U.S. EPA Finalizes 2013 Standards Under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the 2013 volume requirements and associated percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel that must be blended into transportation fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2). The 2013 standards are 6.00 million gallons (0.004%) cellulosic biofuels; 1.28 billion gallons (1.13%) biomass-based diesel, 2.75 billion gallons (1.62%) advanced biofuels; and 16.55 billion gallons (9.74%) total renewable fuels. In the final rule, EPA also extended the date by which obligated parties must demonstrate compliance with the 2013 standards to June 30, 2014. In addition, EPA announced that the proposed rule for the 2014 standards will include adjustments to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 RFS2 volume requirements, including the advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel categories, taking into account biofuel supply, the ethanol blendwall, current infrastructure, and market-based limitations. For more information, refer to the final rule and the EPA Renewable Fuels: Regulations and Standards website.