-electrify sectors like shipping and aviation.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2018). EPA Report on Biofuels Environmental Impacts Misses the Fore. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-statement-epa-report-on-biofuels-environmental-impacts-misses-the-fore

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. EPA Report on Biofuels Environmental Impacts Misses the Fore. 2018. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-statement-epa-report-on-biofuels-environmental-impacts-misses-the-fore.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=EPA Report on Biofuels Environmental Impacts Misses the Fore |date=6 July 2018 |url=https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-statement-epa-report-on-biofuels-environmental-impacts-misses-the-fore |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2018epa, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{EPA Report on Biofuels Environmental Impacts Misses the Fore}}, publisher = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2018}, month = jul, url = {https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-statement-epa-report-on-biofuels-environmental-impacts-misses-the-fore}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }