2021 EnviroFlash Announcements about EPA Fuel Programs

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This page lists recent EnviroFlash announcements that have been released to update stakeholders about EPA fuel programs.

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EMTS Maintenance Downtime: Wednesday, Dec. 15, 8 AM ET until Sunday, Dec. 19, 11 PM ET

The EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) will be down for major maintenance to migrate the system to a new server from Wednesday, Dec. 15, 8 AM ET until Sunday, Dec. 19, 11 PM ET.

This maintenance is necessary to ensure system stability and to improve overall performance.

To avoid failed submissions and other possible issues, please do not attempt to submit any node-based or web-based transactions in EMTS starting at 8 AM ET on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.  

The maintenance is expected to be completed by 11 PM ET Sunday, December 19, 2021.

EMTS Maintenance Downtime: Friday, Dec. 3, 5 PM ET until Sunday, Dec. 5, 11 PM ET

The EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) will be down for major maintenance from Friday, Dec. 3, 5 PM ET until Sunday, Dec. 5, 11 PM ET.

To avoid failed submissions and other possible issues, please do not attempt to submit any node-based or web-based transactions in EMTS starting at 5 PM ET on Friday, December 3, 2021.

The maintenance is expected to be completed by 11 PM ET Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Correction to RFS Compliance Extension Proposal Hearing Date

The Enviroflash sent earlier today included a typographical error and inaccurate dates for the public hearing.  The correct date for the public hearing is December 3, 2021.  All hearing attendees should register for the public hearing by November 30, 2021. 

The fully corrected version is below:

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program's compliance reporting deadline and the associated attest engagement reporting deadline for the 2020 and 2021 compliance years for all obligated parties.  EPA is also proposing to extend these deadlines for the 2019 compliance year for small refineries.

The proposed new compliance dates are tied to the promulgation of the 2021 standards to allow for the proper sequencing of deadlines such that 2019 compliance would be complete prior to 2020 compliance, and 2020 compliance would be complete prior to 2021 compliance.  EPA is proposing to extend these deadlines because we have not yet finalized the 2021 and 2022 RFS standards. Delaying these deadlines will enable obligated parties to manage and implement their RFS compliance strategies after EPA finalizes the RVO standards for 2021 and 2022.

In addition, EPA is proposing to change future RFS compliance and attest engagement reporting deadlines so that they are always tied to promulgation of the subsequent year's standards.  This approach would provide more certainty for obligated parties in cases where future standards are delayed, and negate the need for a rulemaking to change compliance dates in these circumstances. A virtual public hearing will be held on December 3, 2021. All hearing attendees (including proposing to extend these deadlines for the even those who do not intend to provide testimony) should register for the public hearing by November 30, 2021.

For more information on the deadline extension, including how to register for the public hearing, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/proposed-extension-renewable-fuel-standard-compliance-deadlines

Proposed Extension of Renewable Fuel Standard Compliance Deadlines

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program's compliance reporting deadline and the associated attest engagement reporting deadline for the 2020 and 2021 compliance years for all obligated parties.  EPA is also extending the 2019 compliance year for small refineries. 

The proposed new compliance dates are tied to the promulgation of the 2021 standards to allow for the proper sequencing of deadlines such that 2019 compliance would be complete prior to 2020 compliance, and 2020 compliance would be complete prior to 2021 compliance.  EPA is proposing to extend these deadlines because we have not yet finalized the 2021 and 2022 RFS standards. Delaying these deadlines will enable obligated parties to manage and implement their RFS compliance strategies after EPA finalizes the RVO standards for 2020 and 2021. 

In addition, EPA is proposing to change future RFS compliance and attest engagement reporting deadlines so that they are always tied to promulgation of the subsequent year's standards.  This approach would provide more certainty for obligated parties in cases where future standards are delayed, and negate the need for a rulemaking to change compliance dates in these circumstances.   

A virtual public hearing will be held on December 2, 2021. All hearing attendees (including even those who do not intend to provide testimony) should register for the public hearing by November 24, 2021.

For more information on the deadline extension, including how to register for the public hearing, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/proposed-extension-renewable-fuel-standard-compliance-deadlines

EMTS outage from Friday, Oct 15th through Saturday, Oct 16th

The U.S. EPA Central Data Exchange (CDX) plans to perform system migrations on several production Exchange Network services beginning Friday, October 15, 2021 at 5:00 PM to Monday, October 18, 2021, 8:00 AM ET.  During the planned migration window, users of the Exchange Network and CDX Web services, including EMTS and OTAQ Registration, will experience outages. Please plan accordingly and schedule any transactions outside of these windows.

OTAQREG Expected Downtime Friday, September 10, 2021, between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. (EDT)

On Friday, September 10, 2021, between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, the OTAQ Fuels Registration System (OTAQREG) will be unavailable for technical maintenance.  Users will not be able to process any transactions in OTAQREG during the downtime

OTAQREG Down for Maintenance Friday, June 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (EDT)

On Friday, June 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, the OTAQ Fuels Registration System (OTAQREG) will be unavailable for technical maintenance.  Users will not be able to process any transactions in OTAQREG during this time

OTAQREG Down for Maintenance Friday, May 7, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (EDT)

On Friday, May 7, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, the OTAQ Fuels Registration System (OTAQREG) will be unavailable for technical maintenance.  Users will not be able to process any transactions in OTAQREG during this time.

Changes to Fuel Additives Registration Process Under 40 CFR Part 79 Now Effective

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a change to the way registrations of fuel additives from fuel additives manufacturers under 40 CFR Part 79 are accepted.

As of Thursday, April 15, 2021, the EPA has transitioned to full electronic submissions for new fuel additive registrations and updates to existing fuel additive registrations. If you seek registration for a new fuel additive or update to an existing fuel additive, you are required to do so electronically through the OTAQREG application in CDX. OTAQREG is the same application used to register companies and facilities for 40 CFR Part 80 programs and, since July 2020, fuels under 40 CFR Part 79.  (Electronic submission of Part 79 periodic reports will be announced at a later date).  EPA will no longer accept mailed paper submissions of EPA Forms 3520-12 and 3520-13 and parties will be redirected to submit their requests electronically.

Please note: ethanol manufacturers and importers are required to register as an additive manufacturer under 40 CFR Part 79, and register their ethanol product under 40 CRF Part 80 (including registering their production facility) in OTAQREG.

EPA is implementing these changes to streamline and expedite new registrations and updates to existing registrations. Electronic submissions will bring the Part 79 registration process more in line with modern information collection standards and practices.

Registration requests must be signed and submitted electronically by RCOs. EPA will no longer accept registration requests that are wet-ink signed and mailed to EPA or scanned paper applications uploaded through DC FUELS. RCOs who do not currently have e-signature capability in OTAQREG should take the required steps now, to enable e-signature capabilities.

For instructions on how fuel and fuel additive manufacturers/importers can electronically submit fuel and additive requests through OTAQREG, please see https://www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/register-or-update-fuel-or-fuel-additive-request.
 

OTAQREG Down for v3.0 Release Wednesday, April 14, from 5:00 p.m. to Thursday, April 15, 12:00 a.m. (EDT)

On Wednesday, April 14, beginning at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, the OTAQ Fuels Registration System (OTAQREG) will be taken offline to deploy v3.0 of the application. The upgraded system will be back online by 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 15. This version will introduce functionality for electronic submission of 40 CFR Pt.79 registration requests for fuel additive manufacturers and importers. 
To avoid failed transactions or other possible issues, please do not attempt to process any transactions in OTAQREG between the hours of 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 and 12:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, April 15.

Effective Date for Implementing Changes to Fuel Additives Registration Process Under 40 CFR Part 79

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the effective date for a change to the way registrations of fuel additives from fuel additives manufacturers under 40 CFR Part 79 are accepted.

Effective Wednesday, April 14, 2021, the EPA is transitioning to full electronic submissions for new fuel additive registrations and updates to existing fuel additive registrations. If you seek registration for a new fuel additive or update to an existing fuel additive, you are required to do so electronically through the OTAQREG application in CDX. OTAQREG is the same application used to register companies and facilities for 40 CFR Part 80 programs and, since July 2020, fuels under 40 CFR Part 79.  (Electronic submission of Part 79 periodic reports will be announced at a later date).  EPA will no longer accept mailed paper submissions of EPA Forms 3520-12 and 3520-13 and parties will be redirected to submit their requests electronically.

Please note that ethanol manufacturers and importers are required to register as an additive manufacturer under 40 CFR Part 79, and register their ethanol product under 40 CRF Part 80 (including registering their production facility) in OTAQREG.

EPA is implementing these changes to streamline and expedite new registrations and updates to existing registrations. Electronic submissions will bring the Part 79 registration process more in line with modern information collection standards and practices.

Registration requests must be signed and submitted electronically by RCOs. EPA will no longer accept registration requests that are wet-ink signed and mailed to EPA or scanned paper applications uploaded through DC FUELS. RCOs who do not currently have e-signature capability in OTAQREG should take the required steps now, to enable e-signature capabilities.

For instructions on how fuel and fuel additive manufacturers/importers can electronically submit fuel and additive requests through OTAQREG, please see  https://www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/register-or-update-fuel-request-under-40-cfr-part

Quarterly Reports for Fuel Manufacturers Combined into Annual Report

Attention Fuel Manufacturers: The quarterly reports required by 40 CFR 79.5(a)(1) have been combined into an annual report. This report for 2021 will be due next year on March 31, 2022. Instructions for this report and the 2021 annual report required by 40 CFR 79.5(a)(2) will be issued at a later date.

RFS Compliance Date Extension

EPA is finalizing a rule to extend the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program's compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020. Under the extended deadlines, obligated parties must submit 2020 compliance documentation by January 31, 2022 and the associated attest engagement reports by June 1, 2022. EPA is also extending the deadline for obligated parties to submit attest engagement reports for the 2021 compliance year to September 1, 2022; the deadline for obligated parties to submit compliance documentation for 2021 is unchanged.

Finally, EPA is extending the deadlines specifically for small refineries to comply with 2019 volume standards. Under the extended deadlines small refineries must submit 2019 compliance documents by November 30, 2021 and the associated attest engagement reports by June 1, 2022. 

For more information: https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/compliance-deadline-extension-2019-and-2020-renewable-fuel-standard

EMTS Down for Maintenance Friday, March 19 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. (EDT)

On Friday, March 19 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) will be unavailable due to technical maintenance.  Users will not be able to submit data or process any transactions in EMTS during this time.

OTAQReg Down for Maintenance Thursday, March 18 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. (EDT)

On Thursday, March 18 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, the OTAQ Fuels Registration System (OTAQReg) will be unavailable due to technical maintenance.  Users will not be able to process any transactions in OTAQREG during this time.

OTAQREG and EMTS Down for Maintenance Thursday, February 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM EST

On Thursday, February 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, the OTAQ Fuels Registration System (OTAQREG) and the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) will be unavailable for technical maintenance.  Users will not be able to process any transactions or upload data in OTAQREG or EMTS during this time.

Fuels Regulatory Streamlining Workshop Slide

Dear interested stakeholder

The slides for the Fuels Regulatory Streamlining Virtual Public Workshops held on December 9-10 and 17, 2020 are now available online. The slides are available here

https://www.epa.gov/diesel-fuel-standards/fuels-regulatory-streamlining-workshop

If you have any questions, please submit them to fuelsprogramsupport@epa.gov..

Notice of EPA's Intent to Update RFS Small Refinery Exemption Data

At 7 PM today (EST), January 19, 2021 EPA will provide decisions to some small refineries that have petitioned the agency for RFS small refinery exemptions.  At the same time, EPA will update the Renewable Fuel Standard Small Refinery Exemption website (https://www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/rfs-small-refinery-exemptions) to reflect that information.

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Last updated on March 29, 2024