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Recent Federal Actions

This list includes recent federal actions, such as Federal Register notices and rulemaking actions, agency directives or agency communications, that are all publicly available. These actions relate to alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction and fuel economy measures. When rulemakings are finalized, they will move to the list of Federal Laws and Incentives.

U.S. EPA Finalizes 2012 Standards Under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the 2012 volume requirements and associated percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel that must be blended into transportation fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2). The 2012 standards are 8.65 million gallons (0.006%) cellulosic biofuels; 1.0 billion gallons (0.91%) biomass-based diesel, 2.0 billion gallons (1.21%) advanced biofuels; and 15.2 billion gallons (9.23%) total renewable fuels. For 2012, the program is implementing the requirement established by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to blend more than 1.25 billion gallons of renewable fuels over the amount mandated for 2011. For more information, see EPA's Renewable Fuels: Regulations and Standards website.

U.S. EPA Proposes Revisions to Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed revisions to the federal UST regulations to increase emphasis on properly operating and maintaining UST equipment. These revisions will help prevent and detect UST releases that can cause groundwater contamination. Among other changes, owners and operators storing gasoline blended with ethanol in quantities greater than 10% (E10) or diesel fuel blended with biodiesel in quantities greater than 20% (B20) must demonstrate compliance with federal regulations requiring USTs to be compatible with the fuel stored. UST owners and operators may demonstrate compatibility by using components that are certified or listed by a nationally recognized and independent testing laboratory, approved by the manufacturer, or considered compatible by another method deemed acceptable by EPA or other implementing agency. EPA will accept comments on the proposed rule through February 16, 2012. For more information regarding the revisions, refer to the proposed rule in the Federal Register and the EPA Underground Storage Tanks website.

U.S. EPA and U.S. DOT Propose Emissions and Fuel Economy Standards for MY 2017-2025 Vehicles

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a joint proposed rule for federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for Model Year (MY) 2017 through MY 2025 light-duty vehicles. The proposed CAFE standards would require an average fleet-wide fuel economy for passenger cars and light-duty trucks of 35.3 miles per gallon (mpg) in MY 2017, increasing to 49.6 mpg by MY 2025. EPA's proposed GHG standards, which are harmonized with NHTSA's CAFE standards, are projected to require a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 80 grams per mile between MY 2017 and MY 2025. EPA and NHTSA have also proposed program flexibilities to help provide sufficient lead time for manufacturers, reduce the overall cost of the program, and facilitate market penetration for the most advanced vehicle technologies. EPA and NHSTA will accept comments on the proposed rule for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. For more information, refer to the proposed rule in the Federal Register, and the EPA Transportation and Climate Regulations and Standards and DOT Fuel Economy websites.

U.S. EPA and U.S. DOT Finalize Standards for MY 2014-2018 Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have finalized national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The standards cover Model Year (MY) 2014 through 2018 on-road vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 pounds or greater, and the engines that power them, except those subject to existing GHG emissions and fuel economy standards for MY 2012 through 2016. The standards are tailored to each of three main regulatory subcategories: combination tractors (also known as semi trucks); heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans; and vocational vehicles (such as delivery, refuse, and tow trucks; transit, shuttle, and school buses; and emergency vehicles). The standards provide flexibility, allowing for emissions and/or fuel consumption credits to be averaged, banked, or traded, so that manufacturers have time to make necessary technological improvements and to help reduce the overall costs of the program. EPA and NHTSA estimate that the new standards will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 270 million tons, save about 530 million barrels of oil, and provide $49 billion in net program benefits over the life of these MY 2014 through 2018 vehicles. A second phase of regulations is planned for model years beyond 2018. For more information, refer to the final rule in the Federal Register, the EPA Transportation and Climate Regulations and Standards website, and the DOT Fuel Economy website.