WASHINGTON – In late June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories included in the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program.

 The proposed cellulosic biofuels standard is lower than the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) target of 500 million gallons, according to EPA. Overall, for 2012 the Renewable Fuel Standard program will propose blending an additional 1.25 billion gallons of renewable fuels over the amount mandated for 2011.

The new standards are as follows:

• Biomass-based diesel (1 billion gallons; 0.91 percent)

• Advanced biofuels (2 billion gallons; 1.21 percent)

• Cellulosic biofuels (3.45 - 12.9 million gallons; 0.002 – 0.010 percent)

• Total renewable fuels (15.2 billion gallons; 9.21 percent)

• The EPA is seeking comments on or before August 11.