(ATLANTA 05/29/15) - Today the E.P.A. announced suggested volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) plan for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, and also suggested volume requirements for biomass-based diesel for 2017. The suggestion would boost renewable fuel production and provide for ambitious yet responsible growth over multiple years, supporting future expansion of the biofuels industry.
"This suggestion marks an important step forward in making sure the Renewable Fuel Standard plan delivers on the Congressional intent to increase biofuel use, lower greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security," said Janet McCabe, the acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air. "We believe these suggested volume requirements will provide a strong incentive for continued investment and growth in biofuels."
After extensive outreach and dialogue with the agricultural community, biofuel producers and the oil and gas industry, E.P.A. is proposing to establish 2014 requirements at levels that reflect the actual amount of domestic biofuel use in that year, and requirements for 2015 and 2016 (and 2017 for biodiesel) that increase steadily over time.
Suggested Renewable Fuels Volumes
|
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
|
Cellulosic biofuel
|
33 mill gal
|
106 mill gal
|
206 mill gal
|
n/a
|
|
Biomass-based diesel
|
1.63 bill gal
|
1.70 bill gal
|
1.80 bill gal
|
1.90 bill gal
|
|
Advanced biofuel
|
2.68 bill gal
|
2.90 bill gal
|
3.40 bill gal
|
n/a
|
|
Total renewable fuel
|
15.93 bill gal
|
16.30 bill gal
|
17.40 bill gal
|
n/a
|
Note: Units for all volumes are ethanol-equivalent, except for biomass-based diesel volumes which are expressed as physical gallons.
The Suggested volumes represent substantial growth over historic levels. For example:
· The Suggested 2016 standard for cellulosic biofuel - those fuels with the lowest GHG emissions profile - is in excess of 170 million gallons higher than the actual 2014 volumes. That's 6 times higher than actual 2014 volumes.
· The Suggested 2016 standard for total renewable fuel is nearly 1.5 billion gallons more, or about nine percent higher, than the actual 2014 volumes.
· The Suggested 2016 standard for advanced biofuel is in excess of 700 million gallons - 27 percent - higher than the actual 2014 volumes.
· Biodiesel requirements grow steadily over the next several years, increasing every year to reach 1.9 billion gallons by 2017. That's 17 percent higher than the actual 2014 volumes.
E.P.A. is proposing to use the tools provided by Congress to adjust the requirements below the statutory targets, but the steadily increasing volumes in the suggestion indicate that biofuels remain an important part of the nation's overall strategy to enhance energy security and address climate change.
The Clean Air Act requires E.P.A. to set yearly RFS volume requirements for 4 categories of biofuels. By displacing fossil fuels, biofuels help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help strengthen energy security.
E.P.A. will hold a public hearing on this suggestion on June 25, 2015, in Kansas City, Kansas. The period for public input and review will be open until July 27. E.P.A. will finalize the volume requirements in this rule by Nov. 30.
For more information on today's announcement, go to www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/regulations.htm
