EPA boosts biodiesel mandate by 28 percent
More than a year passed since U.S. EPA first proposed boosting the biomass-based diesel mandate from 1 billion gallons in 2012 to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013. During that time, the $1 per gallon federal tax credit disappeared; high-profile biodiesel RIN fraud cases were exposed and discussed in major news outlets and in congressional hearings, causing a freezing of markets and hesitancy of obligated parties to buy biodiesel RINs; RFS waiver requested mounted; and reports leaked out of Europe that indicated what is now public information—the Continent was going to limit crop-based biofuels moving forward. Despite those challenges, the biodiesel industry perseveres, thanks in large part to efforts from biodiesel advocates, producers and the National Biodiesel Board. Here’s to 1.28 billion gallons of RIN-fraud-free production in the new year.
