CEI Today: EPA in the news – ethanol waiver and a court ruling

EPA’s WAIVER FOR ETHANOL MANDATE – BRIAN McGRAW

Globalwarming.org: EPA to Consider RFS Waiver Requests

The EPA announced yesterday that it would open a 30 day commenting period as it weighs requests from multiple state governors to use provisions in the Clean Air Act to temporarily suspend the corn ethanol mandate under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

EPA will not need to act on this until after the election. It’s possible at that point they would consider in some way reducing the blend level of corn ethanol, though it seems very unlikely as the Obama Administration — like the administrations before him — has repeatedly placed the interests of ethanol producers over the interests of consumers.

COURT RULING AGAINST EPA – MARLO LEWIS

Globalwarming.org: Court Vacates EPA Cross State Air Pollution Rule

Today, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the EPA’s Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), also known as the Transport Rule. The Rule’s purpose is to implement the Clean Air Act’s ‘good neighbor policy,’ which prohibits upwind states from contributing significantly to downwind states’ non-attainment with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

The Court vacated the CSAPR because . . . (drum roll, please) . . . the EPA regulated beyond its statutory authority. Dog bites man.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE – CHRIS HORNER

Fox Business: Are Obama’s Energy Policies Working Against Energy Independence?

Aug 17, 2012 – 3:02 – “Power Grab” author Chris Horner on the Administration’s policies’ impact on the U.S. energy sector and oil prices.