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EPRINC Issues Report on Technical Constraints and Cost Risks to the Renewable Fuel Standard

EPRINC estimates that under current law fuel costs could increase by an additional $0.15 to $0.25 per gallon in 2022, with considerable potential for price spikes well above these estimates. These volumetric biofuel requirements will add an additional $20 to $35 billion in annual costs to motorists. EPA has authority under the law to reduce the volumetric requirements giving it a major role in setting prices for transportation fuels in the US market.

The full report is available at the following link:

 

Link.

 

Max Pyziur and Lucian Pugliaresi on Technical Constraints and Cost Risks from the Renewable Fuel Standard

Under US law, increased volumes of biofuels must be blended into gasoline and diesel fuels. A variety of factors, including future demand for transportation fuels, falling crude oil prices and technological constraints, are all providing new challenges to successfully implementing the biofuel mandate.

This EPRINC assessment demonstrates that the RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard) requirements create considerable long-term costs, risks, and uncertainties to fuel producers, and are likely to raise transportation fuel costs substantially.

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Dominick Blue

Distinguished Fellow

Dominick Blue is a Distinguished Fellow at the Energy Policy Research Foundation (EPRINC), where his research focuses on energy resilience, reliability, and the secure integration of emerging technologies into the power sector. His current work examines the intersection of advanced computing, infrastructure planning, and national energy security.
Dominick’s research portfolio includes analysis of AI and data center electricity demand-forecasting regional load growth, reliability implications, siting dynamics, and market coordination. He also leads studies on grid modernization and energy security, assessing resilience investments, interconnection constraints, and federal–state coordination under higher load scenarios. His additional work explores the revival of the U.S. nuclear sector, financing and licensing pathways for advanced reactors, and rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity to support the nuclear supply chain.
Further research areas include gas-to-power infrastructure, pipeline and turbine capacity, and the role of gas in maintaining reliability within a diversified generation mix. Across these topics, Dominick focuses on translating complex technical findings into accessible policy insights for decision-makers at DOE, FERC, and state regulatory agencies.
Before joining EPRINC, Dominick held senior leadership roles in infrastructure, technology, and risk management, including Managing Partner and Director of Client Innovation for private investment and global critical infrastructure firms, respectively. A former U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Two in CBRN Defense, he brings a mission-driven perspective to energy resilience and safety. He holds a Masters of Business from the University of Southern California and has completed graduate studies in Computer Science at Georgia Tech, with research interests in AI systems, resilient infrastructure, and energy transition security.