Clean Fuels 101

What are clean fuels?

Biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel are domestically produced and commercially available, meeting the nation’s transportation needs today and into the future.

These renewable, cleaner-burning fuels deliver crucial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and serve a variety of markets, including:

  • Ground transportation
  • Rail, marine and aviation transport
  • Home heating

Why Do They Matter?

With a range of economic, environmental and market benefits, clean fuels are good for farmers, the economy, the country and the planet. They are available now and ready to use in today’s engines.

Economic Impact

Economic Impact

Clean fuels drive economic benefits for clean energy production, agriculture and ground, rail, marine and air transportation. These fuels are at the center of $23.2 billion in annual U.S. economic activity, supporting approximately 75,200 American jobs and counting.
Learn how the economic benefits keep growing.

Environmental Impact

Environmental Impact

Biodiesel and renewable diesel reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent on average compared to petroleum diesel, according to Argonne National Labs.
See how our fuels are Better. Cleaner. Now!

Industry Growth

Industry Growth

Clean fuels play an essential role in the agricultural economy and provide a critical supply of fuels to key economic sectors. The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry generates more than 3 billion gallons of better, cleaner fuels each year, driving down the price of traditional diesel by 4% in 2021.

Explore the latest developments.

Public Health Benefits

Public Health Benefits

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for cleaner, healthier air, biodiesel and Bioheat® fuel are proven to reduce particulate emissions. Benefits identified through research include reduced asthma cases, fewer sick days, reduced cancer cases and more than $7.5 billion in avoided health costs annually.
See the latest Health Benefits Study.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 petroleum fuels. Clean fuels are produced from a variety of renewable feedstocks and can be used as a drop-in fuel in various sectors, including ground transportation, rail, marine and aviation transport, as well as home heating.

What is the difference between biodiesel and renewable diesel?
Both biodiesel and renewable diesel are drop-in fuels – sustainably made from renewable fats and oils – for diesel (compression ignition) engines. Each offers performance improvements over the use of petroleum diesel, such as higher cetane values and the reduction of greenhouse gas 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.

Why are clean fuels important?

Clean fuels provide a wide range of economic, environmental and market benefits, making them good for farmers, the economy, the country and the planet.

See more FAQs.