The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (known by the acronym “UNICA”) today commented on the final 2017 renewable fuel standards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The association’s statement should be attributed to UNICA’s President, Elizabeth Farina.
“Brazil’s sugarcane ethanol producers applaud EPA for its continued leadership and support of advanced renewable fuels. By setting a higher final 2017 RFS volume requirement for advanced biofuels than originally proposed in May, EPA makes a powerful statement on the economic and climate benefits of renewable fuels.”
“Increasing requirements for advanced biofuels help ensure continued American access to sugarcane ethanol, one of the cleanest and most commercially ready advanced biofuels available today. This signal of support will also encourage innovations and increase production of second-generation biofuels, which hold incredible potential to increase per-acre ethanol productivity and unlock vast new cellulosic feedstocks.”
“We are proud of the modest but important role Brazil plays supplying the United States with clean, low-carbon renewable fuel. Over the past four years, nearly 1.2 billion gallons of sugarcane ethanol imported from Brazil flowed into American vehicles. During this time, sugarcane ethanol comprised only two percent of all renewable fuels consumed by Americans, but provided one-tenth of the entire U.S. advanced biofuel supply.”
“With the right market conditions, Brazil has the capacity to supply the U.S. with significantly greater quantities of advanced biofuel than the 200 million gallons assumed by EPA’s 2017 rule. Together, America and Brazil have built a global biofuels market, and we look forward to continuing to ensure the road to sustainable transportation is fueled by renewable biofuels.”
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The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association is the leading trade association for the sugarcane industry in Brazil, representing nearly 60 percent of the country’s sugarcane production and processing. More information on sugarcane ethanol and its role as an advanced biofuel is available at www.sugarcane.org/rfs.