How to Use the EP3 Calculator Version 1.4


How to Use the EP3 Calculator
Version L4

&EPA

United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

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How to Use the EP3 Calculator
Version L4

Implementation, Analysis and Compliance Division
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

rnA United States

Environmental Protection
Agency

EPA-420-B-25-022
August 2025

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1. Introduction

The EPA is providing instructions on how to use version 1.4 of the Efficient Producer Petition Process
(EP3) Calculator (the "EP3 Calculator"). The EP3 Calculator is a spreadsheet tool available for download
through the EPA's website for the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. It is intended to help
ethanol producers with the Agency's Efficient Producer petition process (EP3)1 and associated quarterly
reporting obligations.

Disclaimer: This document provides general information and is not intended to contradict the RFS
regulations at 40 CFR Part 80 Subpart M, or the signed determination documents issued pursuant to
the petition process at 40 CFR 80.1416. To the extent there are any discrepancies, the RFS
regulations and/or the petition determination documents control and override the information in
this document.

This document provides instructions on how to fill out and submit the EP3 Calculator as part of an EP3
petition. It also explains how facilities that have already been evaluated through the EP3 petition
process can use the EP3 Calculator to calculate the rolling average lifecycle emissions for the fuel they
produce through a qualifying facility/process.2

Section 3 includes frequently asked questions about using the EP3 Calculator. Section 4 provides an
overview of the EP3 Calculator spreadsheet, and instructions on how to use each tab when preparing an
EP3 petition submission or using the EP3 Calculator to calculate the rolling average lifecycle emissions
for ethanol produced through a previously approved EP3 pathway.

The agency welcomes public input on improving the EP3 Calculator and accompanying documentation.
Please send input to EP3pathwavs(a)epa.gov.

2. Updates for Version 1.4

Version 1.4 includes updates to accommodate EP3 petitions from dry mill ethanol plants that produce
ethanol from a combination of the following feedstocks: corn starch, grain sorghum, corn kernel fiber, a
mixture of corn kernel fiber and grain sorghum kernel fiber.

3. Frequently Asked Questions about Using the EP3 Calculator

This section answers anticipated questions about the EP3 Calculator and includes contact information
for further questions.

1 For information about the EP3, see the following EPA web page:

https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/how-prepare-efficient-producer-petition-under-
renewable-fuel

2 EPA petition evaluations are available on the agency's website:

https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/approved-pathwavs-renewable-fuel

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What is the Purpose of the EP3 Calculator?

The EP3 Calculator is provided to help certain ethanol producers calculate the lifecycle emissions
associated with their fuel using the EPA's methodology. The EP3 Calculator serves two primary
functions:

1.	Help producers prepare an EP3 petition submission: The EP3 Calculator provides a tool that
allows producers to submit the mass and energy balance data required for EP3 petitions. It helps
expedite EPA petition reviews because the lifecycle emissions results are automatically
calculated. Before starting an EP3 petition, please carefully review the information provided on
EPA's website, including the document titled How to Prepare an Efficient Producer Petition.3

2.	Help producers with an activated EP3 pathway calculate their fuel's 365-day rolling average
lifecycle emissions as part of their ongoing recordkeeping and reporting requirements: Each of
the EP3 determinations that EPA has completed specifies a number of conditions the petitioner
must satisfy in order to generate RINs for non-grandfathered ethanol produced through an EP3
pathway. One of the conditions is that the petitioner must have documentation showing that
RINs are only generated if, on average, all the ethanol they produced during a specified
averaging time period (typically 365 days or shorter in certain circumstances) satisfies the
applicable statutory lifecycle emissions reduction threshold. To satisfy this condition, the
petitioner calculates their fuel's 365-day rolling average lifecycle emissions according to the
formulas specified in the EP3 determination document issued to the petitioner by EPA. The EPA
has provided the EP3 Calculator spreadsheet on its website to help ethanol producers calculate
the 365-day rolling average lifecycle emissions for their fuel.

Why should I include the EP3 Calculator as part of my EP3 petition submission?

The RFS regulations (see 40 CFR 80.1416) specify that all petitions for new fuel pathways must include a
mass and energy balance for the requested pathway. For an EP3 petition this requirement is satisfied by
including a EP3 Calculator that has been properly filled in with data about your fuel production process.
Furthermore, the EP3 Calculator is set up to calculate the lifecycle emissions for the ethanol produced at
your facility, so it can provide a demonstration of how your facility can meet the required lifecycle
emissions reduction thresholds.

What data are required to complete the EP3 Calculator for an EP3 petition submission?
The EP3 Calculator requires the following data inputs:

•	Volume of feedstocks used in fuel production processes for all of the ethanol produced at your
facility during a specified time period (including ethanol that does not generate RINs or is
exempt from the lifecycle emissions reduction requirements per 40 CFR 80.1403).

•	All of the energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product operations.4

3	https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/how-prepare-efficient-producer-petition-renewable-
fuel-standard

4	Energy for feedstock, fuel and co-product operations should include all energy used in any building that is used in
any part for the storage and/or processing of feedstock and all energy used in any building that is used in any part
for the production and/or storage of fuel intermediates, finished fuel or co-products. It also includes any energy
related to feedstock or waste handling.

2

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• The volumes of ethanol produced by your facility.

For your petition, data should be provided for a period of time encompassing at least 365 consecutive
days. Either historical or projected data are acceptable. If you provide historical data for your facility,
include at least the most recent 365-day period. Projected data may be more appropriate if your facility
is undertaking process efficiency improvements or for other reasons. If projected data is provided, then
it should be representative of anticipated average annual facility operations.

Do I need to enter daily data in the EP3 Calculator when submitting an EP3 petition?
No, not when submitting an EP3 petition. However, daily data are required when using the EP3
Calculator to calculate the rolling average lifecycle emissions for ethanol produced through a previously
approved EP3 pathway (and for associated recordkeeping).

When entering data into the EP3 Calculator for an EP3 petition submission there are two options: (1)
enter daily data using one row for each day, or (2) enter aggregate data using one row for a period of
time encompassing at least 365-consecutive days. Examples of how each option would look for
electricity use data are shown below in Figure 1 and Figure 2. In both figures, the facility uses 100 kWh
of electricity each day. In Figure 1, these data are entered for 365 separate days. In Figure 2, the total
electricity use during the 365-day period is entered in one row corresponding with the first day in the
time period. Both approaches are equally valid when preparing the EP3 Calculator for an EP3 petition.

Using the daily data approach illustrated in Figure 1, the EP3 Calculator will pull data from all of the rows
encompassing the time period from 4/1/2014 to 3/31/2015. Using the aggregate data approach
illustrated in Figure 2, the EP3 Calculator will only use the data entered in the first row.

Figure 1: Example of daily electricity use data entered using one row for each day

Meter 1

Day

Daily Electricity
Use

Previous Day
Meter Reading

Daily Meter
Reading

Daily Amount
Used

DD/MM/YYYY

Amount (kWh)

4/1/2014

100

4/2/2014

100

200

100

[...]

3/30/2015

100

36,300

36,400

100

3/31/2015

100

36,400

36,500

100

Figure 2: Example of aggregate electricity use data entered using one row for a period encompassing

at Least 365-Consecutive Days

Meter 1

Day

Daily Electricity
Use

Previous Day
Meter Reading

Daily Meter
Reading

Daily Amount
Used

DD/MM/YYYY

Amount (kWh)

4/1/2014

36,500

4/2/2014

36,500

(36,500)

4/3/2014

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If you use the aggregate data entry approach shown in Figure 2, in the Cover Sheet tab you must enter
the first date in the time period you are entering data for in both of the Averaging Time Period fields.
We also ask that you explain the time period for the aggregate data in the Notes section, as shown
below in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Example of how to fill out the Averaging Time Period fields in the Cover Sheet when entering
aggregate data for a time period from 4/1/2014 to 3/31/2015

Averaging Time Period



Earliest date that you are entering data for (DD/MM/YYYY):

4/1/2014

Latest date you are entering data for (DD/MM/YYYY):

4/1/2014



Data for the 365-day period



from 4/1/14 to 3/31/15 are

Notes:

entered in one row.

What if the EP3 Calculator shows that my fuel does not meet the applicable emissions
reduction threshold?

If you are using the EP3 Calculator for an EP3 petition submission, the data entered into the EP3
Calculator and submitted as part of your EP3 petition should demonstrate that your fuel meets the
applicable emissions reduction threshold (20% reduction for renewable fuel or 50% reduction for
advanced biofuel). If you submit a EP3 Calculator that does not demonstrate adequate emissions
reductions, EPA will return your petition as incomplete.

Please keep in mind that should your EP3 pathway be approved and activated, in order to generate RINs
through your activated EP3 pathway you will need to monitor, calculate and record your fuel's lifecycle
emissions on a 365-day rolling average basis to demonstrate that it is meeting the applicable emissions
reductions. If the EP3 Calculator shows that your fuel does not meet the 20% emissions reduction
threshold specified in the CAA, RINs may not be generated for non-grandfathered volumes of fuel.

Are coproducts accounted for in the EP3 Calculator?

In addition to producing ethanol, dry mill plants also produce distillers grains and solubles (DGS) as a
coproduct. Many plants also extract corn or sorghum oil as an additional coproduct. In the EP3
Calculator the emissions impacts of the DGS and oil coproducts are accounted for in the upstream
emissions factors for corn and grain sorghum. Our analyses of the upstream emissions attributable to
corn and grain sorghum used for ethanol account for the agricultural sector impacts of the DGS and corn
oil coproducts. In our modeling, the DGS are considered a replacement animal feed and thus reduce the
demand for other sources of animal feed and the emissions associated with their production and use.
Extracted oil is also accounted for in the vegetable oil and biodiesel markets.5

5 For more information on our corn ethanol modeling see the March 2010 rule (75 FR 14670), and for more
information on our grain sorghum modeling see the December 2012 grain sorghum rule (77 FR 74592).

4

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Who should I contact if I have more questions?

Please direct any questions about the EP3 Calculator to EP3pathwavs(a)epa.gov.

4. Tab-by-Tab Instructions

This section includes on overview of the EP3 Calculator spreadsheet, and instructions on how to use
each tab when preparing an EP3 petition or using the EP3 Calculator to calculate the rolling average
lifecycle emissions for ethanol produced through a previously approved EP3 pathway. It begins with an
explanation of the purpose of the EP3 Calculator, followed by a brief introduction to each tab in the
spreadsheet.

Overview of the Tabs in the EP3 Calculator

Table 2 lists the tabs in the EP3 Calculator with a brief description. The EP3 Calculator includes three
types of tabs: data entry tabs (green background), calculation tabs (blue background), and information
tabs (clear background).

Table 2: Overview of the Tabs in the EP3 Calculator Spreadsheet

Tab Name

Description

Cover Sheet

Basic information regarding the fuel pathway.

Instructions

Basic instructions for using the spreadsheet

Contact Info

Enter contact information for petitioner's Responsible Corporate
Officer

Corn Use Data

Data entry for corn use in bushels.

Corn Moisture Data

Data entry for the moisture content of corn deliveries.

Sorghum Use Data

Data entry for grain sorghum use in bushels.

Sorghum Moisture Data

Data entry for the moisture content of grain sorghum deliveries.

Natural Gas Use Data

Data entry for natural gas use in standard cubic feet.

Biogas Use Data

Data entry for biogas use in standard cubic feet.

Electricity Use Data

Data entry for grid electricity use in kilowatt hours.

Coal Use Data

Data entry for coal use in tons.

Biomass Use Data

Data entry for biomass use dry pounds.

Ethanol Production Data

Data entry for ethanol production in standard gallons.

KF Ethanol Production Data

Data entry for cellulosic ethanol produced from corn or grain sorghum
kernel fiber (KF) in standard gallons.

Confirm Data

Confirm that data is entered properly for each day.

Quick Check

Automatic check for missing information

Daily Data Summary

Summary of daily feedstock and energy use, and fuel production data.

Time Series Results

Time series of daily and rolling average lifecycle emissions results.

Results Summary

Updated 365-day rolling average lifecycle emissions results.

Corn Ethanol LCA Calcs

Daily and rolling average emissions calculations for corn ethanol.

Sorghum Ethanol LCA Calcs

Daily and rolling average emissions calculations for grain sorghum
ethanol.

Emis Facs

Emission factors and unit conversions used in the calculations.

Abbreviations

Descriptions of abbreviations used in the EP3 Calculator

RFS2500-Corn

Corn starch ethanol data to be reported using the RFS Efficient
Producer Data Form

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RFS2500-Sorghum

Grain sorghum ethanol data to be reported using the RFS Efficient
Producer Data Form

RFS2500-KF

Kernel fiber ethanol data to be reported using the RFS Efficient
Producer Data Form

For-EPA-Use

The data collected in this tab helps the EPA review EP3 petitions.

This rest of this section includes instructions for each tab of the EP3 Calculator.

Cover Sheet

The Cover Sheet asks for five categories of information to be entered in the green-shaded cells.

Facility information:

• Company Name: Enter the name of the company that owns the fuel production facility.

• Company ID: The company's four-digit identification number from CDX OTAQReg (if the
company does not yet have an ID number enter "N/A").

• Facility Name: Enter a name for the fuel production facility (e.g., the company name followed by
the name of the city where the facility is located).

• Facility ID: The facility's five-digit identification number from CDX OTAQReg (enter "N/A" if one
does not exist).

• Facility City: The city where the fuel production facility is located.

• Facility State: The state where the fuel production facility is located.

Fuel Pathway Information:

• Has the EPA has activated an Efficient Producer pathwav(s) for your fuel?

Select "No" if you are preparing the EP3 Calculator as part of an EP3 petition.6

Select "Yes" if EPA has previously approved an EP3 pathway for your fuel, and the Agency has
accepted your registration for the fuel pathway.7

Some of the instructions below differ depending on your answer to this question. In these cases,
if you answered "Yes" follow the instructions below for that apply "For EP3 petitions" and if you
answered "No" follow the instructions that apply "For activated EP3 pathways."

• Petition Request: Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate option from the following:

6 This also applies if you are preparing the EP3 Calculator as part of a petition requesting a modification to an
existing EP3 corn starch ethanol pathway, for example for a facility that seeks to co-produce cellulosic ethanol
from corn kernel fiber or grain sorghum kernel fiber and generate D-code 3 RINs for such ethanol.

7 Your EP3 pathway is considered to be activated after your registration for the pathway has been accepted by EPA
and you are able to access your EP3 pathway in EMTS. You should receive an email notification when your pathway
is activated.

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1.	Efficient Producer corn starch ethanol pathway to generate D code 6 RINs for facility
that only uses only corn as feedstock

2.	Efficient Producer corn starch ethanol pathway for D code 6 RINs for facility that uses
corn and grain sorghum as feedstock

3.	Efficient Producer grain sorghum ethanol pathway for D code 5 or 6 RINs

•	My facility's corn ethanol does not match any of the pathways in Table 1 to 40 CFR 80.1426
because the facility: Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate option from the
following:

o dries more than 65% of the DGS it markets annually and does not use two of the

advanced technologies in Table 2 to 40 CFR 80.1426
o dries more than 50% of the DGS it markets annually and does not use any of the

advanced technologies in Table 2 to 40 CFR 80.1426
o N/A

The list of advanced technologies in Table 2 to 40 CFR 80.1426 is available on EPA's web page.8 If
you are requesting a pathway for non-grandfathered corn ethanol and none of these options
look appropriate there may be an existing pathway for your fuel. If your petition only requests a
pathway for grain sorghum ethanol, select N/A.

•	My facility's sorghum ethanol does not match any of the advanced biofuel pathways in Table 1
to 40 CFR 80.1426 because the facility: Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate
option from the following:

o does not use biogas from landfills, waste treatment plants, and/or waste digesters for all

process energy and for on-site production of all electricity used at the site
o uses more than 0.15 kWh of electricity from the grid per gallon of ethanol produced,

calculated on a per batch basis
o N/A

If your petition only requests a pathway for corn ethanol, select N/A.

For EP3 petitions:

•	Earliest date that you are entering data for: In the following sheets, you will enter data on
feedstock use, energy use and fuel production. In this cell, enter the earliest date that you are
entering data for. For example, if you are entering data for the time period from April 1, 2014, to
March 31, 2015, you should enter "4/1/2014."

•	Latest date that you are entering data for:

o If you are entering daily data in the EP3 Calculator, enter the latest date that you are
entering data for. For example, if you are entering daily data for the time period from
April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, you should enter "3/31/2015" in this field,
o If you are entering aggregate data in the EP3 Calculator, enter the same date that you
entered under "Earliest date that you are entering data for." For example, if you are

8 https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/approved-pathwavs-renewable-fuel

7

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entering aggregate data for the time period from April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, you
should enter "4/1/2014" in this field.9 If you are using this approach, you should explain
the time period for your aggregate data in the Notes field on the Cover Sheet (see
below).

o For details on choosing daily data or aggregate data, see the frequently asked question
in this document titled: Do I need to enter daily data in the EP3 Calculator for an EP3
petition?

For activated EP3 pathways:

• Date EPA activated your EP3 pathway(s): Enter the day that EPA activated your EP3 pathway.10

• Today's date: Enter today's date.

Feedstock Checklist:

• Does this facility use corn starch feedstock?

• For EP3 petitions: Select "Yes" if your facility uses or intends to use a non-negligible
amount of corn starch to produce ethanol. Note, even if your petition is requesting a
pathway for ethanol made from grain sorghum, you must select "Yes" if your facility
uses corn starch.

• For previously activated EP3 pathways: Enter "Yes" if EPA evaluated corn starch as a
feedstock for your facility's EP3 pathway. (The signed EP3 determination document
issued by EPA for your facility will specify whether EPA evaluated corn starch as a
feedstock for your facility's EP3 pathway.)

• Does this facility use grain sorghum feedstock?

• For petitioners: Select "Yes" if your facility uses or intends to use grain sorghum
feedstock to produce ethanol. Note, even if your petition is requesting a pathway for
ethanol made from corn starch, you must select "Yes" if your facility uses grain
sorghum. Also note that, at this time, co-production of D code 3 RINs for corn kernel
fiber ethanol is only valid at facilities that only process corn feedstock.

• For previously activated EP3 pathways: Enter "Yes" if EPA evaluated grain sorghum as a
feedstock for your facility's EP3 pathway. (The signed EP3 determination document
issued by EPA for your facility will specify whether EPA evaluated grain sorghum as a
feedstock for your facility's EP3 pathway.)

• Does this facility use kernel fiber feedstock to produce cellulosic ethanol and generate D code 3
RINs for such ethanol? Select "Yes" if your facility uses corn kernel fiber or grain sorghum kernel
fiber to produce ethanol and generate D code 3 RINs. Otherwise, select "No."

• Does this facility use any other feedstocks? Select "Yes" or "No" from the drop-down options. If
you select "Yes" an error message will appear in the next row of the spreadsheet. This is

9 This is necessary because the EP3 Calculator was originally designed for daily data entries.

10 The day your EP3 pathway was activated is the day that your registration for the pathway was accepted by EPA
and you were able to access your EP3 pathway in EMTS. You should have received an email notification when your
EP3 pathway was activated.

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because the EP3 currently only allows for the use of corn starch, corn kernel fiber, grain
sorghum or grain sorghum kernel fiber as feedstocks.11

Other Information:

• Baseline volume per 40 CFR 80.1403: Enter the "grandfathered" baseline volume for your facility
in gallons. If your facility does not qualify as a grandfathered facility (e.g., if it was not in
operation or had not commenced construction prior to December 19, 2007) leave this field
blank. This information is for EPA's reference only; it does not impact the EP3 Calculator
results.12

• Notes: Use this field to enter important notes about the data entered in the EP3 Calculator. For
example, if data are not provided on a daily basis, use this field to explain how the data are
reported (for details see: Do I need to enter daily data in the EP3 Calculator for an EP3
petition?).

Contact Info

Use this tab to enter information about the responsible corporate officer (RCO) and the point of contact
(POC) for the petitioning facility. The signed determination document responding to your petition will be
addressed and mailed to the RCO using the information provided in this tab. Questions during the
petition review process will be sent to the POC. (The POC and RCO may be the same person.) The entry
fields on this tab (e.g., name, address, city) should be self-explanatory. Please spell out job titles, street
names, etc., and refrain from using unnecessary abbreviations. If you have questions about how to enter
data on this tab, please send them to the Fuels Programs Support Line.13

Corn Use Data

On this tab enter your facility's corn use, in bushels, in the green-shaded cells. Two data entry methods
are available (use only one):

• Inventory approach: Enter the starting inventory, shipments received and ending inventories.
All units are entered in bushels.

• Direct measurement approach: Enter the amount used each day (or for a multi-day period if
entering aggregate data, see Section 4(A) of this document for details)

The EP3 Calculator is designed for users to choose one data entry method (inventory or direct
measurement) and use that method for all data entry in the sheet. The tool does not support using both
methods on a single day or switching between methods for different entry dates.

For each entry method there is an optional notes column to provide additional information about how
the data were collected.

11 Parties who use other feedstocks and seek a new fuel pathway, may submit a standard petition pursuant to 40
CFR 80.1416. For information on how to submit a standard petition see: https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-
standard-program/how-submit-complete-petition-approved-pathway-under-renewable-fuel

12 For more information on what is meant by "grandfathered" fuel see: https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-
standard-program/program-overview-renewable-fuel-standard-program

13 https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/forms/contact-us-about-renewable-fuel-standard-
program

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Corn Moisture Data

Enter all of the corn deliveries to your facility including the moisture content, in mass percent, of each
and every delivery. This information is used to calculate the standardized bushels of corn at 15.5%
moisture.

The dates in column A are entered manually. If your facility receives more than one shipment on a given
day, you can use multiple rows to record shipments for that day. If your facility does not receive corn
shipments for a given day you can skip to the next day. Examples of this are illustrated below in Figure 3.
Optional columns are provided to record additional information about each delivery, including time,
number, type and other notes.

Figure 3: Example data entry in the Corn Moisture Data tab

Day

[...]

Amount of Corn in Delivery

Moisture Content

DD/MM/YYYY

[...]

Mass %

4/1/2014

[...]

100

15.5%

4/1/2014

[...]

200

14%

4/5/2014

[...]

100

15.5%

For the calculator to work properly, a delivery amount greater than zero and a moisture content must
be entered for the date listed in cell A4 (i.e., the earliest date that you are entering data for). If there
were no corn deliveries on the date listed in cell A4 then enter the previous day inventory and the
average moisture content for the corn in inventory.

Sorghum Use Data

On this tab enter your facility's grain sorghum use, in bushels. Two data entry methods are available:
inventory approach or direct measurement approach (for explanation see the instructions for the Corn
Use Data tab, above). The EP3 Calculator is designed for users to choose one data entry method
(inventory or direct measurement) and use that method for all data entry in the sheet. The tool does not
support using both methods on a single day or switching between methods for different entry dates.

For each entry method there is an optional notes column to provide additional information about how
the data were collected.

Sorghum Moisture Data

On this tab enter all of the grain sorghum deliveries to your facility including the moisture content, in
mass percent, of each and every delivery. This information is used to calculate the standardized bushels
of grain sorghum at 13% moisture. (See the data entry example given above for the Corn Moisture Data
tab.)

For the calculator to work properly, a delivery amount greater than zero and a moisture content must
be entered for the date listed in cell A4 (i.e., the earliest date that you are entering data for). If there
were no sorghum deliveries on the date listed in cell A4 then enter the previous day inventory and the
average moisture content for the sorghum in inventory.

Natural Gas Use Data

On this tab enter your facility's natural gas use in standard cubic feet.

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Space is provided for you to record data from as many meters as necessary. For example, to add data
from an additional meter, copy columns H-J and paste them into columns L-N. Relabel the meter
number or give it a new name. Repeat these steps as many times as needed moving from left to right in
the spreadsheet. Finally, revise the formula in column B so that it sums the "Daily Amount Used" from
all of the meters you have added (make sure to use the fill down in Excel so the formula is accurate for
all of the applicable rows).

Biogas Use Data

On this tab enter your facility's biogas use in standard cubic feet. You must specify the methane content,
in volume percent, for the biogas your facility uses. If methane is measured directly, then enter 100% in
the percent methane column for each meter.

Space is provided for you to record data from as many meters as necessary. For example, to add data
from an additional meter, copy columns J-N and paste them into columns P-T. Relabel the meter
number or give it a new name. Repeat these steps as many times as needed moving from left to right in
the spreadsheet. Finally, revise the formula in column B so that it sums the "Daily Amount CH4 Used"
from all of the meters you have added (make sure to "fill down" the formula so that it is accurate for all
of the applicable rows).

To qualify for the EP3, all biogas used for process heat fuel must meet the RFS regulatory definition for
biogas or treated biogas at 40 CFR 80.1041. Furthermore, the biogas must be sourced from one or a
combination of the following sources: landfills, municipal wastewater treatment facility digesters,
agricultural digesters, separate municipal solid waste (MSW) digesters, or other waste digesters. See the
July 2014 RFS rule (79 FR 42128) for more information on qualifying sources of biogas.

Electricity Use Data

On this tab enter your facility's use of grid electricity in kilowatt hours. Space is provided for you to
record data from as many meters as necessary (See the instructions for the Natural Gas Use Data for
details on how to add meters).

Coal Use Data

On this tab enter your facility's coal use in tons. Two data entry methods are available: inventory
approach or direct measurement approach (for explanation see the instructions for the Corn Use Data
tab, above). The EP3 Calculator is designed for users to choose one data entry method (inventory or
direct measurement) and use that method for all data entry in the sheet. The tool does not support
using both methods on a single day or switching between methods for different entry dates.

Biomass Use Data

On this tab enter the amount of biomass used by your facility as process heat fuel in dry pounds. Two
data entry methods are available: inventory approach or direct measurement approach (for explanation
see the instructions for the Corn Use Data tab, above). For both data entry methods, you must enter the
mass and average moisture content (weight percent) of the biomass used by your facility.

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At this time to qualify for the EP3, all biomass used for process heat fuel must meet the RFS regulatory
definition for crop residue at 40 CFR 80.1401.14 See the July 2014 RFS rule (79 FR 42128) for more
information on what EPA considers to be a crop residue for the RFS program.15

Ethanol Production Data

On this tab enter the amount of all ethanol produced at your facility. Two data entry methods are
provided:

•	Direct Measurement Approach: Enter the standardized volume of undenatured (200 proof)
ethanol produced at your facility, in gallons adjusted to 60° F.

•	Actual Temperature and Volume Approach: Enter the actual volume of undenatured ethanol
produced at your facility, in gallons, and the average temperature of the ethanol in degrees
Fahrenheit (volume and temperature should be measured at the same time).

The EP3 Calculator allows users to switch between measurement approaches, and/or use both
approaches for the same day.

KF Ethanol Production Data

On this tab enter the amount of cellulosic ethanol produced from corn kernel fiber or a mixture of corn
and grain sorghum kernel fiber feedstock at your facility, for which D code 3 RINs have been, or shall be,
generated. See the instructions for the previous tab on the two available data entry methods.

Confirm Data

After reviewing the data entered in the tabs listed above select from the following two options for each
day that you entered data for:

1.	CONFIRMED: For this date valid data were properly collected through continuous monitoring
and accurately recorded in this spreadsheet.

2.	MISSING DATA: On this date one or more of the required data inputs were not properly
collected or reported.

When submitting a EP3 Calculator as part of a petition, you should select option one (confirmed) for all
of the dates that you entered data for. If you choose MISSING DATA for any of the dates that you
entered data for your petition will be returned as incomplete.

14	Per 40 CFR 80.1401: Crop residue means biomass left over from the harvesting or processing of planted crops
from existing agricultural land and any biomass removed from existing agricultural land that facilitates crop
management (including biomass removed from such lands in relation to invasive species control or fire
management), whether or not the biomass includes any portion of a crop or crop plant. Biomass is considered crop
residue only if the use of that biomass for the production of renewable fuel has no significant impact on demand
for the feedstock crop, products produced from that feedstock crop, and all substitutes for the crop and its
products, nor any other impact that would result in a significant increase in direct or indirect emissions.

15	Examples of materials that EPA considers crop residue are sugarcane and sweet sorghum bagasse; kernel fiber
from barley, corn, oats, rice, rye, grain sorghum and wheat; and stover from corn and grain sorghum; straw from
barley, oats, rice, rye, soybeans and wheat.

12

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If you choose MISSING DATA or leave this cell blank for any of the dates, the EP3 Calculator will evaluate
all of the ethanol produced on that date as having lifecycle emissions of 98.2 kgCC>2e/mmBtu, the
lifecycle emissions for the gasoline baseline.16

Quick Check

Provides a quick check of whether you are missing required information.

For EP3 petitions, if this tab identifies any missing information (marked as "ERRORS") your petition will
be returned as incomplete.

This tab is meant as a tool to help users do a quick check for missing information. It is not meant as full
check of the completeness or accuracy of the information entered in the EP3 Calculator. Even if this tab
does not identify missing or erroneous information, EPA may still return your petition as incomplete if
we find missing or incorrect data. It is the petitioner's responsibility to ensure that the data provided are
complete and accurate. Similarly, for producers with an activated EP3 pathway, it is the fuel producer's
responsibility to ensure that the data provided are complete and accurate.

Daily Data Summary

This tab provides a summary of the data entered in the preceding data entry tabs. We recommend
reviewing the information on this tab as a way to help identify and prevent errors.

Time Series Results

This tab provides a time series look at your fuel's lifecycle emissions based on the data you entered.

Daily and rolling average results are provided for corn and grain sorghum ethanol. The 365-day rolling
average emissions results are based on the average lifecycle emissions for the fuel produced over the
preceding 365 days. Results are provided for corn ethanol and grain sorghum ethanol in terms of
kgC02e/mmBtu. The tab also shows on which days the corn ethanol produced at your facility meets the
20% emissions reduction threshold and the days when the grain sorghum ethanol meets the 50%
emissions reduction threshold. The percent emissions reductions compared to the gasoline baseline are
also displayed here.

Results Summary

After all of the data is properly entered in the data entry tabs, this tab provides a summary of the 365-
day rolling average lifecycle emissions during the specified averaging time period for the corn and/or
grain sorghum ethanol produced at your facility.

For an EP3 petition, the results on this tab should show that your fuel meets the applicable emissions
reduction threshold (20% reduction for renewable fuel or 50% reduction for advanced biofuel). If you
submit a EP3 Calculator that does not demonstrate adequate emissions reductions, EPA will return the
petition as incomplete.

Corn Ethanol LCA Calcs

This tab is used to calculate the daily and 365-day rolling average lifecycle emissions for corn ethanol
based on the data entered in the preceding tabs. This tab is protected from editing.

16 Details on what constitutes valid versus missing data should be provided in the EP3 determination document for
your facility and the Compliance Monitoring Plan included as part of your registration for the EP3 pathway.

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Sorghum Ethanol LCA Calcs

This tab is used to calculate the daily and 365-day rolling average lifecycle emissions for grain sorghum
ethanol based on the data entered in the preceding tabs. This tab is protected from editing.

Emis Facs

This information tab includes the emissions factors used by the EP3 Calculator. These values are for
reference and protected from editing.

Abbreviations

This tab includes a list of abbreviations used on other tabs. It also stores list data used on other tabs and
is protected from editing.

RFS2500-Corn

Corn starch ethanol data are automatically generated on this tab to help with quarterly reporting using
the RFS Efficient Producer Data Form (RFS2500).17 To assist with reporting, the data from this tab can be
copied and pasted in the Unified Report Form.18 Note that fields 2-10 are not automatically generated
and need to be completed by the reporting party. This tab is meant to assist with reporting - reporters
are responsible for the accuracy of all the data they report.

RFS2500-Sorghum

Grain sorghum ethanol data are automatically generated on this tab to help with quarterly reporting
using the RFS Efficient Producer Data Form (RFS2500). See the instructions for the previous tab for more
information.

RFS2500-KF

Kernel fiber ethanol data are automatically generated on this tab to help with quarterly reporting using
the RFS Efficient Producer Data Form (RFS2500). The only data generated for kernel fiber ethanol is the
volume of cellulosic ethanol produced from kernel fiber. Data fields 14-21 for rows associated with
kernel fiber ethanol production can remain blank for reporting.

For-EPA-Use

The EPA uses this tab to expedite review of EP3 Calculators that are submitted as part of EP3 petitions. It
is protected from editing.

17 https://www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/rfs2500-rfs-efficient-producer-data-
report

18 https://www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/unified-report-form

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Appendix 1: Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviation or Acronym

Description

Btu

British Thermal Units

bu

Bushel

CAA

Clean Air Act

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations

ch4

Methane

DGS

Distillers grains and solubles

EISA

Energy Independence and Security Act

EP3

Efficient Producer petition process

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

F

Fahrenheit

FR

Federal Register

gal

Gallon

GHG

Greenhouse gas

Hr

Hour

kgC02e

Kilograms of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions

kWh

Kilowatt hour

lb

Pound

LCA

Life cycle analysis

LHV

Lower heating value

mm Btu

Million British Thermal Units

RFS

Renewable Fuel Standard

RIN

Renewable Identification Number

scf

Standard cubic feet

std. gal

Standardized gallon of ethanol at 60° F

15

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Appendix 2: Lifecycle Emissions Equations

The EP3 Calculator uses the following equations to calculate the lifecycle emissions for corn and grain
sorghum ethanol.

Corn Starch Ethanol Produced at Facility That Only Uses Corn Feedstock

The 365-day rolling average lifecycle emissions are calculated using the following formula:

Where:

LCghgc = Lifecycle emissions, in kgC02e/mmBtu, of the volume of all corn ethanol produced at the facility
during the averaging time period.

GHG uc — Upstream emissions, in kgC02e/mmBtu, related to the production and transport of the volume
of corn starch feedstock used to produce all corn ethanol produced at the facility during the averaging
time period, calculated per the formula below.

GHG pc - Process emissions, in kgC02e/mmBtu, related to the processes used for conversion of corn into
ethanol during the averaging period, including energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product
operations, as calculated per the formula below.

GHGd = Downstream emissions, in kgC02e/mmBtu, related to the distribution and use of all corn ethanol
produced during the averaging period, calculated per the formula below.

GHGuc is calculated according to the following formula:

Where:

9.73 = Upstream emissions factor for corn, in kgC02e per bushel, based on the lifecycle emissions
modeling done by EPA for the March 2010 RFS rule.

Bc = Bushels of corn used as feedstock to produce ethanol during the averaging time period in terms of a
standard bushel at 15.5% moisture. Bc is calculated according to the following formula:

BCm = Bushels of corn used to produce ethanol during the averaging time period.

mc = Average moisture content of corn, in mass percent, for the corn delivered for use as
feedstock to produce ethanol during the averaging time period.

0.155 = Moisture content of a standard bushel of corn at 56 pounds per bushel.

Vcss = Vs - Vkfs, the standardized volume of corn starch ethanol produced during the averaging time
period, in gallons of undenatured ethanol.

LCghgc = GHGuc + GHGpc + GHGd

10.11 *5,

Where:

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Vs = Standardized volume of all ethanol produced at the facility during the averaging time period
(including both corn starch and grain sorghum ethanol), in gallons of undenatured ethanol. In
determining the standardized volume, the actual volumes of ethanol shall be adjusted to a standard
temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit using the following formula:

Vc= VA*\ 1 - 0.00114*

{T + 459.67}*-

{60 + 459.67}*-

Where:

Va = Actual volume of undenatured ethanol, in gallons.

T = Actual temperature of ethanol, in degrees Fahrenheit, measured at the same time that VA is
measured.

0.00114 = Coefficient to standardize volumes of undenatured ethanol.

60 = Standard temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, for volumes of ethanol.

459.67 and 5/9 = Conversion factors for Fahrenheit to Kelvin

Vkfs = Standardized volume of ethanol produce from corn starch or grain sorghum kernel fiber at the
facility during the averaging time period, in gallons of undenatured ethanol, determined in accordance
with the methods and techniques specified in the facility's activated registration on file with EPA for the
crop residue (i.e., corn or grain sorghum kernel fiber) ethanol pathway in row K of Table 1 to 40 CFR
80.1426.

0.076 = Energy content of ethanol, in mmBtu/gallon (lower heating value).

GHGpc is calculated according to the following formula:

niin _ ghgtherm + ghgelec

GHGpc - Ks . 0.076

Where:

GHGjherm = Emissions, in kgC02e, associated with producing and using thermal energy used for
feedstock, fuel and co-product operations during the averaging period. GHGjherm is calculated according
to the following formula:

GHG therm = ^(P£p * LHVPEiP * EFPEiP) + BIO * EFbi0

p=l

Where:

p = Type of fuel used.

PEp = a measure of the amount of fuel p used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product
operations, as follows:

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PEi = Standard cubic feet (scf) of natural gas used in feedstock, fuel and co-product
operations.

PE2 = Standard cubic feet (scf) of biogas CH4 from landfills, waste treatment plants and/or
waste digesters used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product operations.

PE3 = Tons of coal, used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product operations.

LHVpe,p = Lower Heating Value factor for fuel type p, as follows:

LHVpE,i = 983 Btu per scf of natural gas.

LHVpe,2 = 983 Btu per scf of biogas CH4.

LHVpe,3 = 19,546,300 Btu per ton of coal.

EFpe,p = Lifecycle emissions factor for fuel type p, (based on lower heating value) as follows:

EFpe,i = 7.34 * 10"5 kgC02e per Btu of natural gas.

EFpe,2 = 1.15 * 10 s kgC02e per Btu of biogas CH4.

EFpe,3 = 1.06 * 10"4 kgC02e per Btu of coal.

BIO = Dry pounds (0% moisture) of biomass used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-
product operations.

EFbio = 1.98 * 10"2 kgC02e per dry lbs of crop residue biomass.

GHG elec - Emissions, in kgC02e, associated with producing and using electrical energy for feedstock, fuel
and co-product operations during the averaging period. GHGelec is calculated according to the following
formula:

GHGelec = ELEC * EFeiec

Where:

ELEC = kWh of Grid electricity used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product
operations.

EFeiec = 0.467 kgC02e per kWh of grid electricity, based on the United States grid average.

Days with missing data

For all corn ethanol produced by the facility during a day where there is missing data on any of the
factors described above, the corn ethanol produced on all such days is assessed as having lifecycle
emissions of 99.0 kgC02e per mmBtu. In the spreadsheet, this is done by adjusting GHGD so that the
lifecycle emissions for those days equals 99.0 kgC02e per mmBtu.

Corn Starch Ethanol Produced at Facility That Also Uses Grain Sorghum Feedstock

Note that facilities that process grain sorghum are not currently eligible to co-produce cellulosic biofuel

(D code 3) RINs for ethanol produced from corn kernel fiber. Thus, the emissions estimation formulas for

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these facilities do not include parameters to account separately for ethanol volumes that may be
produced from corn kernel fiber.

The 365-day rolling average lifecycle emissions are calculated using the following formula:

LCghgc = GHGuc + GHGpc + GHGd

Where:

LCghgc = Lifecycle emissions, in kgC02e/mmBtu, of the volume of all corn ethanol produced at the facility
during the averaging time period.

GHGd = Downstream emissions, in kgC02e/mmBtu, related to the distribution and use of all corn ethanol
produced during the averaging period, calculated per the formula below.

GHGuc is calculated according to the following formula:

Where:

9.88 = Upstream emissions factor for corn, in kgC02e per bushel, based on the lifecycle emissions
modeling done by EPA for the March 2010 RFS rule.

Bc = Bushels of corn used as feedstock to produce ethanol during the averaging time period in terms of a
standard bushel at 15.5% moisture. Bc is calculated according to the following formula:

BCm = Bushels of corn used to produce ethanol during the averaging time period.

mc = Average moisture content of corn, in mass percent, for the corn delivered for use as
feedstock to produce ethanol during the averaging time period.

0.155 = Moisture content of a standard bushel of corn at 56 pounds per bushel.

Vcss = Vs - Vkfs, the standardized volume of corn starch ethanol produced during the averaging
time period, in gallons of undenatured ethanol.

10.11 *5,

Where:

Va = Actual volume of undenatured ethanol, in gallons.

T = Actual temperature of ethanol, in degrees Fahrenheit, measured at the same time that VA is
measured.

0.00114 = Coefficient to standardize volumes of undenatured ethanol.

60 = Standard temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, for volumes of ethanol.

459.67 and 5/9 = Conversion factors for Fahrenheit to Kelvin

Vkfs = Standardized volume of ethanol produce from corn starch or grain sorghum kernel fiber
at the «Facility» facility during the averaging time period, in gallons of undenatured ethanol,
determined in accordance with the methods and techniques specified in «Company»'s
activated registration on file with EPA for the crop residue (i.e., corn or grain sorghum kernel
fiber) ethanol pathway in row K of Table 1 to 40 CFR 80.1426.

0.076 = Energy content of ethanol, in mmBtu/gallon (lower heating value).

Rr = (V—t:—\ which is the ratio of corn feedstock used, on a mass basis.

c Vbc+bgs;'

Where:

Bgs = Bushels of grain sorghum used as feedstock to produce ethanol during the averaging time
period in terms of a standard bushel at 13% moisture. BGs is be calculated according to the
following formula:

BGSm = Measured bushels of grain sorghum used as feedstock to produce ethanol during the
averaging time period.

mgs = Average moisture content of grain sorghum, in mass percent, for the grain sorghum
delivered for use as feedstock to produce ethanol during the averaging time period.

0.13 = Moisture content of a standard bushel of grain sorghum at 56 pounds per bushel.

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GHGpc is calculated according to the following formula:

GHG therm i

ELEC

GHGPc =

0.963 * Rgs + Rc 0.993 *

0.993 * Rq5 + Rq

y5 * 0.076

Where:

GHGjherm = Emissions, in kgC02e, associated with producing and using thermal energy used for
feedstock, fuel and co-product operations during the averaging period. GHGjherm is calculated according
to the following formula:

Where:

p = Type of fuel used.

PEp = a measure of the amount of fuel p used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product
operations, as follows:

PEi = Standard cubic feet (scf) of natural gas used in feedstock, fuel and co-product
operations.

PE2 = Standard cubic feet (scf) of biogas CH4 from landfills, waste treatment plants and/or
waste digesters used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product operations.

PE3 = Tons of coal, used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product operations.

LHVpe,p = Lower Heating Value factor for fuel type p, as follows:

LHVpe,i = 983 Btu per scf of natural gas.

LHVpe,2 = 983 Btu per scf of biogas CH4.

LHVpe,3 = 19,546,300 Btu per ton of coal.

EFpe,p = Lifecycle emissions factor for fuel type p, (based on lower heating value) as follows:

EFpe,i = 7.34 * 10"5 kgC02e per Btu of natural gas.

EFpe,2 = 1.15 * 10 s kgC02e per Btu of biogas CH4.

EFpe,3 = 1.06 * 10"4 kgC02e per Btu of coal.

BIO = Dry pounds (0% moisture) of biomass used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-
product operations.

EFbio = 1.98 * 10"2 kgC02e per dry lbs of crop residue biomass.

Rgs =	, which is the ratio of grain sorghum feedstock used, on a mass basis.

3

GHG therm ~

^\~PEp * LHVpe,p * efpe,p) + BI° * EFbi0

p=1

21

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GHG elec - Emissions, in kgC02e, associated with producing and using electrical energy for feedstock, fuel
and co-product operations during the averaging period. GHGelec is calculated according to the following
formula:

GHGelec = ELEC * EFeiec

Where:

ELEC = kWh of Grid electricity used as energy used for feedstock, fuel and co-product
operations.

EFeiec = 0.467 kgC02e per kWh of grid electricity, based on the United States grid average.

0.963 = Adjustment factor for grain sorghum processing using 3.7% less thermal energy than corn
ethanol processing.

0.993 = Adjustment factor for grain sorghum processing using 0.7% less electrical energy than corn
ethanol processing. GHGD is calculated to be 2.1 kgC02e per mmBtu of ethanol.

Days with missing data

Grain Sorghum Ethanol

The 365-day rolling average lifecycle emissions are calculated using the following formula:

LCghggs = GHGugs + GHG PGS + GHGd

Where the terms in the equation are the similar to the terms specified above for corn ethanol lifecycle
emissions, but with references to corn replaced with grain sorghum.

GHGugs is calculated according to the following formula:

8.82 * Bqq
r u r —

Ugs (Vgss* 0.076* Rqs)

Where:

8.76 = Upstream emissions factor for grain sorghum, in kgC02e per bushel, based on the lifecycle
emissions modeling done by EPA for the December 2012 grain sorghum rule.

Vgss = Vs - Vkfs, the standardized volume of grain sorghum starch ethanol produced during the
averaging time period, in gallons of undenatured ethanol.

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GHGpgs is calculated according to the following formula:

	^HGtherm	 q ago j	GHGelec	 „ „„T

_ 0.963 *Rgs + Rc	+ 0.993 * RGS + Rc U'y^

GHGp°s ~	Vs * 0.076

Days with missing data

Days with missing data for grain sorghum ethanol are treated the same as days with missing data for
corn ethanol (see above).

23

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