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Proposed EPA Renewable Fuel Standard for 2017 & Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018

Proposed EPA Renewable Fuel Standard for 2017 & Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018

Renewable Fuel Standard

Summary of the Proposed EPA Renewable Fuel Standard

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed increases in the volume requirements of all kinds of biofuels in accordance with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. These increased volumes will boost biofuel production and make ambitious expansion and growth possible in this sector. The volume requirements proposed together with the associated percentage standards listed for each type of biofuel (cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, as well as renewable fuel) are for the 2017 calendar year, with the proposed volume requirement for biomass-based diesel for 2018 also listed.

Renewable Fuel Volumes Requirements for 2014-2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Cellulosic biofuel (million gallons)

33

123

230

312*

n/a

Biomass-based diesel (billion gallons)

1.63

1.73

1.90

2.00

2.1*

Advanced biofuel (billion gallons)

2.67

2.88

3.61

4.0*

n/a

Renewable fuel (billion gallons)

16.28

16.93

18.11

18.8*

n/a

(*Proposed Volume Requirements)

Proposed 2017 Percentage Standards

Cellulosic biofuel

0.173%

Biomass-based diesel

1.67%

Advanced biofuel

2.22%

Renewable fuel

10.44%

The newly proposed volume requirements represent an increase in production over past levels as follows:

  • The volume of total renewable fuel is projected to increase by around 700 million gallons between 2016-2017.
  • The volume of advanced renewable fuel is projected to increase by around 400 million gallons between 2016-2017. Considering that advanced renewable fuels require a 50% reduction in carbon emissions produced throughout its life-cycle, this will considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The volume of 'conventional', non-advanced fuels, requiring at least a 20% reduction in life-cycle carbon emissions, is projected to increase by around 300 million gallons between 2016-2017.
  • The volume of biomass-based diesel, requiring at least a 50% reduction in life-cycle emissions, is projected to increase by 100 million gallons between 2017-2018.
  • The volume of cellulosic biofuel, requiring a 60% reduction carbon emissions produced within its life-cycle, is projected to increase by 82 million gallons (representing a 35% growth) between 2016-2017.
rfs-volumes-chart-2014-2018 Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Download the pre-publication proposed EPA Renewable Fuel Standard rule here.


Featured Image by Ian Britton via FreePhoto.com
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