Lawmakers in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on March 6 reintroduced legislation that aims to ensure that renewable identification numbers (RINs) generated for renewable fuel used by ocean-going vessels would be eligible for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance. 

The legislation, known as the Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act, was introduced in the House by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and John Garamendi, D-Calif, and in the Senate by Sens. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Previous versions of the bill were introduced by Miller-Meeks in December 2023  and by Ricketts and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, in February 2024.

The RFS currently excludes “fuel used in ocean-going vessels” from the definition of transportation fuels and from refiners’ and blenders’ obligations. Refiners and blenders are currently required to retire RINs from any biodiesel and renewable diesel used in vessels with Class 3 engines operating in international waters, including the Great Lakes. In the first 10 months of 2023, more than 5 million D4 RINs were retired under this rule.

RFS regulations, however, currently companies to generate and use RINs for “additional renewable fuel,” which includes heating oil and jet fuel. The Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act would expand the RFS definition of additional renewable fuel and allow companies to use or sell the RINs associated with biodiesel and renewable diesel used in ocean-going vessels.

“Global shipping companies are looking to U.S. farmers and fuel producers to take the lead in providing clean fuels,” said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “This commonsense legislation will remove a regulatory roadblock and enable U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers in partnership with soy and canola growers to meet the needs of shipping companies at a competitive price. It will allow refiners and blenders to keep RFS credits for fuel used in ocean-going vessels that are currently being sacrificed.” 

“In these challenging times for biodiesel producers, expanding the marine fuel market presents a vital opportunity,” said Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. “A legislative change like this would break down a regulatory barrier that hinders U.S. biodiesel producers from meeting demand for affordable, accessible clean fuel in the marine market. Iowa’s farmers stand ready to unleash American energy with the fuel they help produce.”