The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reminded the petroleum industry that next year’s renewable fuel standard (RFS) is being stepped up, and the industry must be ready to comply.
This press release from the EPA says the 2009 RFS will be 10.21 percent to ensure that at least 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuels will be blended into the transportation gasoline supply… just a fraction of what the RFS will be in the years to come:
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the annual overall renewable fuel volume targets, reaching a level of 36 billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard by November 30 for the following year. Based on the standard, each refiner, importer and non-oxygenate blender of gasoline determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in motor vehicle fuel. The 2008 standard was 7.76 percent, equating to roughly 9 billion gallons.
The National Biodiesel Board is praising the move that is expected to produce 500 million gallons of biomass-based diesel, which prominently includes biodiesel, to meet the 11 billion-gallon goal:
Joe Jobe, the CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) applauded the EPA for their diligence to ensure that obligated parties would be required to use 500 million gallons of biomass-based diesel to meet these requirements. “Biodiesel is a proven alternative that is ready now; with the highest energy balance of any renewable fuel, its growing economic impact of creating new ‘green’ jobs and an alternative that brings the U.S. closer to energy independence, biodiesel is the logical renewable fuel to look towards in the future,” Jobe stated. “Not to mention its environmental impact is significantly lower than any other fuel on the marketplace today.”
The EPA also is reminding those affected that they need to get the necessary Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) representing biodiesel and renewable diesel in 2009 in preparation for their 2010 compliance demonstration.