JEFFERSON CITY, MO – A recent Life Cycle Assessment conducted by Sustainable Solutions Corporation (SSC) for the United Soybean Board (USB) and the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) reveals a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of U.S. Soy throughout its cultivation, harvesting, transportation and processing stages. The assessment highlights a notable 22% decrease in the carbon footprint associated with U.S. production of crude soy oil, which is a key feedstock for U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel and SAF producers.

Soybean production and oil processing constitute more than 40% of the carbon intensity (CI) score for soy biodiesel. The improvements documented in this report are expected to translate into reductions in CI across the clean fuels industry.

Clean Fuels Alliance America assisted USB and NOPA in ensuring the data collected for processors in the report aligns with data specifications for GREET, so it could be easily integrated into GREET model updates.

“We look forward to working with Argonne National Laboratory through the data quality assessment process to update the GREET model to reflect the latest improvements in the industry,” said Veronica Bradley, Environmental Scientist at Clean Fuels Alliance America.

The Life Cycle Assessment of U.S. Soybeans, Soybean Meal, and Soy Oil report can be found here.

Materials supported by the United Soybean Board, soybean farmers and their checkoffs.

About United Soybean Board (USB): United Soybean Board’s 77 volunteer farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers create value by investing in research, education and promotion with the vision to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day across the three priority areas of Infrastructure & Connectivity, Health & Nutrition, and Innovation & Technology. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on USB, visit unitedsoybean.org.

About National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA): Founded in 1930, NOPA is the national trade organization located in Washington, DC representing the U.S. soybean, canola, flaxseed, safflower seed, and sunflower seed crushing industries. Our 15 members operate a total of 62 soybean & 5 softseed solvent extraction plants across 21 states. NOPA members produce meal and oil used in human food, animal feed, fuel and for industrial applications. Collectively, NOPA members process 95 percent of all soybeans in the U.S. which accounts to over 2 billion bushels annually. For more information on NOPA, visit nopa.org.  

Contact: Heather Buechter, hbuechter@cleanfuels.org.

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“The success of our industry relies on growing support from a broad mix of organizations who understand the value of clean fuels as a solution to decarbonize,” said Donnell Rehagen, Clean Fuels CEO. “The addition of these members demonstrates the benefit they see in being part of our trade association and the ongoing expansion of this industry.”

Clean Fuels’ newest members include:

Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri – With biodiesel as an important economic contributor across Missouri, the Coalition works to increase the availability of clean, renewable biodiesel through promotion, training and advocacy initiatives.

Canary Biofuels Inc. – a biofuel producer in Lethbridge, Alta. and Stockton, Calif. with the goal of taking 1 million tons annually of Greenhouse Gas Emissions off the road by 2026. Canary’s vision is to reduce carbon emissions at scale, through the sustainable production of biofuels and related co-products.

CNH Industrial America LLC – a world-class equipment and services company that sustainably advances the noble work of agriculture and construction workers. The company provides strategic direction, R&D capabilities, and investments that enable the success of its core brands.

Consolidated Grain & Barge – an innovative and progressive leader in the grain and transportation industries since 1969. From their modest start in a small office in St. Louis, Mo., CGB has grown into a diverse organization delivering solutions that include everything from buying, storing, selling and shipping of agricultural products, to global supply chain solutions.

Gevo – commercializing the next generation of renewable gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel with the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions, addressing the market need of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable alternatives. Gevo’s primary market focus, given current demand and growing customer interest, is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Gilbarco Veeder-Root – Since 1865, Gilbarco, an operating company under Vontier, has manufactured the world’s leading fueling and convenience store equipment and technology. Gilbarco Veeder-Root is now mobilizing the future by addressing changing energy grid and transportation needs through ultrafast EV chargers, alternative fuels, emissions testing technology and powerful analytics.

Indigenous Energy, Inc. – a renewable fuels and energy consulting firm that partners with stakeholders to promote and advance the use of biodiesel and other sustainable alternative fuels, energies and technologies.

Par Pacific Holdings – a growth-oriented company that owns and operates market-leading energy and infrastructure businesses in logistically complex markets. Par Pacific combines experience in the oil and gas industry with corporate financing know-how.

Restaurant Technologies – Restaurant Technologies helps foodservice operators make their kitchens safer, smarter, more efficient and more sustainable through its automated oil storage, handling, filtration monitoring and disposal management systems and AutoMist™ automated exhaust cleaning solutions.

Clean Fuels is excited to welcome these new members and remains committed to their success. Their involvement will further enhance the strong representation of biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in the marketplace.

“Through the support of our members, Clean Fuels has delivered industry growth to over 3-billion-gallons a year,” said Rehagen. “We are well positioned to deliver on our 6-billion-gallon vision, and we welcome companies that share that vision to join us and get engaged in the process.”

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

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In the race to lower carbon emissions and combat climate change, one resource that is nearly depleted is time. Carbon added to the atmosphere today compounds the environmental challenges of tomorrow, and because of technological and infrastructure restraints, many industries that rely on heavy-duty (and often heavy-polluting) equipment are years or even decades away from electrification.

“To meet the ambitious carbon reduction goals that Americans are aiming for, we have to use all of the tools in our toolbox,” says Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen. “Both clean fuels and electric vehicles have important roles to play in staving off the detrimental effects of climate change and make progress toward those goals.”

For many companies and municipalities, switching to biofuels has proven to be a simple and effective way to meet their carbon reduction goals.

“Carbon emissions are cumulative, and they persist in the atmosphere. Anytime we can reduce more carbon now, it has less opportunity to persist in our environment,” says Scott Fenwick, technical director for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “[Biofuels] have the ability to immediately impact carbon emissions today, versus waiting five or ten years for electric vehicles to become viable and affordable, and will do more in the long term to reduce these emissions.”

Electric vehicles have become more attainable for light-duty passenger vehicles, and this success has many people dreaming of an all-electric future. However, for some applications, significant technology development is still needed.

“You have folks who really want to leapfrog technology and go straight from fossil fuel equipment to electric equipment, but the technology to go all electric is not there yet,” says Veronica Bradley, director of environmental science at Clean Fuels Alliance America.

She remarked that there are many uses for clean fuels in equipment, like commercial aircraft, that don’t have an electric option today. For example, she said that with today’s technology, the battery for a 737 would take up the whole aircraft, leaving no room for passengers or cargo. Sustainable aviation fuel, which is now coming to the market, lowers emissions by changing what’s in the tank, instead of changing the entire airplane.

Moreover, large transport vehicles such as semi-trucks travel long distances hauling heavy loads on rigid deadlines in areas without reliable access to charging infrastructure.

“There are still a lot of cases where electrification is not viable yet,” Fenwick says. “Those are the sweet spots for biodiesel and renewable diesel to be able to offer a low-carbon option for those uses and markets.”

And the OEMs are responding. Jennifer Weaver, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market development manager for Clean Fuels Alliance America, states that nearly all of them already support B20 biodiesel blends as well as renewable diesel, and they are working in tandem with Clean Fuels to drive innovation.

“We’re seeing OEMs have a significant interest in higher biodiesel blends, on the order of B30, B40, B50 all the way up to B100,” Weaver says. “These companies are getting pressure from their customers to do more to lower their carbon footprint and to meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.”

Biodiesel has evolved over the last several decades, and a growing number of companies and municipalities are using it to meet their carbon goals. With assistance from the Clean Fuels team and a push from new federal regulations, OEMs are developing cleaner engines that support higher biodiesel blends and emit less carbon.

“We are in the process of working with all of those OEMs as they are developing their strategies of how they’re going to meet that new emissions level to make sure that biodiesel is included as part of the equation,” Weaver says. “They are increasingly acknowledging that using an already low-carbon fuel in their engines is going to make it even easier for them to get there. We work with them far in advance of their production time to make sure that’s all contemplated, tested and thoroughly vetted by the time those new models hit the production line.”

This symbiotic relationship between Clean Fuels and the OEMs has led to a premium product that has less impact on the environment.

“We’re really proud of what the industry has done,” says Steve Howell, senior technical advisor for Clean Fuels and an early champion for biodiesel. “We’re selling over 3 billion gallons today, and we wouldn’t be selling that amount of fuel if the standards weren’t working.”

Howell says diesel engines are cleaner than ever before, and this industry will continue to evolve.

“One of the key things that Clean Fuels Alliance America is doing is making sure that we’re doing that research for the future, and I think that’s a competitive advantage for biodiesel and the biodiesel industry,” Howell says. “We used to think of diesel technology as ‘old, dirty diesels’, but now they are clean.”

It’s not just OEMs supporting clean fuels—municipalities are too. Weaver noted that cities were some of the earliest adopters and strongest supporters. She says one of the most notable adopters is New York City, the largest city in the United States.

“New York City uses biodiesel blends in over 11,000 diesel municipal fleet vehicles,” Weaver says. “Everything from sanitation trucks and police vehicles to parks department equipment, light towers and generators. They even use Bioheat for the heating oil that powers their buildings.”

Bioheat® fuel is a clean, renewable and cost-effective alternative to liquid heating fuels. Converting a home’s heating system to electric heating can cost up to $20,000, which is cost prohibitive for many, and the electric systems can place a heavy burden on electric grids. Bioheat fuel, just like biodiesel and renewable diesel, offers an immediate solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for those that rely on liquid fuels.

Carbon buildup in our atmosphere is truly a global problem and meaningful reduction will require all of the tools in our toolkit, including electrification and the continued development of new green technologies. Clean fuels—including biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and Bioheat—can slow the accumulation of carbon in our atmosphere and push back the detrimental effects of climate change today. Time may not be a renewable resource, but renewable fuels give companies and municipalities an option to cut the emissions of some of their heaviest polluting vehicles and equipment to make an immediate impact in their carbon footprints.

This article was funded by the United Soybean Board and state checkoff organizations.

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Clean Fuels Alliance America uses the slogan “Better. Cleaner. Now!” because there is urgency in the mission. Removing a pound of carbon from the atmosphere today is worth more than removing a pound of carbon from the atmosphere a year from now—and certainly, 10 or 20 years from now. Carbon emissions in the atmosphere are cumulative, and time is a multiplier for many of the problems created by greenhouse gases, whether global warming or, on a more personal level, health problems such as increased instances of severe asthma.

Corporations and regulators are realizing that they don’t have to wait years for new technology to meet sustainability goals. Instead, they’re turning to clean fuels to make an immediate impact. U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production continue to ramp up, and the upward trajectory of clean fuels will only continue as companies and municipalities increase carbon reduction efforts in their fleets.

We have the solution. Switching to clean fuels is more often than not the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to meet emissions goals, especially in the heavy-duty transportation sectors. U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production grew by 500 million gallons in 2022, and the rapid growth is continuing to accelerate. Production for the first quarter of the year was 33% higher than the first quarter of 2022.

Investments in clean fuels are being made on an unprecedented scale. Renewable diesel is coming online quickly as companies have committed $4.5 billion for increased crush capacity through new or expanded facilities. Renewable diesel went from less than 500 million gallons of production in 2019 to a projected 3.34 billion gallons this year. The U.S. EIA and researchers at the University of Illinois project close to 6 billion gallons of U.S. renewable diesel capacity will come online in the next few years.

Biodiesel production has also increased, and a recent investment has the potential to push many fleets from lower blends of biodiesel to B100. Optimus Technologies raised $17.8 million to fund the further development and deployment of its Vector System, an advanced fuel system technology that enables heavy-duty diesel engines to operate on 100% biodiesel. The Vector System integrates into existing engines in operation or can be built into new engines as they are manufactured, leveraging the foundational diesel engine for the transition to a low-carbon future.

The world is realizing the potential of clean fuels to solve heavy-duty problems. By the time the industry gathers for the 2024 Clean Fuels Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, a whole new set of opportunities will be on the horizon. We have more hard work to do, but our industry will keep hitting new milestones. We’re proud to be your partner as we lower carbon emissions today, tomorrow and years in the future.

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Let’s start with a straightforward figure that impacts anyone who owns a diesel vehicle or relies on the foods and retail goods that are shipped around the country, likely anyone reading this article. World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services (WAEES) released a study that found that the volumes of clean fuels added to the nation’s fuel supply decreases the cost of regular diesel. The result is a four percent decrease in the price of diesel, about 22 cents per gallon off the average national price. 

Reduced shipping and transportation costs affect us all, but another study captures biodiesel’s broader impact. The study “Economic Impact of Biodiesel on the U.S. Economy 2022” was conducted for Clean Fuels by LMC International, and it evaluates direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts and jobs across the entire value chain, from raw-material production, collection and processing to fuel production and distribution. According to the report, the biodiesel sector had an economic impact of $23.2 billion, created 75,200 jobs and paid $3.6 billion in annual wages in the United States.

The study found that the biodiesel sector generates the largest economic and employment benefits in the farming, oilseed processing and fuel production industries. The farm sector benefits from 30 percent of the overall economic activity, or $7.41 billion. It also supports 28,236 U.S. jobs earning $1.36 billion in wages. The oilseed-processing industry benefits from more than 21 percent of the economic activity, or $4.97 billion.

Finally, the latest analysis from Trinity Consultants demonstrated the potential of biodiesel to substantially improve our health by improving air quality. This phase of the study was conducted on 15 high-risk air quality communities coast-to-coast and reinforced that switching to biodiesel results in significant health benefits. Specifically, the benefits include decreased cancer risk, fewer premature deaths, reduced asthma attacks and fewer lost workdays. B100 (100% biodiesel) can achieve these benefits by reducing pollution in applications among the hardest to decarbonize – heavy-duty transportation and residential heating.

The Trinity study found that replacing diesel fuel with biodiesel in Washington D.C. alone could reduce the symptoms of asthma by nearly 13,000 incidents per year. It also found that annual lost workdays could be reduced by almost 5,700, representing close to $1.5 million in economic activity. Overall, the economic benefit of improved health in the Washington, D.C., area would total over $262 million each year.

Combining Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the study, researchers found that switching to 100% biodiesel in the 28 transportation and home heating oil areas studied would provide immediate community health improvements while avoiding over $7.5 billion in health costs annually. The study shows more than 456,000 fewer/reduced asthma cases per year, at least 142,000 fewer sick days per year, cancer cases reduced by more than 9,400 (over a 70-year timeframe), and prevention of more than 910 premature deaths per year. Of course, these health-related benefits extend beyond the 28 cities that were studied. Everyone benefits from cleaner air.

Every gallon of biodiesel sold improves lives. The new studies I’ve covered help quantify the significant and growing impact of biodiesel. Biodiesel isn’t a dream for a better tomorrow. It’s making a difference today.

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JEFFERSON CITY, MO – As interest in low carbon fuels gains momentum, Clean Fuels Alliance America continues to grow stronger and more diverse by adding new members. As Clean Fuels prepares for the Clean Fuels Conference in Tampa (January 23-26), the association welcomes eight new companies that joined the association in the last year.

“It’s an incredible time for the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industry as we accelerate toward our vision of 6 billion gallons by 2030,” said Donnell Rehagen, Clean Fuels CEO. “With the growth in demand, we see broader and growing interest in the success of the industry. The addition of these members demonstrates the value they see in being part of our trade association and the ongoing expansion of this industry.”

Clean Fuels newest members include:

• DSM – a purpose-led science-based global company specializing in solutions for human and animal health and nutrition. DSM’s purpose is to create brighter lives for all.
• National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) – NORA was authorized by Congress in 2000 to provide funding that would allow the oil heat industry to provide more efficient and more reliable heat and hot water to the American Consumers.
• PSC Group, LLC – With unrivaled safety and quality performance, PSC Group provides product handling services, logistics, railcar repair, and sustainability solutions for the chemical, refining, and marine transportation industries.
• ROC 1954 – ROC 1954’s mission is to support the prosperity of our families, business partners and communities through the efficient, safe, profitable and environmentally responsible distribution of high-quality liquid energy products, lubricants, value added logistic services, and other complementary profit-enhancing initiatives.
• Third Coast Commodities – Third Coast Commodities, LLC was formed in 2013 with one simple message in mind: To start a new physical merchant with the combined goals of bringing transparency to the world of physical derivative commodities and reducing risk.
• Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. – Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded partnership based in Tulsa, Okla., that primarily transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products and crude oil.
• Green Plains Inc. – Green Plains is a leading ag-tech company using innovative processes to transform annually renewable crops into sustainable, high-value ingredients.
• Iveco Group – a company committed to transforming our business and leading the change to a more sustainable future, with a  strong presence across the full range of commercial and specialty vehicles, complete powertrain offering, and focus on advanced sustainable solutions.

“We are excited to welcome these new members to the Clean Fuels family,” Rehagen said.

“We are committed to their success as they are committed to ours. Through the support of our members, Clean Fuels has delivered industry growth, literally from zero gallons to now 3-billion-gallons a year. We are well positioned to deliver on our 6-billion-gallon vision, and we welcome companies that share that vision to join us and get engaged in the process.”

This communication is funded by the United Soybean Board.

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

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“The current tax credit expires at the end of 2022. Letting it expire would harm the U.S. economy and the environment, the data show,” the report states.

“A significant body of research also demonstrates that the biodiesel tax credit easily passes a cost-benefit analysis, and that the environmental benefits alone from each gallon of biodiesel that replaces petrodiesel exceed two dollars a gallon, or more than double the cost of the credit,” the report continues.

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in economic activity each year. Every 100 million gallons of production supports 3,200 jobs and $780 million in economic opportunity. The new report estimates that expiration of the tax incentive would eliminate as many as 3,000 jobs in the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry. The total employment loss throughout the supply chain associated with production would be between 7,500 and 9,000 jobs.

Moreover, the report finds that in 2019 use of biodiesel reduced U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 18 million metric tons. The cumulative greenhouse gas emission reduction since the inception of the biodiesel tax incentive is more than 100 million metric tons.

The report authors write, “We believe that ending the credit in 2022, when the current legislation providing for it expires, would be inadvisable and would likely devastate the market, resulting in the destruction of thousands of jobs, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and other local air pollutants, and the undoing of much of what the previous 17 years accomplished — namely, the establishment of a robust market for an important fuel and an essential tool for reversing climate change.”

Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels’ Vice President of Federal Affairs, stated, “This report demonstrates how remarkably effective the tax incentive has been in supporting the emergence of biodiesel and renewable diesel. As more and more American consumers demand better, cleaner fuels, a long-term and forward-looking tax incentive can help the industry sustainably grow and diversify. We appreciate the bipartisan support in Congress for continuing this policy. “Biodiesel production supports approximately 13 percent of the value of each U.S. bushel of soybeans

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