Probe into EPA's biofuel standard begins as debate heats up

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The battle over the Renewable Fuel Standard is heating up a little more than a month before the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to reduce the amount of biofuel required in gasoline and as an investigation begins into the agency's handling of the law.

On Nov. 30, the EPA is expected to lower the Renewable Fuel Standard, the annual requirement for refiners to blend corn-based ethanol and other biofuels into gasoline and diesel, for 2014, 2015 and 2016 from what Congress initially required.

The final rule is being challenged. On Wednesday, California's congressional contingent called for the EPA to reject its proposed rule and instead increase the amount of biofuels required to be put into gasoline.

The next day, a study released by University of Tennessee researchers said the Renewable Fuel Standard's promotion of corn-based ethanol has harmed the environment in the last 10 years, saying that standard gasoline releases fewer pollutants than ethanol-blended fuels. At the same time, the EPA's Office of the Inspector General announced Thursday it would investigate the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard and how the EPA has complied with the law authorizing the regulation.

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