OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Oil lobby and biofuel companies spar

INDUSTRY GEARS UP: A top oil lobby is readying for battle over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) renewable fuel mandate on Wednesday.

Ahead of the EPA’s public hearing on the proposed draft — which cut the amount of ethanol and other biofuels that refineries must blend into the nation’s fuel supply — the American Petroleum Institute will discuss the requirements at a meeting with other interest groups.

{mosads}Another group of stakeholders will also hold a call on Wednesday. Reps from AAA, the American Fuels and Petrochemical Manufacturers and the Competitive Enterprise Institute, among others, will talk about ways to limit the “negative impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

The EPA draft, released in November, caused an uproar among biofuel companies, which called it a move in the “wrong direction” by the Obama administration.

The Renewable Fuels Association is also suiting up for the EPA public hearing to be held on Friday.

President Bob Dinneen, will be joined by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) on Wednesday for a conversation about the devastating impact the proposal would have on agriculture and rural economies.

Check E2-Wire for more on Wednesday.

REST OF WEDNESDAY’S AGENDA:

The House Natural Resources Committee will mark up legislation that would require the Treasury Department to reimburse states that paid for the opening of national parks during the recent government shutdown.

Rep. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) authored the bill, H.R. 3286.

Also on Wednesday, the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment will host remarks by Cheryl LaFleur, a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

LaFleur is the acting head of FERC following the recent departure of former Chairman Jon Wellinghoff.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Check out the stories that ran on E2-Wire on Tuesday.

– House Dems seek pause in Arctic oil exploration
– Greens weigh in on EPA fracking guidance
– White House environmental council chief to step down
– DOE official defends administration carbon capture rules
– Energy efficiency extension falls short of requests
– Report recommends improved tracking of ‘abrupt’ climate change

Please send tips and comments to Laura Barron-Lopez, laurab@digital-staging.thehill.com.