EPA Sets Biodiesel Volume for 2013

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took action September 14, 2012 to establish the amount of biodiesel products required to be included in diesel fuel markets in 2013. Biobased diesel products are advanced biofuels that are derived from sources that include vegetable oils and waste oils from renewable sources.

“This action, which meets goals designated by Congress, is another step that strengthens America’s energy security by reducing dependence on foreign oil,” says EPA administrator Lisa Jackson.

EPA’s action sets the 2013 volume at 1.28 billion gallons under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which established the second phase of the renewable fuel standard program (RFS2). The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 specifies a 1 billion gallon minimum volume requirement for the biomass-based diesel category for 2012 and beyond.

The law also calls on EPA to increase the volume requirements after consideration of environmental-, market- and energy-related factors. The final action follows careful review of the many comments and additional information received since EPA proposed the volume in 2011.

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was created to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes.