By Ann Claassen

As reported in a previous blog, EPA in June extended the compliance and attest engagement reporting deadlines for the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to September 30, 2014 and January 30, 2015 (respectively). Today, EPA published a direct final rule that indefinitely extends reporting deadlines. 79 Fed. Reg. 46353 (Aug. 8, 2014) (direct final rule); 79 Fed. Reg. 46387(Aug. 8, 2014)(proposed rule). Under the rule, the deadlines for these reports will be 30 and 90 days, respectively, after publication of the final 2014 RFS in the Federal Register. Adverse comments that would obligate EPA to withdraw the direct final rule and proceed under normal notice and comment rulemaking are due by September 15, 2014.