U.S. proposes new draft rule to cut greenhouse gases

The administration of President Barack Obama issued in May a new draft rule aiming to cut greenhouse gases emitted by biofuels. The rule seeks to streamline production of U.S. corn-based ethanol and increase the production of advanced biofuels. The heads of the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture were asked by Obama to form a group to identify policies in the development of biofuels and increase usage of cars powered by a gasoline-ethanol mix. The bill, issued by the government via the U.S. EPA, confirms the schedule of former President George W. Bush’s 2007 Renewable Fuels Standard, which mandates the blending of 36 billion gallons per year of biofuels into gasoline by 2022. (May 5, 2009)