EPA proposes rules for indirect, direct emissions: 4 billion advanced biofuels category created in RFS; downloadable document tells all

In Washington, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed its strategy for  reaching 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022 and released its 822-page proposed rulemaking on emissions, as mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The EPA said that the EISA would by 2022 require and the EPA will enforce the blending of:

·         16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels;
·         15 billion gallons annually of conventional biofuels;
·         4 billion gallons of advanced biofuels; and
·         1 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel.

While corn ethanol made at plants constructed before 2007 are not required to meet greenhouse gas emission requirements, the thresholds for new categories would be 20 percent less greenhouse gas emissions for renewable fuels produced from new corn ethanol, 50 percent less for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels, and 60 percent less for cellulosic biofuels.

EPA also will conduct peer-reviews on the lifecycle analysis of the four renewable fuel categories.  Lifecycle refers to the greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the fuels, and has proposed standards for both direct impact and indirect impact in its 822-page proposed rulemaking document, which can be downloaded here.

The 60-day comment period on this proposal will begin upon publication in the Federal Register.

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