EPA’s 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) require blending of 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuels into transportation fuel, providing additional lead time and flexibility for compliance.
On August 6, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its finalized volume and percentage standards for four renewable fuel categories – cellulosic, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuels, and total renewables – under the 2013 RFS program. The EPA requires the use of 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuels in the transportation sector, corresponding to a percentage standard of 9.74% (ratio of renewable fuel volume to gasoline or diesel volume). The RFS program, established under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, requires EPA to set annual renewable fuel volume requirements, which increase gradually to reach 36 billion gallons by 2022.
The EPA stated that its cellulosic biofuels standard is consistent with a January 2013 federal court ruling that directed re-evaluation of projects to reflect market conditions. Based on expected production volumes, the EPA set the 2013 standard for cellulosic biofuel at six million gallons, significantly lower than the target of 14 million gallons initially proposed in February. The volumetric requirements for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels are 1.28 billion gallons and 2.75 billion gallons, respectively – which is unchanged from the initial proposal.
Finalized 2013 RFS Volumes and Percentage Standards:
|
Fuel Category |
Volume |
Percentage |
| Cellulosic biofuel | 6 million gallons (ethanol equivalent) | 0.004% |
| Biomass-based diesel | 1.28 billion gallons | 1.13% |
| Advanced biofuels | 2.75 billion gallons (ethanol equivalent) | 1.62% |
| Total Renewable fuel | 16.55 billion gallons (ethanol equivalent) | 9.74% |
US Ethanol Production (EIA)
The EPA will address concerns over the “E10 blend wall,” a situation that would force ethanol blending targets to exceed the 10 percent limit acceptable for vehicles. Based on projections that the blend wall will occur in 2014, EPA plans to assess infrastructure and market-based limitations to ethanol consumption above E10 limits and propose adjustments in its 2014 RFS proposal, in order to set reasonably attainable volumetric targets.
The rulemaking provides additional lead time and flexibility by extending the compliance deadline from February 28, 2014 to June 30, 2014.
August 7, 2013 via Energy Solutions Forum
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