The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final renewable fuel volume requirement increases under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.

“Renewable fuel volumes continue to increase across the board compared to 2016 levels,” said Janet McCabe, the agency’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. “These final standards will boost production, providing for ambitious yet achievable growth of biofuels in the transportation sector. By implementing the program enacted by Congress, we are expanding the nation’s renewable fuels sector while reducing our reliance on imported oil.”

Under the rule, total renewable fuel volumes grow 1.2 billion gallons from 2016 to 2017, a 6 percent increase. EPA has increased conventional renewable fuel volumes for 2017, meeting the 15 billion-gallon congressional target. Cellulosic biofuel, which must achieve at least 60 percent lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions, has been increased 35 percent over the 2016 standard.

In addition, the standard for biomass-based biodiesel has been increased by 100 million gallons to twice that of the minimum congressional target. The advanced biofuel standard increases 19 percent over the 2016 standard.

Industry reaction to the news coming the day before Thanksgiving has been overwhelmingly positive.