Updated Bioheat® fuel mandates demonstrate decarbonization value of biodiesel

Governors from Connecticut and Rhode Island signed graduated approaches to tackling carbon emissions into law mid-July through mandates requiring increased use of biobased heating oil, also known as Bioheat® fuel, over the next decade. A similar bill in New York awaits the governor’s signature, highlighting the growing momentum Bioheat® fuel is experiencing in the region.

“The biodiesel and renewable diesel industries have forged a longtime partnership with the heating oil industry regarding the use of Bioheat® fuel in oil-burning furnaces,” said Donnell Rehagen, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “That relationship continues to drive change. Together we’re driving demand for biodiesel and renewable diesel, while also delivering a carbon-reducing fuel solution that is not only better and cleaner than petroleum-based diesel, it is available now.”

Each of the mandates differ slightly. Yet, each result in elevated blend levels of Bioheat® fuel, including two of the mandates reaching B50 (a blend of 50 percent biodiesel, 50 percent petroleum diesel):

Connecticut—Signed into law July 12 by Gov. Ned Lamont, the mandate requires B5 by 2022, B10 by 2025, B15 by 2030, B20 by 2034 and B50 by 2035.

Rhode Island—Signed into law July 13 by Gov. Daniel McKee, the mandate expands Rhode Island’s B5 mandate to B10 by 2023, B20 by 2025 and B50 by 2030.

Floyd Vergara, NBB’s director of state governmental affairs, said the team effort among the oil heat industry, NBB member companies and the NBB team is really what helps take legislation like these across the finish line.

“Legislators are finally taking note of the key carbon reduction advantages of biodiesel and renewable diesel, and we are able to see mandates come forward positioned to make a difference,” Vergara said. “The momentum for biodiesel and renewable diesel as carbon-reduction strategies is continuing to grow and these policies help grow demand for our industries, but it wouldn’t be done without a team effort.”

Biodiesel and renewable diesel are the most diverse fuels in the world, being made from byproducts of food production. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 74 percent. A recent study by Trinity Consultants outlines the significant impact biodiesel and renewable diesel can have in local communities, including reducing cancer risk, asthma attacks and sick days.

For more information on the New York bill, click here.

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel and renewable diesel are better, cleaner fuels that are available now for use in existing diesel engines without modification. NBB is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel and renewable diesel value chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors.