Biogas Fuel Pathways – EPA RFS Program Updates

EPA RFS Program Updates (see, www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/regulations.htm):

EPA Finalizes Voluntary Quality Assurance Plan for RFS Program

In order to help make the RFS program more efficient and effective for buyers of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), EPA is finalizing a means to help verify the validity of RINs.  The rule provides a structured process for independent third parties to audit the production of renewable fuel and the generation of RINs.

• Fact Sheet: EPA Issues Final Rule to Establish a Voluntary Quality Assurance Program for Verifying the Validity of Renewable Identification Numbers Under the RFS Program (PDF) (3 pp,153K, EPA-420-F-14-042, July 2014)
• Final Rule (PDF) (253 pp, 741K, pre-publication, signed July 2, 2014)

Renewable Fuel Pathways II Final Rule to Identify Additional Fuel Pathways under the RFS Program

EPA has qualified additional renewable fuel production pathways and pathway components that could be used in producing qualifying renewable fuel under the RFS program. This final rule describes EPA’s evaluation of biofuels derived from biogas fuel pathways under the RFS program.

New Pathways

This action qualifies the following as cellulosic and advanced fuel pathways under the RFS program:

• Compressed natural gas produced from biogas from landfills, municipal wastewater treatment facility digesters, agricultural digesters, and separated MSW digesters

• Liquefied natural gas produced from biogas from landfills, municipal wastewater treatment facility digesters, agricultural digesters, and separated MSW digesters

• Electricity used to power electric vehicles produced from biogas from landfills, municipal wastewater treatment facility digesters, agricultural digesters, and separated MSW digesters

Fact Sheet: EPA issues Final Rule for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Pathways II and Modifications to the RFS Program, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Requirements, and E15 Misfueling Mitigation (PDF) (3pp, 150K, EPA-420-F-14-045, July 2014)

Final Rule (PDF) (195 pp, 704K, pre-publication, signed July 2, 2014)