August 15, 2011 9:00 AM, EDT

ATA Asks EPA to Lower 2012, 2013 Biodiesel Requirements

American Trucking Associations has asked the federal government to lower its 2012 and 2013 biodiesel blending requirement under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

ATA said the Environmental Protection Agency “must consider the economic conditions underlying biodiesel production and adjust the biomass-based diesel . . . volumetric requirements to reflect . . . real world economic conditions.”

EPA has proposed requiring the production of 1 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2012 and 1.28 billion gallons in 2013.

ATA asked both levels to be lowered, and specifically for the 2013 level not to exceed 1 billion gallons.