Via a link at Warren Meyer's Coyote Blog, we learn of a bizarre EPA regulation that's costing all of us money at the gas pump . . . for no valid reason whatsoever.
We recently posted about the EPA’s decision to reduce the cellulosic ethanol blending requirement from 500 million gallons in 2012 to somewhere between 3.45-12.9 million gallons, which is 0.69- 2.5 percent of the original “mandate.”
. . .
No companies have to this date been able to produce cellulosic ethanol that qualifies by EPA’s definition. Yet, presumably to save face, the EPA has not lowered the cellulosic ethanol “mandate” to zero gallons.
Now, what the mandate actually means is that companies will be heavily fined if they do not blend sufficient quantities of ethanol into the fuel supply — each gallon of ethanol having its own identification number, which is generated when the ethanol is created (of course, companies have to devote significant resources to navigating this regulatory-maze). Being that this ethanol does not exist, rather than facing fines for not being able to buy it, refiners are required to purchase “credits” from the EPA. Essentially, the EPA is requiring them to send them money in lieu of meeting the cellulosic ethanol mandate. The product they are required to use does not exist, and rather than giving them a pass, the EPA requires that they pay for phantom credits, despite not getting anything out of it.
. . .
This is the world we live in. Mandates for fuels that do not exist, and “compliance fees” for companies required to use the nonexistent product. Bravo, EPA. And they wonder why we’re skeptical of governments.
There's more at the link. Bold print is my emphasis.
I could hardly believe my eyes when I read this. The EPA mandates that a non-existent product be added to gasoline - then demands that refiners pay a charge for not doing so? Have they completely lost their minds? Are we supposed to trust an agency that can concoct so nonsensical a requirement to look after our environment? Why are our taxes paying for its existence in the first place, if this is the best they can do?
Ye Gods and little fishes . . .
Peter
3 comments:
I weep for the world, that Ayn Rand was so correct in her view of people.
Just my silly opinion, but I think they're pushing the limits, testing the waters. If the gov can continue to get away with this kind of extortion, it will get steadily worse.
This can end in slavery, or in liberation. It's going to take all of us to decide which.
Goatroper
Gone mad, no; doing their best to destroy fossil fuel companies, yes. Just like The Lightworker & Co. want.
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