Renewable Fuel Standards for 2011

US EPA has proposed the 2011 percentage standards for the four fuels categories under the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program, known as RFS2. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the annual renewable fuel volume targets and EPA proposes annual standards to meet those targets. The proposed 2011 overall volumes and standards are:

Biomass-based diesel - 0.80 billion gallons; 0.68 %
Advanced biofuels - 1.35 billion gallons; 0.77 %
Cellulosic biofuels - 5 – 17.1 million gallons; 0.004 – 0.015 %
Total renewable fuels - 13.95 billion gallons; 7.95 %

EPA is also proposing changes to the RFS2 regulations that would potentially apply to renewable fuel producers who use canola oil, grain sorghum, pulpwood, or palm oil as a feedstock. This program rule would allow the fuel produced by those feedstocks dating back to July 1, 2010 be used for compliance should EPA determine in a future rulemaking that such fuels meet certain greenhouse gas reduction thresholds.

The second change would set criteria for foreign feedstocks to be treated like domestic feedstocks in terms of the documentation needed to prove that they can be used to make qualifying renewable fuel under the RFS2 program.

EPA is seeking public comment on the renewable fuel standards and the proposed changes to the RFS2 regulations, which are due 30 days following publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register.

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