Current Developments in U.S. Biofuels Law

Biofuels is a regulatory-driven industry. At the federal level, biofuels are covered by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires fuel suppliers and importers to blend certain volumes of biofuels into their gasoline and diesel. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the RFS and its decisions are frequently challenged in court by advocates of the biofuels and petroleum industries. 

This course, presented by attorney Corey Lavinsky, Director of Global Biofuels at S&P Global Platts Analytics, will present an overview of federal biofuels law, including the issues, regulations and cases that are shaping the industry. The program is designed to be simple enough for a novice to understand but with sufficient content to educate experienced practitioners of environmental, energy or oil/gas law.

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine federal laws governing the biofuels industry
2. Discuss EPA rule-making on hot-button issues such as year-round use of E15, small refinery hardship exemptions, and resetting biofuels mandates
3. Review recent court decisions and their impact on the industry
4. Explore the complex issues facing fuel suppliers and importers under the Renewable Fuel Standard