Clean Fuels, transportation industries ask EPA for strong growth in RFS biobased diesel volumes

Clean Fuels Alliance America released a letter May 11 from five trade associations encouraging U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan to substantially raise the biomass-based diesel and overall advanced biofuel volumes in the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2023-’25.

The letter highlights the need for strong RFS volumes to support the goals of the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization.

The letter is joined by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, American Trucking Associations, Association of American Railroads, and the National Energy & Fuels Institute, which represent growing markets for biodiesel, renewable diesel and Bioheat® fuel.

“The administration’s policies and programs are designed to leverage private-sector investments to increase use of clean fuels and decarbonize the nation’s supply chain,” the letter states. “Our industries continue to make significant investments in producing, distributing and using low-carbon fuels, but much more can be done.

“Our industries need these fuels to decarbonize air transport, long-haul shipping, trucking and home heating, and meet the needs of our customers and supply-chain partners. The proposed [RFS] volumes are simply inconsistent with the investments our industries have made and plan to make to expand production and commercial availability of these fuels by 2025.”

The letter is available for download here.

“The Biden administration has launched major initiatives to reduce carbon and particulate-matter emissions economywide, including the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization,” stated Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs with Clean Fuels. “The United States cannot achieve the blueprint’s goals without immediate, substantial increases in production and use of low-carbon, drop-in fuels. Demand for biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and Bioheat® fuel is growing rapidly and U.S. producers are investing to keep pace. EPA must support that investment with higher RFS volumes.”

Ian Jefferies, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, added, “As railroads work in earnest to meet their ambitious emission-reduction targets, low-carbon fuels offer immediate, tangible results that keep the industry on track. By ensuring an adequate supply of sustainable, low-carbon fuels for all modes of transportation, the administration has the opportunity to deliver on its decarbonization promises, power our economy and put the transportation sector on track toward a cleaner future.”

Jim Collura, vice president of NEFI, said, “The RFS has played a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions from home heating oil, which remains a source of heat and comfort for nearly 5 million homes in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. By incentivizing use of renewable fuels such as biodiesel and Bioheat®, the RFS is helping these states achieve ambitious climate goals while supporting small Main Street energy businesses. However, the RFS must keep pace with production capacity and fuel demand in these states, and so we urge EPA to increase proposed volumes through 2025.”

Jacqueline Gelb, vice president of energy and environmental affairs at the American Trucking Associations, added, “The trucking industry plays a crucial role in our nation’s supply chain. To effectively decarbonize, we need a significant boost in the production of low-carbon fuels that have environmental benefits and can deliver meaningful emissions reductions today.”