EPA Sets Bio-based Diesel Volumes for 2013

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken action to establish the amount of bio-diesel products required to be included in diesel fuel markets in 2013. Bio-based diesel products are advanced bio-fuels that are derived from sources that include vegetable oils and wastes oils from renewable sources.

EPA’s action sets the 2013 volume at 1.28 billion gallons under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) which established the second phase of the Renewable Fuel Standards program. EISA specifies a one billion gallon minimum volume requirement for the biomass-based diesel category for 2012 and beyond.

“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 P. Jackson.

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

More information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/regulations.htm and  http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/index.htm.