Final RFS Boosts Biofuels' GHG Benefits, Sparking Debate Over Science

摘要

EPA's just-issued final renewable fuel standard (RFS) boosts the greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits of many types of biofuels compared to EPA's earlier proposed RFS, a move that allows biofuels such as corn ethanol and soy biodiesel to qualify for credit under the standard but that is sparking debate over the scientific validity of the changes.rnThe agency in its final rule signed Feb. 3 says new science and data compelled EPA to change the way it calculates biofuels' GHG emissions - for example giving fuels more credit for animal feed by products and higher yield crop production practices - which in turn allowed more fuels win credit under the final standard compared to its proposal.