“Producing advanced biofuels in the United States promotes economic opportunities for communities across the country and increases market access for our nation’s farmers,” the Congressmembers write. “A strong RFS and availability of homegrown agricultural feedstocks are crucial to meeting the nation’s goal for new advanced biofuels for sustainable aviation (SAF), maritime, rail, home heating, and off-road heavy-duty markets.”

The House letter is available here.

“We look forward to working with you on 2026 standards that raise RFS volumes for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels to levels that are consistent with production and availability,” the Representatives conclude.

Eighteen Senators sent a similar letter on June 12.

The administration’s recently released Spring 2024 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions indicates that the 2026 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes will not be finalized until December 2025, more than a year later than required by statute.

Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America, added, “We appreciate the bipartisan effort to urge EPA to meet statutory deadlines for the Renewable Fuel Standard. Increased production and market space for advanced biofuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel has always been the goal of the program. EPA needs to act fast to get the program back on track.

Contact: Paul Winters, pwinters@cleanfuels.org, 202-737-8803

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Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels Vice President of Federal Affairs, said, “We greatly appreciate Secretary Vilsack joining us today and acknowledging our industry’s need for both timely and accurate rules on climate smart ag practices. In speaking to our members, the Secretary delivered a message to representatives from the entire value chain of clean fuel production, from soy and canola farmers and feedstock producers to biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF producers and users.”

Clean Fuels hosted 100 industry representatives this week, Monday, June 24 – Wednesday, June 26, at its annual June Membership in Washington, D.C.

Kovarik continued, “We appreciate the fact that Secretary Vilsack understands the importance of having guidance for 45Z well in advance of January 1, 2025, so farmers, producers and fuel customers have the certainty to continue to produce and use low-carbon biomass-based diesel. While this request for information will have broader applications than just guidance on next year’s Clean Fuel Production Credit, it can inform the modeling and measurement of lifecycle carbon scores at the center of the credit. As Secretary Vilsack noted, farmers are already employing practices that continually improve the environmental profile of their operations and the carbon lifecycle for clean fuel production. We welcome his call for our industry to get that message to other federal stakeholders.”

Contact: Paul Winters, pwinters@cleanfuels.org, 202-737-8803.

The post Clean Fuels Welcomes USDA Request for Information on Climate Smart Ag appeared first on Clean Fuels Alliance America.

“As the agency set the RFS rule last year, Clean Fuels asked EPA to support achievable growth in biomass-based diesel of 500 million gallons a year. That request was very conservative, since the industry’s achieved growth of 4.6 billion gallons is significantly higher,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “We warned EPA that the ‘no growth’ rule they set would undercut investments, economic opportunities for our industry and environmental benefits. Unfortunately, we’re seeing those consequences now.”

Kovarik continued, “Clean Fuels is asking EPA to use the industry’s demonstrated production in 2023 as a baseline and allow additional growth in 2024 and 2025. Clean Fuels believes that EPA should set the biomass-based diesel volume for 2024 at 5.1 billion gallons and for 2025 at 5.6 billion gallons, with proportional increases for the overall advanced and overall renewable fuel volumes.”

Clean Fuels’ petition highlights data available to EPA at the time the RFS rule was finalized that signaled aggressive growth in available volumes of biomass-based diesel:

• Data from EPA’s Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) shows that qualifying biomass-based diesel production increased by more than 30% — or 400 million gallons – in the first five months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short Term Energy Outlook (STEO) for June 2023 projected increases in U.S. production of biodiesel and renewable diesel of more than 800 million gallons in 2023 and 900 million gallons in 2024.
• Companies made significant investments in new production capacity prior to the set rule. Those companies have followed through to bring planned capacity online.
• U.S. companies made significant investments in new oilseed processing capacity prior to the set rule. Profit margins for processing and prices for all fats and oils across the board have dropped, due to the lack of demand drivers.
• USDA Foreign Ag Service data showed values for imported fats and oils doubled from 2021 to 2023, prior to the set rule. Yet EPA discounted availability of imported feedstocks that would support the industry’s growth.

Clean Fuels’ petition further highlights the negative impacts that will continue to materialize if EPA does not revise the 2024 and 2025 volumes. Due to the squeeze on available market space for advanced biofuels:

• 116 million gallons of annual biodiesel production capacity has idled and 12 million gallons has permanently closed.
• Approximately 1.4 billion gallons per year of planned renewable diesel capacity has been delayed. Nearly 350 million gallons of announced capacity has been reduced or canceled.
• Approximately 800 million gallons of planned SAF production has been delayed.
• Combined, biodiesel and renewable diesel production is running about 1.28 billion gallons below existing capacity. This difference equates to an opportunity cost of 40,768 jobs and almost $14 billion in economic activity.
• If the RVO was aligned with today’s production capacity, the United States could avoid an additional 11 million metric tons of CO2e relative to today’s actual production volumes.

The petition is available on CleanFuels.org.

Contact: Paul Winters, pwinters@cleanfuels.org, 202-737-8803

The post Clean Fuels Petitions EPA to Reconsider 2024 and 2025 RFS Volumes appeared first on Clean Fuels Alliance America.

“I can’t think of anyone who has been more influential in the technical aspects of biodiesel use and the development of biodiesel standards than Steve Howell,” said Teresa Alleman, D02 First Vice-Chair and Quality Specialist at HF Sinclair Midstream. “His tireless efforts, and unique ability to develop a consensus among parties, that are in many cases diametrically opposed, places him in a very special group of people. The Eagle Award is one of the highest honors from ASTM, and this recognition is well-deserved.”

Howell said activity on fuel quality standards for biodiesel blends over B20 (20% biodiesel)—and the research and technical data to support them—is at an all-time high. The recent increase stems from the need to lower the total metals and phosphorus levels in B100 (100% biodiesel) to maintain support for B20 in today’s diesel engines as well as the new aftertreatment systems slated for introduction in 2027.

“Clean Fuels, the national trade association representing biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, heavily invested in the engine testing that provided the data we used to ballot a new low metals grade into ASTM D6751, the standard for biodiesel,” said Howell. “That testing showed B20 with lower metals had no adverse effects on NOx and aftertreatment systems over the full useful life of diesel engines, which is increasing to 435,000 miles.”

Efforts to maximize lifecycle carbon emission reductions using existing diesel equipment is also driving interest in higher biodiesel blends. The latest advancement, an update to the specification for fuel use in marine transportation, now covers biodiesel blends up to B100. ISO 8217:2024 was achieved through extensive collaboration between industry stakeholders and technical experts. Howell said as they continue to secure technical data for higher biodiesel blends, the task force will ballot standards covering up to B100 for all diesel applications.

Contact: Heather Buechter, 479-651-7301, hbuechter@cleanfuels.org

The post ASTM International Honors Steve Howell with Prestigious Eagle Award appeared first on Clean Fuels Alliance America.

“America’s environmental and energy security depend on the widespread production, availability, and use of biofuels. Biofuels play a particularly critical role in emissions reduction for heavy-duty transportation — including aviation, shipping, rail, and trucking — while opening up economic opportunities for American farmers,” the Senators wrote. “A strong RFS and broad availability of homegrown agricultural feedstocks bolster the domestic fuel supply and are critical for ensuring we keep up the progress we have made in decarbonizing our roads, seas, railways, and skies.”

“Iowa businesses are bearing the consequences of the Biden EPA’s 2023 rule that set extraordinarily low RFS volumes. To give you an example of the impacts, a plant in Ralston was forced to shut down as a result, which cost local jobs and hurt Iowa families,” Grassley said. “The EPA ought to embrace biofuels by correcting its past mistake and increasing 2026 levels in line with market data. Our producers are ready to supply communities with clean, bio-based fuels — if only the federal government would help facilitate their work rather than institute burdens.”

Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America, added, “More and more heavy-duty transportation industries are looking for reliable, cost-effective, low-carbon solutions that are available now. U.S. clean fuels producers and feedstock suppliers have made significant investments to build the capacity to deliver those solutions right now. Those investments expand markets for U.S. agriculture, support domestic energy security, and drive economic opportunities for rural communities. EPA must act in a timely manner on the 2026 RFS volumes and utilize the best available production data to support advanced biofuel market adoption.”

The letter is available here.

Contact: Paul Winters, 202-737-8803, pwinters@cleanfuels.org

The post Clean Fuels Applauds Senate Letter Urging Higher RFS Volumes appeared first on Clean Fuels Alliance America.

By adopting the updated spec, ISO aims to facilitate the integration of low-carbon liquid fuels including biodiesel into the marine fuel supply chain, contributing to greater greenhouse gas emissions reductions and supporting efforts to combat climate change.

ISO 8217:2024 ensures that biodiesel blends up to 100% meet rigorous performance standards, maintaining engine efficiency and reliability. The specification addresses critical parameters such as viscosity, flash point, and sulfur content, guaranteeing that biodiesel blends perform on par with conventional marine fuels.

“With the adoption of this updated specification, we are paving the way for higher blends of biodiesel use in marine transportation,” said Scott Fenwick, Technical Director at Clean Fuels Alliance America. “Biodiesel offers a viable solution for reducing emissions now while promoting sustainability on a global scale.”

The approval of ISO 8217:2024 is the result of extensive collaboration between industry stakeholders and technical experts to ensure that the spec meets the practical needs of the maritime sector while supporting a changing regulatory environment.

Contact: Heather Buechter, 479-651-7301, hbuechter@cleanfuels.org

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“With the Sec. 45Z credit set to take effect January 1, 2025, our member companies and organizations may face significant headwinds and business risk if this guidance is not published promptly,” the groups write. “Any extended delays in publication of guidance for the Sec. 45Z credit may disrupt project timelines, impede capital flows, and threaten existing production and demand for low carbon renewable fuels.”

Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America, added, “U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers are facing uncertainty as the transition from the biodiesel and renewable diesel blender credit to the producer credit. They are facing difficulties already as they try to negotiate feedstock and fuel offtake contracts for next year. The need for policy certainty is urgent.”

Joining Clean Fuels in signing the letter are Advanced Biofuels Business Council, Airlines for America, Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition, American Biogas Council, American Short Line and Regional Railroads Association, American Soybean Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, Association of American Railroads, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Cargo Airline Association, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Growth Energy, Methanol Institute, National Air Transportation Association, National Business Aviation Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Renderers Association, Renewable Fuel Association, SAF Coalition, U.S. Canola Association, Vertical Aviation International, and Waste Gas Capture Initiative.

Contact: Paul Winters, 202-737-8803, pwinters@cleanfuels.org.

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The Clean Fuels Governing Board appointed Courtney Lawrenson, Vice President – Oils and Energy at AGP, as Second Vice-Chair succeeding Gary Louis who recently retired from his role with Seaboard Energy. Lawrenson brings a wealth of expertise as Second Vice-Chair with over a decade of experience in the clean fuels industry, serving as a board member since 2022.

Clean Fuels praised Louis for his years of service to the industry during his tenure as President and CEO of Seaboard Energy and wishes him well in his retirement.

Peter Ostenfeld-Rosenthal, incoming President and CEO at Seaboard Energy, joins the board as a new member filling a void left by Louis’ retirement. Following an impressive career as an oil and gas executive, Ostenfeld-Rosenthal most recently served as Vice President of Operations at Seaboard, where he led a renewable diesel refinery and two biodiesel plants, among other organizational assets. His dedication to building a framework that supports operational excellence will aid in the success of Clean Fuels as the association continues toward its vision of reaching six billion gallons by 2030.

Additionally, Kerry Fogarty, Quality Control Manager at Incobrasa Industries, Ltd. joined the board filling a vacancy left by Danielle Brannen’s resignation. With over 25 years of experience in the soybean crushing industry, Fogarty’s extensive industry knowledge and commitment to biodiesel quality will undoubtedly contribute to the organization’s strategic direction and efforts to promote the use of clean fuels.

“We are thrilled to have Courtney step into the role of Second Vice-Chair and welcome Peter and Kerry to our esteemed Governing Board,” said Donnell Rehagen, Clean Fuels CEO. “Their leadership and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to advance the interests of biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.”

In the past eight months, Clean Fuels has also welcomed several new members who share a commitment to sustainable industry growth. These include:

• Alliance Technical Group: With more than 1,400 specialists located in 40-plus offices nationwide, Alliance provides premier technical solutions to support the full spectrum of our customers’ environmental needs.
• North Carolina Soybean Producers Association: The Qualified State Soybean Board to administer soybean checkoff-funded programs in North Carolina.
• Nuseed: A global leader in the development and commercialization of sustainable oilseed crops for renewable fuels.
• PepsiCo: A multinational food and beverage corporation committed to reducing its carbon footprint through sustainable fuel initiatives.
• RenStar, LLC: An innovative company specializing in renewable energy solutions, including biodiesel and renewable diesel.
• RICHARD: The industry leader in the engineering, design, and construction of the largest Renewable Diesel projects in the U.S. to date.
• Westmor Industries: A renowned manufacturer of equipment for the storage, transportation, and distribution of renewable fuels.
• WayTrade: A forward-thinking logistics company dedicated to maximizing the distribution of renewable fuels.

These new members join Clean Fuels at a pivotal time for the industry, as companies continue to search for cleaner alternatives to traditional fossil fuels to decarbonize heavy-duty transportation sectors.

“We are witnessing unprecedented growth driven by increasing awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of our fuels,” remarked Rehagen. “Our Governing Board and our members play a vital role in advocating for policies that support this growth and drive innovation in clean fuel technologies.”

Contact: Heather Buechter, 479-651-7301, hbuechter@cleanfuels.org

The post Clean Fuels Alliance America Announces Membership Growth and Governing Board Changes appeared first on Clean Fuels Alliance America.

Clean Fuels urges USDA and Treasury to further update the GREET model to include additional climate smart agriculture practices specific to oilseed crops and quickly finalize rules for the 2025-2027 tax incentives (§45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit), which will support U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF producers.

“Clean Fuels and its members appreciate the significant work of USDA and other federal agencies to account for the role that U.S. farmers will play in decarbonizing the nation’s aviation fuel,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels. “U.S. farmers and SAF producers will continue to work with the agencies to rapidly expand SAF production over the next few years.”

Clean Fuels continues to assess the changes to the GREET model unveiled today, including updated indirect emission penalties for U.S. oilseed crops like soy and canola. Clean Fuels believes there is more work to be done to enable credit for climate smart agriculture practices that U.S. farmers are deploying.

“Biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF producers are already negotiating feedstock and fuel offtake contracts for 2025, so we look forward to working with Treasury and USDA to quickly turn attention to guidance for the Clean Fuel Production Credit that begins on January 1 next year.” Kovarik added. “We believe there are additional climate smart agriculture practices and industry data that can be incorporated in the GREET model to support the continued sustainable growth of the entire clean fuel industry.”

Contact: Paul Winters, 202-737-8803, pwinters@cleanfuels.org

The post Clean Fuels Welcomes §40B SAF GREET Model appeared first on Clean Fuels Alliance America.

According to a new analysis by Dr. Tom Butcher of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), the industry has surpassed its goal of reducing GHGs 15% by 2023, achieving a nearly 26% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through a combination of energy efficiency improvements and increased use of renewable fuels such as Bioheat® Fuel, a blend of sustainable biodiesel with conventional home heating oil.

“The heating oil industry has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint over the past five years,” said Sean Cota, President & CEO of the industry’s Washington-based trade association, the National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI).

“These mostly small, multi-generational family businesses are playing an outsized role in carbon reduction in the Northeast,” Cota added. “They will continue to prove pivotal in the years to come as governments at all levels seek to achieve ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in a manner that is equitable and achievable, and that preserves energy security and reliability.”

At its sixth annual industry summit, held in Weehawken, New Jersey this week, the industry celebrated numerous successes and innovations, including:

• UL standards that recognize higher biofuel blends in oil-fired heating equipment
• Manufacturers introducing burners and heating systems to the market that are certified for blends of up to 100% biodiesel (B100)
• New federal tax credits for homeowners who upgrade to more efficient oil-fired furnaces and boilers that are designed for use with higher blends of renewable fuels
• Securing federal grants for downstream biofuel infrastructure investments for heating oil

Working closely with state governments, heating oil state associations advocated for biofuel blending requirements in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island that will eventually require blends as high as 50-percent. Additionally, heating oil blended with biofuels are expected to generate credits under emerging “clean heat standards” now being developed in Massachusetts and Vermont, and in the early stages of development in several other Northeast states.

Renewable fuels have proven to be an immediate, cost-effective, and equitable means of reducing emissions in the building sector, particularly for the nearly five million Northeast homes and businesses that rely on heating oil dealers for warmth and comfort each winter.

“There is still work ahead, and we are ready for the challenge,” said NEFI Board Chair Ray Hart, a full-service heating oil dealer based out of Long Island, New York.

“This is an industry of hard-working American men and women that care deeply for their neighbors, their local communities, and the environment,” he said. “Together, we can achieve great heights.”

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ENERGY & FUELS INSTITUTE (NEFI)
Since 1942, NEFI has been a leading voice for wholesale and retail liquid heating fuel distributors and related services companies in Washington, DC and throughout the country. Its members are mostly small, multigenerational family businesses that deliver warmth and comfort to millions of American homes. NEFI hosts annual summits, such as today’s event in Weehawken, NJ, that provide an opportunity for stakeholders to gather and discuss pathways to voluntarily achieve carbon reduction goals consistent with industry commitments, including widespread deployment of renewable liquid heating fuels and high efficiency technologies. More at www.nefi.com.

Contact: Heather Buechter, 479-651-7301, hbuechter@cleanfuels.org

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