EPA Finalizes 2013 Biomass-Based
Diesel Volume
In today's action we are establishing an applicable volume of 1.28
bill gallons for biomass-based diesel (BED) for 2013. This volume
represents an increase over the 1.0 bill gallons that was required in
2012, and will provide a substantial portion of the advanced biofuel
requirement of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. We are
setting this volume for 2013 based on consideration of the factors
specified in the statute, including a consideration of biodiesel produc-
tion, consumption, and infrastructure issues. As required under the
statute, we also assessed the likely impact of BED production and use
in a variety of areas, including climate change, energy security, the
agricultural sector, air quality, and others.
Today's final rule does not specify the percentage standard for biomass-
based diesel in 2013, but only the applicable volume. The percentage
standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced bio*
fuel, and total renewable fuel that will be applicable in 2013 will be
proposed in a separate Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
Background
Under the Clean Air Act Section 211 (o), as amended by the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required
to determine and promulgate the applicable volume of biomass-based diesel that will
be required in 2013 and beyond, as the statute does not specify the applicable volumes
for years after 2012,
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
EPA-420-F-12-059
September 2012
-------
In a final rulemaking published on January 9, 2012, we specified the 2012 standards for cellu-
losic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel. At that time we
did not finalize the applicable volume of biomass-based diesel for 2013, explaining that we were
continuing to evaluate the many comments on the July 1, 2011 proposal from stakeholders as
well as fulfilling other analytical requirements.
Establishing the Standard
The volume we are finalizing today is feasible and consistent with the overall analytic approach
to the RFS2 program and also consistent with the overall intent of the Act to expand the use
of renewable fuels through the year 2022. Producers of biodiesel, the largest contributor to
biomass-based diesel, have significantly greater production capacity than will be required by to-
day's final rule. Moreover, many facilities that are producing volume currently are underutilizing
their capacity, and can ramp up production relatively quickly. Finally, the biodiesel industry is
already producing at a rate consistent with an annual volume of about 1.3 billion gallons which
is enough to meet our established standards.
For More Information
For more information on this proposal, please visit the RFS website at:
www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels
To submit a question on the RFS program, and to view Frequently Asked Questions, please visit:
www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/compliancehelp/index.htm
------- |