Date: June 27, 2012
MEMORANDUM
TO:			Air and Radiation Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0542
SUBJECT:	Meeting with Colombian Delegation
                                       
      On June 27, 2012, EPA met with a Colombian delegation of government and industry representatives.  The delegation argued that palm oil grown in Colombia should have special distinction because Colombia has sustainability standards that meet the criteria in the RFS program.  
      
      The discussion also covered the comments submitted by Colombia's Minister of Mining and Energy and the Colombian National Biofuels Federation (Fedepalma).  EPA requested additional information about a study that was included with the comments from the Minister of Mining and Energy.  The comments included the Executive Summary and Introduction chapters of the study, but there appeared to be other chapters missing.  EPA also requested any additional supporting materials, such as accompanying spreadsheets and GIS maps.  The Colombian delegation said they would provide the three remaining study chapters after they are translated into English.  EPA agreed that this additional information would help the Agency in its consideration of Colombia's comments.
      
      The meeting participants agreed to continue exchanging data and information for EPA to consider in its science-based assessment process.
      
Delegation from Colombia:
1. Jens Mesa Dishington, Executive President, Fedepalma, National Federation of Oil Palm Growers
2. Christie Daza, Technical Director, Colombia National Biofuels Federation
3. Jorge Bendeck, Executive President, Colombia National Biofuels Federation		
4. Claudia Candela, Director, Colombia Government Trade Bureau
5. Johan Martinez Ruiz, Director of Economics, Asocana
6. Hans Moreno, Director, Biofuels Department, EcoPetrol
7. Tito Eduardo Salcedo Diaz, General Manager, Bio D S.A.
8. Jose Manual Zambrano Eder, Manuelita Corportiva SAS		
9. Hernando Vergara Gomez Caceres, Biocombustibles Sostenibles del Carbe S.A.	
10. Luis Romero, Biocombustibles Sostenibles del Caribe S.A.		
11. Denisse Yanovich, Embassy of Colombia Washington, DC	
12. Fabio Ferero, Embassy of Colombia Washington, DC

EPA Participants:
1. Paul Argyropolous, Senior Advisor, OTAQ
2. Sharyn Lie, Director, OTAQ/TCD/CEMC
3. Karen Laughlin, Advisor, OTAQ/TCD
4. Aaron Levy, Program Analyst, OTAQ/TCD/CEMC
