January 3, 2025
BY Clean Fuels Alliance America
The U.S. is on pace to surpass 5 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel consumption for the first time, capping a 2024 that saw increased efforts from states to drive adoption, updates to technical standards, growth in soybean crush capacity and growing public support for clean transportation fuel.
Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen said a strong 2024 has set the industry up well for further growth in aviation, marine, rail and heavy-duty transportation use.
“Consumers and corporations are demanding more clean fuel, and they are increasingly turning to biodiesel and renewable diesel to meet those demands,” Rehagen said. “Our industry has become a central force in the global effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions.”
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States implement clean fuel policy
State policy in 2024 helped grow clean fuel use.
Updated fuel specs create opportunities
Thanks to the work of the Clean Fuels technical team and other industry experts, 2024 brought new market opportunities with updated fuel specifications and growing compatibility with manufacturers.
Biodiesel, renewable diesel make farms stronger
Clean fuel production uses more than a billion pounds of soybean oil per month and increasing amounts of soybean meal for feed markets. This is driving a 30% increase in crush capacity across the United States.
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More than 20 new processing plants or expansions are underway that will add 650 million bushels of capacity, representing an investment in rural America of more than $6 billion. This also represents growth in feedstock diversity, as over 20% of the new U.S. crush capacity will process soft seeds like canola.
Looking ahead
2024 laid the groundwork for even more growth in the year ahead, Rehagen said.
“The rail and marine sectors are poised for growth, and airlines are ready to start using more sustainable aviation fuel,” he said. “We’ve only just begun to meet the growing needs for clean fuel in the U.S. and around the world.”
Neste and FedEx, the world’s largest express cargo airline, have agreed on the supply of 8,800 metric tons (more than 3 million gallons) of blended Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to FedEx at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The U.S. EPA on May 14 delivered two RFS rulemakings to the White House OMB, beginning the interagency review process. One rule focuses on RFS RVOs and the other focuses on a partial waiver of the 2024 cellulosic RVO.
The U.S. EPA on May 15 released data showing nearly 1.79 billion RINs were generated under the RFS in April, down from 2.09 million generated during the same month of last year. Total RIN generation for the first four months of 2025 was 7.12 billion.
Calumet Inc. on May 9 announced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity at its Montana Renewables biorefinery is expected to reach 120 MMgy to 150 MMgy sooner than previously reported for a fraction of the originally expected cost.
Tidewater Renewables on May 8 announced that its 3,000-barrel-per-day renewable diesel plant in Prince George, British Columbia, operated at 75% capacity during the first quarter, up from 71% during the same period of last year.