Clean Fuels Welcomes RFS Volumes for 2021 and 2022

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Clean Fuels Alliance America welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule for the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes. The final rule recognizes the continued growth of biodiesel, renewable diesel and other clean fuels and establishes readily achievable program obligations. Clean Fuels supports EPA’s decision to deny pending small refinery exemptions and its consistent finding that the program benefits Americans without hardships for refiners.

“Clean Fuels and its members appreciate EPA Administrator Regan’s recognition that homegrown, clean fuels offer a better solution to high fuel prices stemming from high oil prices and supply shortages,” said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for Clean Fuels. “We support EPA’s efforts to get the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track and to finalize 2022 volumes as a jumping off point for future growth. We stand ready to work with the agency to move forward and set volumes for 2023 and beyond. And we encourage the agency to quickly finalize new feedstocks pathways, such as that for canola oil.”

“Biodiesel and renewable diesel are essential to keeping the U.S. economy moving right now, meeting more than 5 percent of the nation’s need for heavy duty transportation and shipping fuel. The clean fuels industry increased production and supply even during the economic emergency of the last few years, helping Americans save 4% on the cost of diesel fuel and all the other consumer items that rely on diesel fuel for shipping,” Kovarik added.

A recent study from the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Service shows that U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production generates a 4 percent decrease in the price of diesel fuel.

Kovarik continued, “EPA’s denial of pending small refinery exemptions for 2019 through 2021 assures our industry that the volumes set today will be fully met, even with compliance flexibilities. This is an important first step in restoring integrity to the program.”

Today’s rule meets EPA’s consent decree with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to finalize the 2021 and 2022 rules. EPA is currently taking comment on a proposed consent decree to finalize the 2023 RFS volumes and standards by April 2023.

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in economic activity each year. Every 100 million gallons of production supports 3,200 jobs and $780 million in economic opportunity. Biodiesel production supports approximately 13 percent of the value of each U.S. bushel of soybeans.

Contact: Paul Winters, 202-737-8803, pwinters@cleanfuels.org

ABOUT CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE AMERICA

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats, the clean fuels industry is a proven, integral part of America’s clean energy future. Clean Fuels Alliance America is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel supply chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors. Clean Fuels receives funding from a broad mix of private companies and associations, including the United Soybean Board and state checkoff organizations.