EPA Releases Draft Report on the Environmental and Conservation Impacts of Biofuels Production and Use

EPA has released a highly-anticipated, draft report for public comment on the environmental and conservation impacts of biofuels production and use, entitled "Biofuels and the Environment: The First Triennial Report to Congress."  More than anything else, the report highlights the unknowns and scientific uncertainties associated with assessing the environmental impacts of  biofuels production and use (see the EPA report web page here, and the EPA's Federal Register notice page here).

EPA will accept public comments on the draft report from today through February 28.  Public comments can be submitted electronically (see here) or by e-mail (ORD.Docket@epa.gov), first class mail, fax, or hand delivery.  It is expected that stakeholder interest in commenting on the draft report will be significant.

The draft report is also subject to peer review by an independent panel of experts convened by EPA.  Public comments will be forwarded to that review group, which will meet in March 14 in Arlington, Virginia. That March 14 meeting will be open to the public and include time for limited (five-minute) verbal public comment.  To register to attend the March 14 meeting, persons should contact Versar, Inc., 6850 Versar Center, Springfield, VA 22151 (by e-mail: saundkat@versar.com (subject line: Biofuels Report to Congress Peer Review Meeting)).