RFS2 – What Will Happen? You Decide

The Renewable Fuel Standard Program is reaching a crucial point, impacting the renewable fuels industry tremendously. The National Biodiesel Board is doing everything they can to make sure the RFS2 is put into action in the most functional and economical way.
The RFS2 program is designed to increase the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into conventional gasoline and diesel and to decrease the green house gas(GHG), emissions. This would be the first ever mandatory GHG reduction thresholds for various categories of fuels. GHG emissions are evaluated over the full lifecycle of the fuel, from production of the feedstock all the way to the end use of the renewable fuel, essentially, “from the field to fumes”. The GHG emissions are then compared to the lifecycle emissions of petroleum based fuels. The established range is for a 20 to 60 percent reduction, dependant on the type of renewable fuel.
The EPA has designed a plan which would require a minimum level of particular feedstocks in all biodiesel. The EPA has also proposed to use a Renewable Energy Number system (RIN), to track renewable fuels and determine compliance with the modifications designed to implement the Energy Independence & Security Act(EISA).This provision is a very expensive and complicated tracking program that may have a negative effect on the renewable fuel industry by driving costs up and driving producers out. This is the complete opposite of what this program was originally designed to do, reduce dependence on foreign sources of crude oil, increase domestic sources of energy, and diversify our energy portfolio to bring us beyond a petroleum based economy.
Once this RFS2 program is implemented, the EPA expects to conduct a “notice and comment” rule making process each year in order to determine the appropriate standards applicable in the following year.
Your comments will be considered for the 2010 standards.
Your opinion will be heard if you visit http://www.biodiesel.org/news/RFS and send your comments to the EPA. Your comments will make an impact on the final decision.
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