EPA issues new RIN rules

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new rule aimed at maintaining liquidity in the market for renewable identification numbers (RINs), established under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

A second rule has also been issued, naming additional fuels that can qualify for cellulosic or advanced biofuel RINs, which includes compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas. The rule also certifies that corn kernel fibre is counted as a 'crop residue'.

The EPA has warned against cases of fraudulently generated RINs, which damage the RIN market and make it difficult for small renewable fuel producers to sell their RINs.

Now finalised, the voluntary quality assurance programme is aimed at preventing the sale of fraudulent RINs.

'The programme is designed and developed to enable smaller renewable fuel producers to demonstrate that their RINs are valid,' EPA says. 'This should reduce the risk that some obligated parties believe is associated with such RINs.'