US EPA sets 2013 biomass-based diesel volumes at 1.28 bill gallons

15 September 2012

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that sets the amount of biomass-based diesel (BBD) fuels required in 2013 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) at 1.28 billion gallons.

While the BBD category includes a number of biofuels derived from renewable sources, biodiesel is by far the largest component.

Under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, EPA is required to determine and promulgate the applicable volume of BBD that will be required in 2013 and beyond, as the statute specifies a minimum volume for the BBD category (of 1 billion gallons) for years after 2012. EPA proposed the volume requirement for 2013 of 1.28 billion gallons in July 2011.

Biodiesel producers have significantly greater production capacity than will be required by the final rule, noted the agency in the final rule. The biodiesel industry is already producing at a rate consistent with an annual volume of about 1.3 billion gallons.

Source: US EPA