Public Hearing for Modifications To Fuel Regulations To Provide Flexibility for E15; Modifications to RFS RIN Market Regulations

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Announcement of public hearing.

SUMMARY:

The EPA is announcing a public hearing to be held in Ypsilanti, MI on March 29, 2019 for the proposed rule “Modifications to Fuel Regulations to Provide Flexibility for E15; Modifications to RFS RIN Market Regulations.” This proposed rule will be published separately in the Federal Register. The pre-publication version of this proposal can be found at https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/notice-proposed-rulemaking-modifications-fuel-regulations-provide. In the separate notice of proposed rulemaking, EPA has proposed regulatory changes to allow gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol to take advantage of the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure waiver that currently applies to E10 during the summer months. EPA is also proposing an interpretive rulemaking which defines gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol as “substantially similar” to the fuel used to certify Tier 3 motor vehicles. Finally, EPA is proposing regulatory changes to modify certain elements of the Renewable Fuel Standard compliance system, in order to improve renewable identification number market functioning and prevent market manipulation.

DATES:

The public hearing will be held on March 29, 2019 at the location noted below under ADDRESSES. The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end when all parties present who wish to speak have had an opportunity to do so. Parties wishing to testify at the hearing should notify the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by March 26, 2019. Additional information regarding the hearing appears below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES:

The hearing will be held at the following location: Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S Huron St., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (phone number 734-487-2000). A complete set of documents related to the proposal will be available for public inspection through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov,, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0775. Documents can also be viewed at the EPA Docket Center, located at 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 3334, Washington, DC between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Julia MacAllister, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division, Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone number: (734) 214-4131; Fax number: (734) 214-4816; Email address: RFS-Hearing@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The proposal for which EPA is holding the public hearing will be published separately in the Federal Register. The pre-publication version can be found at https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/notice-proposed-rulemaking-modifications-fuel-regulations-provide.

Public Hearing: The public hearing will provide interested parties the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposal (which can be found at https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/notice-proposed-rulemaking-modifications-fuel-regulations-provide ). The EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations but will not respond to the presentations at that time. Written statements and supporting information submitted during the comment period will be considered with the same weight as any oral comments and supporting information presented at the public hearing. Written comments must be received by the last day of the comment period, as specified in the notice of proposed rulemaking.

How can I get copies of this document, the proposed rule, and other related information?

The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0775. The EPA has also developed a website at the address given above. Please refer to the notice of proposed rulemaking for detailed information on accessing information related to the proposal.