The Engine Technology Forum on May 28 issued a statement calling on the U.S. EPA to propose and finalize robust 2026 Renewable Fuel Standard blending obligations for biomass-based diesel before the end of the year. 

“American employees are losing jobs in the biofuel industry because the EPA’s renewable fuels policy isn’t supporting growth,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Engine Technology Forum, in the statement. “Last summer’s announcement of disappointing future volumes for biomass-based diesel in the Renewable Fuel Standard were well-below expectations and production levels. As I said at the time, the volume set is out of touch with current conditions.”

Shaeffer’s statement cites reports that reports from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and others that have found low renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for biomass-based diesel coupled with explosive growth in the renewable diesel sector is causing some facilities to shut down production, leading to job loss and other negative economic impacts. Some examples include Chevron Renewable Energy Group’s March 2024 announcement that it had idled biodiesel plants in Ralston, Iowa, and Madison, Wisconsin, and Vertex Energy Inc.’s May 2024 announcement that it will cease renewable diesel production at its refinery in Mobile, Alabama, and return the previously converted hydrocracker unit to fossil fuel production later this year. 

 “In a May 24, 2024, letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the Forum renewed its appeal from June 2023 and those recent calls by feedstock providers and advanced biofuel producers, to propose and finalize robust, growth-oriented 2026 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes by November,” Shaeffer said. “The need is great, not only because of the negative economic impact but also because of the environmental one, too.”

“In addition, the Forum has launched a national education campaign to raise awareness about the importance of growth-oriented renewable fuel volumes,” he added.

“The use of those fuels immediately reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and every diesel engine, vehicle, and machine can use them. Every day that goes by when consumers and fleets aren’t given the choice to use those low-carbon fuels in their vehicles because of lack of supply is a missed opportunity, stalling progress on meeting climate goals.”

The Engine Technology Forum’s call to enact strong RFS RVOs for biomass-based diesel follows a similar request made by nine agriculture and biofuel trade groups in April. Clean Fuels Alliance America, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, American Soybean Association, American Trucking Associations, Association of American Railroads, National Energy & Fuels Institute, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Renderers Association, and U.S. Canola Association on April 29 sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to propose and finalize robust 2026 RFS RVOs for biomass-based diesel by the November 2024 statutory deadline.