WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday said it will not finalize the federal 2014 biofuel use targets by the end of the year, delaying a final decision on the mandate until next year.
The agency blamed the delay on the “significant” amount of comments it received on its draft proposal for the 2014 targets.
“Due to the delay in finalizing the standards for 2014, and given ongoing consideration of the issues presented by the commenters, the agency intends to take action on the 2014 standards rule in 2015,” the EPA said.
U.S. refiner Valero Energy Corp said in an e-mailed statement that the announcement underscores the need for an overhaul of the law.
The company referred further inquiries to the AFPM, a lobby representing refiners, which has announced its intent to sue the EPA for failure to issue the 2014 renewable fuels standard.
