Biodiesel


Iowa Biodiesel Board Commends EPA For Proposed Renewable Fuel Volumes

Date Posted: May 29, 2015

Ankeny, Iowa — The Environmental Protection Agency today announced its long-awaited proposed renewable fuel volumes under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard program.

In biodiesel’s primary RFS category, “biomass-based diesel,” EPA has proposed 1.63 billion gallons in 2014, with gradual growth of about 100 million gallons per year to a standard of 1.9 billion gallons in 2017.

Growth is also planned for the Advanced Biofuel category, which biodiesel also qualifies for.

It is scheduled to be finalized in November.

Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, issued the following statement:

“As the top biodiesel-producing state, we are enormously relieved the biodiesel industry’s long limbo is almost over.

"Although the prolonged uncertainty strained our producers, we seem to be headed back on course for the original intent of the RFS.

"EPA’s proposal marks a significant increase for biodiesel volumes from their original proposal in 2013, which would have held the biodiesel standard flat at 1.28 billion gallons through 2015.

"Although the proposed volumes in later years are lower than the reasonable increases we had requested, and we look forward to opportunities for greater growth, these volumes still represent advancement.

"We are grateful to EPA for hearing us, and adjusting the volumes to promote steady growth in renewable fuel rather than abruptly reversing course.

"We also appreciate USDA's support in this effort.

"Further, having four years of known volumes is a huge step towards eliminating the disruptive uncertainty that has made business planning and investments difficult in Iowa.

"We sincerely hope our industry will not have to endure this under the RFS again.”

Biodiesel is a top success story of the RFS, and our producers are eager to move forward with diversifying America’s energy supply, boosting economic development, cleaning the air and reducing dependence on foreign oil.

For more information, please contact Jenna Higgins Rose at 573-808-0815.

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