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February 1, 2013

EPA Announces Proposed 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards

Lynn L. Bergeson

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on January 31, 2013, the proposed 2013 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. Once EPA publishes the proposed standards in the Federal Register, there will be a 45-day comment period. Under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), the annual renewable fuel volume targets steadily increase to an overall level of 36 billion gallons in 2022. To meet this goal, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard, and, based on the standard, each refiner and importer determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in its transportation fuel. The proposed 2013 overall volumes and standards are:

  • Biomass-based diesel (1.28 billion gallons; 1.12 percent);
  • Advanced biofuels (2.75 billion gallons; 1.60 percent);
  • Cellulosic biofuels (14 million gallons; 0.008 percent); and
  • Total renewable fuels (16.55 billion gallons; 9.63 percent).

EPA notes that, for 2013, it is proposing to implement EISA’s requirement to blend more than 1.35 billion gallons of renewable fuels over the amount mandated for 2012.