Can the U.S. Achieve Its Biofuel Goals?

This week, the EPA zeroed out its 2012 cellulosic biofuel requirements following a court ruling, while it also approved new biomass feedstocks and pathways for the production of more climate-friendly advanced biofuels. The Energy Information Administration expressed skepticism about meeting the 2022 biofuel production goals, but Jim Lane at Biofuels Digest thinks it can be done and shows how.

As reported here previously (" EPA Proposes Renewable Fuel Standards for 2013 "), earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the EPA’s 2012 standard for cellulosic biofuel. On February 28, Globalwarming.org reported that, according to Climatewire (subscription required), the EPA "has altered its cellulosic biofuel requirements for 2012 — from 8.65 million gallons to zero." Quoting Climatewire , "As a result, obligated parties — oil companies required to show EPA that they blend biofuels in their fuel supply — won’t need to provide information on their compliance. The agency will submit refunds to companies that have submitted payments for 2012 cellulosic waiver credits."

Also this week, the EPA released a final rule approving eligibility under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for new advanced biofuel feedstocks and pathways. The EPA approved camelina (as a feedstock for biomass-based diesel or advanced biofuel), energy-cane (as a feedstock for advanced biofuel), and the production of renewable gasoline from certain biomass sources (as a cellulosic biofuel).

With the many delays, starts and stops on the road to advanced and cellulosic biofuels, the Energy Information Administration, in a report released this week, (" Cellulosic biofuels begin to flow but in lower volumes than foreseen in statutory targets "), expressed doubt that the industry will be able to meet the RFS goals on schedule. The report observes: "Although cellulosic biofuels volumes are expected to grow significantly relative to current levels, they will likely remain well below the targets envisioned in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007."

However, Jim Lane, at Biofuels Digest , begs to differ. In an article posted February 28 , he shows how it can be done.