NBB calls for higher volumes of advanced biofuels in RFS proposal

The US National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has formally called for higher volumes of advanced biofuels and biomass based diesel in the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard RFS for 2018 and 2019.

“NBB is extremely concerned with the proposed rule’s unprecedented cut to the advanced biofuel volume and freeze in the biomass-based diesel volume,” said Doug Whitehead, CEO of NBB.

“Both of these proposals run counter to Congress’s objectives to promote the growth of biofuels that provide American jobs, reduce emissions and enhance U.S. energy security. EPA cannot enact its own policy when Congress has spoken, so we look forward to working with the EPA on addressing these concerns.”

In a statement, NBB argues that biomass-based diesel has been a great success story of the RFS, pointing out that the biodiesel industry has grown to support more than 64,000 jobs throughout its supply chain. This success, according to NBB, has been assisted by a market incentive from both the biomass-based diesel volume and advanced biofuel volume.

The industry also provides benefits to American farmers and livestock producers by creating demand for the surplus oils from commodity crops and reducing the price of soybean meal.

 

A ‘chilling message’

The EPA’s proposed changes come under heavy criticism from NBB. Pointing out that the industry regularly surpasses the annual biomass based diesel volumes and comprises 93% of biofuel production, NBB argues the proposals would halt the progress of the industry and ‘thwart’ Congress’ intent to increased biofuel production.

For the first time, the proposed rule lowers the advanced biofuel volume from the previous year and does not increase the biomass-based diesel volume.

“The proposed rule sends a chilling message that EPA is not interested in promoting growth in biofuels in accordance with the RFS, which will discourage any future investment and cause a contraction in the industry. It will result in a blow to our country’s energy security, a loss of jobs and wages of employees concentrated in rural areas, and a reduction in the income that American farmers receive for their crops and livestock products,” NBB writes in its comments.

In its comments, calls on the EPA to increase the advanced biofuel volume for 2018 to 4.75 gallons, and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2019 to at least 2.5 billion gallons. This, it claims, will match the RFS to Congress’ intent.

“Raising the advanced biofuel volume to at least 4.75 billion gallons is an increase that could be achieved so easily by the industry that there is no non-arbitrary justification for EPA to set the volumes lower,” NBB writes in a statement.