Frequently Asked Questions About Clean Fuels
Click through the FAQs below to learn more about Clean Fuels Alliance America, our products, the clean fuels industry and more.
Who is Clean Fuels Alliance America?
Clean Fuels Alliance America (Clean Fuels) is a non-profit trade association that exists to promote public acceptance and confidence in biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, ensuring commercial success for all.
What are clean fuels?
Biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel produce lower greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis and less criteria air pollutants than traditional fuels. Clean fuels are produced from a variety of renewable feedstocks and can be used as drop-in fuels in various sectors, including ground transportation, rail, marine and aviation transport, as well as home heating.
What are the benefits of clean fuels?
Clean fuels drive economic benefits for the manufacturing, energy production, agriculture and ground, rail, marine and air transportation sectors. They are at the center of $23.2 billion in annual U.S. economic activity. Biodiesel and renewable diesel also deliver lower greenhouse gas emissions and play an essential role in the agricultural economy, creating jobs and driving industry growth. Research has also identified more than $7.5 billion in avoided health costs — such as reduced asthma cases, fewer sick days, and reduced cancer incidence — annually through biodiesel and Bioheat® use in communities.
What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable, cleaner-burning diesel replacement that meets ASTM D6751 specification and can be used in existing diesel engines without modification.
This fuel is made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as soybean oil, used cooking oil or animal fat through a chemical process called transesterification, which separates glycerol from fat or plant oil and replaces it with methanol.
Where can I find biodiesel?
Whether you are a petroleum distributor sourcing fuel or an everyday driver looking for clean fuels at the pump, finding biodiesel has never been easier. Thousands of retail stations now offer biodiesel blends to the public at filling stations, truck stops and fuel terminals across the country.
Does my engine warranty support biodiesel?
Biodiesel blends can be used according to engine manufacturers’ recommendations in any diesel engine without the need for modifications.
Most engine companies support the use of biodiesel blends up to B20 in their equipment. Several companies support higher blends in certain applications. For a complete list of OEM Positions of Support for Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel in on-road, off-road, marine and rail applications, see the OEM Support Summary.
Is biodiesel the same as vegetable oil?
No. Biodiesel is a clean fuel that meets ASTM D6751 specifications. It is produced when vegetable oil and other feedstocks undergo a chemical process called transesterification.
What is sustainable aviation fuel?
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a drop-in jet fuel that meets ASTM D7566 specifications. SAF is made from renewable feedstocks and reduces carbon emissions for cleaner, more sustainable aviation transport.
The first commercially available gallons of SAF are being produced through a process called hydrotreatment, similar to renewable diesel production. Testing is currently underway to allow the use of 100% SAF in aviation travel.
What is renewable diesel?
Renewable diesel is made from the same renewable feedstocks as biodiesel using a process that resembles traditional diesel fuel production. Renewable diesel is a drop-in diesel replacement that meets ASTM D975 – the same standard for petroleum diesel.
What is the difference between biodiesel and renewable diesel?
Both biodiesel and renewable diesel are drop-in fuels for diesel (compression ignition) engines, sustainably made from renewable fats and oils. Each offers performance improvements over the use of petroleum diesel, such as higher cetane values and the reduction of carbon and criteria pollutant emissions.
Biodiesel is produced through transesterification, which converts feedstocks into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Biodiesel meets the ASTM D6751 specification.
Renewable diesel utilizes a production process more like diesel fuel production. It meets ASTM D975 – the same standard for petroleum diesel.
What is the Renewable Fuel Standard?
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) supports sustainable growth of the clean fuels market by requiring transportation fuel sold in the United States to include annually set volumes of renewable fuels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the required RFS volumes each year and maintains data on production and use.
Why are clean fuels important?
Clean fuels provide a range of economic, environmental and market benefits, making them good for farmers, the economy, the country and the planet.
What is a sustainable fuel source?
A sustainable fuel source is one that is created from renewable or recycled biomass feedstocks. For instance, soybeans grown every year can generate soybean oil for clean fuels, making the fuels renewable. Used cooking oil from restaurants is an example of a recycled waste feedstock used to make clean fuels.