ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Fuels Institute has published a new white paper that explores the carbon benefits of using biofuels, according to a news release.
The paper, “Assessment of Biofuels Policy: Effectiveness of Emissions Reductions,” examines fuel ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel and gasoline, hydrogen and R80B20, plus evaluates the policies that affect these fuels, the availability of feedstocks to expand their market share and the vehicle and infrastructure capabilities of accommodating such an expansion.
“We all know that the road to decarbonization is a long one, and despite the introduction of new vehicle technologies that promise to dramatically reduce carbon emissions, the reality is that we are going to be driving combustion engines and burning liquid fuels for decades, and we must pay careful attention to this sector of the market,” said John Eichberger, Fuels Institute executive director. “The paper is just the tip of the iceberg. We hope it jump-starts the conversation about finding an answer to carbon emissions from all vehicles, not just new vehicles equipped with different technology.”
The paper presents the challenges in settling on a global, common method for evaluating life-cycle carbon emission. It also addresses the current and proposed policy environment and associated costs, demonstrating that that there are policies designed to encourage the use of these fuels that conflict with policies designed to limit the use of these fuels. This paper sets up the discussion about how we harmonize the policy approach to take advantage of low-carbon options that exist today or plan for those that are on the cusp of viability.
Here’s where you can download the free paper.
Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced biofuel blending mandates for 2022 and the prior two years. The 2022 biofuel blending mandate for 2022 is 20.63 billion gallons, and the EPA retroactively set the volume mandates for 2021 at 18.84 billion gallons and for 2020 at 17.13 billion gallons. The EPA also denied oil refiners waivers to be exempt from the requirements but said it would allow extra time for small refiners to meet their 2020 blending obligations.
“At EPA, we are laser-focused on providing more options for consumers at the pump, and today we are taking steps to increase the availability of homegrown biofuels,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s actions will help to reduce our reliance on oil and put the RFS program back on track after years of challenges and mismanagement. We remain committed to working with all RFS stakeholders to build on today’s actions and deliver certainty and stability in the RFS program.”
NACS, along with other associations, is urging congressional leaders to extend the biodiesel blenders’ tax credit and ensure that there is parity with jet renewable fuel and other alternative fuels using the same blend stocks.