Ethanol Blog

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Though the EPA set Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for biomass-based diesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and heating oil for 2023, 2024 and 2025 on a growth trajectory, new production data released by the agency show biomass-based diesel production in 2023 in particular grew at a rate above the RFS volumes.

According to a news release from the Clean Fuels Alliance America, those biofuels produced a combined four billion gallons in 2023.

"Both domestic production and use of advanced biomass-based diesel grew by one billion gallons in 2023, compared to 2022," CFAA said.

In June 2023, EPA finalized RFS volumes for 2023-2025 that includes a 60-million-gallon increase in biomass-based diesel volumes for 2023 and a 530-million-gallon increase for 2024 and 2025. CFAA advocated for an increased growth of 500 million gallons for the biomass-based diesel category each of the three years.

"The clean fuels industry achieved what EPA said could not be done -- namely continued growth of advanced biodiesel, renewable diesel, SAF and heating oil from sustainably sourced feedstocks," said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for Clean Fuels.

Kovarik continued, "Our industry -- including producers, oilseed processors, fuel distributors and marketers -- has made significant investments to make clean fuels available to more consumers and rapidly decarbonize heavy-duty transportation fuels, including for aviation and marine markets. EPA's data demonstrates that the rapid, sustainable growth we projected is being achieved. Clean Fuels and its members remain extremely disappointed that EPA refused to recognize and support sustainable growth of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF."

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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