The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing an increase in the total renewable fuel volume to 19.88 billion gallons, up from the 19.29 billion expected gallons. However, biofuels groups say the proposal falls short of damage done to the Renewable Fuel Standard from hardship waivers granted to refiners. The proposed conventional biofuel amount of 15 billion gallons maintains the level set for 2018. The proposal also calls for 4.88 billion gallons of advanced biofuel, including 381 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel and 2.43 billion gallons of biodiesel for 2020. The National Corn Growers Association says: “what’s not included in EPA’s proposed rule says more than what’s included.” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the conventional biofuel amount from ethanol, “isn’t a real number we can count on.” Skor says by neglecting to reallocate gallons lost to waivers, the EPA is “doubling down” on another year of demand destruction. The National Biodiesel Board says the 2.43 billion gallons of biodiesel for 2020 sends a “hopeful signal,” but added the hardship waivers undercut prior year volumes and could negatively impact future standards.