EPA sets bio-based diesel volumes for 2013 at 1.28B gallons

14 September 2012

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the amount of biomass-based diesel products required to be included in diesel fuel markets in 2013 at 1.28 billion gallons. Bio-based diesel products are advanced biofuels that are derived from biomass sources that include vegetable oils and wastes oils from renewable sources. Biodiesel is currently the largest component by far of the category.

The final rule does not specify the percentage standard for biomass-based diesel in 2013—only the applicable volume.

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

The action was taken under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) which established the second phase of the Renewable Fuel Standards program. EISA specifies a one billion gallon minimum volume requirement for the biomass-based diesel category for 2012 and beyond.

The law also calls on EPA to increase the volume requirements after consideration of environmental, market, and energy-related factors. The final action follows careful review of the many comments and additional information received since EPA proposed the volume in 2011.