Calls for EPA to raise RFS volumes

The US National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and its members have asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to raise volumes in the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Testifying at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Public Hearing for Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2019 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2020, NBB and its members are asking for the 2020 biomass-based diesel volume to be set at 2.8 billion gallons.

The 2.8 billion gallon figure is based on the EPA’s own analysis in the proposed RFS ruling, which according to a statement from NBB, shows that volume is achievable in 2019.

“To provide the certainty that the biodiesel industry needs, EPA should raise the 2020 volume for biomass-based diesel to at least 2.8 billion gallons,” testified Donnell Rehagen, CEO of NBB.

“That number better aligns with the goals that Congress set for the RFS program. And it will better fulfill the promise of the RFS program.”

Meanwhile, NBB’s vice president of Federal Affairs, Kurt Kovarik, added: “I appreciate the agency’s recognition that the biodiesel industry has proven year after year that it can deliver increasing volumes. At the same time, I would like to emphasise that the volumes EPA finalises will be meaningless, if the agency continues to retroactively reduce them through refinery exemptions.”

Kovarik’s sentiments on RFS waivers were shared by Tom Brooks, General Manager of Western Dubuque Biodiesel and chair of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.

“The impact of these exemptions is like wiping out a year’s worth of production in the nation’s top biodiesel-producing state,” Brooks said.